Glamping in Hampton, Virginia provides access to both Chesapeake Bay and Atlantic Ocean shorelines with camping options ranging from beachfront to wooded settings. Located along Virginia's coastal plain, the area experiences mild winters and warm summers with average July temperatures reaching 89°F. Most glamping sites in the region operate year-round with peak season running April through October.
What to do
Paddling adventures: Bethel Park offers boating on its reservoir where you can rent kayaks and paddle boats to explore the tranquil waters. A visitor noted, "There is a lake for fishing with boat rentals available" and recommended it as a "good little spot for last minute camping in town."
Hiking trails: First Landing State Park features several wooded trails that connect camping areas to natural attractions. "There are trails that are on the campground near their visitors center," mentions Timothy B., who appreciated the forest surroundings despite being in walking distance to the beach.
Fishing opportunities: Kiptopeke State Park provides excellent fishing access along the Chesapeake Bay. One visitor recounted, "I did enjoy the fishing pier and got to catch fish I have never seen before. One being a searobin," adding the helpful warning that searobins have "sharp spines on their gill plates and dorsal fins."
Beachcombing: Sandy shores at several locations offer opportunities for collecting shells and shark teeth. At Chippokes State Park, a camper suggests you can "hunt for sharks teeth on the beach" as a unique family activity that costs nothing and requires no special equipment.
What campers like
Privacy in natural settings: Chippokes Plantation State Park earns praise for its secluded atmosphere despite proximity to tourist areas. "Feels country-esque but also like you're on a plantation! Feels like you're a million miles away from it all," notes one reviewer who appreciated the park's ability to create a sense of remoteness.
Clean facilities: Holiday Trav-L Park maintains high standards for its amenities. "The bathrooms and shower houses are always very clean as well as the cabins," reports John H., who has stayed multiple times. Another visitor mentioned that even during busy periods, cleanliness remained consistent.
Convenient beach access: Cape Charles/Chesapeake Bay KOA offers direct bay frontage with sandy shores. "Beach is gorgeous and clean. Sites are easy to back into and connect," reports Alexa D., who found the waterfront location ideal for quick access to swimming and sunset views.
Diverse wildlife viewing: Multiple campgrounds provide opportunities to see native fauna. At Sunset Beach Resort, one visitor noted, "Wild animals usually pass by often later in the evening, horses, deer, rabbits etc," creating unexpected nature viewing opportunities right from camp.
What you should know
Military presence: Camping near military installations may come with unique sounds. A reviewer at First Landing State Park mentioned, "You will be very close to a US military base called Fort Story. You may hear occasional machine guns and artillery. You will also hear reveille in the morning."
Tent site spacing: Sandy Bottom Nature Park provides good separation between primitive sites. "The individual campsites are FCFS and you must park and hike in. It is a short hike along the lake and placed a short distance from the trail so hikers will not be hiking through the sites," notes a detailed review explaining the layout.
Highway noise: Some campgrounds experience traffic sounds despite their natural settings. A visitor to Sandy Bottom Nature Park observed, "The biggest negative was that no matter where you were in the park, there was significant noise from the highway. Horns honking, sirens blaring, the general rush of cars going by."
Summer heat: July and August can be challenging for tent campers. One camper at First Landing advised, "I wouldn't recommend tent camping in the middle of summer - my husband and i both got sick," though they still found the beach experience worthwhile.
Tips for camping with families
Beach options for children: Chippokes State Park offers gentle water access perfect for younger swimmers. "The water at the beaches is so shallow great for my son!" noted a parent who found the gradually sloping shoreline ideal for children learning to swim.
Playground access: Holiday Trav-L-Park features multiple play areas throughout the property. "Playing on the many small playgrounds" was highlighted by a family who stayed there, though another mentioned that "the main playground was a mud pit" after heavy rains, suggesting visiting during drier periods.
Swimming alternatives: When ocean conditions aren't suitable, many campgrounds offer pool access. At Chippokes, a visitor mentioned, "Pool is very clean," making it a reliable option when beaches might be too rough for younger children.
Educational opportunities: First Landing State Park provides history learning alongside camping. "We took 6 teenagers camping and they had a blast!" shared a group leader who used the historic site as both recreation and educational opportunity for their teen campers.
Tips from RVers
Site selection for shade: At Kiptopeke State Park, site location significantly impacts comfort. "Arrive early to choose shady spots," recommends Elizabeth N., noting the "nice easy back-in sites, full hookups in good working order." Another camper specified, "Try and get C loop spots 15 - 21. They're shaded and at the back of the loop."
Parking considerations: For larger rigs, Holiday Trav-L-Park offers specially designed areas. "This place is huge, has Super Sites, FHU sites, tent sites," explains an experienced RVer who found the variety of options suitable for different rig sizes.
Utility connections: Cape Charles KOA provides well-maintained hookups that work reliably. "Sites are easy to back into and connect," mentioned a reviewer who appreciated the straightforward setup process for their RV systems.
Campground navigation: Many Hampton area campgrounds feature paved interior roads. "Great (paved) campground!" noted an RVer at Chippokes State Park who found the solid surfaces made moving their vehicle much easier compared to dirt or gravel campgrounds.
