12 campgrounds with availability this weekend
Campgrounds near Surry, Virginia range from established state parks to dispersed camping areas, with several options located along waterways. Chippokes State Park Campground, situated on the Cobham Bay, offers tent sites, RV hookups, cabins, and glamping options within a historic plantation setting that dates back to 1619. Approximately 15 miles northwest, Chickahominy Riverfront Park provides waterfront camping with full hookups for RVs and tent sites. The region includes both public and private camping facilities, with mixed-use campgrounds accommodating various camping styles from primitive tent camping to fully-equipped RV sites with water, electric, and sewer connections.
Camping availability in the area follows seasonal patterns, with most campgrounds operating from spring through fall. Chippokes State Park Campground is open from the last Friday in March until the first Monday in December, while other facilities like American Heritage RV Park and Thousand Trails Williamsburg remain open year-round. Reservations are recommended, particularly during summer months and holiday weekends when waterfront sites fill quickly. The Chickahominy Wildlife Management Area offers free primitive camping but requires a permit, providing an alternative for those seeking a more rustic experience. Cell service varies by location, with Verizon reported to have good coverage at Chippokes. A review noted that "Verizon service was great" at Chippokes State Park Campground.
Water access represents a significant draw for campers in the Surry area, with several campgrounds situated along the James River, Chickahominy River, or Cobham Bay. Campers frequently mention the beaches at Chippokes State Park as a highlight, though one reviewer observed they were "very nice" but noted that "the water is sooo unpleasantly warm" in summer. The Eagle Nest Lookout in Chickahominy WMA offers a more secluded experience with river views from a small knoll, described by one visitor as "exceptional for those that like to primitive camp." Proximity to historical attractions adds value to the camping experience, with Jamestown and Williamsburg accessible via the Jamestown Ferry from Surry. Most developed campgrounds provide standard amenities including picnic tables, fire rings, and access to bathhouses, though reviews indicate maintenance quality varies between facilities.
"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."
"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."
Available this weekend
from $37 - $311 / night
"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."
"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
"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."
"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."
"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. "
Available this weekend
from $69 - $160 / night
"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!"
"Close to all the attractions. Incredible staff, super friendly. Pool and game room are wonderful."
"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."
"We found a campsite near the water away from the road and its secluded with trees. Stayed for a week there"
"Basic parking spot in quite location. Weekends some hunters and shooting range close by in other side. It’s 2 parking side by water and some other ones on the way while driving."
"The trees surrounding are gorgeous. There is a shooting range nearby but we didn’t mind the sound."
"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."
"I enjoyed the location and the thought of being on a military installations always give me a very safe and welcome feeling. "
GuideThere are not a lot of spaces available but still a decent amount. They spread out amongst several roads leading down to the water. The trees surrounding are gorgeous. There is a shooting range nearby but we didn’t mind the sound.
TravelerDO NOT WAIST YOUR MONEY! THIS IS A SCAM!! Our 3 campsites flooded with 6 inches of water within an hour of arriving before high tide. Very difficult to get ahold of staff due to limited hours of business. I have requested a refund for failure to render services due to unusable campsites. I have left several voicemails and sent emails with attached pictures. Management has been avoiding my phone calls, will not call back. Very unprofessional. I received one call from"management" at 7:20 pm to tell me that he received a message to call me, but he hasn't looked into why he needs to call me and he will call back the next day. I never heard back from him and that was a week ago. I have followed up daily with phone calls without a return phone call. My family makes several camping trips through the year, will never return here.
TravelerGenerous sized sites but only semi-private. Excellent facilities
ScoutThis campground was very enjoyable. I spent a lot of time at the fishing pier, learning to ID birds I had never identified before. Brown pelicans were everywhere near the sunken ships. I also talked to the Hawkwatch people for a bit.
My campsite was far enough from the bathroom I couldn't hear the door slam, but since I was the only one in the F loop, that wouldn't have mattered. Since the loop was so empty, it was an absolute pleasure.
Had the campground been full, I would have felt too close to the people in tents in the sites next to me.
One great thing was that there weren't tent pads so we didn't have to worry about how to fit two tents on to one tent pad.
