J
Jonathan B.
Guide
GuideThousand Trails Williamsburg
Nice amenities
Enjoying this campground. Close to all the attractions. Incredible staff, super friendly. Pool and game room are wonderful.
Tent Camping near Montross, VA
2 campgrounds with availability this weekend
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Tent campsites around Montross, Virginia provide campers with access to the Potomac River shoreline and secluded forest settings. Caledon State Park Campground offers walk-in tent sites with riverside primitive camping about 2.5-3 miles from the trailhead. Nearby Leesylvania State Park Campground provides tent-only options with views of the Potomac River. Both locations feature natural settings where tent campers can enjoy Virginia's coastal landscape.
Most tent sites in the Montross area have basic amenities with minimal improvements. Fire rings are standard at many locations, though some areas impose seasonal fire restrictions. Caledon's walk-in tent sites include established tent pads and porta-potties, with firewood available through an honor system. A visitor commented, "There are 7 or 8 tent pads with firewood for sale at the site for $4 honor system." Potable water is unavailable at most primitive tent campgrounds, requiring campers to pack in their own supplies. Many tent-only areas lack shower facilities, offering only basic toilet access.
The backcountry tent camping experience near Montross rewards those willing to hike to their campsite. Areas along the Potomac River provide scenic views and water access for tent campers. A camper wrote, "We hiked for a few hours and finally got to our site which was right on the Potomac River. Gorgeous view and I was glad to be there after the long haul." Most walk-in tent locations maintain a quiet atmosphere, with evening sounds limited to wildlife and occasional water traffic. Several tent campgrounds in the region require reservations, particularly during peak seasons from spring through fall. Prince William Forest Park offers additional tent camping options with access to old-growth forests and hiking trails, though these sites are farther from Montross proper.
Best Tent Campgrounds near Montross (16)
1. Caledon State Park Campground
"7 or 8 tent pads. Wood for sale at the site for $4 honor system. Porta pottie right next to wood pile. You’re not supposed to setup anything outside of the “tent pads”."
"It was my first hike in primitive camping experience. We hiked for a few hours and finally got to our site which was right on the Potomac River."
Check AvailabilityCampground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $16 / night
2. Calvert Cliffs State Park Youth Group Camping
"Nice and quiet, no hookups, but nice surroundings!"
"It is a very nice walk about 2 miles to the beach where you can hunt for fossils. The beach has gotten smaller over the years however the trail has gotten much better."
3. Waterfront View on Leoni Island @ South Kings Camping
from $50 - $80 / night
4. Pettigrew WMA
"Good spot to get away and pitch a tent. Never anyone else there too!"
Check Availabilityfrom $4 / night
5. Endeavor Point
Check Availabilityfrom $55 - $95 / night
6. Matoaka Beach Cottages
"Private campground with cabins and tent sites. Tent sites are first come, first service so call ahead to ensure the space is available."
"They have a few tent camping spots as well as cabins. Just call ahead. I just showed up and got a perfect camp spot with a view of the sunrise and access to the private beach."
7. Leesylvania State Park Campground
"Good for a day use, parking is full most of the time but have a lot of space to park you may have to walk but you will find one spot..."
"Close to me so theres nothing new"
Check Availabilityfrom $15 - $18 / night
8. Pax River Hog Point Campgrounds — Naval Airstation (Nas) Patuxent River
Check Availabilityfrom $20 - $30 / night
9. Brewer’s Point Hike-in or Boat-in Primitive Campground — Belle Isle State Park
Check Availabilityfrom $15 - $18 / night
10. Lacy Oasis Campground
"Whether you are an adult or a child, this place will have a positive effect on you. The owners are involved and designed this space with the visitors pleasure in mind."
Check Availabilityfrom $90 - $190 / night
Drive Time
- 1 hr 18 min from Richmond, VA
- 1 hr 22 min from Lexington Park, MD
- 1 hr 29 min from Washington, DC
- 3 hrs 7 min from Salisbury, MD
Recent Tent Camping Photos near Montross, VA
17 Photos of 16 Montross Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Tent Camping Reviews near Montross, VA
362 Reviews of 16 Montross Campgrounds
- AAl L.
ScoutWestmoreland State Park Campground
Nice end of summer retreat
It was a well maintained campsite. Clean bathrooms and great hikes to fossil beach.
