4 campgrounds with availability this weekend
Kiptopeke State Park Campground's pet-friendly beach area allows dogs to swim alongside their owners, with a separate designated shoreline from the main swimming beach. Thousand Trails Virginia Landing and Sun Outdoors Cape Charles both welcome pets with spacious sites and pet exercise areas. Most campgrounds in the region require pets to be on leashes no longer than 6 feet when outside designated off-leash areas. Campers report clean, well-maintained dog parks at several locations, with waste stations positioned throughout the grounds. Pet-friendly accommodations include tent sites, RV spots with full hookups, and select cabins that allow dogs with proper vaccination records. The Eastern Shore of Virginia Welcome Center provides a convenient pet exercise area for travelers crossing the Bay Bridge Tunnel, allowing RV parking for up to 48 hours with clean facilities and access to nearby trails. Several campgrounds charge additional pet fees ranging from $5-10 per pet per night, with some properties limiting the number of pets allowed per site. Campgrounds maintain 24-hour security patrols that help enforce pet policies and quiet hours.
Trails throughout First Landing State Park accommodate leashed dogs with multiple hiking options through wooded areas. The Cape Charles/Chesapeake Bay KOA offers a fenced dog park where pets can run off-leash, while Kiptopeke's pet beach provides water access specifically for dogs. During summer months, campers should be mindful of hot sand and pavement that can burn paw pads, with early morning or evening walks recommended. Wildlife encounters are common in the region's campgrounds, with rabbits and deer frequently spotted in the evening hours. Most campgrounds require proof of current rabies vaccination for all pets, with Newport News Park specifically requesting rabies certificates upon check-in. The Virginia Beach KOA provides bus service that runs from the campground to Virginia Beach proper, allowing visitors to bring beach gear while keeping pets comfortable at the campground. Williamsburg KOA is the only campground in the area with breed restrictions, specifically not allowing pit bulls on the property despite welcoming other dog breeds.
"Nice dog park and dog beach."
"There are four fishing piers, miniature golf, basketball court, baseball diamond, five pools (including one that is adult only), a large dog park, and much, much more."
"Was a nice place to stay about 1.5 hour drive to either Virginia Beach or assateage."
"We stayed near the water with full hookups. This place is absolutely beautiful and must have been amazing in its prime. No updates are being made and most everything was shut down."
"Very pet friendly and they also made a beach side for pets to swim at. Wild animals usually pass by often later in the evening, horses, deer, rabbits etc; sites are nice and big."
"It has 2 beautiful beaches ‘ one that allows pets and the other does not . There are wooden boardwalk trails in the park and a few of them leads to different areas on the beach ."
Available this weekend
from $32 - $413 / night
"We live on the other side of Virginia, but have enjoyed returning to First Landing whenever we get the chance. We love the fact that we can visit the beach AND camp."
"20 miles of Trails!! Lots of trails to hike and mountain/hybrid bike. We were surprised at the quality and the number of trails available. We were never bored."
Available this weekend
from $32 - $147 / night
"They also have a separate dog beach, where my dogs lived their best life."
"We are beyond impressed with views the staff, the location, the restaurant, the dog beach/park, the activities and the list goes on."
"On-site restaurant and on Bay Beach within walking distance. Very nice bath houses."
"Our campspot was a short walk to the beach which is nice."
"There is a marina and kayak trails. They have both primitive and full service cabins. There are 3 camping loops."
"Dogs are allowed at half the sites. They had the cleanest nicest showers we have ever seen at a campground. Fantastic camp store with long hours. Camper size Old Bay was there!!"
from $21 - $87 / night
"Lots of activities: fishing, crabbing, swimming, boating,regattas, hiking/walking, and fresh waterpond catch & release."
"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
TravelerOur first time with our new camper. Everyone was very friendly. Amazing views! We had a tight spot, so our hosts helped us get in with their tractor. When we got back the next day we found a bottle of champagne to celebrate our maiden voyage. Very nice rec room, fishing pier. There is also a beach and playground, corn hole field, and an outdoor Pavillion. Lovely place !
TravelerDO NOT WAIST YOUR MONEY! THIS IS A SCAM!! Our 3 campsites flooded with 6 inches of water within an hour of arriving before high tide. Very difficult to get ahold of staff due to limited hours of business. I have requested a refund for failure to render services due to unusable campsites. I have left several voicemails and sent emails with attached pictures. Management has been avoiding my phone calls, will not call back. Very unprofessional. I received one call from"management" at 7:20 pm to tell me that he received a message to call me, but he hasn't looked into why he needs to call me and he will call back the next day. I never heard back from him and that was a week ago. I have followed up daily with phone calls without a return phone call. My family makes several camping trips through the year, will never return here.
ScoutThis 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.
TravelerNote 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.
TravelerThe 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.
GuideOur 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.
ScoutSpacious sites among tall mature trees. No undergrowth to provide privacy between sites. I reserved a site online this morning, but site said "available" when I arrived, so don't count on reservation being updated same-day. Sign at Park entrance says no alcohol allowed without permit. Pets allowed.
