Tappahannock, Virginia sits at the eastern edge of Virginia's Northern Neck peninsula along the Rappahannock River, with an elevation of just 15 feet above sea level. The area experiences typical Chesapeake climate with humid summers and mild winters, making April through October the primary camping season. Most RV parks near Tappahannock require careful navigation through county roads that narrow considerably after leaving main highways.
What to do
Water activities at riverside campgrounds: Fishing and crabbing are popular at Thousand Trails Chesapeake Bay where the campground provides pier access. "We had never been crabbing and this beautiful rv park has its own crabbing pier. There is boating, hiking, watching wild life and so many pretty birds," noted a visitor.
Historic sites exploration: The region offers access to numerous colonial-era attractions. From Thousand Trails Harbor View, guests can visit George Washington's birthplace. "Right down the road from George Washington's birthplace," explains one camper who appreciated the park's historical proximity.
Fossil hunting: Some campgrounds provide access to unique paleontological activities. A family who stayed at Thousand Trails Harbor View mentioned, "We also loved going to Westmoreland park which was practically next door to Harbor View. Great trails and fossil beach was fun."
What campers like
Family-oriented water features: Bethpage Camp-Resort receives consistent praise for its water attractions. "We loved this campground! It was also kid friendly which is something we're always looking for. We had so much fun and there is quite a bit to do," shared one family, while another noted, "The lake and pools are fantastic. We love having both options for spending some time in the water."
Organized activities: Grey's Point Camp schedules regular events for guests. A visitor mentioned, "There are so many activities for kids at this campground. There are waters slides, playgrounds, fishing, water rentals, and campground sponsored fun." Another camper appreciated the management's pandemic response: "They did a great job social distancing the management, while maintaining CDC guidelines even for activities."
Secure environments: Several campgrounds employ security measures. At Grey's Point Camp, a camper observed, "The staff is wonderful and their nightly safety patrol is always present and keeping things under control. Definitely a safe place for all."
What you should know
Varying cell service: Mobile coverage can be spotty throughout the region. At Thousand Trails Williamsburg, cell reception is generally reliable, with one camper noting, "I work full-time remote and the Verizon service was perfect with our hotspot." However, at other locations like Grey's Point Camp, a guest mentioned "Very poor to non existent Wi-Fi and cell service (both T-Mobile and Verizon)."
Seasonal flooding: Many campgrounds in the Tidewater region experience drainage issues after heavy rains. One visitor to Thousand Trails Williamsburg observed, "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."
Site variations: Campsite quality differs widely within the same park. At Americamps, a camper reported, "Enjoyed my corner pull-through site F2 even though it was gravel with some muddy spots. There are some paved spots near the entrance (7-10 and 15-19 plus VIP 1 & 2)."
Tips for camping with families
Playground options: American Heritage RV Park offers multiple recreation areas for different age groups. "The playgrounds are large and fun for the younger kids," shared one visitor, while another mentioned, "There are waters slides, playgrounds, fishing, water rentals, and campground sponsored fun."
Paved biking routes: Look for campgrounds with smooth surfaces for children learning to ride. "With all paved streets the campground is perfect for bike riding," observed a family at Bethpage Camp-Resort, while others appreciated "flat biking" as an activity option.
Weekend noise levels: Some campgrounds become considerably louder on weekends. A visitor to Thousand Trails Chesapeake Bay noted, "We were in middle of week and it was calm and quiet but other campers said weekends can be quite boisterous to the point of police being called."
Tips from RVers
Leveling challenges: Many Northern Neck RV sites require additional equipment for proper setup. A camper at Military Park Fort AP Hill Champs Camp noted, "Nice flat spots, only real shade is on the back lots," suggesting careful site selection for larger rigs.
Site selection strategies: Choose sites based on your specific needs. At Thousand Trails Harbor View, one RVer advised, "Site was spacious, level and shady. The site next to ours had perfect hammock trees too!" while at American Heritage RV Park, another visitor shared, "Our site was perfectly level, clean and well maintained."
Seasonal planning: For Tappahannock area RV camping, timing matters. A guest at Grey's Point Camp warned, "If you have allergies, avoid spring. EVERYTHING outside was covered in a light haze of pollen. I worked outside several days and had to wipe my computer off a couple times a day."
