Located at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay, cabin camping near Fort Monroe offers year-round access to both beachfront and wooded sites. Most campgrounds in the region experience mild winters with daytime temperatures rarely below 40°F and warm summers averaging 80-85°F. The surrounding waterways create a distinctive coastal environment where camping facilities often straddle the line between forest and beach settings.
What to do
Beach activities at Cape Charles: The shoreline at Sun Outdoors Cape Charles provides direct access to calm Chesapeake Bay waters. "Great place to camp, fish, crab and relax by the beach and collect seashells. It has 2 beautiful beaches, one that allows pets and the other does not," notes one visitor.
Lighthouse exploration: Historic Cape Henry lighthouse stands near Fort Story Military Base, which hosts camping facilities. A camper at Military Park Fort Story reports, "This campground is located at the Fort Story Navy Base, set in a wooded area not far from a nice beach right at the corner of where the Chesapeake Bay meets the Atlantic. Two historic lighthouse mark the spot!"
Wildlife viewing: Kiptopeke State Park Campground borders prime wildlife habitat. "We come every year because it's on our top list of yearly visits. Wild animals usually pass by often later in the evening, horses, deer, rabbits etc," writes one regular camper who appreciates the natural setting.
What campers like
Privacy levels: Site configuration varies greatly between parks. At Chippokes State Park Campground, "Large campsites. Well maintained. Got last available site & never felt crowded," writes one visitor. This contrasts with more developed properties.
Unique historical features: Some cabins occupy sites with interesting histories. "Stayed at the cabins on the property and it's been well documented that they are haunted. There is a journal/guest log and there are many stories of pennies falling from the ceiling and the rocking chair rocking when no one is sitting in it," reports a visitor to Kiptopeke State Park.
Convenient beach access: Proximity to water remains a primary draw. First Landing State Park Campground earns praise for its location: "We were in site 156 which was right near a boardwalk and a bathhouse. The sites and beach were clean. The park personnel were polite and not annoying."
What you should know
Military connections: Several campgrounds near Fort Monroe either require military ID or border military installations. A camper at Military Park Fort Story Cape Henry RV Park notes, "Clean and spacious...quiet until reveille." Another mentions, "You may hear occasional machine guns and artillery. You will also hear reveille in the morning."
Seasonal booking challenges: Summer reservations require advance planning. "This campground is a resort KOA - those are campgrounds with more amenities. We found that the weekends are very loud as the partiers come out and during the week its quiet great place to camp," explains a visitor to Cape Charles / Chesapeake Bay KOA.
Site selection considerations: Campers report significant differences between site locations within the same parks. "A loop has full hookup where A and B do not. Try and get C loop spots 15 - 21. They're shaded and at the back of the loop," recommends a visitor to Kiptopeke State Park.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly beaches: Look for gentle shorelines with supervision. At Cape Charles / Chesapeake Bay KOA, "Very large beachfront area with lots of room to spread out. They also have a separate dog beach, where my dogs lived their best life," mentions one camper.
Multiple swimming options: When beach conditions disappoint, pools provide alternatives. "My extended family has been camping here for years. The facilities are great and there is easy access to the beach. Would definitely recommend to any family that wants to start camping or anyone who wants an easy camping experience," shares a First Landing visitor.
Rainy day preparations: Occasional storms affect the low-lying region. "A storm hit right after I got here and now I'm sitting in about 8 inches of water! Good for a night if you just need a stop over, but can't say I'd like to be here any longer than that," cautions a visitor to Chesapeake Campground.
Tips from RVers
Off-season advantages: Winter camping offers value and tranquility. "Prices come way down during the off season. Much of the facilities are closed but they keep open one of their bathhouses. Otherwise it's a peaceful stay in the winter months," reports a winter camper at Virginia Beach KOA.
Connectivity considerations: Signal strength varies by location. "I'm here for hybrid remote work and the T-Mobile signal is nice and strong for my needs, both for work and entertainment. Easy to get in and out of the campground," shares a remote worker staying at Virginia Beach KOA.
Site leveling challenges: Some campgrounds require additional equipment. "The site was half gravel and half grass. The grading wasn't great and the gravel was thin. Lots of water puddles and the grass was swampy," notes an RVer describing seasonal challenges at Holiday Trav-L-Park.
