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Best Tent Camping near Jamestown, VA

563 Reviews

Tent camping opportunities near Jamestown, Virginia include several established campgrounds within a short drive of the historic area. Sandy Bottom Nature Park in Hampton offers 11 primitive tent sites, including two group sites, set along a lake with sand-bottom tent platforms. Wisteria Beach Hideaway provides a more secluded tent camping experience with beach access, while Brewer's Point in Belle Isle State Park features hike-in or boat-in primitive tent sites.

Most tent sites in the Jamestown area require short walks from parking areas to reach the campsites. At Sandy Bottom Nature Park, campers must hike approximately 1/4 mile from the parking lot to reach the tent sites, which feature picnic tables, fire rings with grates, and nearby trash receptacles. Potable water and flush toilets are typically located near parking areas rather than at the campsites themselves. Reservations policies vary by location, with Sandy Bottom operating on a first-come, first-served basis requiring in-person registration at the visitor center. Brewer's Point requires permits for overnight stays.

The tent camping experience near Jamestown offers varying levels of privacy and natural settings. Sandy Bottom Nature Park provides sites spaced nicely apart along trails with lake views, though highway noise from nearby Interstate 64 is noticeable throughout the park. Wisteria Beach Hideaway offers more seclusion with amenities like insect screens and shower facilities that enhance the primitive tent camping experience. According to one visitor, "The sites were located about 1/4 mile from the parking lot down a trail. They were spaced nicely apart and had nice sand tent platforms with a picnic table and a fire ring with a grate." Wildlife viewing, hiking trails, and water activities are common amenities at these tent campgrounds, with Sandy Bottom featuring boat rentals and fishing opportunities on its lake.

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Best Tent Sites Near Jamestown, Virginia (5)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Jamestown, VA

5 Photos of 5 Jamestown Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Jamestown, VA

563 Reviews of 5 Jamestown Campgrounds

  • liz J.
    Aug. 21, 2023

    Sandy Bottom Nature Park

    A great place to hike and camp if you can't get out of the area

    The park is centrally located with easy highway access.  Plentiful parking, lots of trails to choose from.  The staff was top notch and super kind and helpful.  They were very insistent about the "no alcohol" rule.    

    Sites are first come, first served.  Must reserve in person.  Visitor's center is open 9-6.  

    The sites were located about 1/4 mile from the parking lot down a trail.  They were spaced nicely apart and had nice sand tent platforms with a picnic table and a fire ring with a grate.  Trash cans were very close by, which was super nice.  The bathrooms were flush toilets and running water faucets and located behind the parking lot, so a bit of a hike in the dark if you need to go.  Other than that, expect no amenities.  Bugs weren't terrible but were present.  Definitely bring bug spray.  

    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.  There is no sound barrier between 64 and the park so every noise just filters right through the trees.  Not anyone's fault, but definitely a downside.  

    Overall when you consider the dirt cheap price of 10.60 per night, this campground delivers as advertised.

  • NThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jan. 1, 2022

    Sandy Bottom Nature Park

    Nature in the County

    Sites: 11 primitive tent sites 2 of which are group sites 

    4 tent cabins that sit right on the edge of the lake

     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. You have a sand bottom tent site, picnic table, fire ring/grill and trash. This is a beautiful 456 acre education and wildlife facility. Born from garbage dumps and it is great example of what can be achieved. This really is a great site.  There is an amazing nature center that overlooks Sandy Bottom Lake. Hiking, and biking trails, fishing, boating with boat rentals or bring your own, birding and wildlife viewing. 757-825-4657 

    LNT

    Travel safe

  • RL
    Nov. 17, 2020

    Pocahontas State Park Campground

    Lovely November Trip 🔥

    Camped on a Friday night, had site 106. It was a really nice site: set back a bit from the road, fairly wooded, not a long walk to the bathhouse water/electric hook-ups, and a long back-in driveway. Nice fire ring with grill (that had been cleaned), lantern/trash pole, picnic table. Pea gravel tent pad. Honor pay wood.