GuideEnjoying this campground. Close to all the attractions. Incredible staff, super friendly. Pool and game room are wonderful.
ScoutPocahontas Park is for those who love the outdoors. they provide 30 and 50 amp hook up, Water hook ups very nice size campsite open and private.
TravelerNote to Self: No Primitive Site reservations...EVER. I love this park. It's situated far enough from the busy traffic noise...beautiful Virginia city of Hayes. When I arrived, it was such a scorching day and there wasn't nearly enough tree cover to shield my tent from the "son of Hades". Suffered heat exhaustion almost to the point of death...Literally. Night was my only respite. If it hadn't been for the wonderful camp attendants who came to my rescue, it would've been an utterly failed experience. Bless their hearts. Other than that, this was a great training experience for an old Novice camper. Now that I'm a bit more practiced, I'm going back 😁, armed with knowledge and more confidence.
TravelerThe good: super clean and new restrooms / showers. The entire parking immaculate. Stayed at site 12. Offers water views and shade. Site 13 is similar and is probably the most ideal site.
Cons: zero privacy. The sites are basically scattered around an open grassy area and fairly close together.
Be aware: sites are not vehicle accessible. Need to carry your kit 50-75 yards.
GuideOur stay is going to be the 21 days that are allowed. In that time, I have been on many nature walks with my dog. Very enjoyable, very well maintained. The only thing I did not like is the bathrooms. I have seen a cleaning lady come through, but I think it is primarily for the sinks and toilets. The shower curtains are moldy, lots of spiders. The shower pressure and temp are great. All in all, it is affordable and very peaceful.
The Surry, Virginia area sits at elevations under 100 feet above sea level in Virginia's coastal plain, creating a landscape dominated by waterfront camping options and dense pine forests. Camping sites near Surry, Virginia provide direct access to both the James River and Chickahominy River watersheds. Winter temperatures rarely drop below freezing, making many camping locations suitable for extended season use.
Kayaking along marshlands: Near Chippokes State Park Campground, visitors can explore the waterways by kayak, with one camper noting "Definitely recommend following the river inland and kayaking through the marshland."
Fishing at night spots: The Chickahominy Riverfront Park offers unique nighttime fishing opportunities, as one visitor discovered: "There is a dock down by the boat ramp. It says no fishing. Wait until dark and ignore the sign. There's a light down there that draws the insects. The fish are everywhere."
Historical exploration: Campers use Surry as a base for visiting historical attractions. One visitor to Newport News Park shared, "Great campground close to historic sites. Camped with our travel trailer so did not use or visit the restrooms or showers. Numerous great sites to see within an hours drive."
Searching for fossils: The riverbanks in the area contain prehistoric treasures. As one camper at Newport News Park mentioned: "Hunt for sharks teeth on the beach. Pool is very clean." Fossil hunting is particularly productive after storms when shorelines are freshly eroded.
Secluded river sites: The Eagle Nest Lookout in Chickahominy WMA provides isolated camping directly on the water. According to one reviewer: "Car camped here 5 feet from the water. There is a large shoreline area to Car camp and right up the hill is a nice tent site as well overlooking the river."
Military installation camping: Active and retired military personnel appreciate Kings Creek for its base amenities. A camper explained: "Nice space between sites. You will think you are camping out in the country except for the golf course sitting right across the street. I enjoyed the location and the thought of being on a military installations always give me a very safe and welcome feeling."
Tent camping with electric: Some campgrounds offer the unusual combination of primitive tent sites with electrical hookups. A reviewer at Kings Creek noted: "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."
Tree coverage for summer shade: The dense tree canopy at Newport News Park creates naturally cooler camping conditions. One camper observed: "Peaceful park filled with plenty of tall trees to stay cool during the summer months. Stayed 21 days (max limit) in June and temps at our site (B46) averaged about 5-10 degrees cooler than out side the park."
Site levelness varies significantly: Many campgrounds in the area have unexpected grading issues. At Newport News Park, a camper warned: "The sites are quiet, very spacious, nicely spaced, some surprisingly so, but many are deceptively unlevel, particularly on the outside of the loops."
