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Best Campgrounds near Providence Forge, VA

427 Reviews

Providence Forge, Virginia is surrounded by a range of camping areas from primitive to well-developed sites. The region includes several established campgrounds like Ed Allen's Campground and Cottages and Chickahominy Riverfront Park, offering various accommodation types including tent sites, RV hookups, cabins, and glamping options. Located in the coastal plains of tidewater Virginia, Providence Forge provides access to both riverside camping along the Chickahominy River and forested sites in nearby wildlife management areas. Chickahominy Wildlife Management Area provides more rustic options with 5,217 acres of mainly forested land bordering the river.

Camping permits and regulations vary significantly between locations. Wildlife Management Areas require a $4 daily use permit, though Virginia residents with fishing or hunting licenses may receive complimentary 14-day camping privileges. Most established campgrounds operate seasonally, with Ed Allen's Campground typically open from late March through mid-November. Primitive camping options in the Chickahominy WMA follow leave-no-trace principles with no facilities available. As one camper noted, "Basic parking spot in quite location. Weekends some hunters and shooting range close by in other side. No amenities but nice camping experience."

Mixed-use campgrounds dominate the landscape around Providence Forge, serving both recreational campers and those visiting historic sites in nearby Williamsburg. Proximity to water represents a significant feature in the region's camping experience, with several campgrounds offering river access and boat launches. Several visitors mentioned Chickahominy WMA's unique waterfront camping opportunities, with one review highlighting, "I arrived with a small trailer and put it within 5' of the water." However, campers should be prepared for varied conditions. Some public areas suffer from occasional littering issues, while established campgrounds like Rockahock Campgrounds receive mixed reviews regarding facility maintenance. Train noise affects some campgrounds, with one camper at Ed Allen's noting they "are right next to the train tracks so if you are a light sleeper you will hear those trains throughout the night."

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Best Camping Sites Near Providence Forge, Virginia (58)

    1. Chickahominy Riverfront Park

    19 Reviews
    Jamestown, VA
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (757) 258-5020

    "There is a nice bike/running path, (the Virginia Capital Trail-51 Miles from Jamestown to Shiplock Park) a playground, pool & splash pad, fishing pier, and group sites."

    "The campground is in a great location to Colonial Williamsburg, Jamestowne, and Yorktown and is a great home base for exploring those sites. They have a modern bathhouse and a pool."

    2. Williamsburg Campground

    27 Reviews
    Lightfoot, VA
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (757) 565-0230

    "Our site was pull through, not sure how we would get through if there was a full campground, luckily we had room to move around. Your very close to Busch Gardens, Watercountry and Williamsburg."

    "We chose one without a bathroom, and the bathhouse was a very short walk. They have plenty of recreational activities for the kids. The staff was friendly and helpful."

    3. Ed Allen's Campground and Cottages

    6 Reviews
    Lanexa, VA
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (804) 966-2582

    $30 - $45 / night

    "There is a huge lake to go fishing, great restuarant nearby, the campground had a barbeque dinner for everyone. Lots of trails to walk. "

    4. American Heritage RV Park

    16 Reviews
    Norge, VA
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (757) 566-2133

    $79 - $999 / night

    "This park was very convenient to Williamsburg, Richmond, and Virginia Beach. The staff was exceptionally friendly and accommodating. The bathrooms were clean, air conditioned, and well supplied."

    "The campground is also close to Colonial Williamsburg, and a little over an hour away (depending on traffic) from Virginia Beach and First Landing State Park. "

    5. Pocahontas State Park Campground

    78 Reviews
    Chester, VA
    30 miles
    Website
    +1 (804) 796-4255

    $35 - $40 / night

    "Largest State Park in Virginia - nearly 8,000 acres. We stayed two nights and paddled around Swift Creek Lake on Sunday. The staff was amazing."

    "Playground was decent and pretty centrally located on the campground. Firewood for sale by QR code was convenient. The trails were nice and it was a nice walk to the aquatic recreation park."

    6. Anvil Campground

    19 Reviews
    Williamsburg, VA
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (757) 565-2300

    $46 - $235 / night

    "The campground is very close to all Williamsburg activities. A great walking trail was right down the road."

    "The historic-city of Williamsburg is very nearby. Also the traintrack and big road are wright next to the campground. Spots are correct some have a bit to much sun for us (there are parasols provided)"

    7. Rockahock Campgrounds & Resort RV Park

    5 Reviews
    Lanexa, VA
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (804) 966-8362

    8. Thousand Trails Williamsburg

    10 Reviews
    Norge, VA
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 707-1477

    "It is a serene campground with beautiful walking trails. All the amenities for our two toddlers too… big pool outside, plus an inside pool and hottub. Also, a park, put-put + arcade room!"

    9. Eagle Nest Lookout

    4 Reviews
    Norge, VA
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (804) 367-1000

    "There are 5,217 acres in Charles City County, Virginia. Mainly forested in the coastal plains of tidewater, Virginia. There are no established campgrounds but you can primitive camp."

