10 Best Campgrounds near Virginia Beach

10 Best Campgrounds near Virginia Beach

Virginia Beach is very camping friendly and is also the cheapest way to stay in this resort city. It is a metropolitan centre on the Atlantic coast that sees millions of visitors along its boardwalks and shorelines and in state parks and refuge areas for wildlife. Virginia has it all when it comes to its variety of attractions. There are 20 national parks and historical parks, 41 state parks, long stretches of coastal beaches, and many barrier islands.  VA Beach is ideal for anyone looking out for an outdoor retreat as the area is home to a variety of campgrounds fit for outdoor enthusiasts and beach-goers of all types.

Whether you’re looking for a quick backpacking weekend getaway or searching for the best spot to park your RV, Virginia Beach campgrounds will present you with a camping experience to suit your style. Virginia Beach should be on your bucket list of coastal experiences, take in the idyllic and panoramic view from the seaside. Camping in Virginia Beach gives you easy access to water activities and land-based ones too. Furthermore, Oceanside city is the ideal place to gather any supplies you need before heading to your campsite.

The carefree campgrounds of Virginia Beach are always ready to welcome you to the great outdoors. To this end, there are numerous campgrounds to choose from.  Some are on or near a few minutes from the shoreline while others are tucked away into the pristine and remote wilderness, offering a mixed bag of experiences for those willing to conquer the outdoors. Whether you’re looking for a great family campsite, a romantic adventure getaway or just unwind from a hectic work schedule you’ll be spoilt for choice in Virginia Beach. With onsite activities ranging but not limited to swimming, hiking, bonfires and fishing, this article lists down the 10 best campgrounds near Virginia Beach for your next excursion.

 

False Cape State Park Campgrounds

False Cape State Park is located in Virginia Beach and borders the North Carolina Outer Banks, actually nestled between Back Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. It is one of the last remaining undeveloped areas along the Atlantic coast. Campsites available for tenters at the park are in four distinct areas: Barbour Hill Bay, Barbour Hill Ocean, False Cape Landing Bay and False Cape Landing Ocean. The best thing is that camping is permitted all year round, however, you have to jump through a few hoops to camp at this park. Overnight campers visiting this Virginia state park must arrive by foot, bicycle or boat. Furthermore, there is no public vehicular access, so you must go through Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge to reach False Cape. The park offers 12 tent sites and portable drinking water is available in three locations thus, bring your own water containers. The park accommodates only basic camping in tents only and is therefore not recommended for young children, inexperienced campers or those in need of constant medical care.

Campsite reservations are only done via phone and same-day reservations are not allowed. In the call, staff will take you through all the information and help you choose a site. Thereafter, you will receive your confirmation letter and information packet that you are required to go through before camping at this park.  All these precautions are to ensure that you are safe as you will be pitching your tent on an untamed peninsula where nature reigns and amenities are limited. On the flip side you will be gifted with miles of amazing wild coastline where dunes rise, ponies run free and panoramic maritime forests.  Additionally, the walking and cycling trail system is great and the pathways in the park cover 15 miles. You can also use the boardwalks to explore wetlands. Take note, open fires are not permitted but camp stoves may be used for cooking. Pets are also not allowed.

Best beach camping in Virginia Beach.

Practical Information

Reservations: 1-800-933-PARK

Hours: The Park is open from sunrise through sunset DAILY

             The visitor centre is open DAILY from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

             Guests MUST be out of the refuge within 30 minutes before sunset

 

First Landing State Park

First Landing remains Virginia’s most popular state park with more than 200 campsites. Further, the camping area is located just off of the Chesapeake Bay, nestled within the back dunes of the beach. First Landing offers boating, swimming, nature and history programs, hiking, biking, picnicking, a boat launch, cabins and 19 miles of trails on 2,888 acres. The park’s beach has 1.25 miles of beachfront, looking out on the Chesapeake Bay beautified with dunes that rise to 75 feet in elevation, the highest point in the Far East of Virginia. Boardwalk beach accesses cross the dunes and allow full enjoyment of this pretty location. Originally built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s, First Landing State Park is Virginia’s most visited state park. It is no surprise given the scenery and location as the campground is in an attractive oceanic setting.

The park’s name was changed in 1997 from Seashore State Park to First Landing State Park to reflect its heritage as the first place where members of the Virginia Company landed. The campground offers a mix of sites, the ones near the beach are distributed parallel to the Chesapeake Bay and US 60. Most of them are connected to water and electricity but sites closest to the bay are the most popular as they get better breezes. We recommend reservations in advance especially in summer because the campground fills daily. 19 miles of the trail system will enable you to explore this nationally recognized biologically rich area that draws locals for day use as well as campers from near and far.