TravelerIt was very nice visit.
TravelerPark stuff are very friendly, sweet, I live the quietness of night time.
Campgrounds near Nassawadox occupy the Eastern Shore peninsula between Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic Ocean, with most sites positioned at elevations less than 50 feet above sea level. The region experiences mild winters with average lows around 35°F and humid summers that regularly reach 85-90°F. Summer camping typically requires additional cooling solutions as bay breezes don't always penetrate inland camping areas.
Waterfront activities: Access to multiple beaches for swimming and relaxation at Sun Outdoors Cape Charles. "The beaches are beautiful. The pools are fun for all ages and clean," reports Julin S. Most waterfront campsites offer both bay and pool swimming options with varying beach textures.
Fishing and crabbing: Popular with all ages at local piers and shorelines. "Great place to camp, it has everything you could ask for... located in the Chesapeake Bay," notes Kathie M. about Sun Outdoors Cape Charles. Many campers bring crab traps or rent equipment on-site to catch blue crabs directly from piers.
Kayaking and paddling: Explore marsh waterways through marked water trails. At Janes Island State Park Campground, "The water trails have a big variety from large channels to narrow marsh routes and bird watching is excellent," according to Sean F. Most water trails are calm enough for beginners but offer enough variety for experienced paddlers.
Private beaches: Less crowded than public beaches at Thousand Trails Virginia Landing. "The park is wide-open, which provided plenty of space for kids to roam and explore. Virginia Landing is located right on the shore and we felt perfectly comfortable allowing the kids to freely run around," writes Jason G. These beaches offer more seclusion than commercial beaches during peak season.
Clean facilities: Well-maintained bathhouses across multiple campgrounds. "The bathhouses and laundry were in amazing shape. A large camp store that has all the essentials," John M. says about Cape Charles/Chesapeake Bay KOA. Campers consistently mention the cleanliness of facilities even during busy summer weekends.
Sunset views: Spectacular bay views from waterfront sites. "Gorgeous scenery! Only negative here is that some of the facilities (bath houses and such) are hurting and need updating," reports Carrie A. about Sun Outdoors Cape Charles. Many campgrounds position fire rings and seating areas to maximize sunset viewing opportunities over the Chesapeake.
Bug preparation: Essential during summer months. "Due to a lack of wind, flies were bad on the beach. I would recommend bringing an insect screen if you have it," advises Kat H. about Wisteria Beach Hideaway. Biting flies and mosquitoes peak from June through August, especially in marshy areas.
Site differences: Waterfront vs. wooded options vary widely in size and privacy. "Sites are a bit tight, but we assumed as much. The bathhouse was superb!" notes Michelle W. about Cape Charles/Chesapeake Bay KOA. Waterfront sites typically offer less shade and privacy than wooded sites set further back.
Grocery planning: Limited shopping options in immediate area. "Take your groceries bc the grocery stores aren't great," suggests Anne F. about Cross Rip Camp. Most campers recommend shopping before arrival as the closest full-service grocery stores may be 15-30 minutes from campgrounds.
Multiple swimming options: Pools and beaches provide alternatives for different ages. "Cherrystone is a super fun campground for the kids. It has multiple pools, plus swimming access in the Bay, mini golf, jumping pillow, and more," shares Christen C. about Sun Outdoors Cape Charles. Families often rotate between pool and beach swimming depending on daily conditions.
Kid-friendly amenities: Look for campgrounds with specific youth activities. "My boys love the jump pads, pools and paddle boats. As a family we enjoy the fishing piers, new beach and cafe," says Beth F. Most dog friendly campgrounds near Nassawadox offer family-centered programming during summer months.
Safety considerations: Check for water depth variations at beaches and swimming areas. "The campground provides opportunities for exploration and outdoor activities that kept our kids entertained throughout our three night stay," notes Jason G. about Thousand Trails Virginia Landing. Most beaches have gradual entries but some areas drop off quickly.
Site selection: Consider size and shade carefully when booking. "We were in site 317 with full hookups. We missed the shade a lot, but the evening breeze off the bay made up for it," mentions Angelica K. about Thousand Trails Virginia Landing. Many pet-friendly RV parks near Nassawadox have limited shade for larger rigs.
Utility reliability: Water pressure and electrical service vary between campgrounds. "The campground had a spacious layout that allowed for easy RV maneuvering. Whether you're a seasoned RV enthusiast or a camper just starting out, you'll appreciate the space," reports Jason G. Most campgrounds offer 30/50 amp service but water pressure can fluctuate during peak usage times.
Seasonal considerations: Off-season camping offers more space but limited services. "We use to camp here every summer! Brought my kiddos here, it's the same as I remembered! Older campground, lots of sites," writes Ashley I. about Sun Outdoors Cape Charles. Many RV campgrounds reduce services after October, with some closing completely from November through March.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Nassawadox, VA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Nassawadox, VA is Sun Outdoors Cape Charles with a 4.5-star rating from 41 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Nassawadox, VA?
TheDyrt.com has all 51 dog-friendly camping locations near Nassawadox, VA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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