- BBrian H.
TravelerPettigrew WMA
Pettigrew WMA - great dispersed camping
Good spot to get away and pitch a tent. Never anyone else there too! Make sure to get a daily ($4) or annual (~$22 I forget) Access Permit on Virginia DWR, as well as special WMA camping license (free)
- Judy W.Guide
Smallwood State Park Campground - TEMPORARILY CLOSED THROUGH JULY 2023
Great Escape! Air conditioned cabins!
What a gem! We found this place as an alternative to staying in DC during 4th of July festivities. Nice spacious sites, cabins were super clean and smelled great! Did I mention they were air conditioned during the hotest week of the summer!
Bathrooms and showers were spotless.
Many things to see and do there. Historic property, big lake (no swimming), boating, fishing, hiking. There is an Art Center with juried displays for sale.
- MMarlieke L.Scout
Thousand Trails Williamsburg
Near interessant points of interest
Friendly staff. Good location. Lots of noice near the big road. Laundry room could use a clearing. Bathrooms en toilets are very clean. Not much room between the spots with lots of tall weeds.
Jeremy G.TravelerJoint Base Andrews Military FamCamp
Could be a great campground but......
There are some good things about this Famcamp. It's like a diamond in the rough. If the military would spend some time and money on it, it could be a great campground. One of the greatest points about this campground is its location. You are so close to downtown D.C.! Every RV site (as far as I saw) was a level concrete pad. All sites, except for tent sites, have full electricity. Most sites have sewer and water. Sites 12-18 should be mainly used for the smaller travel trailers. I had an interesting time getting my 35' 5th wheel into the site. Even though I got my RV into the site, I don't have much room for my truck. My site has a picnic table, fire pit, and a grill. Everything is rusted beyond repair. My grill was filled with cigarette butts and my fire pit had trash in it. There is some shade. My site has two trees at the front of the pad on both sides of the RV. My bedroom stays nice and cold and I have a good view for my Starlink in the rear. The sites are close to each other, but there is some space. The good thing is that we are surrounded by the golf course. You don't get much noise from the base, because of the location, and because the FamCamp is surrounded by trees. You can hear the busy road outside the fence but I don't hear it much inside the RV. Every once in a while you'll hear an aircraft... but this is an air base, it's expected. We were told the community laundry was not working and to use the base laundry mat. Finally, one of the best parts about the campground, is the lady at outdoor rec that is in charge of the Famcamp. She is very nice and helpful. She will try to assist you with anything you need from directions to useful tips.
lisa K.GuideRichmond North - Kings Dominion KOA
Relaxing
Nice, quiet in March, shuttle to Kings Dominion every 30 minutes,
Kindra W.GuidePoint Lookout State Park
5 stars! Beautiful, clean, magical
Magical stay at Point Lookout — New Tulip Loop (Full Hook‑Up) and I’m already planning a return. The whole park feels peaceful and safe, the staff were genuinely friendly and helpful, and our site is clean and well‑maintained. The loop’s energy felt magical — quiet, restorative, and tucked into the trees so it felt private but not isolated. Full hookups were convenient and reliable; the site layout is roomy and pet‑friendly, with an easy walk to a beautiful dog beach so our pup had a blast. We walked to stunning beaches and spent afternoons watching water and sky at the tip of the peninsula — spectacular views where the Potomac meets the Chesapeake. The park’s Civil War history and lighthouse added fascinating, walkable sites to explore between beach time, giving the stay both recreation and depth. Clean facilities, helpful staff at the park office, and well-marked trails made everything low‑stress and enjoyable. If you want a peaceful, historic, pet‑friendly Class A spot with full hookups and gorgeous nearby beaches, Tulip Loop at Point Lookout is five stars from me.
John M.GuideMatoaka Beach Cottages
Fantastic location with winderful hosts
Private campground with cabins and tent sites. Tent sites are first come, first service so call ahead to ensure the space is available. The host family was very nice and easy to work with and talk to. Fire pits were at tent sites and past the office was beach access into Chesapeake Bay. There are trash bins and porta potty’s on sight that are all maintained and kept clean. Beautiful sights and plenty to do in the area with DC being roughly an 40-60 minutes away.
