Tips for Snagging a Campsite Reservation
- You can reserve one of 138 campsites, along with cabins and other accommodations, online.
- Campsite reservations open 11 months in advance and must be made at least one day before arrival.
- Campsites can book up fast, especially on summer and holiday weekends. Book a minimum of three months in advance to avoid disappointment.
When to Go
Kiptopeke State Park is a hot spot for bird-watchers through fall and winter, when the coastal marshlands serve as a stopover for migrating songbirds and raptors. Visit in summer to hit the beach—although it can get busy, it’s often still less crowded than neighboring Chesapeake. Camping season runs from the start of March until the end of November, but cabins stay open through winter.
Know Before You Go
- Kiptopeke State Park is located along Virginia’s Eastern Shore, three miles from the north end of Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel. It’s about a 45-minute drive to Norfolk, Virginia Beach, and Chesapeake.
- Day-use parking fees and camping reservation fees are charged at Kiptopeke. State fishing licenses are also required.
- Facilities include a camp store, boat ramp, fishing pier, restrooms, and picnic areas.
- You can bring your own motorboats to Kiptopeke, and kayaks and paddleboards are available to rent from May through September.
- Accessible cabins, campsites, restrooms, and picnic areas are available. The fishing pier is also accessible, and a beach wheelchair is available on request.
Kiptopeke State Park
This family favorite has seaside cycles, sandy shores, and access to Chesapeake Bay.
Beach-goers, bird-watchers, and coastal cruisers congregate at this Eastern Shore hub. Choose from two swimming beaches, explore five miles of hiking and biking trails, or rent a kayak or paddleboard to take to the water. Fishing is another big draw, and you can cast a line from the pier or bring your own boat to fish or crab—night fishing is also permitted. Overnighting in the park is easy, with plenty of RV and tent sites available, plus cabins, yurts, a bunkhouse, and a lodge. If you get bored (you won’t) or just want to explore, Chesapeake Bay lies just across the bridge.
Beach-goers, bird-watchers, and coastal cruisers congregate at this Eastern Shore hub. Choose from two swimming beaches, explore five miles of hiking and biking trails, or rent a kayak or paddleboard to take to the water. Fishing is another big draw, and you can cast a line from the pier or bring your own boat to fish or crab—night fishing is also permitted. Overnighting in the park is easy, with plenty of RV and tent sites available, plus cabins, yurts, a bunkhouse, and a lodge. If you get bored (you won’t) or just want to explore, Chesapeake Bay lies just across the bridge.
Activities in the park
1 campground in Kiptopeke State Park
Paint with all the colors of the wind next weekend in Kiptopeke State Park! This spot was once the stomping grounds of Captain John Smith in 1602, meaning, you can experience America’s genesis and run into the ghost of Meeko. Lay your head on a pillow in a lodge, yurt, bunkhouse or get really down to the earth and stay in your tent or trailer on t Read more...
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Tips for Snagging a Campsite Reservation
- You can reserve one of 138 campsites, along with cabins and other accommodations, online.
- Campsite reservations open 11 months in advance and must be made at least one day before arrival.
- Campsites can book up fast, especially on summer and holiday weekends. Book a minimum of three months in advance to avoid disappointment.
Read more...Tips for Snagging a Campsite Reservation
When to Go
Kiptopeke State Park is a hot spot for bird-watchers through fall and winter, when the coastal marshlands serve as a stopover for migrating songbirds and raptors. Visit in summer to hit the beach—although it can get busy, it’s often still less crowded than neighboring Chesapeake. Camping season runs from the start of March until the end of November, but cabins stay open through winter.
Know Before You Go
Public campgrounds (book externally) —