C
Christopher P.
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TravelerChippokes State Park Campground
Generous sized sites but only semi-private. Excellent facilities
Tent Camping near Lightfoot, VA
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Tent camping near Lightfoot, Virginia ranges from primitive walk-in sites at Sandy Bottom Nature Park in Hampton to beach-access tent campsites at Wisteria Beach Hideaway. Carter's Cove Campground and Wisteria Beach Hideaway also accommodate tent campers seeking established sites in the region. Big Woods WMA provides more primitive backcountry tent camping with minimal facilities for those seeking solitude.
Sandy Bottom Nature Park features eleven primitive tent sites, including two group sites, all requiring a short quarter-mile walk from the parking area. The individual tent sites rest on sand platforms and include picnic tables, fire rings with grates, and nearby trash cans. Toilet facilities with running water are available near the parking lot but require a walk from the campsites. Most tent camping areas operate on a first-come, first-served basis, though Sandy Bottom requires in-person registration at the visitor center. Several primitive tent camping options do not provide drinking water, requiring campers to bring their own supplies.
The tent camping at Sandy Bottom Nature Park offers access to numerous hiking and biking trails, fishing opportunities, and wildlife viewing. Sites are spaced appropriately for privacy while maintaining access to basic facilities. Highway noise from nearby I-64 can be heard throughout the park, which affects the wilderness experience. Wisteria Beach Hideaway provides more isolated tent camping with beach access and amenities like showers and drinking water. A visitor commented: "The beaches were surrounded by pine, wetlands, and tall grasses - it felt remote and not overdeveloped!" Other tent campers mention the convenience of having fire rings, picnic tables, and relative privacy at most sites, making the tent campgrounds near Lightfoot suitable for those seeking both convenience and natural surroundings.
Best Tent Campgrounds near Lightfoot (4)
1. Carter's Cove Campground
2. Wisteria Beach Hideaway
"Loved the location - the beaches were surrounded by pine, wetlands, and tall grasses - it felt remote and not overdeveloped! This campsite is comfortable!"
"Super close to a few different beaches. The bug screen and hammock that are part of the site was so appreciated. Also, having a shower was great - it felt like we were glamping! Went in September."
from $35 - $50 / night
3. Brewer’s Point Hike-in or Boat-in Primitive Campground — Belle Isle State Park
Check Availabilityfrom $15 - $18 / night
4. Big Woods WMA
Drive Time
- 42 min from Richmond, VA
- 2 hrs 25 min from Lexington Park, MD
- 2 hrs 57 min from Salisbury, MD
Recent Tent Camping Photos near Lightfoot, VA
3 Photos of 4 Lightfoot Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Tent Camping Reviews near Lightfoot, VA
499 Reviews of 4 Lightfoot Campgrounds
- AAngela C.
ScoutKiptopeke State Park Campground
Camping in high winds
This campground was very enjoyable. I spent a lot of time at the fishing pier, learning to ID birds I had never identified before. Brown pelicans were everywhere near the sunken ships. I also talked to the Hawkwatch people for a bit.
My campsite was far enough from the bathroom I couldn't hear the door slam, but since I was the only one in the F loop, that wouldn't have mattered. Since the loop was so empty, it was an absolute pleasure.
Had the campground been full, I would have felt too close to the people in tents in the sites next to me.
One great thing was that there weren't tent pads so we didn't have to worry about how to fit two tents on to one tent pad.
- JJonathan B.
GuideThousand Trails Williamsburg
Nice amenities
Enjoying this campground. Close to all the attractions. Incredible staff, super friendly. Pool and game room are wonderful.
Diane R.TravelerMachicomoco State Park Campground
Beautifully Quiet
Note to Self: No Primitive Site reservations...EVER. I love this park. It's situated far enough from the busy traffic noise...beautiful Virginia city of Hayes. When I arrived, it was such a scorching day and there wasn't nearly enough tree cover to shield my tent from the "son of Hades". Suffered heat exhaustion almost to the point of death...Literally. Night was my only respite. If it hadn't been for the wonderful camp attendants who came to my rescue, it would've been an utterly failed experience. Bless their hearts. Other than that, this was a great training experience for an old Novice camper. Now that I'm a bit more practiced, I'm going back 😁, armed with knowledge and more confidence.
- CChristopher P.Traveler
Machicomoco State Park Campground
Nice Campground
The good: super clean and new restrooms / showers. The entire parking immaculate. Stayed at site 12. Offers water views and shade. Site 13 is similar and is probably the most ideal site.
Cons: zero privacy. The sites are basically scattered around an open grassy area and fairly close together.
Be aware: sites are not vehicle accessible. Need to carry your kit 50-75 yards.
Jeremy R.GuideNewport News Park
Beautiful scenery
Our stay is going to be the 21 days that are allowed. In that time, I have been on many nature walks with my dog. Very enjoyable, very well maintained. The only thing I did not like is the bathrooms. I have seen a cleaning lady come through, but I think it is primarily for the sinks and toilets. The shower curtains are moldy, lots of spiders. The shower pressure and temp are great. All in all, it is affordable and very peaceful.
- JJoel D.Scout
Davis Lakes Resort
The Little Canping Gem of Suffolk
We stumbled across Davis Lakes Campground last year when we brought our camper down to visit our son and grandchildren. Originally, we planned to stay closer to Virginia Beach, but after finding Davis Lakes, we decided to give it a try. We were lucky enough to get site F28 right on the lake, and we enjoyed it so much that we came back this year—and even booked the exact same site.
After reading some of the other reviews, I wanted to share our experience because it was very different. Yes, there are some rules regarding dogs at the beach, but they never interfered with our stay. We enjoyed walking our dogs every morning around the campground and lakes, and it was a wonderful way to start each day.