    After a neighboring camper left we noticed they were disinfecting the campsites very well. Picnic tables, electric/water areas, fire pit areas, poles, etc. were all getting sprayed down between campers.

    Walked around the trails on Saturday. The trail around Beaver Lake was a really nice 2.5 mile loop. Gorgeous in November. Like most weekends, a bit busy on a Saturday. Everything’s open right now, and masks are required in common areas, bath houses, etc.

  • Janet R.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 25, 2025

    Kings Creek

    Kings Creek Tent sites at Cheatham Annex

    There may be a bit of confusion about camping opportunities at Cheatham Annex Bass. It used to be that there was only one campground for the whole base, with a combo of RV sites and tent sites. The options have expanded and changed: a brand new RV park was built several miles away on the northside of the base, and it has its own brand new Rec Center and bath facilities etc. The Kings Creek Campground is on the south side where the old RV park used to be, but is now for tent camping only. There are still the remnant water and electric hookups available, and each site has plenty of grass for setting up tents, or you can set up on the cement pad. Each site has a picnic table, only some have fire rings. Sites 11 through 18 are in a loop around a nice kids playground, with trees surrounding the sites and glimmers of Kings Creek in the background. Sites 1-10 in the adjacent loop are right on the water where Kings Creek enters the York River, and the sites circle round a nice picnic area. Sites 6-7 are currently not being rented out as it has been discovered that the gravesite of a Revolutionary War soldier is located right there. Both tent loops have close access to a nice clean bathhouse, and there is good proximity to the base golf course and a really nice outdoor swimming pool. A great fishing pier nearby extends out into the York River. The MWR office rents kayaks and other equipment and has a coffee shop if you want hot breakfast

  • Napunani
    Jun. 24, 2022

    Chickahominy Riverfront Park

    Needs Some Overdue TLC

    PROS 

    Perfect campground to explore the Historical Triangle 

    Campground along Virginia Capital Bike Trail, which was an excellent riding trail 

    Site#335 level side-to-side 

    Sandy gravel site 

    Moveable plastic wood picnic table 

    Metal fire pit with cooking grate 

    Shady site 

    Wood and ice for sale at Guest Services 

    Slight river view from Site#335 

    Toilet/shower building clean 

    Pool 

    CONS 

    Overused James City County Park…definitely needs some TLC applied 

    Check-in clerk very curt and extremely non-customer service oriented 

    Never saw a camp host site or the actual camp host 

    Weirdly laid out full hook up campground. Some sites are 20 ft long 

    Sites are extremely close to each other 

    Had to park tow vehicle next to trailer due to short length of site 335

    Tight roadway thru full hook up campground 

    Dirt roadways = dusty 

    Empty campsites were heavily littered

    No privacy from neighbor sites 

    Extremely low water pressure even when campground is not fully occupied 

    No gate or controlled access to campground so lots of gawking drive thrus 

    Lots of speed bumps throughout park 

    Site#335 fire ring filled with ash upon arrival 

    Toilet/shower building lit up like a Christmas tree all night long

    Street lights throughout campground 

    Road noise from VA5 

    No WiFi 

    1 bar Verizon

  • RL
    Aug. 1, 2020

    Chippokes State Park Campground

    Beautiful Plantation

    Awesome things to see here! It’s been a working farm since 1619 with beautiful gardens and livestock. The mansion and outbuildings are pretty cool as well.

    Restrooms were not very clean. Each time I went to the ladies room, the door was propped wide open, and when I went to brush my teeth in the morning the counters were covered in moths and bugs and gnats. Yuck. The showers were ok.

    Ice is $3 and you can grab that from the camp host if it’s after 4pm which is when the store closes. It’s cash only, exactly change. Wood is $6 and there’s a metal box - pay on your honor.

    The beaches were very nice. You’re on the Cobham Bay vs. right on the river and in the dead of the summer, the water is sooo unpleasantly warm. You can wade out at the very least 100 yards and still be less than knee-deep, water still hot. The access to the little beaches are short but moderately steep, especially with lots of beach gear or strollers. It also seems to get washed out so watch your steps.

