Best Campgrounds near Lancaster, VA

Lancaster, Virginia sits in a prime camping region along the Chesapeake Bay watershed, with several established campgrounds offering waterfront access. Belle Isle State Park Campground provides tent sites, RV hookups, and cabins along the scenic shorelines of the Rappahannock River, while Cross Rip Camp and Grey's Point Camp offer additional options for those seeking water-oriented camping experiences. The landscape features a mix of forested areas and waterfront settings typical of Virginia's coastal plain, with most camping areas concentrated within 20 miles of Lancaster along tidal rivers and inlets feeding into the Chesapeake Bay.

The camping season in this region peaks from April through November, with several campgrounds like Bethpage Camp-Resort and Cross Rip Camp operating seasonally from spring through fall. Most established sites offer water and electric hookups, with many providing full services including sewer connections. Reservations are strongly recommended, particularly for waterfront sites during summer weekends and holidays. Tent campers will find dedicated areas at Belle Isle State Park, including the more primitive Brewer's Point hike-in or boat-in sites for those seeking a more secluded experience. A camper noted, "Virginia has some wonderful state parks and this is one of my favorites. It's got a nice beach, boat launch and a couple miles of hiking trails."

Waterfront camping dominates the Lancaster area, with the Rappahannock River, Chesapeake Bay, and numerous tidal creeks providing scenic backdrops. Campers consistently mention water activities as highlights of their experiences, with fishing, boating, and kayaking being particularly popular. Belle Isle State Park receives strong reviews for its hiking trails and river access, with campers appreciating the combination of natural settings and basic amenities. For those seeking more developed facilities, private campgrounds like Bethpage and Grey's Point offer amenities such as swimming pools, organized activities, and camp stores. Most campgrounds in the region provide clean shower facilities and bathrooms, though the quality and availability vary by location.

Best Camping Sites Near Lancaster, Virginia (64)

    1. Bethpage Camp-Resort

    15 Reviews
    Saluda, VA
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 707-1477

    "-Positives-

    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."

    "not much to do close by.

    can get loud (we didn't mind)

    ran out of golf carts to rent (expensive too)"

    2. Belle Isle State Park Campground

    11 Reviews
    Morattico, VA
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (804) 462-5030

    "Nice get-away from it all campground. Level sites, farmland all around. Well maintained, quiet campground."

    "I had some family members camping here, and took a quick day trip just to look around and take a couple of small hikes, and to use the dump station."

    3. Point Lookout State Park - Temporarily Closed

    29 Reviews
    Scotland, MD
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (301) 872-5688

    $21 - $50 / night

    "The trail wasn't under any tree cover either so be prepared to bake in the sun in you walk it. The museum was till closed because of covid, I guess."

    "You can choose a spot on the marsh and over the water and there’s you will see your neighbors, but we choose to stay tucked into the back where there are full hookups."

    4. Grey's Point Camp

    7 Reviews
    Kilmarnock, VA
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 707-1477

    "Close to home and our first time visiting this campground. The staff was very friendly and sites were well maintained. We stayed in Spadefish 3 which was right next to the pool and playground."

    "Was a great safe location in port of storm, the sites mostly drained well. Very few sites had issues. Was a wonderful stay, campground is huge, bring your golf cart or rent one there."

    5. Thousand Trails Chesapeake Bay

    9 Reviews
    Saluda, VA
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 707-1477

    "Lots of annual sites; they’re scattered around the park for the most part. 50/30 amp full hook ups. Large tent area with electric and water if you want to be in groups."

    "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."

    6. Cross Rip Camp

    5 Reviews
    Onemo, VA
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (619) 987-1582

    "Lots of activities: fishing, crabbing, swimming, boating,regattas, hiking/walking, and fresh waterpond catch & release."

    7. Williamsburg Campground

    27 Reviews
    Lightfoot, VA
    31 miles
    Website
    +1 (757) 565-0230

    "Our site was pull through, not sure how we would get through if there was a full campground, luckily we had room to move around.

    Your very close to Busch Gardens, Watercountry and Williamsburg."

    "We chose one without a bathroom, and the bathhouse was a very short walk. They have plenty of recreational activities for the kids. The staff was friendly and helpful."

    8. Bush Park Camping Resort

    1 Review
    Kilmarnock, VA
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (804) 776-6750

    9. Westmoreland State Park Campground

    34 Reviews
    Montross, VA
    35 miles
    Website
    +1 (804) 493-8821

    "The sites we have stayed at have all been super clean and close to bathrooms and water. They include a fire ring, picnic table and a hook for your trash. The bathrooms are clean and have hot showers."

    "The tent sites are awesome and mine have always been pretty private feeling despite being somewhat near others. Bathhouses are always SO clean and heated in the winter."

Show More
Showing results 1-10 of 64 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win


Recent Reviews near Lancaster, VA

491 Reviews of 64 Lancaster Campgrounds


  • Aaron S.
    Sep. 2, 2025

    Kiptopeke State Park Campground

    A great place!

    This is a great campground. Well maintained, nice and quiet. C loop has full hookup where A and B do not. Plenty to do, hiking, fishing, birding. Camp store is nice, the staff for the park are great. The bathhouses are a little dirty, but not terrible. One of our favorite places to camp for sure! Try and get C loop spots 15 - 21. They’re shaded and at the back of the loop.

  • Werner S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 1, 2025

    Anvil Campground

    Everything was there on a small surface

    Little pool, nice playground, games the kids where very happy. The historic-city of Williamsburg is very nearby. Also the traintrack and big road are wright next to the campground. Spots are correct some have a bit to much sun for us (there are parasols provided)

  • C
    Jul. 21, 2025

    Grey's Point Camp

    Good park with alot of area!

