Camping spots near Smithfield, Virginia range from waterfront sites to historic parks, with most campgrounds situated between 10 and 30 miles from town. Summer temperatures typically reach the mid-80s with high humidity, while spring and fall offer milder conditions better suited for tent camping. Most sites offer limited cell service that varies by carrier, with stronger signals closer to developed areas.
What to do
Kayaking on the Chickahominy River: The waterways around Chickahominy Riverfront Park provide excellent paddling opportunities. "Definitely recommend following the river inland and kayaking through the marshland," notes one visitor to Chippokes State Park Campground.
Biking on the Virginia Capital Trail: This paved path runs near several campgrounds in the region. "A great paved biking path that goes for a number of miles," reports a camper at Chickahominy Riverfront Park.
Historical exploration: Many campsites serve as convenient bases for visiting nearby Colonial sites. "There is a short drive to Virginia Beach areas and beach access from the park," writes a visitor to First Landing State Park, while another mentions the park is "close to all the activities that Virginia Beach has to offer."
What campers like
Private wooded sites: Campers appreciate shaded areas during hot Virginia summers. "Large, private sites among really cool, bent trees. Clean, up-to-date facilities," notes one visitor to First Landing State Park Campground.
Waterfront access: Many sites offer direct water access for fishing and swimming. "Spacious campsite with amazing views. Could take kayaks straight into the water from our site," shares a camper at Chickahominy Riverfront Park.
Well-maintained facilities: Clean restrooms and modern amenities receive positive reviews. "The shower and rest rooms are sit up nicely the best I've seen at a campground," according to a review of First Landing, while another visitor to Isle of Wight Family Campground mentions "the bath house is always clean."
What you should know
Train noise affects some sites: Several campgrounds have railroad tracks nearby. "Not very many secluded sights, in the middle of a very busy area of the city of Newport News," reports one camper at Newport News Park.
Seasonal closures and weather: While many commercial campgrounds operate year-round, weather impacts comfort. "I wouldn't recommend tent camping in the middle of summer - my husband and I both got sick," warns a camper at First Landing State Park.
Uneven terrain at some parks: Several campgrounds have challenging topography. "Many sites are deceptively unlevel, particularly on the outside of the loops," notes a visitor to Newport News Park, suggesting campers "make sure you have leveling chalks as some of the sites are too uneven for auto leveling to work."
Limited supply stores: Some campgrounds offer minimal provisions. "Store is very limited on what it has," cautions a visitor to Davis Lakes Resort.
Tips for camping with families
Pools and water features: Several campgrounds offer swimming facilities for children. "Nice swimming area for kids especially," notes a camper at Davis Lakes Resort, while another mentions that Chickahominy Riverfront Park has "a pool in the summer."
Playgrounds and recreation areas: Family-friendly amenities enhance the experience. "Lots of space assigned to each site. No septic per site but convenient dumping station. Large, spacious park with trails and other activities," writes a visitor to Chickahominy Riverfront Park.
Cabin options for mixed comfort levels: For families with varied camping preferences, cabin rentals provide alternatives. "We stayed in the Eagles nest cabin. It had plenty of room for 5 adults and 2 teenagers. The cabin was very clean and offered everything that you would need," shares a visitor at Davis Lakes Resort.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Many campers note uneven sites. "Some are hit or miss when it comes to bare dirt, grass, mossyness, leaf/pine covered grounds. Same with levelness of sites for rvs," notes a visitor to Newport News Park.
Hookup variations: Different parks offer varying levels of service. "Sites: 22 with 1 pull thru 13 full hookups 12 Tent sites. Electric: 30-50 amp," reports a camper at The Colonies RV and Travel Park, which receives positive reviews for its waterfront location.
Low clearance issues: Tree canopies can present obstacles for larger rigs. "There are a lot of low hanging branches on the roads through the park," warns one camper about Newport News Park, suggesting RVers with taller vehicles proceed with caution.
