Heathsville, Virginia sits in the Northern Neck region between the Potomac and Rappahannock Rivers, with an average elevation of less than 100 feet above sea level and a humid subtropical climate. This coastal environment creates ideal conditions for waterfront camping from April through November, with summer temperatures averaging 85-90°F. Winter camping options remain limited, with fewer facilities open during the December-March offseason.
What to do
Kayaking water trails: Jane's Island State Park offers marked kayak trails through marshes and channels. "We had a great time. The campground is very nice. Lots of wildlife to watch. They offer kayak rentals, we really enjoyed kayaking through the water trails. You can also kayak out to a sand beach," shared Carrie N.
Fossil hunting: Westmoreland State Park Campground provides unique beach opportunities for finding shark teeth. "We came from Pa/De and wanted to look for sharks teeth. It was beautiful here so we decided to stay the night. We only have a small tent and some snacks. Lol but we are having an amazing time," noted Sara A. The park also features educational displays about local fossil discoveries.
Crabbing excursions: Thousand Trails Chesapeake Bay features crabbing piers for recreational harvesting. "We had never been crabbing and this beautiful rv park has its own crabbing pier. There is boating, hiking, watching wild life and so many pretty birds," explains Mike T. The best crabbing season runs June through September when water temperatures are warmest.
Cycling on paved paths: Campgrounds near Heathsville feature dedicated biking areas. "The sites are spacious! Golf cart rentals, pool is incredible for all ages. Employees are super friendly. 50amp & 30amp hookup. Sewer is in 2 locations for each site. WiFi available. Multiple kids playgrounds," according to happy_champers who visited Bethpage Camp-Resort.
What campers like
Accessible waterfront sites: Cross Rip Camp offers premium camping directly on the water. "Catherine and Rebecca are the best. They were flexible with our dates for tent camping. They provided kayaks, canoes, sailboats, beach chairs, bikes and so much more," Gina G. reports. Sites provide direct views of the sunrise and sunset across the water.
Clean, well-maintained facilities: Jane's Island State Park Campground receives consistently positive reviews for cleanliness. "The bathrooms were nicer than my bath at home and sparkling clean. Staff was amazingly pleasant and helpful. The campground was quiet and peaceful," shared Kristen D. Bathrooms are cleaned multiple times daily, particularly during busy summer weekends.
Fishing opportunities: Rainbow Acres Campground provides river fishing access. "This is always our spot when we were are in the area, sometimes even when we're not. We love rainbow acres! We've been in groups and just the two of us. It's so relaxing and so much to do. Everyone is friendly and helpful. Great place to fish or paddle board whatever you're into really," explains Chanel B.
Secluded camping spots: Grey's Point Camp offers quieter sites away from main traffic areas. "Motorcycle tent camped. Great owners who made sure we had everything we needed. Beautiful views of sunset and sunrise. Great beach with Adirondack chairs. Bathhouse very clean. Water view from campsite," Greg observed during his stay.
What you should know
Seasonal operating schedules: Most waterfront glamping facilities near Heathsville operate April through November. "We stayed in Sycamore 09. The site was clean and level. No fire pit or grill, so plan ahead. We went the last weekend the pool was open, which wasn't crowded at all," Michael B. noted about Bethpage Camp-Resort's seasonal schedule.
Biting insect presence: Westmoreland State Park Campground visitors should prepare for insects, particularly in summer. "I LOVE this park. The tent sites are awesome and mine have always been pretty private feeling despite being somewhat near others. Oh - and check for ticks and bring your bug spray. Gotta love humid Virginia summers!" RL advises.
Train noise considerations: Anvil Campground sits near active train tracks. "We stayed here during our historical tour of Jamestown and Yorktown. It is a small campground but it has everything you need. The only thing that is negative is that it is on the train tracks. The cabin we stayed in was about 15 feet from the tracks. Not really a complaint from us since the kids thought it was awesome," Bridget H. explains.
Grocery planning needed: "Spent 5 days at BethPage and despite the rain, it was a great trip. We enjoyed the site Mulberry 2A that was a full hookup and a patio...backed to the lake," Robert P. mentions. Many glamping areas near Heathsville have limited grocery options, requiring advance meal planning.
Tips for camping with families
Water feature accessibility: Grey's Point Camp provides water activities suitable for various ages. "There are so many activities for kids at this campground. There are waters slides, playgrounds, fishing, water rentals, and campground sponsored fun," Scott T. reports. The water slides operate during summer months only, typically 10am-6pm.
Kid-friendly amenities: Bethpage Camp-Resort consistently ranks high for family experiences. "We loved Bethpage so much we are booked again. Of all the campgrounds we've been to-our kids rate this one as their favorite- it has a great water park, mini golf and flat biking. The only thing missing for my husband and I are water views," explains Cyndi N.
Educational opportunities: Westmoreland State Park offers structured activities for children. "Westmoreland felt a little crowded at full capacity. Had to wait for restrooms and the beaches were well used. They did have great trails, a lot of scheduled events for all ages, a pool and boat rentals and competitive prices," says Rachel A.
Playground selections: Multiple campgrounds offer dedicated play areas. "Bethpage is our all time favorite campground! We've been going for several years and it never disappoints. The lake and pools are fantastic. The playgrounds are large and fun for the younger kids. With all paved streets the campground is perfect for bike riding," writes Christen C.
Tips from RVers
Site access challenges: Anvil Campground requires careful navigation for larger rigs. "This campground is not large at all and that's one of the many things to love about it. The grounds are well taken care of and the team was so friendly. My only complaint if there was one would be the sites could have been a little farther apart," Barb S. advises.
Full hookup availability: Most luxury glamping near Heathsville offers comprehensive utility connections. "This is a nice park. My first time with Thousand Trails and it's odd that you pick your spot once you get there. They were trying online check in but it didn't work. Very clean quiet at night. This is a huge campground and lots to see and do," explains Kristina D.
Site selection strategies: Seasonal weather patterns affect site desirability. "Just got back from here for our first trip of 2020. We weren't a huge fan of our site, site 50, because it was difficult to get into and it backed up to the marina. We basically had to do a u-turn in reverse with our 30ft travel trailer which wasn't the easiest to get in the site," Michael G. shares about Jane's Island State Park.
Leveling requirements: Terrain considerations affect setup time at some locations. "Great campground for the family, endless hours spent in the lake. Sites are nice size and well maintained," Kathie M. reports about Bethpage Camp-Resort, where most sites require minimal leveling due to careful grading.
