Equestrian camping near Hampton, Virginia requires travelers to plan carefully due to limited dedicated horse facilities. The coastal plain terrain features low elevation between 0-100 feet above sea level with mild year-round temperatures averaging 48°F in winter and 87°F in summer. Most campgrounds in the region operate seasonally from spring through fall, with rainfall distributed evenly throughout the year creating occasionally soggy conditions at riverside locations.
What to do
Fishing and crabbing activities: Kiptopeke State Park Campground offers excellent fishing opportunities where visitors can catch unique species. "This park is a nice place to bring your family to camp, fish, crab and relax by the beach and collect seashells," notes Annemarie R., who adds, "I did enjoy the fishing pier and got to catch fish I have never seen before. One being a searobin."
Kayaking in blackwater: Northwest River Park & Campground provides kayak rentals for exploring the distinctive dark waters. "There are a few hikes leading back to the river. Canoes and paddle boats are available to rent for use in black water," explains Heather L.
Historical exploration: Visit the working plantation at Chippokes State Park Campground to learn about agricultural history. "The still working farm and homes are a treasure of how life and farms ran back in the day and how they can survive into the future," writes Rose H.
What campers like
Beachcombing opportunities: The shoreline at Kiptopeke offers unique wildlife viewing and shell collecting. "It has 2 beautiful beaches, one that allows pets and the other does not. There are wooden boardwalk trails in the park and a few of them leads to different areas on the beach," reports Annemarie R.
Ferry access: Chippokes State Park Campground provides convenient transportation to nearby attractions. "About 5 miles away is the ferry to Williamsburg...its free and usually a highlight of the trip for the kids!" shares Philip S.
Clean facilities: Visitors consistently mention the well-maintained amenities at Northwest River Park. "Overall amazed at the cleanliness of the campground. The staff is very friendly. The park was very quiet going into the night," says Joseph H.
What you should know
Seasonal flooding concerns: Low-lying areas can become waterlogged after heavy rain. At Northwest River Park, Nicole L. warns, "Because this area is near wetlands some of the campsites were flooded throughout the weekend. If rain a lot of rain is forecasted you may want to talk to one of the rangers about your particular site."
Site layout variations: At Kiptopeke State Park Campground, campsite placement affects privacy and comfort. "The only reason I am giving 4 stars is for everyone. I thoroughly enjoyed my spot being in a cul-de-sac. But driving back to my spot I noticed all the A and B spots for trailers are just on top of each other," observes Joseph H.
Website inconsistencies: Chesapeake Campground may not match online descriptions. "The Chesapeake campgrounds website shows outdated pictures and does not show what the campground looks like currently," cautions Toby K.
Tips for camping with families
Child-friendly amenities: Chesapeake Campground offers various activities for children. "There were a lot of child friendly activities to do here. It's about 40 mins from the beach. We tent camped and had a blast," shares Audriana V., who adds, "The camp store is great. It has ice cream, which my kids loved."
Beach safety: Shallow water areas provide safer swimming spots for children. At Chippokes, Susan P. notes, "The water at the beaches is so shallow great for my son! It's a beautiful place!"
Wildlife education: Northwest River Park & Campground offers educational programs for young visitors. "Chesapeake Public Park's does a great job with events and education at NWRP!" writes Elizabeth V.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: At Kiptopeke State Park, certain areas provide better shade and privacy. "First two rows of sites have almost ZERO tree cover. 1st row not very level sites. Not quite as spacious/spread out sites as other state parks, but it's on the bay! Tent sites are wooded, no rvs allowed," advises Ashley I.
Hookup information: Chippokes State Park Campground has some sites better suited for RVs. "The campsites on the A loop are a little more on an angle, they converted tent site lots to camper lots so they come with a level tent area as well," notes Johnathan M.
Water access points: Not all sites provide direct water connections. At Northwest River Park, Gary D. mentions, "Plenty of room..showers/bathrooms huge..water NOT at all sites but easy to fill tanks. Some sites close to main road but not a lot of traffic."
