Northwest River Park & Campground provides equestrian trails along with camping accommodations 30 minutes from Virginia Beach. The campground features gravel sites with water and electric hookups at select locations, though not all sites have direct water access. Open seasonally from April through November, the park offers multiple outdoor recreation options beyond horseback riding, including hiking trails, kayak rentals, and fishing spots.
What to do
Kayak the river waters: At Northwest River Park, visitors can rent kayaks to explore the waterways. "Canoes and paddle boats are available to rent for use in black water," explains Heather L., highlighting water recreation options beyond horseback riding.
Explore hiking trails: The park offers several trails leading to scenic areas. "There are a few hikes leading back to the river," notes Heather L., making it ideal for day hikers wanting to see different landscapes within the park.
Try mini golf: For families seeking less strenuous activities, Northwest River Park & Campground offers mini golf on-site. "Plenty of things to do for the active camper. Put put golf, kayak, hiking and much more," says Patricia L., detailing recreational options.
Beach exploration: Visit Kiptopeke State Park Campground for beachcombing and wildlife observation. "This park is a nice place to bring your family to camp, fish, crab and relax by the beach and collect seashells. It has 2 beautiful beaches, one that allows pets and the other does not," reports Annemarie R.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Many visitors appreciate the well-maintained campground. "Overall amazed at the cleanliness of the campground. The staff is very friendly. The park was very quiet going into the night," writes Joseph H. about Northwest River Park.
Spacious camping areas: Chippokes State Park Campground receives praise for its site layout. "Large campsites. Well maintained. Got last available site & never felt crowded," John M. notes, emphasizing the comfortable spacing between sites.
Quiet weekday atmosphere: Weekdays offer a more peaceful camping experience at Northwest River Park. "Sites are small but the park does not fill up during the week," observes Heather L., suggesting midweek visits for those seeking tranquility.
Friendly staff: The park management receives positive feedback from campers. "Great staff. Very helpful and keep the park clean. They have firewood at $6.00 a bundle," reports Jeff B., highlighting the helpful park personnel.
What you should know
Site flooding concerns: During heavy rain, some areas of the campground may experience water issues. "Because this area is near wetlands some of the campsites were flooded throughout the weekend. If rain a lot of rain is forecasted you may want to talk to one of the rangers about your particular site," advises Nicole L. about Northwest River Park.
Limited trash facilities: Waste management requires planning at Northwest River Park. "The only thing I have a problem with here, is that 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, nowhere near the campground!" notes Sheri K.
Varying site quality: At Chesapeake Campground, site conditions vary significantly. "Mostly long term here and they don't do a great job of making sure the sites aren't full of junk. Can tell it used to be pretty nice but seems very run down now," reports Kelly W.
Reservation system challenges: Some campers report difficulties with online bookings. "My only issue was the parks reservation system. I reserved the campsite using the online, Reserve America system," explains Nicole L., detailing subsequent problems with modifying reservations.
Tips for camping with families
Ferry ride opportunity: When staying at Chippokes State Park, consider the nearby ferry service. "About 5 miles away is the ferry to Williamsburg...its free and usually a highlight of the trip for the kids!" shares Philip S., pointing out this no-cost family adventure.
Pool access: Some parks offer swimming facilities for children. "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. There's also a large pool during the season with a camp store, snacks," says Philip S. about Chippokes State Park.
Educational opportunities: Kiptopeke State Park Campground provides nature learning experiences. "We 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," explains Gabby B.
Tips from RVers
Site selection for shade: Choose sites carefully based on tree cover. "1st two rows of sites have almost ZERO tree cover. 1st row not very level sites," warns Ashley I. about Kiptopeke State Park, suggesting back rows for better shade.
Leveling requirements: Some sites may require additional equipment for comfortable setup. "The sites are gravel and mostly level but I did have to use a couple blocks of my levelers," notes Sheri K. about Northwest River Park.
Loop recommendations: For Kiptopeke State Park Campground, specific loops offer better amenities. "C loop has full hookup where A and B do not. Try and get C loop spots 15 - 21. They're shaded and at the back of the loop," suggests Aaron S., providing specific site recommendations for RVers.
