Wildlife Management Areas near Colonial Heights, Virginia provide opportunities for primitive camping without standard campground facilities. These areas span thousands of acres across tidewater Virginia's coastal plains, primarily consisting of forested land with water access points. Camping is permitted year-round but requires a valid Virginia hunting or fishing license or payment of a daily use fee.
What to do
Shoreline fishing: At Eagle Nest Lookout, anglers frequently catch substantial fish using various methods. "If you are fishing, they pulled up a 17 pounder and a 25 pounder using a drone to take their lure easy out and someone caught a decent bass," notes one camper who visited during winter.
Explore hiking trails: The surrounding areas offer various walking paths through coastal forest terrain. "The scenery is spectacular alongside the Chickahominy River and a great place for hiking," mentions a visitor who enjoyed the natural environment despite some noise from nearby facilities.
Boat access: Many sites allow for launching small watercraft directly from shore. Ware Creek Wildlife Management Area provides boat-in camping opportunities, with one visitor noting, "Got here late as the sun was going down. Camped in the RAV4. Will explore the area in the morning."
What campers like
Proximity to water: The ability to camp directly beside rivers creates a unique experience. One camper at Chickahominy Wildlife Management Area Site shared, "I arrived with a small (18') trailer and put it within 5' of the water."
Multiple site options: The dispersed nature of these areas provides camping flexibility. "Basic parking spot in quite location. Weekends some hunters and shooting range close by in other side. It's 2 parking side by water and some other ones on the way while driving," explains a Chickahominy WMA visitor.
Elevated camping spots: Some locations feature higher ground options with better views. "You can't see it from the road but there is a beaten narrow path that leads from the end of the road up to a small knoll. At the top is an area about 20 feet wide covered in mature trees with a view of the James River," describes a camper who found this secluded spot.
What you should know
Trash management concerns: Many primitive sites suffer from previous visitors leaving debris. "It is a great shame that people would desecrate such a beautiful area with trash and a blatant disregard for others! We arrived and set up camp around 3pm. There was quite a bit of trash dispersed in this area which we picked up," reports one Eagle Nest Lookout visitor.
Noise factors: Nearby shooting ranges and other campers can create unexpected disturbances. "Be aware that you will be able to hear the shooting range up till the evening. In my opinion these areas are not necessarily the best place for quiet secluded camping," warns one reviewer.
Payment system challenges: While fees are required, the payment process can be complicated. "Camping here is free but there is a $4 daily use fee to be in the WMA that you can pay via phone, website or app tho the clunkiness of the website and app make it hard."
Tips for camping with families
Bring cleanup supplies: Given the frequent reports of trash, families should pack extra garbage bags to maintain their campsite. "There was some trash unfortunately. But the privacy and singularity of camping so close to the water made it a nice find," notes a visitor who looked past this issue.
Consider weekday visits: Weekends bring increased traffic from hunters and anglers. "Weekends some hunters and shooting range close by in other side," mentions a camper, suggesting quieter experiences may be found mid-week.
Plan for complete self-sufficiency: These primitive camping areas near Colonial Heights require bringing all necessities. "No water, no toilet, Pack it in, Pack it out. LNT. There is a fire ring and a fire pit. The ground is well tamped down," explains a visitor to one of the riverside sites.
Tips from RVers
Small trailers only: Access roads and camping areas accommodate only modest-sized RVs. "I arrived with a small (18') trailer and put it within 5' of the water," shares one RVer who successfully navigated the terrain.
Limited parking areas: While vehicle camping is possible, space constraints exist. "There are basically two parking or camping spot closest to the ramp partitioned by some rail timbers," explains a visitor who found the defined spaces somewhat limiting.
Consider vehicle-based camping: For those without traditional RVs, car camping works well in these areas. "Car camped here 5 feet from the water. There is a large shoreline area to Car camp and right up the hill is a nice tent site as well overlooking the river," reports a visitor who enjoyed the flexibility of this approach.
