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Best Tent Camping near Kilmarnock, VA

446 Reviews

Tent campsites near Kilmarnock, Virginia offer several options for primitive and established camping. Wisteria Beach Hideaway provides a secluded tent camping experience with nearby beach access, while Sandy Bottom Nature Park in Hampton offers walk-in tent sites with sand tent platforms. Belle Isle State Park's Brewer's Point provides boat-in and hike-in primitive tent camping for those seeking a more remote experience.

Most tent campgrounds in the area require some preparation as amenities vary significantly. At Wisteria Beach Hideaway, campers will find drinking water, picnic tables, and shower facilities, making it suitable for those who prefer some comforts while tent camping. Sandy Bottom Nature Park offers primitive tent sites located about a quarter mile from the parking area with sand platforms, picnic tables, and fire rings with grates. Sites have trash cans nearby but minimal amenities otherwise. Brewer's Point at Belle Isle State Park requires a permit and features basic toilet facilities but no drinking water or trash service.

The tent camping experience around Kilmarnock varies by location and season. Wisteria Beach Hideaway offers privacy and proximity to beaches surrounded by pine, wetlands, and tall grasses. Campers appreciate the insect screens that come with the site. Sandy Bottom Nature Park provides spaced tent sites with good separation between campers, though highway noise is noticeable throughout the park. The park features hiking trails, fishing opportunities, and boat rentals. According to one visitor, "The sites were spaced nicely apart and had nice sand tent platforms with a picnic table and a fire ring with a grate." At Calvert Cliffs State Park, a bit farther north in Maryland, tent campers can enjoy access to fossil hunting along the beach after a 1.5-mile hike from the parking area.

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Best Tent Sites Near Kilmarnock, Virginia (6)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Kilmarnock, VA

5 Photos of 6 Kilmarnock Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Kilmarnock, VA

446 Reviews of 6 Kilmarnock 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

  • 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

  • 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.

  • Peter M.
    Jun. 24, 2019

    Sun Outdoors Cape Charles

    A lot of pros and a few cons

    My family of six stayed at Cherrystone this past weekend. It was our first family camping trip so a lot of extra care went into selecting a campground. I read a ton of reviews both on here and other places. They didn’t quite answer all of my questions so here comes the review that I wish I had found.

    First, how you will feel about Cherrystone is going to depend on what type of camp experience you are looking for. My wife and I prefer quiet places with a lot of relaxation. My kids (ages 4 to 11) prefer lots of activities. My kids got more of what they wanted than my wife and I did. The activities and amenities were absolutely fantastic for my kids. They loved the pools, mini gold, jumping pillows, paddle boats and every other activity that they did. The campground has a safe feeling to it so we didn’t worry about giving the older ones more freedom to explore. They made friends and did whatever they wanted. They loved it. My wife and I had a good time as well but Cherrystone is a little noisier than would be ideal for us. Quiet hours don’t start until 11pm and quiet time isn’t really enforced by the employees. It wasn’t terrible but we would have preferred a little less noise. Some parts of the campground were louder than others. We were on a no hook-up tent site that seemed to be in the quieter part of the campground. Some of the RV sections had a lot of music playing and more of a party vibe.

    The employees that we met were all very friendly and helpful. The bathhouses were well kept. This was a big concern for my wife and she was happy. if you knew my wife you would understand how huge that it. The tent sites were of a decent size. We had tow large tents, an EZ Up and the picnic table and didn’t feel cramped. You will be very close to your neighbors so don’t expect any seclusion. The prices in the camp store, snack shack and cafe were mostly fair and the quality of the food items was good. Pretty much every review mentions the sunsets and they are amazing. The natural beauty of Cherrystone is amazing.

    Cherrystone offers a lot of value and if you are ok with a little noise and close neighbors you will not be disappointed. If you want more privacy you may want to look elsewhere. I’m pretty sure we will be back someday.

  • B
    Mar. 31, 2021

    Thousand Trails Williamsburg

    Extenuating circumstances

    We arrived on opening day (March 19, 2021) for the season. They had unfortunately been a victim of the rain and the main road to the campground had washed out. Alternative routes were set up to enter and exit. I understand from reading other reviews that they can routinely have problems when it rains . We were placed in a small site in front of the check in location. We were pre assigned a site and not given a choice. The mud and puddles were so bad we couldn’t locate the sewer connection. But the next day they came over and found it for us and leveled out some gravel piles that had been dumped on the site. The site was level and gravel. A picnic table and fire ring was available. The roads are a bit narrow and there are lots of trees. Plenty of nice area to walk our dog. We didn’t use or even go in the bathhouses so can’t comment on those. All in all it was okay... as long as it doesn’t rain. It appeared there were some full time cabin residents and camper residents as well. Location was great and we loved going into Colonial Williamsburg from here.

