Anniversary Camping at Chickahominy Riverfront Park

Hands down, this was the easiest of all of our camping trips so far. In honor of our anniversary, we decided to go camping like we did for a previous anniversary at Shenandoah River State Park. (There was also an interesting anniversary trip spent in a 1960s Shasta camper in North Carolina. But that's another story for another time.) We committed to keep this weekend super simple and relaxed. And it was amazing. 

We stuck pretty close to home and only traveled an hour to Chickahomony Riverfront Park in Williamsburg. This James City County park is very reasonably priced, much like the state parks, and we opted for a site with full hook-ups that included sewer. A nice perk! Another bonus was the glimpses of the river through the trees from our site. Some sites are pretty small, but ours wasn’t bad, with trees on one side that provided a bit of privacy.

There aren’t any hiking trails, so we weren’t tempted to exercise. Obviously, we didn’t bring the kids, but we didn’t even bring the dogs. We didn’t set up all the gear like we normally do and we didn’t cook a single meal. Not even a s’more was made. We ate really delicious dinners out both nights. 

What we did do was enjoy time around the fire, play many games of Rummikub, go shopping at the outlets in Williamsburg, and kayak on the Chickahomy River. It was the perfect way to spend a romantic getaway weekend.

We plan to return to this park with the kids someday. Read the details below to see why!

Fast Facts (and Opinions)

Location: Chickahominy Riverfront Park - Williamsburg, VA

Equipment: Travel Trailer

Date: September 2023

Weather: Overcast, slightly chilly, periods of sunshine

Kid-Friendly: Yes (but this was a kid-free trip)

Dog-Friendly: Yes (but this was a dog-free trip)

Site: 313

• Water/Electric/Sewer

• Back-in

• Level

• Gravel, dirt, and grass

• Partial shade

• Picnic table and fire ring

• Partial water view 

• A couple decent hammock trees but surrounded by poison ivy (so we steered clear)

• Bathhouse is not very closeby

• Only room for one vehicle at the site

Bathhouse:

• 2 bathhouses in park - the one furthest from our site (near the glamping tents) is slightly larger and nicer

• Shower stalls in each of the men's and women's bathrooms - used our camper shower so we didn't test these out

• Clean

• Dishwashing sink outside each bathhouse

Cell Service: Yes (Verizon)

Park Highlights:

• Chickahominy River

  • Great for boating (we brought our kayaks)

  • Boat ramp

  • Fishing opportunities

  • Offer kayak and canoe rentals

  • Kayaked under the Chickahominy Bridge

• Pool and Splash Pad

  • Not open during our visit but looked pretty nice

  • There is a fee and I don't think it's included in camping reservations

• Virginia Capital Trail Access 

  • Trail crosses the entrance of the park

  • Did not bring our bikes on this trip

  • Trail is 52 miles from Richmond to Jamestown

• Fishing Pier 

  • New and very nice

  • Was still being finished during our visit

  • Appears to be lighted and has a sink and fish counter

• Sand Volleyball and Basketball Courts

Area Highlights:

• Williamsburg, VA - approx. 20 minutes from the park

  • Fat Tuna Grill - a seafood restaurant in Williamsburg that we decided to eat dinner at on a whim - and we were glad we did - delicious and fresh raw oysters, sushi, and shrimp and grits

  • Williamsburg Premium Outlets - we do not go shopping often, especially together, and it had been a while since we visited this place - was a nice treat

  • Colonial Williamsburg - although we didn't visit during this trip, I love this place

• Jamestown Settlement - Approx. 10 minutes from the park

  • Again, we did not visit during this trip, but this is I highly recommend

  • Can ride your bike there on the Virginia Capital Trail

• Charles City, VA - approx. 15 minutes from the park

  • Indian Hills Tavern - beautiful farmhouse and barn that has been converted into a restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating, brewery, and music venue - delicious food (highly recommend the bread pudding for dessert!)

  • Sherwood Forest Plantation - home of President John Tyler - we did not visit, but looks really neat - could bike there on the Capital Trail 

Park Hikes:

• None

Area Hikes:

• None that we explored

Other Campsites:

• Other than our site, we would stay at 321 (nice water view) and 326 (a little more spacious)

• Check the campground map to see which sites are full hookups, water and electric only, electric only, basic, and basic group sites

• There are 6 glamping sites owned and operated by Timberline Glamping Company that look amazing - with incredible water views and amenities like A/C, heat, mini-fridge, and coffee-maker

Things to Do Next Visit (Because There's Just Never Enough Time!):

• Bike the Virginia Captial Trail - we love this trail and have done a 22-mile out-and-back portion from Richmond - looks like it would be around 6 miles to bike to Jamestown from this park and this would be a great activity to do with the kids - biking in the other direction would provide beautiful views from the Chickahominy Bridge

• Visit during the summer and check out the pool

• Bring the fishing gear and try out the fishing pier

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