The Dyrt – find campgrounds for tents, RVs, cabins, glamping and more.
Open in App

Best Tent Camping near Suffolk, VA

628 Reviews

Tent campsites surrounding Suffolk, Virginia offer a variety of experiences from peaceful state parks to remote beach camping. Merchants Millpond State Park, located about an hour southwest in Gatesville, North Carolina, provides canoe-in tent camping where sites are situated among cypress trees and swamp flora. False Cape State Park Campground in Virginia Beach offers primitive tent camping accessible only by hiking, biking, or boating, providing secluded beach camping opportunities.

Most tent campgrounds in the region require some planning for access. At Merchants Millpond, campers must either rent or bring canoes or kayaks to reach the designated sites, which feature fire pits, grills, and picnic tables. False Cape State Park demands a 5-6 mile hike or bike ride through Back Bay Wildlife Refuge to reach the campground, with no vehicle access available. Sandy Bottom Nature Park in Hampton provides walk-in tent sites located about a quarter mile from the parking area. These sites typically include sand tent platforms, picnic tables, and fire rings, with flush toilets available but located some distance from the campsites.

The tent camping experience in this region varies dramatically by location. The swamp environment at Merchants Millpond creates a unique atmosphere with abundant wildlife. A camper noted, "Sites are well maintained and not right on top of each other. All had firepits, grills, and a picnic table." At False Cape, tent campers can choose between sites tucked in live oak trees or directly on the beach, offering stunning ocean views and solitude. A visitor commented, "This park is a serene oasis away from traffic, no RVs, not a lot of people. A great place to get away from it all!" Seasonal considerations are important, as summer months bring intense mosquito activity at Merchants Millpond, while False Cape offers more comfortable conditions in spring and fall.

Map showing campgrounds near Suffolk, VirginiaExplore the Map

Best Tent Sites Near Suffolk, Virginia (8)

Show More
Showing results 1-8 of 8 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win

Suffolk Contest

Enter to Win

Recent Tent Camping Photos near Suffolk, VA

11 Photos of 8 Suffolk Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Suffolk, VA

628 Reviews of 8 Suffolk Campgrounds

  • liz J.
    Aug. 21, 2023

    Sandy Bottom Nature Park

    A great place to hike and camp if you can't get out of the area

    The park is centrally located with easy highway access.  Plentiful parking, lots of trails to choose from.  The staff was top notch and super kind and helpful.  They were very insistent about the "no alcohol" rule.    

    Sites are first come, first served.  Must reserve in person.  Visitor's center is open 9-6.  

    The sites were located about 1/4 mile from the parking lot down a trail.  They 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.  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.  Other than that, expect no amenities.  Bugs weren't terrible but were present.  Definitely bring bug spray.  

    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.  There is no sound barrier between 64 and the park so every noise just filters right through the trees.  Not anyone's fault, but definitely a downside.  

    Overall when you consider the dirt cheap price of 10.60 per night, this campground delivers as advertised.

  • NThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jan. 1, 2022

    Sandy Bottom Nature Park

    Nature in the County

    Sites: 11 primitive tent sites 2 of which are group sites 

    4 tent cabins that sit right on the edge of the lake

     The individual campsites are FCFS and you must park and hike in. It is a short hike along the lake and placed a short distance from the trail so hikers will not be hiking through the sites. You have a sand bottom tent site, picnic table, fire ring/grill and trash. This is a beautiful 456 acre education and wildlife facility. Born from garbage dumps and it is great example of what can be achieved. This really is a great site.  There is an amazing nature center that overlooks Sandy Bottom Lake. Hiking, and biking trails, fishing, boating with boat rentals or bring your own, birding and wildlife viewing. 757-825-4657 

    LNT

    Travel safe

  • Chip G.
    Apr. 12, 2017

    Family Campground — Merchants Millpond State Park

    These February days are why we live in the south...

    The 12 trips in 12 months’ progress well. February’s outing was Merchants Mill Pond. What a great place. It probably helps that the bath house had just been redone with fresh paint. But that wasn’t the only thing. The park staff was friendly and the camp sites are nice and spaced well apart. Each site had a fire pit, tent site and picnic table. I am not sure that all the tent spaces were leveled, but if you pay attention when you set your tent up you should be fine.

