Tent Camping near Tappahannock, VA

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    Tent campgrounds near Tappahannock, Virginia offer primitive camping experiences along the Potomac River and Chesapeake Bay watersheds. Caledon State Park Campground provides tent-only sites with a 2.5-mile hike-in experience leading to riverfront camping. Brewer's Point Primitive Campground in Belle Isle State Park offers both hike-in and boat-in tent sites with minimal amenities but direct water access.

    Most primitive tent sites in the region require permits and reservations. Tent pads at Caledon are designated with minimal site development, while camping outside these areas is generally prohibited. According to reviews, firewood is available for purchase at some locations through honor system boxes. Portable toilets are typically present near tent camping areas, but drinking water is scarce across most sites. Campers should pack in all water needed for their stay, as natural water sources may be unreliable or require significant filtering. Fire rings are common amenities, but seasonal fire restrictions may apply depending on conditions.

    The tent camping experience in this region offers considerable seclusion, especially at hike-in sites that deter casual visitors. Sites along the Potomac at Caledon provide exceptional views with several reviews noting the beauty of riverfront camping. One visitor described their experience as "right on the Potomac River. Gorgeous view and I was glad to be there after the long haul." The beaches near some primitive tent sites allow for fossil hunting, swimming, or fishing depending on the specific location. Shade coverage varies by site, with most offering at least partial tree cover. The forested settings provide natural barriers between tent sites, though weekend occupancy can reduce privacy during peak season.

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    Best Tent Campgrounds near Tappahannock (9)

      1. Brewer’s Point Hike-in or Boat-in Primitive Campground — Belle Isle State Park

      Be the first to review18mi from TappahannockTents

      from $15 - $18 / night

      Check Availability

      2. Caledon State Park Campground

      4.4(5)34mi from Tappahannock6 sitesTents

      "7 or 8 tent pads. Wood for sale at the site for $4 honor system. Porta pottie right next to wood pile. You’re not supposed to setup anything outside of the “tent pads”."

      "It was my first hike in primitive camping experience. We hiked for a few hours and finally got to our site which was right on the Potomac River."

      from $16 / night

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      3. Calvert Cliffs State Park Youth Group Camping

      4.4(5)40mi from TappahannockTents

      "Nice and quiet, no hookups, but nice surroundings!"

      "It is a very nice walk about 2 miles to the beach where you can hunt for fossils. The beach has gotten smaller over the years however the trail has gotten much better."

      4. Endeavor Point

      3.0(5)42mi from Tappahannock1 siteTents, Cabins

      from $55 - $95 / night

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      5. Matoaka Beach Cottages

      5.0(3)44mi from TappahannockTents, Cabins, Glamping

      "Private campground with cabins and tent sites. Tent sites are first come, first service so call ahead to ensure the space is available."

      "They have a few tent camping spots as well as cabins. Just call ahead. I just showed up and got a perfect camp spot with a view of the sunrise and access to the private beach."

      6. Waterfront View on Leoni Island @ South Kings Camping

      Be the first to review28mi from TappahannockTents

      from $50 - $80 / night

      7. Lake Land'Or General Campground - Private Campground

      2.0(2)38mi from TappahannockTents

      8. Wisteria Beach Hideaway

      5.0(2)47mi from TappahannockTents

      "Loved the location - the beaches were surrounded by pine, wetlands, and tall grasses - it felt remote and not overdeveloped! This campsite is comfortable!"

      "Super close to a few different beaches. The bug screen and hammock that are part of the site was so appreciated. Also, having a shower was great - it felt like we were glamping! Went in September."

      from $35 - $50 / night

      9. Pax River Hog Point Campgrounds — Naval Airstation (Nas) Patuxent River

      1.0(1)37mi from Tappahannock4 sitesTents

      from $20 - $30 / night

      Check Availability

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    Tent Camping Reviews near Tappahannock, VA

    312 Reviews of 9 Tappahannock Campgrounds


    • 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

    • 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.

    • Laura M.The Dyrt PRO User
      Nov. 9, 2023

      Colonial Pines Campground At Williamsburg Christian Retreat Center

      Great place to recharge

      I will admit I was a little hesitant about coming to an RV park located within a Christian Retreat Center. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but we came anyway because the price through the Passport America discount was right ($20/night for a FHU site with the discount on off-season rates, so, $40 without the discount). I was happy we came, the office staff person was so friendly and so nice and welcoming, and the campground was just great. There’s plenty of activities here- there’s a playground, a gaga ball pit, basketball court, frisbee golf course, pool, soccer field, baseball field, and some really nice walking trails in the woods (some of these might be restricted to use by retreat guests, not sure). Some basic snacks and knick knacks and clothing available for sale in the office.

      There’s laundry here, but the set up was a little awkward- there’s one washer/ dryer in the hallway of the lodge, which is a hotel-like building. It’s kind of a far walk from the campground, and there’s no place to hang out and wait for your laundry. It’s $5 for a load (wash& dry) and you can pay by credit card in the office or drop $5 in the box by the machines. Firewood available for sale here for $5, pay by venmo, at the office, or in the honor box. No alcohol allowed in the park. 

      Cell service for Verizon and ATT was pretty decent, and they have great free wifi. Showers are good and clean and free, continuous water running (no button to push).