  • Trina C.
    Jun. 24, 2018

    Chickahominy Riverfront Park

    County Park

    This park boasts over 120 sites, some wIth river/creek views. sites are Basic: tent; Electric only: tent/pop up; Water/Electric: 20,30 amp; Water/Electric: 20-50 amp; very limited 50 amp full hookups. 2 bath houses. Group sites. No cabins. Fishing pier, pool, biking/hiking/walking trails, play ground, boat launch and small boat rentals. Reserve 12 months out, full payment required. 90 day maximum stay.

  • Katie M.
    Dec. 9, 2019

    Chippokes State Park Campground

    Summer camping at Chippokes

    Love this park. Lots of biting flies and mosquitoes during the summer! The left loop sites are a good size but not much shade or privacy. I would definitely stay in the right loop area next time for tent camping. Newer bathrooms and showers. Pretty basic camping setup with fire ring and picnic table. 

    We love the pool in the summer! Free pool passes when you camp there. It has never been too crowded for us. The plantation area is pretty cool with a farming equipment museum and  farm animals. Great playgrounds for the kids. Love the hiking trails here and hunting for fossils at the beach. 

    Overall, not a bad experience, just bring your bug spray and sunscreen!

Guide to Kilmarnock

Tent camping near Kilmarnock, Virginia offers opportunities to explore the Chesapeake Bay's western shore and Northern Neck peninsula. The region features low-lying coastal terrain with mixed hardwood forests, tidal marshes, and sandy beaches along the Rappahannock River. Summer temperatures typically range from 75-90°F with high humidity, while spring and fall provide milder camping conditions with temperatures between 55-75°F.

What to do

Fossil hunting: At Calvert Cliffs State Park, visitors can search for prehistoric shark teeth and other fossils along the beach. "Such an amazing experience and brings right into the eyes of child with both adult and children searching for shark teeth. Not only is searching for shark teeth a blast, but the views are beautiful and walking thru the woods is very calming," writes Sarah F.

Kayaking and boating: The waterways around Sandy Bottom Nature Park provide excellent paddling opportunities. "To kayak here it's the bomb!" notes Susan P. The park offers affordable boat rentals and multiple launch points for exploring the lake system.

Hiking local trails: Most campgrounds in the region feature walking paths through coastal woodlands. "Lots of hiking trails to walk & turtles in the lake!! Plus you can rent boats for a cheap price which we will probably go back to do," shares Gracie B. about her experience at Sandy Bottom Nature Park.

What campers like

Beach access: The proximity to undeveloped shorelines at Wisteria Beach Hideaway provides a natural coastal experience. "Loved the location - the beaches were surrounded by pine, wetlands, and tall grasses - it felt remote and not overdeveloped!" reports Kat H.

Private camping spaces: Many tent sites in the region offer good separation from other campers. "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," explains liz J. about Sandy Bottom Nature Park.

Wildlife viewing: The wetland ecosystems support diverse bird and animal species. "This is a beautiful 456 acre education and wildlife facility. Born from garbage dumps and it is great example of what can be achieved," shares N I. about Sandy Bottom Nature Park, noting the opportunities for "hiking, and biking trails, fishing, boating with boat rentals or bring your own, birding and wildlife viewing."

What you should know

Reservation systems vary: Many campgrounds require in-person registration. "Sites are first come, first served. Must reserve in person. Visitor's center is open 9-6," reports liz J. about Sandy Bottom Nature Park.

Primitive facilities: Brewer's Point Hike-in or Boat-in Primitive Campground at Belle Isle State Park requires campers to be self-sufficient with limited amenities. A permit is required, and while there are toilet facilities, no drinking water or trash service is available.

Bug protection: Insect screens and repellent are essential during warmer months. "The provided insect screen kept us well protected in mid-sept," notes Kat H. about Wisteria Beach Hideaway, while another camper mentions, "Biting black flies almost made the beaches unbearable but we didn't have that problem at the actual site."

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Kilmarnock, VA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Kilmarnock, VA is Wisteria Beach Hideaway with a 5-star rating from 2 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Kilmarnock, VA?

TheDyrt.com has all 6 tent camping locations near Kilmarnock, VA, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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