    I happened to be a glorious weekend in February and the temperatures were good enough for a hike in shorts and tee shirts. The trails were well maintained and it was a day well spent on the Lassiter Trail. The park also rents kayaks and there are marked water trails as well. Next trip will include a boat ride and a search for alligators (from a safe distance).

    Good hikes, good campground and evenings by the campfire. Definitely on the places to return to list.

  • Myron C.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 30, 2019

    Family Campground — Merchants Millpond State Park

    Campground with a Different Ecosystem--Woods and Swamp

    Merchants Millpond is a great state park if you want to explore a different kind of ecosystem.  The heart of the park lies in its swamps filled with cypress trees and cypress stumps.  There are several camping areas of different kinds.  You can canoe in to one of their primitive campsites, which is on an island in the swamp.  There are other hike-in primitive sites, group camping sites, and there are also the family camping sites.   I stayed at the family camping site and decided to set up my hammock instead of a tent.  If you stay at Merchants Millpond, make sure you take and use insect repellent and lots of it.  I had the biggest problem with mosquitoes and ticks.  If you stay in a hammock, make sure it has mosquito netting.  The family camping sites have tent pads, lantern poles, and fire rings.  The bath house is centrally located within a short walking distance of all of the campsites.  The showers have hot water, but the bath house itself looks outdated.  The canoe-in site that I explored only has a pit toilet, but it did have fire rings and picnic tables.  You can hike to the island by way of a wooden bridge across the swamp, but it is mainly for those who want to canoe in.  If you can go off trail, you can see lots of wildlife.  I had the opportunity to do so since I was invited to participate in a search and rescue exercise.  I only saw one snake, which is unusual not to see more, but I also saw a deer and couple of turtles.  There is a bicycle trail, but the one I hiked on the most was the Lassiter Trail, which has a few wooden bridges and opportunities to experience the eastern woodlands and great views of the swampy millpond.  Fortunately, I did not run into any bears or alligators, which are common in this area.  The visitors center is large and modern, and there is a meeting facility.  The person that I talked to at the visitors center was pleasant and was able to answer my questions.  The staff is great to work with, and I know this because I volunteered to teach camping skills to 4H kids a couple of years ago at this state park.  Overall, it’s a great state park, but it lacks the amenities of modern RV parks.

  • Sarah C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 16, 2017

    Family Campground — Merchants Millpond State Park

    Cool & Unique Paddling

    What a rare and beautiful eco-system the cypress swamp is! The state park offers several camping options: drive in, hike in and canoe in.

    Each drive in site has a picnic table, fire ring/grill and tent pad. There are showers, spigots and restrooms for campers staying here. There are three canoe-in sites, two of them have pit toilets and the third requires you to pack out all waste. If you want to enjoy the amenities of the drive-in sites but want to spend time canoeing the pond (which I highly recommend) then that's certainly an option, too.

    There aren't many eco-systems like this left so it's absolutely worth checking out.

  • Janet R.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 25, 2025

    Kings Creek

    Kings Creek Tent sites at Cheatham Annex

    There may be a bit of confusion about camping opportunities at Cheatham Annex Bass. It used to be that there was only one campground for the whole base, with a combo of RV sites and tent sites. The options have expanded and changed: a brand new RV park was built several miles away on the northside of the base, and it has its own brand new Rec Center and bath facilities etc. The Kings Creek Campground is on the south side where the old RV park used to be, but is now for tent camping only. There are still the remnant water and electric hookups available, and each site has plenty of grass for setting up tents, or you can set up on the cement pad. Each site has a picnic table, only some have fire rings. Sites 11 through 18 are in a loop around a nice kids playground, with trees surrounding the sites and glimmers of Kings Creek in the background. 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. Sites 6-7 are currently not being rented out as it has been discovered that the gravesite of a Revolutionary War soldier is located right there. Both tent loops have close access to a nice clean bathhouse, and there is good proximity to the base golf course and a really nice outdoor swimming pool. A great fishing pier nearby extends out into the York River. The MWR office rents kayaks and other equipment and has a coffee shop if you want hot breakfast

  • Napunani
    Jun. 24, 2022

    Chickahominy Riverfront Park

    Needs Some Overdue TLC

    PROS 

    Perfect campground to explore the Historical Triangle 

    Campground along Virginia Capital Bike Trail, which was an excellent riding trail 

