Northwest River Park & Campground provides several equestrian options near Chesapeake, Virginia. The park maintains an extensive trail system extending through wooded areas with direct river access points. Located approximately 20 miles southwest of Norfolk, the campground operates from April through November with specific sites designated for horse owners traveling with trailers.
What to do
Trail riding: Northwest River Park offers dedicated equestrian paths with varying difficulty levels. According to Elizabeth V., "Equestrian trails available, which is always a plus."
Fishing and boating: Kiptopeke State Park features multiple fishing opportunities including a pier. Stuart M. notes, "Virginia has some wonderful state parks and this is one of my favorites. Its got a nice beach, boat launch and a couple miles of hiking trails. I use the park as a base for exploring the barrier island on the ocean side by kayak."
Historical exploration: Chippokes Plantation State Park combines equestrian access with historical sites. Rose H. shares, "This hidden gem is just a short distance from Williamsburg but yet so remote! The still working farm and homes are a treasure of how life and farms ran back in the day and how they can survive into the future."
What campers like
Spacious campsites: Northwest River Park offers well-maintained sites with room to accommodate horse trailers. Gary D. mentions, "Plenty of room..showers/bathrooms huge..water NOT at all sites but easy to fill tanks."
Clean facilities: The maintenance level at equestrian-friendly campgrounds receives consistent praise. Joseph H. states about Northwest River Park, "Overall amazed at the cleanliness of the campground. The staff is very friendly. The park was very quiet going into the night."
Wildlife viewing: Several equestrian trails provide opportunities for wildlife encounters. Gabby B. comments about Kiptopeke State Park, "Wild animals usually pass by often later in the evening, horses, deer, rabbits etc; sites are nice and big. Some sunny some shady."
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Horse-friendly sites fill quickly during peak seasons. Aaron S. advises about Kiptopeke State Park, "This is a great campground. Well maintained, nice and quiet. C loop has full hookup where A and B do not. Try and get C loop spots 15 - 21. They're shaded and at the back of the loop."
Seasonal considerations: Many equestrian campgrounds have limited operating seasons. Chesapeake Campground remains open year-round but experiences seasonal flooding. Kelly W. cautions, "A storm hit right after I got here and now I'm sitting in about 8 inches of water!"
Trail conditions: Trail difficulty varies throughout the year with seasonal changes. Christina notes about Chippokes Plantation State Park, "Definitely recommend following the river inland and kayaking through the marshland."
Tips for camping with families
Water activities: Multiple campgrounds offer family-friendly water access points. Susan P. recommends Chippokes State Park: "The water at the beaches is so shallow great for my son! It's a beautiful place!"
Recreation options: Horse campgrounds near Norfolk provide additional activities beyond riding. Patricia L. shares about Northwest River Park, "Plenty of things to do for the active camper. Put put golf, kayak, hiking and much more."
Educational opportunities: Chesapeake Campground offers child-friendly activities near Norfolk. Audriana V. reports, "There were a lot of child friendly activities to do here. It's about 40 mins from the beach. We tent camped and had a blast. The showers were nice and the bathrooms were very clean."
Tips from RVers
Site selection: At equestrian-friendly campgrounds, choosing the right site matters. Ashley I. comments about Chippokes State Park, "Love Chippokes! Feels country-esque but also like you're on a plantation! Beautiful trails. Great (paved) campground!"
Hookup availability: Access to utilities varies across campgrounds. Elizabeth N. advises about Kiptopeke State Park, "Nice easy back-in sites, full hookups in good working order, and friendly hosts. Great walking trails, boardwalks, and beach access. Arrive early to choose shady spots."
Site leveling: Some horse campgrounds require additional preparation. Johnathan M. notes about Chippokes State Park, "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."