    The little visitor center near the water access has cold drinks, souvenirs, ice cream, etc. They obv. accept credit cards. You can bring your dog into this area. There’s also a little wildlife info center and restrooms in the same buildings. There are also areas for day use and a good sized parking lot near the water access.

    Straight across the river is Jamestown and Williamsburg, which is cool. I think I was told it’s about four miles across. That being said... those are your closest grocery stores and you have to take the Jamestown Ferry to get there. There is a Dollar General near the park, for odds and ends. Just make sure to stop in advance for what you need because you won’t find much in Surry.

    Stopped at the Surry Seafood Co. for lunch and it was ok. Food and service was mediocre, but there was a nice water view from the deck. Was looking forward to stopping for some shrimp to cook that night from Colonial Seafood market but after walking in, I walked right back out. It was so unclean and didn’t smell fresh at all.

    We took a beautiful drive around the plantation. The cabins look great and we’ll definitely try those out next time. There were corn fields and soybeans for miles. Such a great park due to its history.

    Campsites themselves were pretty nice; not too close together. Our site had the tent pad down away from the picnic table and fire ring which was kind of nice. It was really shady, too. Room for hammocks.

    Each site has a picnic table, fire pit, tent pad, lantern pole. Verizon service was great.

  • C
    Aug. 10, 2019

    First Landing State Park Campground

    Beautiful but noisy (updated)

    Updated after a second trip (August 2020) This campground is generally really lovely, lots of trees, good Chesapeake beach access, but not very well designed for tent camping. Some of the sites are as I observed on our first trip, but all are not created equal. A lot of them are small and close to the camp road and run right into each other (no privacy) and lack sufficient flat space to pitch two tents. So many of the camper/RV sites have lots of flat private space behind where the RV would be parked, which would be great for pitching tents. The map is not to scale; sites 130, 132, and 133 back on to site 84, for example. Site 83 backs on to site 93, which in turn is open to 94. These three would be nice for a large group camping together. The sites on the east side of the campground back right on to the boundary fence of the neighboring military base (barbed wire fence). Restroom capacity (in COVID times) is supposedly limited to the safe number of 10, but 10 would be way too many. Four stalls and three sinks do not work out to 360+ square feet of space.

    Initial review (August 2019) The tent sites at this campground were gorgeous. Deep and private-feeling and well shaded. But so close to the road. I saw the map that clearly indicates Shore Drive running alongside the campground and I thought, “It can’t be that close!” But it is. Four lanes of 55mph traffic running within 25 yards of all the tent sites on the south side of the campground.

    We had such a fun time, despite the noise and lack of sleep, that we will almost certainly go back, but will definitely book one of the interior loop sites or maybe even one of the 20’ camper sites instead. Additional points: multiple daily nature programs for all ages in summer, really helpful staff, but the “camp store” doesn’t sell many camp supplies or groceries except ice and firewood.

  • Gary G.
    Oct. 27, 2020

    First Landing State Park Campground

    Outstanding campground with easy access to the beach!

    We were very pleased with our camping experience at First Landing State Park.  The campground is well maintained and has a knowledgable and friendly staff.

    The drive thru campsite we chose was clean, level, and came equipped with a fantastic fire ring and picnic table.  There was lots of room on the site, and we could have set up a couple of tents toward the back if needed.

    Access to the beach and surrounding hiking/biking trails was the real strength of this location!  It is certainly not wilderness camping, but with water and electric hook ups, we set up a successful basecamp for exploring the region.

    The weather was great for late October, and the crowds were minimal.  We will likely make this an annual trip.

  • Joel R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 11, 2021

    Chickahominy Riverfront Park

    Beautiful park right on the river

    This is a beautiful campground, right on the Chickahominy River. There are several sites right on the river, another bunch along the road, and a large field with more sites. These are in full sun, so they will be hot in summer! Those by the river are very nice, large, mostly lever, and with full hookups (30/50 amp). There is shade, and a nice breeze off the river. There is a boat ramp with lots of traffic on weekends, but boaters have a separate parking area. There is a nice bike/running path, (the Virginia Capital Trail-51 Miles from Jamestown to Shiplock Park) a playground, pool & splash pad, fishing pier, and group sites.

