I K.
Scout
ScoutSandy Bottom Nature Park
Nicer than expected
Park stuff are very friendly, sweet, I live the quietness of night time.
Camping near Smithfield, VA
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SUMMARY PRESENTED BY
Campgrounds surrounding Smithfield, Virginia range from state parks to family-operated facilities that accommodate various camping styles. Isle of Wight Family Campground offers tent sites, RV hookups, and rental cabins approximately 10 miles southwest of Smithfield, while Chippokes State Park Campground, located across the James River, provides camping in a historic plantation setting. Several properties in the region feature waterfront locations along rivers, lakes, and the Chesapeake Bay, with most campgrounds accessible within a 30-minute drive of downtown Smithfield.
Most campgrounds in the area operate year-round, though state parks like Chippokes have seasonal closures from early December through late March. "This is a beautiful 456 acre education and wildlife facility. Born from garbage dumps and it is great example of what can be achieved," noted one visitor about Sandy Bottom Nature Park, which offers primitive tent sites with sand platforms. Road access to developed campgrounds is generally well-maintained, though some tent-only areas require short hikes from parking areas. Cell service varies by provider but remains reliable near developed areas. Many campgrounds require reservations, particularly during summer weekends and holidays when waterfront sites fill quickly.
Campers frequently mention water access as a significant draw to the region's camping areas. The James River and its tributaries provide fishing, kayaking, and scenic views from several campgrounds near Smithfield that cater to outdoor recreation enthusiasts of all types. While proximity to water enhances the experience, some reviews note highway noise affects certain camping areas, particularly at Sandy Bottom Nature Park. RV campers will find numerous full-hookup options at commercial campgrounds like Isle of Wight Family Campground, which provides amenities including pools, fishing ponds, and playgrounds. The best campsites near Smithfield often combine natural surroundings with convenient access to local attractions, making them ideal for weekend getaways or longer stays. One reviewer highlighted that "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." Military facilities like Fort Eustis Recreation Area also offer camping options with favorable pricing for eligible personnel.
Best Campgrounds near Smithfield (76)
1. Chippokes State Park Campground
"We've stayed here pretty often as it's only a few hours from home and near everything in Williamsburg, Virginia. The park is against the James river and theres easy access to the riverside."
"Chippokes State Park is located on the grounds of an old historic plantation, actually one if the original plantations in the area dating back to the 1600’s."
from $37 - $345 / night
Check Availability2. Newport News Park
"The sites are quiet, very spacious, nicely spaced, some surprisingly so, but many are deceptively unlevel, particularly on the outside of the loops, and are heavily wooded."
"A bit of a long walk to the bathroom, as we need to walk around the entire loop to get to it. Gorgeous, spacious sites with electric and water at each site. Some sites back up to the St."
3. First Landing State Park Campground
"FLSP is a real Gem in the midst of a very busy Virginia Beach. The campsites range from tenting with no hookups to 20, 30, and 50 foot sites with water and electric."
"Our game ground was surrounded by the forest but your in walking distance to the beach. The shower and rest rooms are sit up nicely the best I’ve seen at a campground."
from $32 - $163 / night
Check Availability4. Sandy Bottom Nature Park
"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. "
"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."
from $11 - $42 / night
Check Availability5. Military Park Langley AFB Bethel Recreation Area - Park and FamCamp
"There is a small playground in the campground area, but right next to the campground is a large play area that has a rock wall that our kids really loved playing at. "
"There is a lake for fishing with boat rentals available. Not very quite as it’s located near a busy road. (Saunders road). You can hear cars ambulance etc. all night."
from $15 - $30 / night
6. Isle of Wight Family Campground
"You walk into the woods which is kept neat and pick a spot to set up your tent - I looove that! Fishing on the lake was a blast!"
"It is a little ways out of town in any direction bit it's very nice and quiet out here as you're surrounded by woods. They also have a fishing pond and trails on-site."
from $25 - $40 / night
Check Availability7. The Colonies RV and Travel Park
"Lovely small campground located inside a National Park land. Full hookup sites are named after the original 13 colonies. Nicely situated between Williamsburg, Hampton, Norfolk and Virginia Beach."
"One of the most scenic and peaceful campgrounds in the state of Virginia, you are right by the water (it’s almost like an island), 2 minutes walking distance from a secluded beach, add two more minutes"
from $25 - $59 / night
Check Availability8. Anvil Campground
"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)"
from $46 - $235 / night
Check Availability9. Chickahominy Riverfront Park
"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."
10. Davis Lakes Resort
"The lakes are fun and we always have a great time. Some sites are amazing. Only 4 stars because of proximity to highway."
"We had a personal guide to show us the location of our campsite. Campsites had wood decks which would be nice in warmer weather. Close to highway but reasonably quiet at night"
from $72 - $105 / night
Check Availability
Drive Time
- 1 hr 22 min from Richmond, VA
- 3 hrs 9 min from Lexington Park, MD
Recent Camping Photos near Smithfield, VA
182 Photos of 76 Smithfield Campgrounds
Scott S.
Isle of Wight Family Campground
Gracie B.
Sandy Bottom Nature Park
N I.
Fort Eustis Recreation Area
Philip S.
Chippokes State Park Campground
todd B.
Military Park Langley AFB Bethel Recreation Area - Park and FamCamp
Cliff M.
Newport News Park
N I.
The Colonies RV and Travel Park
Janet R.
Kings Creek
Alexandria M.