    • Dennis H.
      Apr. 11, 2026

      Camp Cardinal RV Resort

      Nothing works

      No laundry area, no shower house and no restroom. All there but none work. Very poor drainage. Wet and muddy always. Water pressure was a medium drip. Do not recommend

    • Crystal C.The Dyrt PRO User
      Sep. 13, 2018

      Hidden Acres Campground

      Quiet nights at Private Campground

      Stopped off at this campground after finding it while passing though just before Labor Day weekend. While it was the last weekend for the pool before its closure and while they were in the process of working on some of the plumbing at the campground, it was a well put together campground which was very impressive.

      Located somewhat remotely from the larger community and near several places of interest along the road, this camp was a great stop for a tent camper like myself. They offer a basic tent site for $26 with nice bath houses. For full connections the price does rise slightly offering both both 20/30 amp and 50 amp connections for RVs.

      The roads around the camp are gravel and a little bumpy but the sites themselves were pretty level and grassy for tents which was pretty nice. Sites are located far enough off the road that road noise is minimal.

      I did also notice they have cabin rentals available and a pretty nice little store with lots of options for those who didn't bring everything with them.

    • D
      Nov. 22, 2021

      Thousand Trails Harbor View

      Nice place

      Nice campground, friendly staff Joe was great. Greeted us when pulling in, did not make it into office, took us to our assigned site, asked if needed anything fire wood etc. They also called and told us going to be a cold this night and make sure arrive before dark as can not get in after dark.

    • Myron C.The Dyrt PRO User
      Dec. 31, 2019

      Lake Land'Or General Campground - Private Campground

      Community Campground Close to the Lake and is Peaceful

      The main attraction for this campground is, obviously, the lake. It is a place where people can fish, boat, canoe/kayak, etc. My favorite thing to do is put my kayak in the water and paddle around no matter what season it is. I have stayed at this campground numerous times with my son, grandson, and/or his family. The sites are fairly level, although some do have a slight slope. There is no water or electricity at any of the sites, but there are fire rings. Some of the sites have a standing grill and a picnic table. There is plenty of shade, and many of the trees are close enough that I can stretch out my hammock for an afternoon siesta. The sites are grassy, and the road is gravel. Depending on where you choose your site, the bath house is a short distance away. My grandson loves camping there because of the playground, and for dog lovers, there is a fenced dog walk. Sometimes, you can find wood where the local residents cut their trees and shrubbery and drop it off adjacent to the campground. Otherwise, you need to take your own wood for a fire. However, every time I have been there, including this time, we were able to find plenty of wood for a campfire. Since the campground closes during the winter, the bath house is not heated, but the showers do have hot water. There are electrical outlets as well in case you need to plug in a blow dryer or electric razor. The last time we stayed here, only my son and grandson were with me, and we sat around the campfire just enjoying the occasional sounds of geese and the regular sounds of tree frogs and crickets. The only other distractions are a few cars passing by along the road, but that diminishes significantly after about ten or eleven o’clock. For children, another fun thing to do is to play in the spillway, which is also part of the road. The embankment dam and spillway are only a few steps from the campground, and there is a place to launch your canoe or kayak. The boat ramp is farther away into the neighborhood. This campground has ten sites and is by reservation only for its over 4,200 residents and their friends and family. Overall, I enjoy staying at this campground because it is a quiet setting when you just want to get outdoors.


    Guide to Tappahannock

    Tent camping options near Tappahannock, Virginia include several primitive sites in state parks and natural areas situated along the Potomac River and Chesapeake Bay watersheds. Caledon State Park Campground offers a hike-in primitive camping experience with tent pads located approximately 2.5-3 miles from the main parking area, providing access to the Potomac River shoreline. Brewer's Point in Belle Isle State Park also features primitive tent sites accessible only by boat or hiking trail.

    Most primitive tent setups in this region require campers to be self-sufficient. Caledon State Park provides basic amenities including designated tent pads, portable toilets, and firewood available for purchase through an honor system. According to reviews, no drinking water is available at these primitive sites, requiring visitors to pack in all necessary water supplies. Fire rings are present at most locations, but campers should check seasonal fire restrictions, particularly during dry summer months. Walk-in tent sites typically require a hike of 2-3 miles on groomed gravel trails, making sturdy footwear and efficient packing essential.

    The tent camping experience in the Tappahannock region offers natural surroundings and waterfront views not accessible to vehicle-based camping. Areas along the Potomac River provide scenic vistas and opportunities for fossil hunting, particularly at Calvert Cliffs. The primitive tent camping areas offer relative seclusion from crowded developed campgrounds. A visitor to Caledon noted, "It was a rainy day but we were able to go down to the shore. What a great experience." Tent sites at Caledon State Park feature a small pavilion near the camping area, and the beach along the Potomac River provides sunset views. Campers should be prepared for seasonal insects, particularly in wooded areas and near water during summer months.

    Frequently Asked Questions

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

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Tappahannock, VA is Brewer’s Point Hike-in or Boat-in Primitive Campground — Belle Isle State Park with a 0-star rating from 0 reviews.

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

    TheDyrt.com has all 9 tent camping locations near Tappahannock, VA, with real photos and reviews from campers.