5 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Upon examining the campground data for horse-friendly options near Townsend, Virginia, none of the four listed campgrounds (Kiptopeke State Park, Chippokes State Park, Northwest River Park, and Chesapeake Campground) feature horse corrals or dedicated equestrian facilities. All four campgrounds explicitly note "NO horse-corral" in their features list. While these campgrounds offer various accommodations including tent sites, RV hookups, and cabins, they lack specific equestrian amenities that would make them suitable for travelers with horses.
For campers seeking equestrian-friendly options, alternative locations would be necessary. The Virginia State Park system does include several parks with dedicated horse facilities, though none appear in the immediate Townsend area based on the provided data. These parks typically offer designated horse trails, trailer parking, and in some cases, stalls or corrals. Camping with horses generally requires facilities for securing animals overnight, access to water, and proximity to suitable riding trails, none of which are indicated in the campground data provided for the Townsend region.
"Virginia has some wonderful state parks and this is one of my favorites. Its got a nice beach, boat launch and a couple miles of hiking trails."
"Wild animals usually pass by often later in the evening, horses, deer, rabbits etc; sites are nice and big. Some sunny some shady. Park usually fills up when I'm there"
from $32 - $459 / night
Check Availability"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 Availability"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 Availability"Equestrian trails available, which is always a plus."
"Some sites close to main road but not a lot of traffic."
from $21 - $36 / night
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GuideI have spent my childhood here and I am excited to share it with my kids. We hike here when visiting grandparents. Chesapeake Public Park’s does a great job with events and education at NWRP! Equestrian trails available, which is always a plus.
ScoutVirginia has some wonderful state parks and this is one of my favorites. Its got a nice beach, boat launch and a couple miles of hiking trails. The lovely town of Cape Charles with an even better public beach and restaurants is close by. I use the park as a base for exploring the barrier island on the ocean side by kayak.
TravelerWe camped at the tent only loop(F3). The site was great. The walk to the beach was longer than I thought. The most northern access was closed.
I was a bit disappointed with the bathroom situation and the trash situation. The one shower/bathroom serviced 3 different loops. And they closed it for cleaning in the morning for about 30 min. Frustrating.
There was no trash can in the loops. It was located at the entrance to the park forcing us to either drive it up daily or keep on site till the end.
Otherwise I loved the fishing and crabbing. The north beach was beautiful and water warm. Although they don’t allow dogs on the north beach.
Overall I would still go again.
ScoutWe'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. There's also a large pool during the season with a camp store, snacks. The staff are always great, the sites are level and not too close together, with plenty of shade. The bathrooms and showers are kept clean and the showers are huge! There's plenty to do on the grounds, hiking, biking, touring the plantation, geocaching, and yes, even Pokemon Go! About 5 miles away is the ferry to Williamsburg...its free and usually a highlight of the trip for the kids! You can follow history or ride plenty of roller coasters at Busch Gardens.
ScoutWe come every year because it's on our top list of yearly visits. The beach and staff there are nice. Crabbing and fishing there's very popular. Very pet friendly and they also made a beach side for pets to swim at. Wild animals usually pass by often later in the evening, horses, deer, rabbits etc; sites are nice and big. Some sunny some shady. Park usually fills up when I'm there
LegendChippokes 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. The land grant was huge, and as a state park now it provides a rich opportunity to learn about the James River, the natural and indigenous history of the region, the settlement history and role of this plantation in Virginia History, and more. Visiting here provides hiking opportunities to learn about fossils along the river shore, the temperate forest in the woods, and history around the old plantation. Taking the ferry across the river from Jamestown to get here was part of the adventure too. There is a nature center and visitor center that provides lots of info and programs near the river , a network of easy park roads for biking, and the plantation itself, set back further away from the river, provides a wealth of learning, including about the history of crops and trade in this area, and about the lives of the slaves who worked the plantation. The grounds right around the plantation are, in fact, a memorial to the hundreds of souls who lived and worked the land here. It was an amazing learning experience to come to the park, and the options to stay over in the park include standard campsites in a wooded campground, or cabins. The campground has all the usual state park amenities, and was very quiet when we were there in November—so late fall is a great time to come, as the fall weather was amazing
LegendThis was our first time staying in a yurt at Kiptopeake State Park. We love staying in the yurts at Virginia State Parks because they are always an affordable, easy way to camping without having to set up a tent or spend the extra money for a cabin. The ones at here are $75/night. This one was awesome! It is hidden down a long walkway from the parking area and is very secluded. The one we stayed in, Yurt 4, only has neighbors on one side. It comes with two picnic tables, a water spigot, fire pit, grill, a big deck around the yurt with rocking chairs, and a refreshing breeze coming off the bay. Unfortunately, the way the yurt is situated, none of that breeze gets inside the yurt and it was very hot inside. Especially if staying here in the summer, I would suggest bringing some fans or a portable a/c for a more comfortable nights sleep. The bathrooms are farther away than I would like with little kids. You have to walk through to the tent campground loop to get to them. Even with a couple negative things about it, I think this is the way to stay here at Kiptopeake and I am already planning our next yurt trip here for next year!
Love this park so much! The beach is amazing. This time we discovered the dog-friendly beach, which was less crowded than the main one. I always like to go out and watch the sunset over the bay, it is magical!
GuideOnly campground in the Virginia State Park system that offers sewer hook-up's. As for the campsites, I was not really impressed so only gave it 4 stars. If you like open field camping and absolutely no shade, this is the place for you! Other than the lack of tree's, I think this is a great campground, a great location, and a ton of things to do...
LegendAwesome things to see here! It’s been a working farm since 1619 with beautiful gardens and livestock. The mansion and outbuildings are pretty cool as well.
