C
Christopher P.
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TravelerChippokes State Park Campground
Generous sized sites but only semi-private. Excellent facilities
Tent Camping near Yorktown, VA
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The Yorktown area of Virginia offers several tent-focused campgrounds within 30 miles of the historic district. Sandy Bottom Nature Park in nearby Hampton provides 11 primitive tent sites with sand-bottom platforms, each featuring picnic tables and fire rings with cooking grates. Brewer's Point Primitive Campground at Belle Isle State Park offers hike-in and boat-in tent camping with minimal development, while Big Woods Wildlife Management Area provides more remote tent camping options for those seeking seclusion.
Tent sites at Sandy Bottom Nature Park require a quarter-mile walk from the parking area, creating separation from day-use areas. Most tent campgrounds near Yorktown have fire rings and picnic tables, though amenities vary significantly. Sandy Bottom features flush toilets behind the parking area, while more remote sites like those at Big Woods WMA lack facilities entirely. Sandy Bottom operates on a first-come, first-served basis with in-person reservations required at the visitor center (open 9am-6pm). Campers should note that many areas enforce strict no-alcohol policies and may restrict campfires during dry periods.
The tent camping experience near Yorktown balances convenience with natural settings. Areas closer to town like Sandy Bottom provide recreational opportunities including hiking trails, fishing, and boat rentals, though highway noise can be noticeable. One camper noted, "The sites were spaced nicely apart and had nice sand tent platforms with a picnic table and a fire ring with a grate. Trash cans were very close by, which was super nice." More remote options like Brewer's Point offer greater solitude for tent campers willing to hike or boat to their sites. For beachside tent camping, Wisteria Beach Hideaway provides a more comfortable experience with shower facilities and proximity to undeveloped beaches surrounded by pines and wetlands, creating a sense of remoteness despite being accessible by vehicle.
Best Tent Campgrounds near Yorktown (4)
1. Carter's Cove Campground
2. Wisteria Beach Hideaway
"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
3. Big Woods WMA
4. Brewer’s Point Hike-in or Boat-in Primitive Campground — Belle Isle State Park
Check Availabilityfrom $15 - $18 / night
Drive Time
- 1 hr 2 min from Richmond, VA
- 2 hrs 31 min from Lexington Park, MD
- 2 hrs 50 min from Salisbury, MD
Recent Tent Camping Photos near Yorktown, VA
3 Photos of 4 Yorktown Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Tent Camping Reviews near Yorktown, VA
617 Reviews of 4 Yorktown Campgrounds
- AAngela C.
ScoutKiptopeke State Park Campground
Camping in high winds
This campground was very enjoyable. I spent a lot of time at the fishing pier, learning to ID birds I had never identified before. Brown pelicans were everywhere near the sunken ships. I also talked to the Hawkwatch people for a bit.
My campsite was far enough from the bathroom I couldn't hear the door slam, but since I was the only one in the F loop, that wouldn't have mattered. Since the loop was so empty, it was an absolute pleasure.
Had the campground been full, I would have felt too close to the people in tents in the sites next to me.
One great thing was that there weren't tent pads so we didn't have to worry about how to fit two tents on to one tent pad.
- JJonathan B.
GuideThousand Trails Williamsburg
Nice amenities
Enjoying this campground. Close to all the attractions. Incredible staff, super friendly. Pool and game room are wonderful.
Diane R.TravelerMachicomoco State Park Campground
Beautifully Quiet
Note to Self: No Primitive Site reservations...EVER. I love this park. It's situated far enough from the busy traffic noise...beautiful Virginia city of Hayes. When I arrived, it was such a scorching day and there wasn't nearly enough tree cover to shield my tent from the "son of Hades". Suffered heat exhaustion almost to the point of death...Literally. Night was my only respite. If it hadn't been for the wonderful camp attendants who came to my rescue, it would've been an utterly failed experience. Bless their hearts. Other than that, this was a great training experience for an old Novice camper. Now that I'm a bit more practiced, I'm going back 😁, armed with knowledge and more confidence.
- CChristopher P.Traveler
Machicomoco State Park Campground
Nice Campground
The good: super clean and new restrooms / showers. The entire parking immaculate. Stayed at site 12. Offers water views and shade. Site 13 is similar and is probably the most ideal site.
Cons: zero privacy. The sites are basically scattered around an open grassy area and fairly close together.
Be aware: sites are not vehicle accessible. Need to carry your kit 50-75 yards.
Jeremy R.GuideNewport News Park
Beautiful scenery
Our stay is going to be the 21 days that are allowed. In that time, I have been on many nature walks with my dog. Very enjoyable, very well maintained. The only thing I did not like is the bathrooms. I have seen a cleaning lady come through, but I think it is primarily for the sinks and toilets. The shower curtains are moldy, lots of spiders. The shower pressure and temp are great. All in all, it is affordable and very peaceful.
- JJoel D.Scout
Davis Lakes Resort
The Little Canping Gem of Suffolk
We stumbled across Davis Lakes Campground last year when we brought our camper down to visit our son and grandchildren. Originally, we planned to stay closer to Virginia Beach, but after finding Davis Lakes, we decided to give it a try. We were lucky enough to get site F28 right on the lake, and we enjoyed it so much that we came back this year—and even booked the exact same site.
After reading some of the other reviews, I wanted to share our experience because it was very different. Yes, there are some rules regarding dogs at the beach, but they never interfered with our stay. We enjoyed walking our dogs every morning around the campground and lakes, and it was a wonderful way to start each day.
The beach itself was clean, had plenty of nice chairs, and the AquaGlide was an absolute blast. We spent 5–6 hours a day swimming, and surprisingly, the beach never felt crowded.