Guide to Montross
Primitive tent camping near Montross, Virginia offers access to the Chesapeake Bay watershed where elevations remain under 200 feet throughout the region. The area experiences hot, humid summers with temperatures often exceeding 90°F and mild winters that rarely drop below freezing. Seasonal considerations heavily influence site availability, with most primitive sites closing during winter months when northern winds sweep across the exposed waterfront locations.
What to do
Wildlife viewing along waterways: Caledon State Park Campground provides exceptional birdwatching opportunities from primitive campsites. As one visitor noted, "This is a wonderful Potomac Riverfront day-use park with a wildlife refuge and old-grown forests... Great bird watching and bald eagles."
Fossil hunting on beach trips: At Calvert Cliffs State Park Youth Group Camping, campers can search for prehistoric treasures. A visitor shared, "Such an amazing expieriance and brings right into the eyes of child with both adult and children searching for shark teeth. Not only is searching for shark teeth a blast, but, the views are beautiful."
Fishing or crabbing: Waterfront sites often permit fishing directly from shorelines. One camper at Endeavor Point mentioned, "The pier was perfect to fish or crab off of and the beach had great views of the sunrise."
What campers like
Privacy at primitive sites: The best tent camping near Montross includes secluded options. A camper at Matoaka Beach Cottages shared, "We tent camped at Matoka Cabins and it was a beautiful Peaceful camping trip! Out spot was very private and you could see the bay and hear the waves."
Sunrise views over water: Waterfront locations offer exceptional morning vistas. One visitor noted, "We just showed up and got a perfect camp spot with a view of the sunrise and access to the private beach."
Nature trails connecting campsites: Several parks feature interconnected trail systems. At Leesylvania State Park Campground, a visitor commented, "The park was not very busy when we were there, but the lake and hiking were wonderful. Sites were average, nothing too spectacular but private enough for us."
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most primitive sites near Montross require advance booking, especially April through October. Availability becomes extremely limited on summer weekends when temperatures average 85-95°F.
Water supply planning: Potable water sources are limited at primitive locations. A camper at Caledon State Park warned, "No water on site and no reasonable source to filter water from so be prepared."
Seasonal closures: Many primitive sites close during winter months. A Leesylvania State Park visitor noted, "This campground was so pretty. It is small, but the price and location near DC cannot be beat. It is directly on Potomac River."
Terrain challenges: Access roads to primitive sites may flood during heavy rains. Pack essential gear in waterproof containers and bring footwear suitable for muddy conditions.
Tips for camping with families
Child-friendly activities: Parks often provide structured nature programming. At Lacy Oasis Campground, one visitor shared, "My agency took about 25 children there last week and they did not want to leave, neither did I. The rates are very economical for what is being provided on the space."
Safety considerations: Waterfront tent camping requires careful supervision. Calvert Cliffs offers safer alternatives with "a great play ground right off the main parking lot for kids to play on as well as a few bathrooms. Also right off the parking lot is a little fishing pond."
Educational opportunities: Many parks incorporate historical elements. A visitor noted, "The park staff are very friendly, and are very informative on the many fossils you may find on your visit down there."
Distance factors: Consider hiking distances when planning with children. Some primitive sites require substantial walks from parking areas, typically 1-3 miles on unpaved surfaces.
Tips from RVers
Limited RV access: Few tent camping areas near Montross accommodate larger vehicles. Most primitive sites are accessible only by foot or small watercraft.
Alternative options: When seeking RV-friendly locations near tent camping areas, consider established campgrounds within 30-mile radius. One camper mentioned, "It's just great! Nice and quiet, no hookups, but nice surroundings!"
Parking constraints: Vehicle size restrictions apply at most primitive tent camping locations. Standard parking areas typically accommodate vehicles under 20 feet in length.
Day-use alternatives: Some locations better serve as day trips rather than overnight stays. A visitor to Leesylvania observed, "Good for a day use, parking is full most of the time but have a lot of space to park you may have to walk but you will find one spot."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent
campsite near Montross, VA?
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Montross, VA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Montross, VA is Caledon State Park Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 5 reviews.
What is the best site to find
tent camping near
Montross, VA?
What is the best site to find tent camping near Montross, VA?
TheDyrt.com has all 16 tent camping locations near Montross, VA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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