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10 Best Beach Camping in Virginia Beach
Torn between going to the beach and camping? Well, there are awesome Virginia Beach campgrounds that are the best spots to enjoy both. Virginia Beach (VB), a city on the mouth of Chesapeake Bay, has the longest beach in the world, with 35 miles (56 kilometres) of uninterrupted sand and surf. Therefore finding great beach camping places in Virginia Beach is easy. Virginia Beach should be on your bucket list of coastal experiences, take in the idyllic and panoramic view from the seaside. Take the iconic Virginia Beach boardwalk to explore the lengths of the beach, at night, let your walk be brightly lit up with LED lights. Camping on VB beaches gives you easy access to water activities that include watching marine life like sea turtles, sharks, and stingrays. Furthermore, the Oceanside city is the ideal place to gather any supplies you need before heading to your campsite.
Virginia Beach 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. The Virginia Beach City Council approved an ordinance in 2020 night making it illegal to have tents overnight on the beach. So don’t be caught on the wrong side of the law by camping on the sites recommended in this article.
Most Popular Beach Camping in Virginia Beach
First Landing State Park Campgrounds
Photo by Luke Bender on Unsplash
There are more than 200 campsites in First Landing State Park. The camping area is located just off of the Chesapeake Bay, nestled within the back dunes of the beach. As Virginia’s most-visited state park, it’s an oasis within urban Virginia Beach. The park has 20 miles of trails and 1.5 miles of sandy Chesapeake Bay beach frontage. Built-in part by an all-African-American Civilian Conservation Corps in 1933-1940, the park is a National Natural Landmark and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The camping sites themselves run parallel to the Chesapeake Bay, offering beautiful views of the surrounding area. The camping sites are diverse in their location and their size, some are located right next to one another and/or are quite close to the highway that divides the park. Other campsites may offer a bit more space between sites and are closer to the beach.
First Landing offers many recreational and educational activities and has many unusual habitats including bald cypress swamps, lagoons and maritime forests, as well as rare plants and wildlife. This is also loved by nature enthusiasts, as it is one of the most biologically rich areas in the state. The park has cabins, yurts, water and electric hook-up campsites, tent campsites, picnic area, boat ramps and a camp store. Campsites are available from March 1 through early December. Cabins can be rented year-round with a few exceptions that exclude holiday check-in dates during some non-summer holidays (for example your first day in a cabin cannot be on Thanksgiving). Weekend reservations can be made through Thursday for the upcoming weekend. Reservations are made for a particular type of campsite. Assignment of your actual site is done by the park staff when you arrive at the park.
Practical information
Address: 2500 Shore Dr, Virginia Beach, VA 23451, United States
For Reservations: toll-free 1-800-933-7275 (daytime on weekdays)
Phone: +1 757-412-2300
Hours (Park Rangers Office): Monday to Sunday 8am – 7pm
Best Family-Friendly Beach Camping in Virginia Beach
Enjoy all the city has to offer, with gorgeous weather perfect for camping and going to the beach and plenty of events at the campground and oceanfront. Whether you’ve got your own RV camper or plan to rough it in a tent, the most important thing is the safety and comfort of your family. The following two camps are most suited to hosting families.
Virginia Beach KOA Holiday
Image by Virginia State Parks staff from Wikimedia
Make the family-friendly Virginia Beach KOA your perfect base camp so as to fully enjoy nearby beaches, attractions, shopping, coastal cuisine, live music, events, fishing and ocean adventures. Virginia Beach KOA is also a quick drive or bike ride from the Oceanfront, offering the best of both worlds with great camping and beach options. Alternatively, you can just relax at the beautiful campground full of amenities, like the Adventure Works Zipline course, Pocket Park featuring games for all ages, or every child’s favourite the giant Jumping Pillow! Summer activities include two swimming pools, a giant water slide, golf cart/bike/pedal cart rentals and plenty of family activities and live entertainment. Autumn brings the annual Fall and Halloween festivals, along with other popular special events at the campground and at the Boardwalk
They offer RV and tent camping sites and cabin options including Deluxe Cabins, complete with bathrooms, a stocked kitchen, big screen TVs and Camping Cabins for a more traditional, rustic experience. Amenities include free wi-fi through the campground, swimming pools, a dog park, bike rentals, a giant inflatable water slide, paintball, tetherball and a trolley to the Oceanfront in the summer months. Do not miss 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. With moderate winter temperatures, snowbirds use this location as a great stop-bird watching anyone? Enjoy the family-friendly (and pet-friendly) atmosphere at Virginia Beach KOA!