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Practical Information

Address: US-60, Virginia Beach, VA 23459

Reservation: Toll-Free 1-800-933-7275 (daytime on weekdays)

 

Holiday Trav-L-Park

Located just 1.5 miles from the oceanfront, the Holiday Trav-L Park offers 1000 campsites – approximately 300 full hook-ups, 400 water and electric, 250 tent sites and 34 cabins. If you are looking looking for campgrounds in Virginia Beach, which are built for fun, this is the go-to place. The park is humongous with acres of wooded areas that have numerous trails to explore and pristine campsites that are accessible from paved roads. There are lots of amenities geared to keep you entertained while in the park, and the beach is 1 block off the beach and to elevate your experience make use of the  6 playgrounds, 4 swimming pools, volleyball and basketball courts and much more.  In season they offer entertainment such as music by our front pool, bingo and other family-oriented activities. Moreover, this park is within walking distance of Ocean Breeze Festival Park, the Virginia Marine Science Museum and the Owl Creek Tennis Facility. The campsites are spacious and are full-serviced allowing you to stay as long as you wish. The park has an amazing staff body ready and willing to assist you with whatever you need to make your stay hassle-free.

Practical Information

Address: 1075 General Booth Blvd, Virginia Beach, VA 23451

Phone: +1 866-849-8860

Hours: Daily: 8 am to 10 pm

 

North Bay Shore Campground

A quiet little family-friendly campground surrounded by Back Bay offering visitors a relaxing experience on a heavily wooded property that is surrounded by the protected Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge. The campsites at this RV Park are away from busy roadways and most of them have partial hookups and free Wi-Fi. For your convenience, the RV campground has private showers, bathrooms, a boat ramp, and a dump station. If you’re looking for a little peace and tranquillity when you book an RV in Virginia, consider North Bay Shore Campground. For those interested in freshwater fishing, you can launch your boat and if need be, boat rental is available to those who need one. The campground offers interesting activities and games to pass the time, including a game room with Foosball, billiards, darts and more. If you prefer to stay indoors, there’s a recreation hall with foosball, pool, air hockey and ping pong tables. Alternatively, there’s also a TV with a sitting area. The large campsites have fire pits and picnic tables and the concrete pads are levels. Nearby you will find restaurants and shops. If you are looking for a quiet, scenic camping experience then North Bay Campground is it.

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Practical Information

Address: 3257 Colchester Rd, Virginia Beach, VA 23456

Call: +1 757-426-7911

Hours: Daily: 9:30 am to 8:30 am

 

Virginia Beach KOA

Virginia Beach KOA Holiday offers the best family-friendly camping experience near the beach and can be a perfect base camp from which to enjoy nearby beaches, attractions, coastal cuisine, events and ocean adventures. While here, relax and have fun with your family and friends in the great outdoors at our beautiful campground. There are all sorts of activities including zip lines, playgrounds, and games for the kids to enjoy, and you will love the spacious sites equipped with fire pits and picnic tables. The Pocket Park features games for all ages. Join in the popular holiday tradition with the annual Lights of Christmas – drive through the light display and immerse yourself in a winter wonderland with a weekend stay in a heated deluxe cabin. Saturday evenings in summer feature live entertainment, food trucks and craft vendors. Fall brings music events like Bands & BBQ, as well as Halloween weekends. Rent pedal carts to zoom around the campground or bikes to ride to the boardwalk at the beach as the park is located a very short distance from the oceanfront. Make a splash on the Giant Water Slide or in one of the swimming pools.  Do not leave your dog at home as there’s even a safe place for Fido to play within our Kamp K9 Dog Park.  Other attractions nearby include Ocean Breeze Water Park, Virginia Aquarium, and military bases like Naval Air Station Oceana and Dam Neck.

Practical Information

Address: 1240 General Booth Blvd, Virginia Beach, VA 23451

Phone: +1 800-562-4150

 

Chesapeake Campground

With 133 sites on 20 acres, this campground has everything you need in order to fully enjoy your camping experience and the great outdoors. The facilities provided include camping for tents, motorhomes and RVs as well as family fun activities such as mini-golf, pony rides, swimming, tennis and basketball courts, a driving range for golfers and bike, canoe and boat rentals. Amenities include a dump station, ice, propane, pavilion, boat ramp, camp store, RV storage, restrooms, showers, laundry, picnic tables, camping cabins, and bike and canoe rentals. Activities include a petting zoo, tennis, pony rides, hayrides, volleyball, swimming pool, fishing, horseshoes, basketball, baseball, playground, and game room. The Camp store is open daily from 9 am to 7 pm and has groceries, ice, camping and RV supplies, games, book sharing and souvenirs. There is a pavilion for an outdoor barbeque after tackling the Dismal Swamp Canal Trail nearby.  Pets are allowed but should be on a leash at all times when in shared spaces.