    Site#335 level side-to-side 

    Sandy gravel site 

    Moveable plastic wood picnic table 

    Metal fire pit with cooking grate 

    Shady site 

    Wood and ice for sale at Guest Services 

    Slight river view from Site#335 

    Toilet/shower building clean 

    Pool 

    CONS 

    Overused James City County Park…definitely needs some TLC applied 

    Check-in clerk very curt and extremely non-customer service oriented 

    Never saw a camp host site or the actual camp host 

    Weirdly laid out full hook up campground. Some sites are 20 ft long 

    Sites are extremely close to each other 

    Had to park tow vehicle next to trailer due to short length of site 335

    Tight roadway thru full hook up campground 

    Dirt roadways = dusty 

    Empty campsites were heavily littered

    No privacy from neighbor sites 

    Extremely low water pressure even when campground is not fully occupied 

    No gate or controlled access to campground so lots of gawking drive thrus 

    Lots of speed bumps throughout park 

    Site#335 fire ring filled with ash upon arrival 

    Toilet/shower building lit up like a Christmas tree all night long

    Street lights throughout campground 

    Road noise from VA5 

    No WiFi 

    1 bar Verizon

  • C
    Aug. 10, 2019

    First Landing State Park Campground

    Beautiful but noisy (updated)

    Updated after a second trip (August 2020) This campground is generally really lovely, lots of trees, good Chesapeake beach access, but not very well designed for tent camping. Some of the sites are as I observed on our first trip, but all are not created equal. A lot of them are small and close to the camp road and run right into each other (no privacy) and lack sufficient flat space to pitch two tents. So many of the camper/RV sites have lots of flat private space behind where the RV would be parked, which would be great for pitching tents. The map is not to scale; sites 130, 132, and 133 back on to site 84, for example. Site 83 backs on to site 93, which in turn is open to 94. These three would be nice for a large group camping together. The sites on the east side of the campground back right on to the boundary fence of the neighboring military base (barbed wire fence). Restroom capacity (in COVID times) is supposedly limited to the safe number of 10, but 10 would be way too many. Four stalls and three sinks do not work out to 360+ square feet of space.

    Initial review (August 2019) The tent sites at this campground were gorgeous. Deep and private-feeling and well shaded. But so close to the road. I saw the map that clearly indicates Shore Drive running alongside the campground and I thought, “It can’t be that close!” But it is. Four lanes of 55mph traffic running within 25 yards of all the tent sites on the south side of the campground.

    We had such a fun time, despite the noise and lack of sleep, that we will almost certainly go back, but will definitely book one of the interior loop sites or maybe even one of the 20’ camper sites instead. Additional points: multiple daily nature programs for all ages in summer, really helpful staff, but the “camp store” doesn’t sell many camp supplies or groceries except ice and firewood.

  • RL
    Aug. 1, 2020

    Chippokes State Park Campground

    Beautiful Plantation

    Awesome things to see here! It’s been a working farm since 1619 with beautiful gardens and livestock. The mansion and outbuildings are pretty cool as well.

    Restrooms were not very clean. Each time I went to the ladies room, the door was propped wide open, and when I went to brush my teeth in the morning the counters were covered in moths and bugs and gnats. Yuck. The showers were ok.

    Ice is $3 and you can grab that from the camp host if it’s after 4pm which is when the store closes. It’s cash only, exactly change. Wood is $6 and there’s a metal box - pay on your honor.

    The beaches were very nice. You’re on the Cobham Bay vs. right on the river and in the dead of the summer, the water is sooo unpleasantly warm. You can wade out at the very least 100 yards and still be less than knee-deep, water still hot. The access to the little beaches are short but moderately steep, especially with lots of beach gear or strollers. It also seems to get washed out so watch your steps.

    The little visitor center near the water access has cold drinks, souvenirs, ice cream, etc. They obv. accept credit cards. You can bring your dog into this area. There’s also a little wildlife info center and restrooms in the same buildings. There are also areas for day use and a good sized parking lot near the water access.

    Straight across the river is Jamestown and Williamsburg, which is cool. I think I was told it’s about four miles across. That being said... those are your closest grocery stores and you have to take the Jamestown Ferry to get there. There is a Dollar General near the park, for odds and ends. Just make sure to stop in advance for what you need because you won’t find much in Surry.