The Pines Horse Farm & Sanctuary
Megan H.
Chesapeake Campground
Kaylee G.
Machicomoco State Park Campground
Recent Reviews near Smithfield, VA
745 Reviews of 76 Smithfield Campgrounds
- M
Marlieke L.ScoutThousand Trails Williamsburg
Near interessant points of interest
Friendly staff. Good location. Lots of noice near the big road. Laundry room could use a clearing. Bathrooms en toilets are very clean. Not much room between the spots with lots of tall weeds.
Debra W.ScoutFirst Landing State Park Campground
Great for Beachside Camping
This campground was a great location for a Virginia Beach vacation. It’s in the Chesapeake Bay so the water is calm and there is a large sandbar making for shallower waters which is great if you have littles in your trip. It was calming to stay there and spend everyday at the beach. There is hiking and biking paths as part of the park as well. I love that the shower rooms are not gendered so you don’t have a long wait to use one. I went for July 4th and was able to watch the fireworks right from the beach. So that was awesome. Overall good stay.
- Marc P.
TravelerSun Outdoors Cape Charles
Lots of rules, none actually enforced.
Beautiful resort. Used to come here as a kid 30 years ago. Was privately owned back then and was a little more peaceful back then.
List of rules broken since I’ve been here:
- Underage golf cart drivers.
- People walking through others sites. (All day long)
- Drones
- E-bike and scooters everywhere.
- Loud music 24 hours a day.
- 2-3 extra vehicles in sites.
- Personnel fireworks
- People walking around with alcohol.
- Bikes after dark.
- Golf carts and vehicles speeding around everywhere.
Plus the bathrooms are dirty, the pools are unsupervised and people claim chairs all day and leave stuff on them. This place was by far the best campground before it was corporatized. It’s a shame because I absolutely love this place. I want to make it a yearly tradition for my family but it’s hard seeing what the place is knowing what it once was.
Lauren B.TravelerThousand Trails Chesapeake Bay
Quaint
One of the nicer thousand trails. The D loop is wide and level and close to everything if you dont want to bring a gold cart or bike. Has a weekend resturant that serves breakfast lunch and dinner. A small shop, pool, park and access to the river. Full hookup back in. A loop is tight and E loop is for long term looks like a nice place to do an annual site. Its 20-30 mins away from everything so think of that when packing. No acolohl sold on site either.
- I K.Scout
Sandy Bottom Nature Park
Very quiet
I felt serenity and hospitality at this site.
lisa K.
GuideVirginia Beach KOA
Will not stay again due to the fighter jets overhead.
The fighter jets are so close to the campground. Extremely loud. You can not have a conversation on the phone when they fly over. Hurts my ears. Especially in the middle of the night. Twice. Thundering roars then the high whistle woke me disoriented with sudden fear it was a missile coming in. On the other hand, the pool area and lazy river were very nice. Bathouse was kept clean. Constant property care and maintenance were daily kept nice. Trolly for an added fee to the beach from campground. Nice kid and family activities to do at the campground.
Bryan S.GuideFirst Landing State Park Campground
Highly recommend!
So we had just gone in on a day pass to go to the beach and ended up staying two nights. It was that nice. The sites varied greatly in size, but both the sites we stayed in had plenty of room and shade. The bathrooms were clean and well maintained. The beaches were filled with crabs, so if you don’t like crabs it might not be the place for you, but we really loved it there.
- EElaine S.Scout
Gwynns Island RV Resort
Nice spot!
Mostly seasonal, people are very welcoming. Only downside was we had no t mobile service and WiFi was unreliable.
Guide to Smithfield
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the campgrounds in Smithfield, Virginia?
Where are the campgrounds in Smithfield, Virginia?
While Smithfield itself has limited camping options, several excellent campgrounds are located within a short drive. Chickahominy Wildlife Management Area offers a basic but quiet camping experience with waterfront sites about 30 minutes away. Virginia residents can camp for free for up to 14 days with a permit. For a family-friendly option, Isle of Wight Family Campground is just a short drive from Smithfield, providing reservable sites with water and toilet facilities. Other nearby options include campgrounds in Suffolk and Newport News, all within 30-45 minutes of Smithfield.
What RV camping options are available in Smithfield, Virginia?
What RV camping options are available in Smithfield, Virginia?
RV campers near Smithfield have several well-equipped options within driving distance. American Heritage RV Park offers concrete, level sites with full hookups and is praised for its exceptionally friendly staff and clean facilities. It serves as an ideal base camp for exploring the region. The Colonies RV and Travel Park is another good choice, featuring full hookup sites named after the original 13 colonies. For those willing to drive a bit further, Chickahominy Riverfront Park and Davis Lakes Resort also accommodate RVs with various amenities and hookup options.
How far is Smithfield, Virginia from nearby cities like Richmond, Norfolk and Williamsburg?
How far is Smithfield, Virginia from nearby cities like Richmond, Norfolk and Williamsburg?
Smithfield is strategically located in Virginia's Tidewater region, making it convenient for day trips to major cities. Norfolk is closest at approximately 30 miles (35-40 minute drive) southeast of Smithfield. Williamsburg is about 35 miles (45 minutes) to the northwest, making First Landing State Park Campground a good base for exploring both areas. Richmond is the furthest at roughly 75 miles (1.5 hours) to the northwest. Many campers use Thousand Trails Williamsburg as a central location for accessing all these cities, though the campground itself has mixed reviews regarding site quality.
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