Practical Information

Address: 693 George Washington Hwy S, Chesapeake, VA 23323

Phone: +1 757-485-0149

Hours: Daily: 9 am to 7 pm

 

Sea Mist RV Campground

 

Sea Mist RV Campground is one of the finest vacation spots in Virginia Beach. It is situated in a beautiful location and affords a view of the Majestic Atlantic Ocean.  Sea Mist is the perfect location to enjoy camping near the beach and to top it all it is a pet-friendly RV Park with two covered pavilions with gas grills for all your gathering needs. It features full or partial RV hookups and tent campsites that are big rig friendly and also accommodate slide-out RVs and for convenience a dump station. All RV sites have concrete pads with 20, 30, and 50 amp service and water and sewage service.  Sea Mist has two convenient beach accesses and two laundry facilities and bathhouses. The campground also provides free WiFi for all guests to catch up with work, family or current affairs. Campsite amenities offered also include basic amenities like restrooms with hot showers and laundry facilities. To fill up their time visitors can also enjoy activities such as hiking, hunting, fishing, kayaking and canoeing.

Practical Information

Located in: Oceana-Naval-Air-Station, VA

Address: 2076 Regulus Avenue Virginia Beach, Virginia, 23461

Reservations: +1 757-492-7545

Cost: $35* a night or $40* a night for a super site

 

Surfside at Sandbridge RV Resort

Experience a refreshing lifestyle next to the ocean with gentle breezes and beautiful bay sunsets. Surfside at Sandbridge RV Resort is a wonderful place to spend a few days or weeks. The beach is steps away, and the people are friendly.  A stay at Surfside offers a community feel and excellent views. Walk over to the beach for a beautiful sunrise, and later on head to the back of the resort where you have one of the few unobstructed views of the sunset in Virginia Beach. The RV Park features full hook-ups and concrete pads. The RV resort offers for its clientele two pools, a hot tub, tennis courts, a sauna, a playground, laundry, and shower rooms.  The gentle breezes and bay sunsets draw many people back year after year. Surfside offers many events that are exclusive to those who stay in the resort, and staff that is on call for any problems you may encounter. This is one place you may never want to leave. The resort and the beach are dog-friendly. 

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Practical Information

Address: 3665 Sandpiper Rd, Virginia Beach, VA 23456

 

Little Creek JEB Campground

Unfussy RV park and campground offering full hookups parallel to the Chesapeake Bay. JEB Little Creek-Fort Story is an exciting vacation along the beautiful Virginia Beach Oceanfront. the property features Rustic cabins, 30ft to 40ft RV sites (with water and electric hookups) and gated oceanfront townhouse vacation rentals (located off the installation) at the prestigious Virginia Beach North End. 67th Street Townhouses is located just 2 miles north of the famed Virginia Beach Boardwalk. Little Creek JEB is a full-service RV Park and Campground. There are 45 sites featuring direct hook-ups to water, electricity, sewage and digital cable television. Climate-controlled bathhouse and laundry facility are onsite for your convenience. If you are not an RV owner enjoy outdoors in one of our primitive campsites designed to accommodate single or multi-tent campers. Local attractions include The Virginia Aquarium, Ocean Breeze Waterpark, First Landing State Park, Secluded Beaches and Running/Biking trails scenery.

FYI: This site does not accept cash.

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Practical Information

Address: 2112 Amphibious Dr, Virginia Beach, VA 23459, United States

Call: +1 757-462-7282

Hours: Daily:  8 am to 4 pm      Check in: 3 pm         Check-out: 11 am

Cost: RV Sites – $27* per night (water and electric hook-ups & dump station)

           Tent Sites – $10* to $30* per night (primitive sites; no hook-ups available)

 

Northwest River Park and Campground

If you’re in the mood for some outdoor fun, you’ll love Northwest River Park and Campground. With hundreds of acres, it hosts 66 well-kept campsites and two cabins available for rent. This park is the perfect blend of natural beauty and recreational activities ideal for year-round boating, fishing, hiking, and other exciting programs. There is an 18-hole Disc-golf course, miniature-golf course, horseshoes, cornhole boards, volleyball nets and so much more. You can spend a night out under the stars in the way that best fits your level of adventure-seeking. (Please note that the campground is closed until further notice. The seven-trail system totalling nearly 8 miles is great for hiking, biking and horseback riding. The campground is home to more than 200 bird species, Chesapeake has been a sanctuary for year-round bird-watching since the 1600s. In the spring and summer, you’ll see bluebirds, pee wees and more. In the fall and winter, you’ll see fox sparrows, song sparrows and dark-eyed junkos. For more information about the park visit their website: http://www.cityofchesapeake.net/NWRP

Practical Information

Address: 1733 Indian Creek Rd, Chesapeake, VA 23322

Phone: +1 757-421-7151

Hours: Daily: 9 am to 5 pm

Reservation: ReserveAmerica