    Stopped at the Surry Seafood Co. for lunch and it was ok. Food and service was mediocre, but there was a nice water view from the deck. Was looking forward to stopping for some shrimp to cook that night from Colonial Seafood market but after walking in, I walked right back out. It was so unclean and didn’t smell fresh at all.

    We took a beautiful drive around the plantation. The cabins look great and we’ll definitely try those out next time. There were corn fields and soybeans for miles. Such a great park due to its history.

    Campsites themselves were pretty nice; not too close together. Our site had the tent pad down away from the picnic table and fire ring which was kind of nice. It was really shady, too. Room for hammocks.

    Each site has a picnic table, fire pit, tent pad, lantern pole. Verizon service was great.

Guide to Suffolk

Tent camping near Suffolk, Virginia offers a variety of scenic locations and outdoor activities for nature enthusiasts. With options ranging from well-reviewed parks to unique amenities, there's something for everyone looking to escape into the great outdoors.

Some prices for tent camping range from $11 to $11

  • At Sandy Bottom Nature Park, tent sites are available for a budget-friendly price of $10.60 per night, making it an affordable option for campers.
  • False Cape State Park Campground provides a unique experience with its remote beach access, perfect for those seeking solitude at a reasonable cost.
  • For a more rustic experience, Big Woods WMA offers hike-in tent camping, allowing you to immerse yourself in nature without breaking the bank.

Tent campers should check out Sandy Bottom Nature Park

  • This park features well-spaced tent sites with sand platforms, picnic tables, and fire rings, ideal for a comfortable camping experience.
  • With miles of hiking trails and a beautiful nature center overlooking Sandy Bottom Lake, there's plenty to explore right from your campsite.
  • The park is dog-friendly, making it a great choice for those who want to bring their furry friends along for the adventure.

Explore local attractions near False Cape State Park

  • The park is accessible by hiking or biking, providing a unique opportunity for outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy the scenic trails leading to the beach.
  • Campers can enjoy stunning sunsets and a variety of wildlife, including birds and marine life, enhancing the natural experience.
  • Fishing opportunities abound, with reports of catching various species, including baby sharks, making it a thrilling spot for anglers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where are the best tent camping sites near Suffolk, VA?

False Cape State Park Campground offers a unique primitive camping experience accessible only by hiking or biking 4-9 miles through Back Bay Wildlife Refuge. The park features both oceanside and bay side camping sites, providing isolation and pristine beaches. For those seeking something closer, Sandy Bottom Nature Park offers 11 primitive tent sites (including 2 group sites) and 4 tent cabins on the lake's edge. These sites are first-come, first-served and require a short hike in from the parking area, providing a more accessible option with convenient highway access.

What amenities are available at tent campgrounds in Suffolk, Virginia?

Amenities vary widely at tent campgrounds near Suffolk. Carter's Cove Campground offers more developed facilities including laundry, restrooms, picnic tables, and fire pits (day use only), with level sites and mature trees providing shade. For a more primitive experience, Merchants Millpond Canoe-In Campground offers back-to-nature camping with basic amenities. Most tent sites in the region provide fire rings or pits, picnic tables, and access to potable water. State parks typically offer restroom facilities, though amenities decrease with remoteness. Always check specific campground information before your trip, as amenities can change seasonally and some primitive sites require you to pack in all necessities.

Where are the best tent camping sites near Suffolk, VA?

False Cape State Park Campground offers a unique primitive camping experience accessible only by hiking or biking 4-9 miles through Back Bay Wildlife Refuge. The park features both oceanside and bay side camping sites, providing isolation and pristine beaches. For those seeking something closer, Sandy Bottom Nature Park offers 11 primitive tent sites (including 2 group sites) and 4 tent cabins on the lake's edge. These sites are first-come, first-served and require a short hike in from the parking area, providing a more accessible option with convenient highway access.

When is the best season for tent camping in Suffolk, VA?

The best season for tent camping near Suffolk is spring (April-May) and fall (September-October) when temperatures are moderate and humidity is lower. Summer camping is possible but prepare for heat, humidity, and insects, especially at coastal sites like Merchants Millpond State Park Backpack Campground. When visiting coastal campgrounds in summer, bring plenty of water and bug spray as there's limited shade on trails. Winter camping is available for experienced campers, with milder conditions than northern states but still requiring proper cold-weather gear. Check individual park websites for seasonal closures, as some trails or facilities may have limited access during certain times of the year.

Keep Exploring