Train noise at some sites: The Anvil Campground sits near active train tracks, which can be disruptive. A reviewer noted: "The cabin we stayed in was about 15 feet from the tracks. Not really a complaint from us since the kids thought it was awesome. So, just a heads up on the trains. They are loud and they are often."
WMA permit requirements: For camping at Chickahominy WMA, visitors need special permits. A reviewer mentioned: "WMA wildlife management area's require a permit, but i only stayed one night everything was just fine."
Limited cell coverage options: Cell service at campsites varies by carrier. At Newport News Park, one camper reported specific connectivity details: "AT&T had 2 bars and 6 MB/s w/o a booster, 3 bars and 8 MB/s with it. There is no satellite coverage due to the heavy tree canopy."
Pool options for hot days: Several campgrounds offer swimming facilities to combat summer heat. A visitor to American Heritage RV Park shared: "Great pool and convenient to travel to several activities incl Williamsburg, Jamestown, Yorktown, Va Beach and more."
Kid-friendly playground areas: Designated play spaces keep children entertained between activities. A family who stayed at Anvil Campground said: "We really loved the sandy playground. It is completely fenced in and has play equipment, hammocks and a zip line. The grandkids loved the zip line."
Weekend activities calendar: Scheduled programs enhance family camping experiences. A camper at Williamsburg Campground observed: "Visited fall of 2016. Lots to do with kids... planned activities like Petting zoo, hayrides, and movie night, and campground amenities like a pool (was chilly though), bounce pillows, bikes, short hiking trails, and ice cream shop."
Swimming beaches for small children: River beaches with gradual entry points work well for families with young children. One parent noted about Chippokes State Park Campground: "The water at the beaches is so shallow great for my son! It's a beautiful place!"
Concrete pad availability: Several campgrounds feature solid parking surfaces that simplify leveling. A reviewer at American Heritage RV Park mentioned: "Sites were concrete, level, and most had trees for shade. New section at rear of park is not well shaded but new construction."
Water hose length requirements: Some full-hookup sites have distant water connections. A Kings Creek camper advised: "You need at least a 25' hose" for reaching the hookups at some sites.
Campground Wi-Fi quality: Internet connectivity varies dramatically between campgrounds. An RVer at American Heritage RV Park was pleasantly surprised: "And! Pretty good wifi internet. Usually its slow, but here it works!"
Dump station availability: Not all campgrounds offer full-hookup sites, making dump stations important. A reviewer at Newport News Park explained: "There are no sewer hookups, but there is a dump station. There are a lot of low hanging branches on the roads through the park and it is showing some signs of age."
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there free camping available in Surry, Virginia?
Chickahominy Wildlife Management Area Site (WMA) offers free primitive camping options for Virginia residents (14-day limit). Non-residents can purchase a $4 daily pass. The site features basic parking spots in a quiet location by the water, though be aware that hunters and a shooting range are nearby on weekends. For those seeking a true dispersed camping experience, this WMA provides no amenities but offers a peaceful camping environment. While not in Surry proper, it's within reasonable driving distance and represents one of the few free camping options in the region.
What are the best campgrounds in Surry, Virginia?
Chippokes State Park Campground is one of the best options in Surry, featuring a historic working farm dating back to 1619 with beautiful gardens and livestock. The park offers interesting mansion tours and outbuildings to explore. For those willing to travel a bit outside Surry, Chickahominy Riverfront Park provides a strategic base for exploring Virginia's Historical Triangle. The park features level sites and is conveniently located along the Virginia Capital Bike Trail, making it perfect for active campers who want to explore the surrounding historical areas.
Where can I rent an RV in Surry, Virginia?
While Surry itself has limited RV rental options, nearby American Heritage RV Park can often recommend local rental companies or may have partnerships with rental services. Located within driving distance of Surry, this park serves as a convenient base for exploring the tidewater area including Williamsburg, Richmond, and Virginia Beach. For those seeking RV rentals, consider checking online platforms like RVshare or Outdoorsy, which connect RV owners with renters in the area. Alternatively, major rental companies operate in nearby larger cities like Richmond or Newport News, requiring a short drive to Surry.
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