Tourists flock to Virginia Beach, Virginia in the summer but there are things to see and do all year round in Virginia Beach. Besides the beautiful sandy beaches there is the Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center, the three-mile boardwalk and the First Landing State Park where the first settlers of Jamestown landed. One of the best ways to experience Virginia Beach is by camping. Whether you want to camp right on the sandy beach or camp in a luxury RV park, there are a variety of options. Read on to find out about the absolute best camping near Virginia Beach!
1) First Landing State Park Campground
One of the most popular parks in Virginia is the First Landing State Park, right on the Chesapeake Bay. It is the first State Park established in the state and is recognized as the spot where English settlers landed in back 1607. The park has 20 miles of trails for hiking and biking as well as 1.5 miles of Bay Front sandy beach for swimming, paddle boarding and shell collecting. The habitat is a mix of maritime forests and cypress swamps so you know you might see rock pigeon, morning dove and osprey. During the winter you can scan the ocean for humpback whales and harbor porpoises.
The campground itself has a variety of accommodations from primitive tent sites, RV sites with full hookups, cabins and yurts. All are walking distance to the sandy beach. Make your reservations early if you plan to stay during the busy summer months and bring your sunscreen for one of the absolute best places to camp near Virginia Beach!
Location | On the north end, right on the Chesapeake Bay |
Distance from Virginia Beach | In Virginia Beach, north end |
RV/Tent sites | Yes, choose from water/electric sites or primitive sites with no hookups |
Cabins | Yes, 20 |
Yurts | Yes, 4 |
Picnic Tables at each site | Yes |
Fire Pit at each site | Yes |
Amenities | Restrooms, hot showers, laundry, playground, camp store |
Pet Friendly | Yes |
Reservations | Yes |
What makes it one of the best | Campground is right on the Bay! |

Shoreline at the Atlantic Ocean and the mouth of Chesapeake Bay, Fort Story, Virginia Beach, Virginia
©Lou Taylor/Shutterstock.com
2) False Cape State Park
Further down the coast, past Sandbridge Beach is the Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge. False Cape State Park is just past the wildlife refuge and has campsites on the ocean and bay side. The state park and wildlife refuge work together to provide tram tours for visitors where they might come across some of the wildlife in the park and along the shore like loggerhead turtles, tundra swans and sandpipers. From the beachside campsites you might even see a dolphin or two leaping out of the water near shore.
If you want an adventurous camping trip then staying right on the sandy beach at False Cape State Park might be what you are looking for. You can only access the sites by foot, bike or kayak/canoe and you have to have reservations. During high tides the campsites may be closed and be sure to be aware of the tides when choosing the location for your tent. There are four different camping areas with some on the Bay side and others right on the Atlantic ocean. There are pit toilets and water available and while you can’t have a campfire on the beach you can use your camp stove to cook up some pasta or soup for dinner. Sounds like an adventure!
Location | Past the Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge |
Distance from Virginia Beach | In Virginia Beach, south end |
RV sites | No, no vehicles allowed |
Tent sites | Yes, primitive tent-only, hike/bike/boat in |
Picnic Tables at each site | No |
Fire Pit at each site | No, fires are not allowed |
Amenities | Pit toilets, water |
Pet Friendly | No, pets are not allowed |
Reservations | Yes, required in advance, put copy of reservation in vehicle window |
What makes it one of the best | Secluded beach front camping…sounds like an adventure! |

The boardwalk at Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge is one way to view wildlife from a safe distance.
©Outlook/Shutterstock.com
3) Virginia Beach KOA Holiday
At the other end of the spectrum is the resort-like Virginia Beach KOA Holiday. The campground has two large pools a giant water slide, playground, and a jumping pillow. The park is only 2.5 miles from the beach with a shuttle or rent some bikes and bike to the beach for the day. There are planned activities for families and kids as well as a basketball, volleyball and a zip line.
Choose from tent camping, RV sites or one of the cabins. Some of the deluxe cabins even have private baths and upgraded patios with patio table and chairs. Some RV campsites have full hookups and some of the tent sites have either water/electric or no hookups. Definitely one of the absolute best places to camp near Virginia Beach!
Location | Just south of the main Virginia Beach area |
Distance from Virginia Beach | 2.5 miles to the beach |
RV sites | Yes, some with full hookups |
Tent sites | Yes, water and electric or no hookups |
Cabins | Yes, Camper Cabins and Deluxe Cabins |
Picnic Tables at each site | Yes |
Fire Pit at each site | Yes |
Amenities | Restrooms, showers, 2 swimming pools, water slide, playground |
Pet Friendly | Yes, Kamp K9 |
Reservations | Yes |
What makes it one of the best | Resort-like amenities and only 2.5 miles to the beach. |