Practical Information
Address: 1240 General Booth Blvd, Virginia Beach, VA 23451
Phone: (757) 428-1444
Toll-free: (800) 562-4150
North Bay Shore Family Campground
Image by Virginia State Parks staff from Wikimedia
Very close to Virginia Beach lies this fun campground that’s perfect for families or couples. North Bayshore is an affordable campground. The Campground is family owned and is nestled alongside Back Bay Wildlife Refuge and surrounded by a waterway that takes you out to beautiful Back Bay. It offers excellent fishing from our shores and a boat ramp for you to use to explore the many canals of the Bay. The families can fish at the canal and cook their catch for the day on the fire grill like proper campers.
You can hire kayaks, canoes and Boats, or you can bring your own. It’s clean, the staff is friendly and the atmosphere is warm and welcoming. Open during the spring, summer, and early fall months, North Bay in Virginia Beach has campsites with electric, water, and sewer hookups, cabins for rent, restrooms, private showers, a swimming pool, a recreation hall and more.
There are three ways to enter the site; by walking from the parking lot, driving to your designated slot, or docking your boat on the ramp. Our other amenities include a swimming pool, playground, basketball court, sand volleyball court, corn hole boards, a game room, and a pavilion and offer free Wifi. It’s very close to Virginia Beach and all the attractions the city has to offer and also very close to Sandridge Beach.
Practical Information
Address: 3257 Colechester Rd, Virginia Beach, VA 23456
Hours: Mon – Sat 9:30am – 9:30pm Sunday 10:am – 8:30pm
Phone: +1 757-426-7911
RV Parks
RV camping spots in the Virginia Beach area are spread out. Some are on the coast and close to Virginia Beach, while others are farther away on Cape Charles. VB is a popular spot for RV camping and it draws many visitors all year round. Ensure to make your reservations in advance because most campgrounds book up quickly.
North Landing Beach RV Resort & Cottages
Image by Paul Brennan from Pixabay
North Landing Beach RV Resort & Cottages boasts its own private beach, where you and your family can spend the afternoon playing in the sand, swimming along the shore, or simply lounging on our private shorefront. The RV park is conveniently located near Virginia Beach itself. With year-round activities at our state-of-the-art pavilion and loads of activities, there is something for everyone to enjoy. From volleyball, a swimming pool (Memorial Day – Labor Day), kayak & canoe rentals, a playground, to a water fun games area – arts and crafts, North Landing Beach RV Resort & Cottages has it all. As a riverfront property, you’ll find water sports of all types at this park. With two inlets winding alongside our campsites, you’ll find that we can accommodate boats up to 28 feet in length.
Enjoy a relaxing experience camping in your RV when you stay at the RV campground. It is just minutes from the beach and boardwalk when you camp with us. Many of the RV Sites have full hookups or water and electricity to ensure you have the ultimate experience. Asphalt or gravel sites are available. Bring your pet along for enjoyment as they have certain cottages that are pet friendly. Take note no linens are provided and there is a $30* nonrefundable pet fee for pet friendly cottages. The campsite is set up for fun! The bathrooms are clean and not buggy, the pool is nice and everything is clean and well-maintained.
