Camping sites near Caret, Virginia range from water-oriented options along the Rappahannock River to wooded inland locations with varying levels of privacy. The region sits at low elevations, generally between 100-200 feet above sea level, creating a humid microclimate that extends the camping season but intensifies summer heat and insect activity. Virginia's Northern Neck peninsula, where Caret is located, receives an average of 45 inches of precipitation annually, with occasional coastal storms affecting campground conditions.
What to do
Fossil hunting at Westmoreland State Park: The beach area provides opportunities to find 15-million-year-old shark teeth and other fossils. "Beautiful views, good trails, nice sites. A lot of fun here. Will be back soon!" notes Jason L. who camped at Westmoreland State Park Campground.
Military history exploration: Visit nearby Fort AP Hill military base areas open to the public. "A.P Hill is huge! Great hiking, biking, wildlife," reports MH about Military Park Fort AP Hill Champs Camp RV Park.
Water recreation at Naylor's Beach: The riverside location offers swimming, kayaking and fishing access. "The water 'beach spot' was very clean and very calm for lounging on a float or playing in the sand. My boys loved it," writes Rachel S. about Naylor's Beach Campground.
Historical sites: Visit George Washington's birthplace near Colonial Beach. "Right down the road from George Washington's birthplace," mentions Jason E. who stayed at Thousand Trails Harbor View.
What campers like
Private wooded sites: Many campers appreciate secluded camping options. "I LOVE this park. The tent sites are awesome and mine have always been pretty private feeling despite being somewhat near others," writes RL about Westmoreland State Park Campground.
Waterfront camping at Belle Isle: Sites along the water provide scenic views and easy water access. "Sites are plenty long and patio areas quite large. Showers are separate from the bathrooms. Both are clean and well maintained," notes Charles C. about Belle Isle State Park Campground.
Off-season tranquility: Camping during fall and winter offers a different experience. "Went in March 2018 for my birthday, when it was still VERY cold, but had a wonderful time. The beaches and trails seem so much more peaceful and untouched this time of year," shares RL about Westmoreland State Park.
Level sites: Travelers frequently comment on site quality. "Level lots. Clean facilities," reports James P. about Military Park Fort AP Hill Champs Camp RV Park.
What you should know
Bug preparation essential: The coastal location creates ideal conditions for insects. "You'll want to bring some bug spray to fend off the voracious mosquitoes. We were there in mid-October, I shudder to think what it's like in the summer," warns Geo&Deb T. about Belle Isle State Park Campground.
Limited cell service: Coverage varies significantly throughout the region. "Limited cell service (StarLink or similar is your best option)," notes James P. about Military Park Fort AP Hill Champs Camp RV Park.
Weather considerations: The area experiences rapid weather changes. "Definitely gets windy near the river. Nothing a big pot of camp soup or chili can't help!" shares RL about Westmoreland State Park.
Fire ring availability: Not all sites provide fire rings. "No fire pits ring so bring your own or idk what you would do otherwise? There was a picnic table," mentions Rachel S. about Naylor's Beach Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Off-peak visits for quiet: School-year weekends offer less crowded conditions. "If you're anything like me, traveling for peace and quiet and solitude, I highly recommend Sunday and Monday nights if you have flexibility with jobs etc. It was SUPER quiet during my stay," suggests RL about Westmoreland State Park.
Water safety planning: The region's water features require supervision. "The swimming beach was busy, but the water was clean with a sandy bottom," reports Tara S. about Point Lookout State Park.
Bike-friendly campgrounds: Many campgrounds feature paved roads ideal for cycling. "There is a gravel road for bikes and very rural paved road outside we rode bikes back and forth on," notes Rachel S. about Naylor's Beach Campground.
Seasonal activities: Some campgrounds offer organized events. "We took about 30 women camping here at the end of April and had the best time together," shares Katie T. about Westmoreland State Park.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: RV campers should research specific site characteristics. "We stayed on the B loop, the lot we reserved by only looking at a park map was nice a spacious for our popup," writes Anthony D. about Westmoreland State Park.
Utility placement awareness: Multiple hookup locations offer flexibility. "Sewer is in 2 locations for each site," notes happy_champers about Bethpage Camp-Resort.
Site surface conditions: Gravel pads may require maintenance after rain. "Gravel site pad could definitely use some maintenance and fresh material added. Had to put down boards to park our travel trailer because about a third of the pad had just turned into mud," advises Nick E. about Thousand Trails Harbor View.
Full hookup availability: Several campgrounds offer complete utility connections. "There are full hookups which was great, but the sites are basically in a swamp," cautions Buck P. about Point Lookout State Park.