    "Used by fisherman shore fishing and unfortunately Trash was present but we walked around and picked up."

    10. Colonial Pines Campground At Williamsburg Christian Retreat Center

    2 Reviews
    Barhamsville, VA
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (757) 566-2256

    "I will admit I was a little hesitant about coming to an RV park located within a Christian Retreat Center."

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Recent Camping Photos near Providence Forge, VA

117 Photos of 58 Providence Forge Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Providence Forge, VA

427 Reviews of 58 Providence Forge Campgrounds

  • Lisa D.
    Sep. 29, 2025

    American Heritage RV Park

    Cannot Recommend for Big Rigs or Groups

    We recently brought a group of ten campers to American Heritage RV Park because several of us had stayed there before and remembered it as a clean, well-kept park. Based on those positive experiences, we recommended it to our group and looked forward to sharing the campground with them. Unfortunately, this stay did not meet our expectations. Because sites are not assigned in advance, we could not choose sites that worked well for our group. Our 42-foot fifth wheel was placed in back-in site#136, which— like the other back-in sites— has a tree planted at the rear that prevents fully backing in. This left us very close to the road, with no way to park in front and no room to park alongside without blocking our steps. We first parked across the road in a grassy area but were told to move. When we parked in another group member’s pull-through site, we received a call saying two vehicles were not allowed— even though we observed several sites with two vehicles. The office directed us to the overflow lot near the front of the park, the farthest point from our site on the back row. When we asked to speak to the manager, we were told she works off-site. I emailed her asking her to visit our site, but she never responded. We were also told we could not put up a dog fence that extended onto the grass, though this rule was not posted anywhere. When booking months in advance, we requested that our sites be grouped near a cabin for one of our members— an 86-year-old woman in a wheelchair who requires oxygen. She was placed first in Cabin 5, then moved to Cabin 8 after a request for a larger and closer cabin. The second cabin was still far from our sites, down a hill and facing the woods in an unlit area, making it hazardous to reach at night, expecially for her. We also saw another camper with a rig identical to ours struggle to get into a back-in site, ultimately hitting a water faucet across the road, leaving the park without water for over two hours. These sites are simply not suitable for big rigs. While the park is clean, our overall experience was frustrating. Guests who book early, provide rig sizes, and pay for extended stays should reasonably expect sites that accommodate their camper and tow vehicle, and that group requests would be honored when possible. Large rigs should be cautious— the back-in sites are tight and maneuvering is difficult. Unfortunately, based on this visit, I cannot recommend American Heritage RV Park.

  • Werner S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 1, 2025

    Anvil Campground

    Everything was there on a small surface

    Little pool, nice playground, games the kids where very happy. The historic-city of Williamsburg is very nearby. Also the traintrack and big road are wright next to the campground. Spots are correct some have a bit to much sun for us (there are parasols provided)

  • K
    Jul. 27, 2025

    South Forty RV Resort & Campground

    Great overnight spot

    Perfect location right off of I-95. Spot we had was spacious and easy to get in and out of. I arrived after hours, but had my reservation hanging on the wall for me. Ground was pretty level and hookup was easy. We only stayed overnight, as we continued farther south. The bathrooms were clean and there was a friendly maintenance guy who offered to take our garbage to the dumpster for us. It was “part of the treatment” he said. Gotta love that Southern Hospitality. Will definitely stop here again as I make this trip quite often.

  • C
    Jul. 21, 2025

    Grey's Point Camp

    Good park with alot of area!

    Went for a long weekend. Everyone was friendly from entry of the gate, to the store to the grounds guys! Quite a bit to do here. Wish the playgrounds had a bit more for the younger children but it kept them occupied! Fishing didn’t get us much but not the campgrounds fault! Higher Water temps and jellyfish when we were there most likely kept them away. Would return again!

  • G
    Jul. 5, 2025

    Ware Creek Wildlife Management Area

    Take advantage of your local wildlife areas

    Got here late as the sun was going down. Camped in the RAV4. Will explore the area in the morning.

  • J
    Jul. 2, 2025

    Isle of Wight Family Campground

    Fine for rv’s but not for tents

    If you love trash along the "lake" you would love the rustic spots! The “lake” more like a stagnate pod that smells like a swamp. During our familys "week visit", cut short by about 5 days because this camp is infested with bugs and wolves. Mr. Wolf came right on up to try and eat my dogs food. Really no one was out at all this camp sounded and was dead. No kids playing at the playground or riding bikes like family campground have. You rarely saw another person except for staff on gulf carts. This lake they have? Not even a lake it's a swamp. If you let go of your dogs leash by accident and they run into the forest your shoes will be gone u will have multiple cuts and will take a 30 minute shower trying to get the mud off. The water is mud brown and has trash along the edges. Not a place I will bring my family back.