One thing that really stood out was how fair the prices were. The campground store was stocked with essentials, and unlike many campgrounds, the prices were very reasonable. If you forgot a loaf of bread or wanted to grab a pool float, you didn’t feel like you were being gouged. They also have a cute snack shop, a spacious game room, and an impressive movie selection, making it a great place to spend a rainy afternoon.
The campground itself was clean and very well maintained. Although many of the sites are seasonal, they were neat, well cared for, and nothing like some seasonal campgrounds where sites become cluttered or run down. It was obvious that both the staff and the campers take pride in the campground.
The nightly rates were very reasonable, and while there is a visitor fee, we found it to be completely fair considering the amenities. We had an amazing time with our son and his family, and the campground played a big part in making those memories.
Davis Lakes isn’t a luxury resort, and that’s part of its charm. Its focus is on beautiful lakes, swimming, friendly service, and providing a relaxing camping experience. It reminded me of the kind of campgrounds I grew up enjoying—simple, welcoming, and centered around making great memories.
We’ll absolutely be back. If we lived closer, I’d seriously consider getting a seasonal site myself. In fact, my son is even talking about buying a camper just so he can keep it nearby and enjoy Davis Lakes more often. Many of the employees and seasonal campers are locals who return year after year, and I think that says everything you need to know about this place.
I K.TravelerFirst Landing State Park Campground
Very quiet all stuff are so earthy, very kind.
It was very nice visit.
- I K.Traveler
Sandy Bottom Nature Park
Nicer than expected
Park stuff are very friendly, sweet, I live the quietness of night time.
Guide to Yorktown
Tent campsites near Yorktown, Virginia range from accessible day-use parks to remote waterfront sites. Located in Virginia's coastal plain where elevation rarely exceeds 100 feet, these camping areas experience mild winters but humid summers with temperatures averaging 87°F in July and August. Most sites sit within mixed pine and hardwood forests typical of the Mid-Atlantic Coastal Plain.
What to do
Kayak rentals at Sandy Bottom: Sandy Bottom Nature Park offers affordable kayak and paddle boat rentals by the hour. "This campsite and park is a ton of fun... There are miles of trails around the lake and through the woods you can follow. It is extremely dog friendly with a fenced in dog park as well. There are kayaks and paddle boats you can rent by the hour," writes Brandon W. about Sandy Bottom Nature Park.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The park system near Yorktown was rehabilitated from former industrial sites. "This is a beautiful 456 acre education and wildlife facility. Born from garbage dumps and it is great example of what can be achieved," notes camper N I. about Sandy Bottom. The area offers excellent birding opportunities, particularly in spring and fall migration seasons.
Beach exploration: The undeveloped beaches near Wisteria Beach Hideaway provide a less crowded alternative to public beaches. "The beaches were surrounded by pine, wetlands, and tall grasses - it felt remote and not overdeveloped!" reports Kat H., who camped there in September.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Many tent sites near Yorktown offer good spacing between campsites. "They were spaced nicely apart and had nice sand tent platforms with a picnic table and a fire ring with a grate," notes liz J. about her experience at Sandy Bottom.
Park ranger presence: Regular security checks provide peace of mind at Carter's Cove Campground, where staff maintain the grounds. At Sandy Bottom, Gracie B. mentions, "There was a Park Ranger driving around and checked on us when we first got there asking if we had any questions."
Convenient trash disposal: Unlike many primitive campgrounds, Sandy Bottom provides accessible waste management. "Trash cans were very close by, which was super nice," according to one camper, eliminating the need to pack out all waste.
What you should know
Alcohol policies: Most public camping areas near Yorktown enforce strict no-alcohol rules. One camper at Sandy Bottom notes that staff were "very insistent about the 'no alcohol' rule."
First-come, first-served policies: Many tent campsites cannot be reserved in advance. At Sandy Bottom, "Sites are first come, first served. Must reserve in person. Visitor's center is open 9-6," according to liz J.
Insect considerations: Biting flies can be problematic at beaches, particularly during calm weather. A camper at Wisteria Beach Hideaway advises, "Due to a lack of wind, flies were bad on the beach. I would recommend bringing an insect screen if you have it."
Tips for camping with families
Short hiking distances: Sandy Bottom's tent sites require minimal walking from parking areas. "The sites were located about 1/4 mile from the parking lot down a trail," notes one camper, making them accessible for families with young children.
Bathroom accessibility: Consider proximity to facilities when camping with children. At Sandy Bottom, "The bathrooms were flush toilets and running water faucets and located behind the parking lot, so a bit of a hike in the dark if you need to go," mentions one reviewer.
Turtle viewing opportunities: Children often enjoy the wildlife viewing opportunities. "Lots of hiking trails to walk & turtles in the lake!! Plus you can rent boats for a cheap price which we will probably go back to do," reports Gracie B. about her experience at Sandy Bottom.
Tips from RVers
Limited hookup options: Most camping near Yorktown focuses on tent camping with minimal RV infrastructure. Carter's Cove offers some electrical and sewer hookups but primarily serves long-term stays. "More of a long term stay but there are a few spots for RVs," notes N I.
Ambient noise considerations: Highway proximity affects some campgrounds. "The biggest negative was that no matter where you were in the park, there was significant noise from the highway. Horns honking, sirens blaring, the general rush of cars going by," reports liz J. about Sandy Bottom, which may be problematic for light sleepers in RVs with thinner walls.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Which is the most popular tent campsite near Yorktown, VA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Yorktown, VA is Carter's Cove Campground with a 1-star rating from 1 review.
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