    Went for a long weekend. Everyone was friendly from entry of the gate, to the store to the grounds guys! Quite a bit to do here. Wish the playgrounds had a bit more for the younger children but it kept them occupied! Fishing didn’t get us much but not the campgrounds fault! Higher Water temps and jellyfish when we were there most likely kept them away. Would return again!

  • G
    Jul. 5, 2025

    Ware Creek Wildlife Management Area

    Take advantage of your local wildlife areas

    Got here late as the sun was going down. Camped in the RAV4. Will explore the area in the morning.

  • J
    Jun. 22, 2025

    Chippokes State Park Campground

    Nice wooded campsites

    Very clean and easy setup. 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.

    The pool doesn’t look like it’s been opened in years but there is a little beach area near the welcome center.

  • Nick E.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 4, 2025

    Thousand Trails Chesapeake Bay

    Another stay at Chesapeake

    Love this campground. Great people and staff, well maintained sites. T-mobile gateway internet sucks here, but Starlink works well from the site we are in. Level sites and they all have full hookups.

  • GThe Dyrt PRO User
    May. 28, 2025

    Tall Pines / Chesapeake Bay KOA Holiday

    Long and nicely spaced sites

    We stayed at site 411 for five nights. We'd reserved 406, but Sun Outdoors turned into KOA, so we got a different site lucky us, 'cause the middle ones were swampy with almost no space outside with sitting water on sites. The water at 411 drained after three days. The pull-through sites are long and nicely spaced. It's unnecessary, but rent a golf cart to get around the huge campground; it's great for going from your site to the pool, arcade, beach, or fishing pier. We tried crabbing with no luck and only caught one catfish. The staff was super helpful and friendly during all of our interactions.

    Bring bug spray, tiki torches, and mosquito fog spray with all the sitting water around the campground.

  • 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

  • MARY H.
    May. 21, 2025

    American Heritage RV Park

    Nice RV park

    What a nice RV park with 138 sites mostly pull thru’s with full hookups 30/50amps just minutes off the highway I-64. Our site was very nice site#10, a leveled concrete site with room to park our towed vehicle while still attached to our Motor Home. We also had a level concrete patio with a picnic table. Very well kept and very clean with grass between sites. Lots to do-pickleball, playground, volleyball mini golf, two nature trails and a nice-sized pool. Our Wi-Fi and cable were very adequate and easy to connect to the internet. Very convenient to Williamsburg, with plenty of shopping and restaurants nearby. We had site pull thru.


Guide to Lancaster

Camping near Lancaster, Virginia, offers a mix of beautiful nature and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventure-filled getaway, there are several campgrounds to explore.

What to do:

  • Beach Access: Enjoy the beautiful beaches at Kiptopeke State Park Campground. One camper mentioned, "Great little beach area with separate dog beach," making it a perfect spot for families and pets alike.
  • Fishing: If you love fishing, Sun Outdoors Cape Charles is a great choice. A visitor shared, "It's a wonderful campground if you enjoy water activities, paddle boarding, kayaking, fishing, crabbing, etc."
  • Hiking Trails: Explore the hiking trails at Westmoreland State Park Campground. One reviewer noted, "The park is on a cliff overlooking the Potomac River, and the Big Meadow trail brings you to Fossil Beach."

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate the cleanliness of the facilities. A visitor at Shad Landing Campground said, "Clean bathrooms, nice size sites, easy check-in process."
  • Family-Friendly Activities: Many campgrounds offer activities for kids. A family at Williamsburg Campground mentioned, "There is a heated pool, splash pad, jumping pillow, and gravity rail."
  • Natural Beauty: Campers love the scenic views. One reviewer at Chippokes State Park Campground said, "It feels country-esque but also like you're on a plantation! Beautiful trails."

What you should know:

  • Crowded Sites: Some campgrounds can be tight. A camper at Jellystone Park™ Chincoteague Island noted, "Sites are one on top of the other," which might not be ideal for those seeking privacy.
  • Seasonal Closures: Be aware that some campgrounds have specific seasons. For example, Point Lookout State Park is closed for water line upgrades until 2023.
  • Bug Spray Recommended: Many campers suggest bringing bug spray, especially in warmer months. A visitor at Kiptopeke State Park Campground advised, "Bring bug spray; it can get very hot in the campground."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Campgrounds with Amenities: Look for campgrounds that offer family-friendly amenities. One parent at Sun Outdoors Cape Charles said, "There were a lot of events and options for the family."
  • Plan for Activities: Make sure to plan activities that everyone can enjoy. A family at Westmoreland State Park Campground enjoyed the playground and hiking trails.
  • Pack Snacks: Keep snacks handy for the kids. A camper at Williamsburg Campground mentioned, "We stayed up pretty late enjoying the weather, laughing, and eating lots of fun camp snacks."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Size: Make sure your RV fits the site. A visitor at Richmond North - Kings Dominion KOA noted, "Some spots appeared flooded but ours was not."
  • Utilize Full Hookups: Look for campgrounds with full hookups for convenience. One RVer at Shad Landing Campground appreciated the "great campground with all the amenities."
  • Be Mindful of Fees: Some campgrounds may charge extra fees. A camper at Richmond North - Kings Dominion KOA mentioned, "They'll charge you an extra $20 for early check-in."

Exploring the campgrounds around Lancaster, VA, can lead to memorable experiences filled with nature, fun, and family bonding.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Lancaster, VA?

According to TheDyrt.com, Lancaster, VA offers a wide range of camping options, with 64 campgrounds and RV parks near Lancaster, VA and 3 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Lancaster, VA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Lancaster, VA is Bethpage Camp-Resort with a 4.7-star rating from 15 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Lancaster, VA?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 3 free dispersed camping spots near Lancaster, VA.