Tent camping options near Norfolk, Virginia include a mix of coastal wetlands, inland forests, and swampy environments within a 1-2 hour drive. Overnight sites range from walk-in platforms at urban nature centers to remote beach locations requiring substantial hiking or paddling efforts. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 85°F with high humidity, making spring and fall the most comfortable camping seasons.
What to do
Paddling and boating: Sandy Bottom Nature Park offers affordable rentals for exploring the lake. "There are kayaks and paddle boats you can rent by the hour. This park has plenty of camping spots and also has some yurts that are available to rent out," explains Brandon W. in his review of Sandy Bottom Nature Park.
Wildlife viewing: The unique swamp environment at Merchants Millpond State Park supports diverse aquatic and woodland species. "Tons of wildlife to see. Turtles, gators, snakes. Not a place I'd go in the summer because I'd imagine you'd get carried away by bugs but definitely a place to check out in spring or fall," notes Heather R. about her experience at Merchants Millpond Canoe-In Campground.
Beach fishing: Campers at False Cape can fish directly from their beachfront sites. "The saltwater fishing in the area was great. My cousin even caught a few baby sharks," shares Sam M. in his review of False Cape State Park.
What campers like
Remote beach access: False Cape State Park offers isolation that contrasts with typical developed beaches. "Really there wasn't hardly anyone else out there, so it felt like we had our own private beach. We hiked out to our spot, but we saw some people biking into theirs," writes Sam M. in his review of False Cape State Park Campground.
Family-friendly amenities: Sandy Bottom Nature Park balances primitive camping with convenient facilities. "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," says liz J. in her review.
Unique ecosystems: The cypress swamp environment at Merchants Millpond creates distinctive camping opportunities. "The cypress trees, swamp flora and fauna are amazing. One of my kids caught a gar, we saw a bald eagle's nest, snakes, frogs, turtles, and lily pads everywhere," writes Becky E. about Bennetts Creek Canoe In Campground.
What you should know
Access challenges: Many of the best tent camping spots near Norfolk require significant effort to reach. "We've lived so close to this park for so long and I regret not coming sooner. This park is 5+ miles from the Little Island Park Parking lot, where you have to park if you're staying overnight. So, you have to hike, bike or boat into the primitive campground," explains Katie M. about her experience at False Cape.
Weather considerations: Coastal sites experience strong winds and variable conditions. "It was super windy at the beach but at our campsite under the trees it felt great. Spacious enough we weren't right on top of each other," notes Kailyn U. about False Cape State Park.
Navigation difficulties: The swamp environment at Merchants Millpond can be disorienting. "The kayak/canoe round was not easy to navigate so bring your 3rd party map/GPS. The maps they provide are almost useless because it outlines the terrain but because it's a swamp the terrain changes with the water level. Islands can appear out of nowhere," advises Mark N. in his review of Merchants Millpond State Park Backpack Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Choose accessible sites: Sandy Bottom offers the most convenient tent camping for families with young children. "This campsite and park is a ton of fun. We've never camped here but we lived about 5 minutes down the road from the park and absolutely loved it. There are miles of trails around the lake and through the woods you can follow. It is extremely dog friendly with a fenced in dog park as well," writes Brandon W.
Pack for the elements: Coastal sites require preparation for wind, sand and insects. "We came in mid-June and the weather was gorgeous - 80s during the day and 60s at night. There were some biting flies and mosquitos but nothing a little bug spray couldn't take care of," shares Katie M. about camping at False Cape.
Consider bike trailers: For remote beach camping with small children, bike transportation works well. "We're both in good shape, and on bike we made the trek in less than an hour. I rode my mountain bike, and my wife road her hybrid commuter bike without issue. We brought a collapsible 5 gallon jug that I had to ride back to the visitors center (about 2 miles from our campsite) to fill up," describes Tim R. about bringing children to Wisteria Beach Hideaway.
Tips from RVers
Limited options: True RV camping is scarce in the immediate Norfolk area, with most options being primitive or tent-focused. "More of a long term stay but there are a few spots for RVs. Laundry, trash, restrooms, picnic table, fire pit (day use only). Mature trees and over all space is very large. Sites are level with some spacing," notes N I. in a review of Carter's Cove Campground.
