The Williamsburg area sits along the coastal plain of Virginia, where elevations rarely exceed 100 feet above sea level. This region experiences hot, humid summers with temperatures often exceeding 90°F and mild winters with occasional freezing temperatures. Most campgrounds in this area remain open year-round, though seasonal amenities like pools typically operate from late May through early September.
What to do
Water activities on the York River: At Machicomoco State Park Campground, campers can access the car-top boat launch for kayaking. "The interpretive area was really fun to explore in the evening during golden hour and beyond. Great view of the sunset over the river," notes Kaylee G.
Golf near your campsite: Located at Naval Weapons Station Cheatham Annex, a reviewer mentioned the convenience of recreation options: "The campground is in excellent condition and well maintained... There are more than 10 miles of hiking and biking trails, fishing on two lakes and the York River along with an 18 hole golf course."
Explore local history: Several campgrounds provide access to Colonial Williamsburg and historic sites. A camper at Newport News Park shared, "There are a lot of low hanging branches on the roads through the park and it is showing some signs of age... The park is a civil war historic site and is close to a lot of other historic places."
What campers like
Spacious, wooded sites: Many campers appreciate the natural settings. At Chippokes State Park Campground, visitors enjoy "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."
Clean facilities: Modern bathroom facilities receive positive reviews. At Newport News Park, "Verizon had 2 bars and 6 MB/s w/o a booster, 3 bars and 8 MB/s with it. There is no satellite coverage due to the heavy tree canopy. OTA TV was descent using an external omni antenna."
Recreational amenities: American Heritage RV Park offers numerous activities. "Great pool and convenient to travel to several activities incl Williamsburg, Jamestown, Yorktown, VA Beach and more. Nice concrete pad sites with full hookup and shaded by tall pine trees," reports Anders S.
What you should know
Train noise at some locations: Anvil Campground sits near active train tracks. One camper warns, "This is a 4 acre parking lot with a good number and quality of very small amenities (pool, dog park) with 60 sites sandwiched between roads and very active train tracks... Train is so close that it shakes our RV."
Weather and terrain considerations: Heavy rainfall can affect camping conditions. Regarding Williamsburg RV and Camping Resort, one visitor noted: "We arrived on opening day (March 19, 2021) for the season. They had unfortunately been a victim of the rain and the main road to the campground had washed out. Alternative routes were set up to enter and exit."
Uneven sites at some campgrounds: Before setting up, check your site's level. At Newport News Park, a visitor suggested: "Make sure you have leveling chalks as some of the sites are too uneven for auto leveling to work. We had a 32' class c rig and had no problems other than the auto leveling not working."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Williamsburg Campground offers excellent children's amenities. "The kids loved the playground and the pool. The bathrooms were spotless and the whole campground was peaceful and relaxing," shares Theresa B.
Recreational options: Multiple activities keep children entertained. A reviewer at Williamsburg Campground noted, "They have big jumpy things for the kids, an outdoor movie theater and a nice playground. Our dog enjoyed the dog park."
Entertainment during rain: Indoor facilities provide options during inclement weather. At Thousand Trails Chesapeake Bay, a visitor mentioned the campground "offers an abundance of activities for children and adults alike. It is also pet friendly and offers a dog park for your furry friends."
Tips from RVers
Site selection and hookups: At pet friendly camping locations near Millwood, Virginia, choosing the right site matters. When staying at American Heritage RV Park, consider "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."
Connectivity options: For those needing to stay connected, verify service availability. At Newport News Park, "AT&T currently at full bars 4g" according to one reviewer, while another noted specific internet speeds available with and without a signal booster.
Leveling considerations: RVers should prepare for uneven terrain. At Newport News Park, "many [sites] are deceptively unlevel, particularly on the outside of the loops, and are heavily wooded. Some loops are primitive, some have only 20A service and some have 30A service and water hookup."