Camping near Lancaster, Virginia offers year-round access to the Chesapeake Bay watershed with its unique tidal marshes and protected coves. Most campgrounds in the region sit at elevations under 100 feet above sea level, creating level camping conditions with minimal hiking challenges. Summer temperatures typically reach 85-90°F with high humidity while spring and fall provide milder conditions in the 60-75°F range.
What to do
Kayaking water trails: Jane's Island State Park Campground features well-marked kayaking paths that range from wide channels to narrow marsh routes. "Great kayaking to Jane's Island. Very clean bathrooms. Very family oriented. Rangers are nice and so are the camp hosts. Nice trails, wide and easy," notes John Z.
Fossil hunting: Westmoreland State Park Campground offers unique paleontological experiences along its shoreline. "We came from Pa/De and wanted to look for sharks teeth. It was beautiful here so we decided to stay the night," shares Sara A. The park maintains educational displays about local fossil finds.
Crabbing opportunities: Cross Rip Camp provides direct access to crabbing spots from their waterfront location. "Motorcycle tent camped. Great owners who made sure we had everything we needed. Beautiful views of sunset and sunrise. Great beach with Adirondack chairs," reports Greg, who enjoyed the park's beach amenities.
What campers like
Spacious campsites: Bethpage Camp-Resort receives consistent praise for its generous site dimensions. "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," writes happy_champers.
Clean facilities: Cleanliness standards at campgrounds near Lancaster exceed expectations. "The bathhouses are very well maintained. There is so much for the kids to do! Most sites are nicely wooded," explains Kathie M. about Sun Outdoors Cape Charles.
Golf cart accessibility: Grey's Point Camp accommodates electric transportation throughout their grounds. "We stayed here Sept 2020 during tropical storm and covid. Was a great safe location in port of storm, the sites mostly drained well. Very few sites had issues. Bring your golf cart or rent one there," recommends Beverly T.
What you should know
Seasonal concerns: Summer brings increased insects to coastal camping areas. "Unfortunately the bugs were so bad, it was nearly impossible to enjoy. No-see-ums bite all day long, bug spray helps with these. Deer flies bite from the morning sun until it's dark and they are the worst at dusk," warns Sarah M. about summer conditions at Jane's Island.
Site selection strategy: Many campgrounds feature different terrain and exposure levels within the same property. "1st 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," explains Ashley I. about Kiptopeke State Park Campground.
Advance reservations: Premium glamping near Lancaster, Virginia requires booking well ahead, especially for waterfront accommodations. Sites with water views book up fastest, particularly during holiday weekends and summer months from May through September.
Tips for camping with families
Water activities: Thousand Trails Chesapeake Bay offers multiple water recreation options. "Spots are close together so you will get to meet your neighbors if they are there. Some spots back up against the water. It has a pier, pond, river access, ice cream shop/store, cafe," notes Samantha G.
Kid-friendly programming: Many Lancaster-area glamping resorts provide scheduled activities. "We loved this campground! It was also kid friendly which is something we're always looking for. We had so much fun and there is quite a bit to do," reports Wendy D.
Playground access: Consider proximity to play areas when booking. "The playgrounds are large and fun for the younger kids. With all paved streets the campground is perfect for bike riding. The sites are all very large and accommodating for groups of multiple campers," states Christen C.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Some Chesapeake Bay camping areas have uneven terrain. "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," shares Michael G.
Hookup variations: Rainbow Acres Campground provides full hookups but has a high proportion of seasonal campers. "This campground is about 3/4 year rounders. People who rent a campsite and build porches and party sites up and come visit on the weekend or stay the summer. It was quiet when we were there and everybody was friendly," explains Matt W.
Weather preparedness: Coastal RV sites may experience strong winds and storm conditions. "Went in March 2018 for my birthday, when it was still VERY cold, but had a wonderful time. The beaches and trails seem so much more peaceful and untouched this time of year. Definitely gets windy near the river," advises RL from Westmoreland State Park.
