Newport News Campground

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     One of the better campgrounds if you truly want to camp in a beautiful natural setting. There are no amenities such as a swimming pool or game room. There's no Putt Putt golf but what it does have is the peaceful quality most campgrounds do not give you.

     Located off Jefferson Avenue in Newport News, Va. and part of the 7,500 acres municipal park owned by the city of Newport News. With 188 camp sites and a 5.3 mile gravel/paved hiking and biking trail you can imagine the spaciousness of this camping area.

     It has playgrounds for younger kids, paved roads in the campsite loops and older but well maintained bath houses. Most sites are wooded and have electric and water hook ups (there are no sanitation hook ups however it has a dump station.) It also has primitive sites and Group Camping. There are no permanent sites.

     You can rent bikes, boats and purchase firewood at the ranger station located at the front of the park campground. There you will find a camp store and laundromat. There is even an archery range for the bow enthusiast. Park rangers patrol the area every half hour or so and are always willing to stop to give information or render assistance if needed. History buffs will enjoy running into manmade redoubts made during the Revolutionary War within the campground. The firewood at the entrance to campsites is by the armload and at this writing was $4.50.

     It is on the south side of Newport News Waterworks Reservoir which is a beautiful lake with fishing and boat ramp. You can rent canoes, paddle boats and launch you own boat but no gasoline motors.

     Most sites will impress you for their size and levelness. The woods around the sites are relatively clear of undergrowth. All electric and water sites are wooded with a few of the primitive sites in the open. Some of the sites that are lake side have a little slant to them but nothing that cannot be overcome with a few 2" x 4" blocks.

    We camp here often and always bring our bikes when weather permits. You can walk or ride to the other side of the lake on a manmade foot bridge to Newport News Park. The 5.3 mile trail also connects to the Yorktown Battlefield Historical Tour Road at a place called George Washington’s Headquarters.

     This is also a great homebased campground for exploring the many other sights of this area.

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This review was written on 8-01-2019.