Go Camping in Virginia Beach at North Bay Shore Family Campground

Does your family like to go camping? Are you looking for a quieter place to camp, away from all the crowds and bustle of the larger campgrounds, but still with modern facilities? If so, you may enjoy North Bay Shore Campground in Virginia Beach, VA. It is a little off the beaten path, but still within three miles of Sandbridge Beach (the southern tip of VA Beach), and ten miles from the main resort strip of Virginia Beach.

This campground is set in a peaceful wooded setting off of Colechester Road and surrounded by canals that empty into North Bay. Most of the campsites are shaded by trees. Campsites are available without hook-ups or with electric, water, and sewer hook-ups. There is a central bath-house with toilets, sinks, and hot showers. North Bay Shore has comfortable camping cabins available that are equipped with a table, chairs, refrigerator, beds, and an air conditioner. Pets are allowed on a leash, but not in the cabins.

One of the unique things about camping at North Bay Shore is that because it is surrounded by canals you can easily fish from your own campsite or from a spot close to your site. Also, they have boat rentals available (canoes and row boats), or you could bring your own boat. The swimming pool is small (three to five feet deep), but great for children, and it is rarely crowded. At times you may have the whole pool to yourself/your family. A playground provides swings and monkey bars. There is a horse-shoe pit for adults, and a recreation hall for tweens and teens to shoot some pool or play video games. The camp store sells basic necessities, a few treats, postcards, groceries, and firewood.

During the day North Bay Shore Campground is fairly quiet with only the occasional sounds of children playing, a car driving to a campsite, or a boat motor starting. At night you can look around and see the soft glow of campfires around the grounds. This is a place to make family memories crabbing by the canal, or roasting marshmallows and making smores over the campfire. There are mosquitoes during the summer, so be sure to bring along your strongest repellant!

Camping prices in 2006 ranged from $28 a night (2 person occupancy) for a basic site to $40 for a site with hookups. Tax is extra, and additional persons are $2.00 each per day. Children under twelve years are free. The base price for camping cabins was $50-60 a night. Check-in time is 2:00 p.m., and check-out time is 11:00 a.m. One night's deposit is needed in order to confirm a reservation.

Camping is a wonderful way to spend time together as a family. If you are considering a camping trip to the Virginia Beach area this year, consider staying at North Bay Shore Campground.