C
Christopher P.
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TravelerChippokes State Park Campground
Generous sized sites but only semi-private. Excellent facilities
Tent Camping near Townsend, VA
1 campground with availability next weekend
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Tent campsites in the Townsend, Virginia region include several established campgrounds with varying amenities and access types. Sandy Bottom Nature Park offers primitive tent sites with sand bottom platforms, picnic tables, and fire rings with cooking grates. False Cape State Park Campground provides a more remote tent camping experience, requiring hikers to travel 4-9 miles from the parking area to reach campsites. Both locations maintain year-round availability, though seasonal conditions may affect accessibility.
Most tent campgrounds in this area require some preparation as amenities vary significantly between locations. Sandy Bottom Nature Park features walk-in tent sites located approximately a quarter mile from the parking area, with flush toilets and running water available near the lot. False Cape State Park offers more primitive conditions with tent sites available on both the bay and ocean sides, drinking water stations, and basic pit toilets. Campers should note that fires are prohibited at False Cape, while Sandy Bottom allows fires in designated rings. A visitor noted, "Sites are first come, first served. Must reserve in person. Visitor's center is open 9-6."
The tent camping experience in this region provides opportunities for both convenient outdoor recreation and genuine backcountry solitude. Sandy Bottom Nature Park offers accessible hiking with multiple trails, though highway noise is audible throughout the park. False Cape State Park delivers a significantly more isolated tent camping experience with beach access and abundant wildlife viewing. The park's remote nature means tent campers often have stretches of beach almost entirely to themselves. According to one camper at False Cape, "This park is a serene oasis away from traffic, no RV's, not a lot of people. A great place to get away from it all!" Tent sites at False Cape include options directly on the beach or tucked behind dunes in the live oak forest.
Best Tent Campgrounds near Townsend (3)
1. 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
2. False Cape State Park Campground
"We hiked in on the East Dike trail through Back Bay, about 5.4 miles, with everything for the weekend on our backs."
"False Cape is a primitive campground that can only be accessed by walking or biking through the Back Bay Wildlife Refuge along the southern coast of Virginia."
20 Sites AvailableAvailable next weekend
from $21 / night
3. Carter's Cove Campground
Drive Time
- 1 hr 43 min from Salisbury, MD
- 1 hr 59 min from Richmond, VA
- 3 hrs 42 min from Lexington Park, MD
Recent Tent Camping Photos near Townsend, VA
9 Photos of 3 Townsend Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Tent Camping Reviews near Townsend, VA
584 Reviews of 3 Townsend 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 Townsend
Tent camping near Townsend, Virginia centers mainly around the coastal landscape where the Chesapeake Bay meets the Atlantic Ocean. The region features sandy shores and maritime forests with elevations rarely exceeding 20 feet above sea level. Winter temperatures average 40-50°F with summer highs typically reaching 85-90°F, creating a relatively mild camping climate compared to inland Virginia locations.
What to do
Wildlife viewing opportunities: At False Cape State Park Campground, campers can observe diverse coastal wildlife. "Osprey catching fish! We saw dolphins playing in the ocean! The beach alive with crabs!" notes Katie M., who documented over 30 miles of hiking during a single weekend visit.
Water recreation activities: Sandy Bottom Nature Park offers calm waters perfect for beginners. "To kayak here it's the bomb!" says Susan P. The park provides affordable boat rentals as noted by Gracie B.: "You can rent boats for a cheap price which we will probably go back to do."
Historical site exploration: Several miles of hiking trails lead to preserved historical landmarks within the parks. At False Cape, Tim R. mentions, "We saw an old graveyard and church steeple at Wash Woods, that's definitely worth the hike."
What campers like
Beach solitude: The remote access requirements create uncrowded shorelines. Sam M. from False Cape State Park explains, "Really there wasn't hardly anyone else out there, so it felt like we had our own private beach... Nothing better than a beach sunset."
Wildlife diversity: The parks protect significant coastal habitats. Julie A. notes, "Wildlife is in great abundance. Shorebirds and waterfowl with the setting or rising sun make for beautiful pictures!"
Accessible nature: Despite being within an urban region, Sandy Bottom Nature Park offers convenient outdoor experiences. "This campsite and park is a ton of fun... There are miles of trails around the lake and through the woods you can follow. It is extremely dog friendly with a fenced in dog park as well," reports Brandon W.
What you should know
Access limitations: Reaching certain campsites requires significant effort. Jesse S. advises about Wisteria Beach Hideaway, "Bring plenty of water for hike in during summer, hardly any shade hiking in."
Reservation systems: Booking methods vary between parks. For Sandy Bottom Nature Park, a camper explains, "Sites are first come, first served. Must reserve in person. Visitor's center is open 9-6."
Environmental conditions: Weather and insects can impact camping experiences. Kat H. warns, "Due to a lack of wind, flies were bad on the beach. I would recommend bringing an insect screen if you have it."
Campfire restrictions: Fire regulations differ between locations. Stephanie J. notes, "There are no campfires allowed at False Cape, but the proximity to the beach and the solitude can't be beat."
Tips for camping with families
Transportation planning: Consider alternate transportation methods for children. Stephanie J. shares from False Cape State Park, "My husband and I each hooked a trailer to our bikes, and I towed the kids and he towed our gear. The kids loved riding through Back Bay."
Beach-accessible sites: Sandy campsites provide natural play areas. "This was exceptionally kid-friendly as there is plenty of sand for kids to play in right at the campsite, and there are very few hazards for small children aside from the ocean itself," notes one family camper.
Wildlife education: Many parks offer educational opportunities. Tim R. mentions bringing children as young as 9 months and 2 years: "They loved their time at the beach."
Tips for RVers
Limited access options: Many tent camping areas near Townsend restrict RV access. At Carter's Cove Campground, a reviewer notes it's "More of a long term stay but there are a few spots for RVs" with amenities including "Laundry, trash, restrooms, picnic table, fire pit."
Primitive hookups: Most coastal campgrounds offer limited RV amenities. Electric hookups are available at select sites, but sanitary dump stations are scarce.
Alternative accommodations: Some parks offer alternative lodging. Brandon W. notes about Sandy Bottom, "This park has plenty of camping spots and also has some yurts that are available to rent out."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent
campsite near Townsend, VA?
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Townsend, VA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Townsend, VA is Wisteria Beach Hideaway with a 5-star rating from 2 reviews.
What is the best site to find
tent camping near
Townsend, VA?
What is the best site to find tent camping near Townsend, VA?
TheDyrt.com has all 3 tent camping locations near Townsend, VA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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