Bottlenose dolphins are one of the many types of wildlife you’re likely to see on or near Virginia Beach.
©Tory Kallman/Shutterstock.com
4) North Bay Shore Campground
Located south of the Virginia Beach area, also near the Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge is the North Bay Shore Campground. This 100 site campground is an amazing find with many of the right on the bay. There is a mix of tent camping, RV sites, cabins and you can even rent a pop-up camper for a hassle free camping trip. The campground has a swimming pool, rec room and a playground.
Rent one of the boats to explore the Wildlife Refuge or head over to Sandbridge Beach, Oceanside, for some swimming. There is both freshwater and saltwater fishing where on the ocean side you can fish from shore for cobia, flounder and drum or take a boat out further for some deep sea fishing for marlin or tuna! A remarkable way to spend a weekend camping trip (or longer!).
Location | On North Bay, south of downtown area |
Distance from Virginia Beach | About 30 min south, 12 miles |
RV sites | Yes, full hookup, water electric or Premium waterfront |
Tent sites | Yes, with or without water/electric |
Cabins | Yes, sleep 4-5 |
Pop-up camper rental | Yes, small patio out front |
Picnic Tables at each site | Yes |
Fire Pit at each site | Yes |
Amenities | Restrooms, showers, swimming pool, rec room, playground, boat rental |
Pet Friendly | Yes |
Reservations | Yes |
What makes it one of the best | Bay side camping right on the water! |

You can go deep-sea fishing for white marlin, one of the world’s fastest swimming fish, during your stay at Virginia Beach.
©iStock.com/LUNAMARINA
5) Holiday Trav-L Park
One of the absolute best places to camp near Virginia Beach is at the popular Holiday Trav-L Park. This family friendly campground has four swimming pools, mini-golf, playground and snack bar right on site. There are planned activities and special events like the NAS Ocean Air Show, Neptune Festival and the Fall Oyster Fest. The campground has tent sites, RV sites and cottage/cabin/trailer rentals.
Although there is tons of activities to do right at the campground, people come to Virginia for the beach. Luckily the beach is only 2.5 miles away and you can take a shuttle, drive and park in the reserved Holiday Trav-L parking lot or take the paved bike trail that goes right from the campground. So much to do and see, and not just in the summer!
Location | South of the downtown Virginia Beach area |
Distance from Virginia Beach | In Virginia Beach, 2.5 miles to the sandy beach |
RV sites | Yes, some with full hookups |
Tent sites | Yes |
Cabin/Cottage/Trailer rentals | Yes, variety of accommodations |
Picnic Tables at each site | Yes |
Fire Pit at each site | Yes |
Amenities | Restrooms, swimming pools, rec room, snack bar, shuttle |
Pet Friendly | Yes, 1 acre dog park |
Reservations | Yes |
What makes it one of the best | Family friendly campground with activities, right near the beach! |

Loggerhead turtles bury their eggs in three secluded areas at Virginia Beach.
©Matteo photos/Shutterstock.com
Up Next
- The 10 Biggest Sharks Near Virginia Beach
- The 5 Best Dog Parks in Virginia Beach
- 10 Types of Turtles in Virginia
The photo featured at the top of this post is © Tony Campbell/Shutterstock.com
Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us? Contact the AZ Animals editorial team.
Sources
- Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, Available here: https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/first-landing#cabins_camping
- Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, Available here: https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/false-cape#cabins_camping
- KOA , Available here: https://koa.com/campgrounds/virginia-beach/
- North Bay Shore Campground, Available here: https://northbayshorecampground.com/CMS/
- Camping Virgina Beach, Available here: https://www.campingvb.com/