Practical Information
Address: 161 Princess Anne Rd, Virginia Beach, VA 23457
Phone: +1 757-426-6241
Hours: Sun –Wed 10am – 3pm Thur – Sat 9am – 5pm
Holiday Trav-L-Park
With over 824 wooded sites-62 super sites, 267 full hookups (20/30/50amp), 375 water and electric, 120 water only, plus 44 camper cabins, Trav-L-Park is the perfect alternative to staying in a hotel on your beach vacation. The park presents resort camping at its finest and it’s the closest campground to Virginia Beach oceanfront. At Holiday Trav-l-Park campers enjoy free beach parking lots. Their amenities and activities are created to ensure there is something for every person in the family. Apart from beach parking, also at your disposal is an 18-hole miniature golf course, dog park, bike paths, a game room and four swimming pools. With nightly events like bingo, basketball, corn hole and hayrides, Trav-L-Park is more than a campground, it’s an experience.
Facilities: Laundromat, miniature golf, 4 playgrounds, horseshoe pitches, basketball and volleyball, wireless internet, dog park-approximately 1-acre fenced-in area for dogs to run free with a separate area for smaller dogs, dump stations, LP gas, Food Mart with gas and diesel fuel. Seasonal facilities: 4 large pools and 1 kiddie pool, snack bar, 2 camp stores. Seasonal activities: movies, church services, live entertainment, karaoke, bike rentals. We have a covered picnic area/event space (pavilion).
Practical Information
Address: 1075 General Booth Blvd, Virginia Beach, VA 23451
Phone: +1 866-849-8860
Hours: Monday – Sunday 8am – 10pm
Navy Getaways/ Sea Mist RV Park
Image by Leo Fontes from Pixabay
This small and family-oriented campground is right on the beach. The camp is exclusively for RVs, accommodating vehicles of up to 40 ft. Sea Mist RV Campground is an excellent place to relax, swim, fish and explore the area. Sea Mist RV Park is located on Dam Neck Annex and is the perfect location for those who want to experience the beach. Additionally, it is a pet-friendly RV Park with two covered pavilions with gas grills for all your gathering needs. 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. Seamist also has four super pads and free WiFi for all guests. The park is for active/retired military and DoD civilians only.
Authorized Users: Active Duty, National Guard, Reservists, Retired Military, 0-100% DAV, Purple Heart Recipients, Former POW, Veteran Caregivers and Dam Neck DoD Civilians.
Practical Information
Address: 2076 Regulus Ave.Bldg. 196 Virginia Beach, VA 23461
For Reservations Call: 757-492-7545 or 1-877-NAVYBED (Active duty can make reservations 1 year in advance. All others 6 months in advance)
Office Hours: March – November 8 am to 4 pm December – February 8 am – 2 pm
Quiet Hours: Between 10 pm – 9 am
Glamping in Virginia Beach
The advantage of staying at luxury campgrounds in Virginia Beach is that you have access to more than the normal number of services available. This Glamping (Glamorous Camping) sites have beautiful amenities, some of which include tennis and basketball courts, spas and fitness centres, golf courses, upscale bathrooms and much more. Glamping targets to satisfy any city slicker seeking a little refuge in nature—without foregoing any of life’s luxuries.
Surfside at Sandbridge
image by Lago Mar from Wikimedia
Enjoy a little slice of paradise! Surfside at Sandbridge (formerly Outdoor Resorts of Virginia Beach) is a luxury RV resort community. This luxury gated RV Park has 249 sites and is just steps away from Sandbridge beach. It was named one of MONEY’s best beach destinations in December 2018. Surfside sits on the waters of the Back Bay and is just a couple miles from the Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge and Virginia’s False Cape State Park. Spanning 5 miles of sand dunes, sea oats and a sparkling shoreline, Sandbridge offers all the seclusion of a beach hideaway just 15 miles south of Virginia Beach’s bustling Resort Area. At Surfside in Sandbridge, you will definitely relax, unwind and explore its peaceful seaside community at your own pace. In addition to all the entertainment and relaxation of the Atlantic, those craving even more outdoor adventure can visit the marshes and open waters of Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge and False Cape State Park for great kayaking, hiking, and fishing.
The RV Park features a boat ramp, dock, two pools, a clubhouse, recreation room, basketball and tennis courts, a dog walk, playground and laundry facilities. Enjoy lazy Sunday afternoons paddle-boarding on Back Bay, reading your favourite book on the beach or riding your bike. Conveniently, rentals are taken care of by an agency, as there is not really an office for checking in. Prior to your arrival, you’ll be given a gate code and directions to the site.