Guide to Jamestown

Tent campsites near Jamestown, Virginia offer diverse camping experiences beyond the immediate historic area. Located in Virginia's coastal plain region, these campgrounds provide access to both freshwater and saltwater environments with elevations typically below 100 feet. Summer humidity levels frequently exceed 80% with temperatures averaging in the mid-80s during peak camping season from May through September.

What to do

Kayaking and boating: Sandy Bottom Nature Park features a lake where visitors can rent kayaks and paddle boats by the hour. According to Susan P., "To kayak here it's the bomb!" The park maintains rental facilities that provide affordable water access for campers without their own equipment.

Hiking trail exploration: Sandy Bottom Nature Park offers miles of trails around its 456-acre property. Gracie B. notes, "Lots of hiking trails to walk & turtles in the lake!! Plus you can rent boats for a cheap price which we will probably go back to do. It was so pretty & so fun."

Beach activities: Campers seeking coastal experiences can access several beaches from Wisteria Beach Hideaway. One visitor mentioned, "Super close to a few different beaches. The bug screen and hammock that are part of the site was so appreciated."

What campers like

Privacy between sites: Many campgrounds in the area offer well-spaced sites. At Sandy Bottom Nature Park, campsites are "spaced nicely apart and had nice sand tent platforms with a picnic table and a fire ring with a grate," according to a camper.

Natural wildlife viewing: The parks around Jamestown provide opportunities to observe native species. Gracie B. enjoyed seeing "turtles in the lake" at Sandy Bottom Nature Park and noted the natural setting that supports various wildlife.

Unique amenities: Wisteria Beach Hideaway provides unexpected comforts that enhance primitive camping. Kat H. appreciated that "The provided insect screen kept us well protected in mid-sept. The hosts had extra supplies tucked under the table which is always a nice touch. There was a swinging grill grate on the firepit, which was great for camp pizzas!"

What you should know

First-come, first-served policies: Many campgrounds near Jamestown require in-person registration. As one camper notes about Sandy Bottom, "Sites are first come, first served. Must reserve in person. Visitor's center is open 9-6."

Distance to facilities: At tent campsites around Jamestown, bathroom access may require planning. One camper at Sandy Bottom Nature Park mentioned, "The bathrooms were flush toilets and running water faucets and located behind the parking lot, so a bit of a hike in the dark if you need to go."

Environmental conditions: Bugs can be an issue at certain times. A visitor to Sandy Bottom advised, "Bugs weren't terrible but were present. Definitely bring bug spray." At beach locations, another camper noted, "Biting black flies almost made the beaches unbearable but we didn't have that problem at the actual site."

Tips for camping with families

Educational opportunities: Sandy Bottom Nature Park offers educational resources. One visitor highlighted, "This is a beautiful 456 acre education and wildlife facility. Born from garbage dumps and it is great example of what can be achieved. There is an amazing nature center that overlooks Sandy Bottom Lake."

Dog-friendly options: Several campgrounds welcome pets with designated areas. Brandon W. noted that Sandy Bottom Nature Park is "extremely dog friendly with a fenced in dog park as well."

Comfort considerations: For families seeking more comfortable primitive camping, look for sites with extra amenities. A camper at Wisteria Beach Hideaway appreciated, "Having a shower was great - it felt like we were glamping!"

Tips from RVers

Limited RV facilities: Most tent campsites near Jamestown have minimal RV accommodations. Carter's Cove Campground provides some RV options but one camper noted it's "More of a long term stay but there are a few spots for RVs."

Electric and hookup availability: RV campers should verify utilities before booking. Carter's Cove offers "Electric: 30-50 amp" connections along with "Laundry, trash, restrooms, picnic table, fire pit (day use only)."

Level site access: Finding level parking matters for RVs. A visitor to Carter's Cove observed, "Sites are level with some spacing. Mature trees and overall space is very large."

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Jamestown, VA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Jamestown, VA is Sandy Bottom Nature Park with a 4.8-star rating from 5 reviews.

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