The beach itself was clean, had plenty of nice chairs, and the AquaGlide was an absolute blast. We spent 5–6 hours a day swimming, and surprisingly, the beach never felt crowded.
One thing that really stood out was how fair the prices were. The campground store was stocked with essentials, and unlike many campgrounds, the prices were very reasonable. If you forgot a loaf of bread or wanted to grab a pool float, you didn’t feel like you were being gouged. They also have a cute snack shop, a spacious game room, and an impressive movie selection, making it a great place to spend a rainy afternoon.
The campground itself was clean and very well maintained. Although many of the sites are seasonal, they were neat, well cared for, and nothing like some seasonal campgrounds where sites become cluttered or run down. It was obvious that both the staff and the campers take pride in the campground.
The nightly rates were very reasonable, and while there is a visitor fee, we found it to be completely fair considering the amenities. We had an amazing time with our son and his family, and the campground played a big part in making those memories.
Davis Lakes isn’t a luxury resort, and that’s part of its charm. Its focus is on beautiful lakes, swimming, friendly service, and providing a relaxing camping experience. It reminded me of the kind of campgrounds I grew up enjoying—simple, welcoming, and centered around making great memories.
We’ll absolutely be back. If we lived closer, I’d seriously consider getting a seasonal site myself. In fact, my son is even talking about buying a camper just so he can keep it nearby and enjoy Davis Lakes more often. Many of the employees and seasonal campers are locals who return year after year, and I think that says everything you need to know about this place.
I K.TravelerFirst Landing State Park Campground
Very quiet all stuff are so earthy, very kind.
It was very nice visit.
- I K.Traveler
Sandy Bottom Nature Park
Nicer than expected
Park stuff are very friendly, sweet, I live the quietness of night time.
Guide to Lightfoot
Tent camping near Lightfoot, Virginia provides a mix of primitive and amenity-rich experiences in the coastal plain region. The area features flat terrain with sandy soils typical of the Tidewater region, where summer temperatures typically reach the mid-80s with high humidity. Most tent camping sites around Lightfoot operate seasonally with limited availability during winter months when temperatures drop to the mid-30s.
What to do
Kayaking and boating opportunities: Sandy Bottom Nature Park offers affordable boat rentals for exploring the lake. "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," reports one camper at Sandy Bottom Nature Park.
Beach exploration: Camp near secluded beaches at Wisteria Beach Hideaway where you can enjoy undeveloped coastline. "Loved the location - the beaches were surrounded by pine, wetlands, and tall grasses - it felt remote and not overdeveloped!" notes a visitor.
Wildlife viewing and hiking: The 456-acre Sandy Bottom Nature Park provides extensive trail networks for wildlife observation. A camper mentions, "This is a beautiful 456 acre education and wildlife facility. Born from garbage dumps and it is great example of what can be achieved."
What campers like
Private camping spaces: The tent sites at Sandy Bottom Nature Park are strategically placed for privacy. "The sites 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," notes a recent visitor.
Amenity access: Brewer's Point Hike-in or Boat-in Primitive Campground offers primitive camping with basic amenities like picnic tables and toilet facilities despite its remote location. The combination of seclusion with minimal facilities appeals to tent campers seeking a balance between wilderness and comfort.
Fire cooking options: Wisteria Beach Hideaway provides well-designed fire pits for cooking. "There was a swinging grill grate on the firepit, which was great for camp pizzas!" shares a satisfied camper who appreciated the cooking setup.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most primitive tent camping in the area requires advance planning. Sandy Bottom Nature Park operates on first-come, first-served basis with specific registration hours. "Sites are first come, first served. Must reserve in person. Visitor's center is open 9-6," advises a camper.
Highway noise factors: Ambient noise can impact the wilderness experience at some locations. "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," notes a Big Woods WMA visitor.
Insect considerations: Seasonal insects can affect beach enjoyment in certain areas. A Wisteria Beach Hideaway camper warns, "Due to a lack of wind, flies were bad on the beach. I would recommend bringing an insect screen if you have it."
Tips for camping with families
Dog-friendly options: Many camping areas welcome four-legged family members. "This park has plenty of camping spots and also has some yurts that are available to rent out. I would recommend this spot to anyone who wants a convenient family friendly camping/outdoor experience," reports a visitor about Sandy Bottom Nature Park.
Bathroom accessibility: Consider the distance to facilities when camping with children. At Sandy Bottom, "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."
Educational opportunities: Carter's Cove Campground provides large open spaces under mature trees ideal for family activities. "Mature trees and over all space is very large. Sites are level with some spacing," notes a visitor who appreciated the layout for family camping.
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Limited full-hookup options exist in the immediate Lightfoot area. Carter's Cove Campground offers some electric and sewer hookups though primarily serves longer-term stays. "More of a long term stay but there are a few spots for RVs. Laundry, trash, restrooms, picnic table, fire pit (day use only)," mentions an RVer.
Site leveling considerations: Many tent camping areas have level sites suitable for smaller RVs. "Sites are level with some spacing," reports a Carter's Cove visitor, making this location workable for modest-sized recreational vehicles despite not being designed specifically for large RVs.
Accessibility limitations: Most primitive tent camping areas near Lightfoot require walking to sites, making them unsuitable for RV camping. The quarter-mile walk to Sandy Bottom sites eliminates this as an option for most RV campers seeking drive-up access.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent
campsite near Lightfoot, VA?
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Lightfoot, VA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Lightfoot, VA is Carter's Cove Campground with a 1-star rating from 1 review.
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tent camping near
Lightfoot, VA?
What is the best site to find tent camping near Lightfoot, VA?
TheDyrt.com has all 4 tent camping locations near Lightfoot, VA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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