Practical Information
Address: 3665 Sandpiper Rd, Virginia Beach, VA 23456
Phone: +1 757-721-2020
Website: Outdoor Resorts RV Resort
Indian Cove Resort
Indian Cove is full of activities including Bingo Night, DJ dances, Hayrides and much more. Indian Cove is a large deeded timesharing membership-only campground with 365 sites for RVs and 10 for tents. Its deeded membership allows for 14-day stays with a single deed. The RV sites all feature full hookups and have 4 rental campers also. For recreation, the resort has three swimming pools, horseshoe pits, two playgrounds and a boat ramp. Among its other amenities are four restroom facilities with hot showers, five picnic pavilions, a clubhouse, as well as a recreation room with TVs, a pool table etc. They organise dances every Saturday, adult and children’s activities, cookouts and more! It is a gated community with guards around the clock. On holiday weekends they contract the Sheriff’s office to have a deputy in the park.
Practical Information
Address: 1053 Sandbridge Rd, Virginia Beach, VA 23456, United States
Phone: +1 757-426-2601
Best Tent Only Camping in Virginia Beach
Little Creek Campground
Photo by Dmitriy Ganin from Pexels
No RV? No problem! Enjoy the fresh outdoors in primitive campsites designed to accommodate single or multi-tent campers. Enjoy the solitude of nature while still staying connected to your home or office with complimentary Wi-Fi throughout the park! However, this is NOT a “comfort camping” type of place, it is not a KOA or a resort of any kind. No pool, no camp store and limited bathrooms for all to share! Little creek campground is a nice dog-friendly military campground with welcoming hosts. Getting in and out is a simple process but is a little noisey from all the traffic and military planes that fly nearby, on the flpside there are lots of activities on base to do and pot luck dinners at the campground on occasions. If you are looking for something a little more woodsy and secluded and this will fit your needs great. Most of the tent sites are off in the woods a bit, so you must hike in a bit (like, a couple hundred feet). The sites are not really close together. You can hear the hum of voices from your neighbors, but no actual voices carried over.
Practical Information
Address: 2112 Amphibious Dr, Virginia Beach, VA 23459
Phone: +1 757-462-7282
Hours: Open-Mon, Wed &Fri Closed-Tue, Thur, Sat & Sun
False Cape State Park Campgrounds
Image by Virginia State Park from Wikimedia
As the former home of Native Americans, the historic Wash Woods community and Little Island Coast Guard Station, False Cape honours the hardy souls who made a living from the sea. The park offers an opportunity to experience nature in a unique, primitive setting. Bring plenty of water, sunscreen and insect repellent. False Cape features guided kayak trips, primitive camping, interpretive programs, hiking and biking trails, and 6 miles of pristine Atlantic Ocean beach.
The more adventurous campers will enjoy the solitude and undeveloped coastline at False Cape State Park. The four primitive campgrounds located between Back Bay and the ocean require anywhere from a five to nine-mile hike, bike, or paddle in from your car. The park accommodates tents-only primitive camping. Drinking water is available at three locations in the Barbour Hill area (one by the contact station and two in the camping areas).
At False Cape Landing, campers must bring their own containers to transport water from the water source. Water that’s adequate for washing dishes but not for drinking is available in the False Cape Landing area. There are several pit (i.e., non-flushing) toilets. Open fires are not permitted; camp stoves may be used for cooking. Carry everything in and everything out. Camping is permitted year-round, but reservations are required. Same-day reservations aren’t taken for False Cape. Inexperienced campers and young children are not recommended due to the remote nature of the sites.
Practical information
Address: 4001 Sandpiper Rd, Virginia Beach, VA 23456, United States
For reservations of primitive campsites call 1-800-933-PARK.
Camping is a beautiful and healthy habit that gets us closer to nature and soothes our adventurous streak. The locations that we have presented to you are just a sample of what you can enjoy in Virginia Beach. VB delivers multiple white-sand beaches, plus a massive boardwalk and stellar seafood.
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