Newport News Park provides campsites near Yorktown, Virginia with spacious, wooded lots only 20 minutes from Colonial Williamsburg. The park spans over 8,000 acres with 30 miles of hiking trails through coastal forest. Campsites offer electrical hookups, though many tent spots have uneven ground requiring careful setup.
What to do
Fishing and boating: Newport News Park has a reservoir where visitors can fish or rent boats. "Lots of tree canopy in this campground/park along a pretty lake. Nice bike and walking trails, and an archery range. Plus a really nice laundry on site," notes Gina from Newport News Park.
Historical exploration: Use your camping location as a base for Civil War history tours. "Numerous great sites to see within an hours drive," says Bob H. about Newport News Park. "The park is a civil war historic site and is close to a lot of other historic places."
Explore working plantations: Visit Chippokes State Park Campground for a glimpse into agricultural history. "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," shares Rose H.
Kayaking inland waterways: Paddle through marshlands directly from your campsite. "Definitely recommend following the river inland and kayaking through the marshland," advises Christina about Chippokes State Park.
What campers like
Shaded campsites: Many campgrounds offer tree cover for summer heat relief. "Peaceful park filled with plenty of tall trees to stay cool during the summer months. Stayed 21 days (max limit) in June and temps at our site (B46) averaged about 5-10 degrees cooler than outside the park," reports a camper at Newport News Park.
Military discounts and facilities: Active and retired military personnel have special campground options. "This is an amazing recreational campground for military families and retirees that is located right on the York River between Williamsburg and Yorktown," explains Janet R. about Military Park Cheatham Annex.
Access to multiple beaches: Campers enjoy both river and ocean beaches within driving distance. "The water at the beaches is so shallow great for my son! It's a beautiful place!" shares Susan P. about Chippokes State Park.
Pool access: Several campgrounds provide swimming pools as alternatives to beach swimming. "Their park is beautiful. The parking pass are well maintained and there's water and electric at every spot in the loop we were on," mentions Taylor about Newport News Park.
What you should know
Train noise: Some campgrounds have nearby train tracks that create noise issues. "The cabin we stayed in was about 15 feet from the tracks. Not really a complaint from us since the kids thought it was awesome. So, just a heads up on the trains. They are loud and they are often," explains Bridget H. about Anvil Campground.
Spacing between sites: Many campgrounds place RVs close together. "Large, convenient campground. Too few bath facilities. Last minute issues with registration after 5+ hour drive was the last thing we needed," reports Sally S. about Williamsburg Campground.
Uneven campsites: Be prepared with leveling equipment. "Make sure you have leveling chalks as some of the sites are too uneven for auto leveling to work," advises Tanya R. about Newport News Park.
Limited sewer hookups: Many campgrounds offer water and electric but no sewer at individual sites. "There are no sewer hookups, but there is a dump station," notes a reviewer at Newport News Park.
Tips for camping with families
Look for play areas: Williamsburg Campground offers numerous kid-friendly amenities. "Lots to do with kids... planned activities like petting zoo, hayrides, and movie night, and campground amenities like a pool, bounce pillows, bikes, short hiking trails, and ice cream shop," recommends Courtney O.
Consider tent site access: Some campgrounds require walks from parking to tent sites. "Be prepared with a wagon to transport items from your car to your campsite if choosing the no water/electric sites. Short walk from parking to sites," advises Kaylee G. about Machicomoco State Park Campground.
Check bathroom cleanliness: Shower facilities vary widely between campgrounds. "The bathrooms and showers are kept clean and the showers are huge!" writes Philip S. about Chippokes State Park.
Ferry rides as entertainment: The Jamestown-Scotland ferry provides free entertainment. "About 5 miles away is the ferry to Williamsburg...its free and usually a highlight of the trip for the kids!" explains a camper at Chippokes State Park.
Tips from RVers
Site surfaces vary: American Heritage RV Park offers level concrete pads. "We had a site near the back which were smaller. This was a good trade-off for the shade -- it was hot!" notes Matthew I. about Williamsburg Campground.
Hose length matters: Pack extra-long water hoses. "You need at least a 25' hose," advises Tanya R. about Newport News Park.
Watch for low branches: Tree-lined campgrounds may present clearance issues. "There are a lot of low hanging branches on the roads through the park and it is showing some signs of age," warns Ray & Terri F. about Newport News Park.
Internet access considerations: WiFi quality varies significantly. "AT&T had 2 bars and 6 MB/s w/o a booster, 3 bars and 8 MB/s with it. There is no satellite coverage due to the heavy tree canopy. OTA TV was descent using an external omni antenna. There is no WiFi," explains a camper at Newport News Park.