Restrooms were not very clean. Each time I went to the ladies room, the door was propped wide open, and when I went to brush my teeth in the morning the counters were covered in moths and bugs and gnats. Yuck. The showers were ok.
Ice is $3 and you can grab that from the camp host if it’s after 4pm which is when the store closes. It’s cash only, exactly change. Wood is $6 and there’s a metal box - pay on your honor.
The beaches were very nice. You’re on the Cobham Bay vs. right on the river and in the dead of the summer, the water is sooo unpleasantly warm. You can wade out at the very least 100 yards and still be less than knee-deep, water still hot. 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.
The little visitor center near the water access has cold drinks, souvenirs, ice cream, etc. They obv. accept credit cards. You can bring your dog into this area. There’s also a little wildlife info center and restrooms in the same buildings. There are also areas for day use and a good sized parking lot near the water access.
Straight across the river is Jamestown and Williamsburg, which is cool. I think I was told it’s about four miles across. That being said... those are your closest grocery stores and you have to take the Jamestown Ferry to get there. There is a Dollar General near the park, for odds and ends. Just make sure to stop in advance for what you need because you won’t find much in Surry.
Stopped at the Surry Seafood Co. for lunch and it was ok. Food and service was mediocre, but there was a nice water view from the deck. Was looking forward to stopping for some shrimp to cook that night from Colonial Seafood market but after walking in, I walked right back out. It was so unclean and didn’t smell fresh at all.
We took a beautiful drive around the plantation. The cabins look great and we’ll definitely try those out next time. There were corn fields and soybeans for miles. Such a great park due to its history.
Campsites themselves were pretty nice; not too close together. Our site had the tent pad down away from the picnic table and fire ring which was kind of nice. It was really shady, too. Room for hammocks.
Each site has a picnic table, fire pit, tent pad, lantern pole. Verizon service was great.
The Townsend area offers limited dedicated equestrian camping facilities. Located on Virginia's eastern shore region, Townsend sits within a coastal plain with elevations rarely exceeding 50 feet above sea level. Most campgrounds in the vicinity primarily serve tent and RV campers, with several state parks providing water access but lacking specialized horse accommodations.
Kayaking and paddling opportunities: Northwest River Park & Campground provides access to blackwater paddling routes. "Canoes and paddle boats are available to rent for use in black water," notes Heather L., making it accessible even for visitors without their own equipment.
Fishing and wildlife viewing: The coastal location provides diverse fishing opportunities. At Kiptopeke State Park Campground, visitors can experience unique catches. "I did enjoy the fishing pier and got to catch fish I have never seen before. One being a searobin," reports Annemarie R., adding practical advice about handling certain species.
Beach exploration: Multiple beaches offer varying experiences. "There are 2 beautiful beaches, one that allows pets and the other does not," explains Annemarie R. about Kiptopeke. These beaches connect to the campgrounds via wooden boardwalks, some of which are wheelchair accessible.
Waterfront access: The James River shoreline provides recreational opportunities at Chippokes State Park Campground. "The water at the beaches is so shallow great for my son!" reports Susan P., highlighting the family-friendly water conditions.
Spacious bathroom facilities: Clean, well-maintained facilities matter to campers. "The bathrooms/showers are huge!" shares Philip S. about Chippokes, while Gary D. notes at Northwest River Park that "showers/bathrooms [are] huge" and well-maintained.
Historical attractions: The region offers historical sites alongside natural areas. "This hidden gem is just a short distance from Williamsburg but yet so remote! The still working farm and homes are a treasure of how life and farms ran back in the day," explains Rose H. about Chippokes Plantation.
Weather and flooding concerns: Low-lying areas can experience water issues. At Chesapeake Campground, campers warn about potential flooding: "A storm hit right after I got here and now I'm sitting in about 8 inches of water!" reports Kelly W. Similarly, Anna S. advises, "They need to know that if you go on a rainy season bring boots."
Site variations: Campground layouts vary significantly. "The campsites on the A loop are a little more on an angle, they converted tent site lots to camper lots," explains Johnathan M. about Chippokes State Park, providing practical site selection advice.
Limited trash disposal: Some parks have unusual trash management. At Northwest River Park, Sheri K. notes, "There are no garbage cans or dumpsters near the campsites. The only garbage containers I found were near the dump station, which is on the way out of the park."
Educational opportunities: Kiptopeke State Park Campground offers family learning experiences. "This park is a nice place to bring your family to camp, fish, crab and relax by the beach and collect seashells," reports Annemarie R., combining multiple activities in one location.
Kid-friendly amenities: Several parks offer activities specifically for children. At Chesapeake Campground, Audriana V. shares, "The camp store is great. It has ice cream, which my kids loved," adding there are "a lot of child friendly activities to do here."
Wildlife encounters: Evening wildlife viewing opportunities exist. Gabby B. reports at Kiptopeke, "Wild animals usually pass by often later in the evening, horses, deer, rabbits etc," providing natural observation opportunities.
Site selection strategy: At Kiptopeke State Park, experienced RVers recommend specific locations. "Try and get C loop spots 15-21. They're shaded and at the back of the loop," advises Aaron S., adding that "C loop has full hookup where A and B do not."
Sunlight exposure considerations: Tree cover varies significantly between sites. Ashley I. cautions about Kiptopeke that "1st two rows of sites have almost ZERO tree cover," which affects comfort during summer months when shade is valuable for temperature control.
Water hookup variability: Not all sites have equal amenities. Gary D. notes at Northwest River Park that "water [is] NOT at all sites but easy to fill tanks," suggesting RVers should plan accordingly when arriving.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Townsend, VA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Townsend, VA is Kiptopeke State Park Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 55 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Townsend, VA?
TheDyrt.com has all 5 equestrian camping locations near Townsend, VA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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