    The only good thing was the pool

  • Kim O.
    Jul. 1, 2025

    Picture Lake Campground

    Wonderful place

    We absolutely loved this park. We came here to dive at Lake Phoenix (they have a no pet policy this year) and have our pup with us. The staff was so nice. We were close to the front. They have full hookups. The sewage was a little weird to hookup but we figured it out. They have a bathhouse (we didn't use) a nice pool, laundry facilities, a little store, and trash in the back. The lake is beautiful and this was close to a lot of things. The front spot is are fully paved and require minimal leveling

  • J
    Jun. 22, 2025

    Chippokes State Park Campground

    Nice wooded campsites

    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.

    The pool doesn’t look like it’s been opened in years but there is a little beach area near the welcome center.

  • Nick E.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 4, 2025

    Thousand Trails Chesapeake Bay

    Another stay at Chesapeake

    Love this campground. Great people and staff, well maintained sites. T-mobile gateway internet sucks here, but Starlink works well from the site we are in. Level sites and they all have full hookups.

Guide to Providence Forge

Camping near Providence Forge, Virginia, offers a mix of nature, history, and family-friendly activities. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventure-filled getaway, there are several campgrounds in the area that cater to different tastes and needs.

What to do:

  • Explore nature trails: Many campgrounds, like Pocahontas State Park Campground, have miles of hiking and biking trails. One visitor mentioned, "The trails were nice and it was a nice walk to the aquatic recreation park."
  • Visit historical sites: The area is rich in history, with attractions like Colonial Williamsburg and Jamestown nearby. A camper noted, "We enjoyed our outings to Jamestown and the American Revolution Museum."
  • Enjoy water activities: Campgrounds like Chickahominy Riverfront Park offer kayaking and fishing opportunities. One review highlighted, "What could be better than camping and kayaking on a beautiful river?"

What campers like:

  • Clean facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and showers. A visitor at Chippokes State Park Campground said, "Great showers & restrooms. Large swimming pool but it was closed."
  • Friendly staff: Many campgrounds have welcoming staff that enhance the camping experience. A reviewer at Williamsburg Campground mentioned, "The staff was wonderful and the grounds were very well maintained."
  • Family-friendly amenities: Campgrounds often have playgrounds and activities for kids. One camper noted, "The kids loved the water park that had three big slides, three pools, and a water park playground!"

What you should know:

  • Site spacing varies: Some campgrounds have sites that are close together, which can affect privacy. A visitor at American Heritage RV Park mentioned, "Sites are a bit close together but I have seen worse."
  • Noise levels: Be prepared for some noise from nearby roads or trains. A camper at Anvil Campground said, "The train that passes by is great for kids and you barely notice it."
  • Limited store hours: Some campgrounds have stores that are only open on certain days. A visitor at Pocahontas State Park Campground noted, "Don’t know how the camp store is because it is only open Thursday to Sunday."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose a campground with activities: Look for places with pools, playgrounds, and organized events. A camper at Bethpage Camp-Resort said, "They have a great weekly activity schedule, great pool, putt putt, etc."
  • Pack for all weather: Be ready for rain or shine, as weather can change quickly. A visitor at Newport News Park mentioned, "We always seem to come when it rains but we don’t mind at all."
  • Bring games and activities: Keep kids entertained with outdoor games or crafts. A camper at Anvil Campground appreciated the "porch games like connect four and corn hole."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check site sizes: Make sure your RV fits comfortably in the site. A reviewer at American Heritage RV Park noted, "Some spots were a tad hard for bigger rigs to get in and out of."
  • Look for full hookups: Many RVers prefer campgrounds with full hookups for convenience. A visitor at Americamps RV Resort mentioned, "There is a pool, playground, meeting room, bar and BBQ area, laundry facilities as well as shower rooms."
  • Plan for early check-in: If you want to maximize your time, check if early check-in is available. A camper at Richmond North - Kings Dominion KOA advised, "They'll charge you an extra $20 for early check-in, which is required if you want to go to the theme park at opening."

Camping near Providence Forge, Virginia, has something for everyone, from families to solo adventurers. With a variety of campgrounds to choose from, you can find the perfect spot to enjoy the great outdoors.

Frequently Asked Questions

How far is Providence Forge, VA from Williamsburg, VA?

Providence Forge, VA is approximately 20-25 miles from Williamsburg, VA, or about a 30-minute drive. This convenient location makes it an excellent base for exploring the Historic Triangle area. American Heritage RV Park is strategically positioned to access Williamsburg and other tidewater Virginia attractions. Many campers choose to stay in this area as it offers easy access to Williamsburg's colonial sites while providing a more peaceful setting than staying directly in the tourist centers.

What camping is available near Providence Forge, VA?

According to TheDyrt.com, Providence Forge, VA offers a wide range of camping options, with 58 campgrounds and RV parks near Providence Forge, VA and 3 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Providence Forge, VA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Providence Forge, VA is Chickahominy Riverfront Park with a 4-star rating from 19 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Providence Forge, VA?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 3 free dispersed camping spots near Providence Forge, VA.

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