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Outdoor places near Norfolk

40 recreation areas and campgrounds within 134 miles, from Recreation.gov. Filter by what you want to do.

Recreation area

Dismal Swamp Canal

9 miles south · straight-line distanceUS Army Corps of Engineers

The Dismal Swamp Canal and the Albemarle and Chesapeake Canal form alternate routes along the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway (AIWW) between the Chesapeake Bay and Albemarle Sound.

Wildlife viewing

Recreation area

Fort Monroe National Monument

12 miles north · straight-line distanceNational Park Service

Fort Monroe's story spans from prehistory to the 2000s. Kecoughtan Indians occupied Old Point Comfort before the arrival of English colonists. The first enslaved Africans arrived in 1619.

BikingHikingHistoryWildlife viewing

Recreation area

Monitor National Marine Sanctuary

18 miles northwest · straight-line distanceNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Monitor National Marine Sanctuary was designated as the nation's first national marine sanctuary.

HistoryRanger programs

Recreation area

Plum Tree Island National Wildlife Refuge

19 miles north · straight-line distanceFish and Wildlife Service

Plum Tree Island National Wildlife Refuge encompasses the largest contiguous salt marsh ecosystem in the lower Chesapeake Bay.

FishingHuntingPhotographyWildlife viewing

Recreation area

Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge

22 miles southwest · straight-line distanceFish and Wildlife Service

The Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge is the largest intact remnant of a vast forested wetland that once covered more than one million acres of southeastern Virginia and northeastern North Carolina.

BirdingBoatingCampingFishingHikingHuntingMotor BoatNature education

Recreation area

Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge

24 miles southeast · straight-line distanceFish and Wildlife Service

Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1938 to protect and provide habitat for migratory and wintering waterfowl, or ducks, geese and swans.

BeachBikingBirdingEducational ProgramsFishingHikingHuntingNature education

Recreation area

Fisherman Island National Wildlife Refuge

25 miles northeast · straight-line distanceFish and Wildlife Service

The Virginia barrier island chain, including Fisherman Island National Wildlife Refuge, is one of only 17 sites in the United States classified as a “Wetland of International Importance.” This refuge is located on the southernmost barrier…

HuntingRanger programs

Recreation area

Eastern Shore of Virginia National Wildlife Refuge

27 miles northeast · straight-line distanceFish and Wildlife Service

Lying at the tip of the Delmarva Peninsula, the Eastern Shore of Virginia National Wildlife Refuge serves as one of the country's most valuable stopovers for migratory birds.

BikingBirdingBoatingFishingHikingHuntingMotor BoatNature education

Recreation area

Mackay Island National Wildlife Refuge

27 miles southeast · straight-line distanceFish and Wildlife Service

Congress established the Mackay Island National Wildlife Refuge on December 30, 1960, by the authority of the Migratory Bird Conservation Act of 1929.

ArcheryBikingBirdingBoatingEducational ProgramsFishingHikingHunting

Recreation area

Yorktown Battlefield Part of Colonial National Historical Park

28 miles northwest · straight-line distanceNational Park Service

Discover what it took for the United States to be independent as you explore the site of the last major battle of the Revolutionary War.

BikingHistory

Recreation area

Currituck National Wildlife Refuge

35 miles southeast · straight-line distanceFish and Wildlife Service

Currituck NWR, located on the northern end of North Carolina's Outer Banks, was established in 1984 to preserve and protect the coastal barrier island ecosystem.

BikingBirdingBoatingFishingHikingHuntingMotor BoatNon-Motorized Boating

Recreation area

Historic Jamestowne Part of Colonial National Historical Park

36 miles northwest · straight-line distanceNational Park Service

Walk in the steps of Captain John Smith and Pocahontas where a successful English colonization of North America began. Despite early struggles to survive, the 1607 settlement evolved into a prosperous colony.

History

Recreation area

Chesapeake Bay Virginia National Estuarine Research Reserve

45 miles northwest · straight-line distanceNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

The Chesapeake Bay (VA) National Estuarine Research Reserve features four components that are all within the York River basin--Goodwin Islands, Catlett Islands, Taskinas Creek and Sweet Hall Marsh.

BikingFishingHikingHistoryHorseback ridingHuntingObservation SitePaddling

Recreation area

James River National Wildlife Refuge

55 miles northwest · straight-line distanceFish and Wildlife Service

James River National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1991 to conserve fish and wildlife which are listed as endangered or threatened species, and to protect bald eagles.

BoatingEducational ProgramsFishingHuntingNature educationPaddlingPhotographyRanger programs

Recreation area

Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge

64 miles south · straight-line distanceFish and Wildlife Service

The 110,000-acre Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge conserves a rare type of wetland habitat, known as "pocosin," derived from a Native American word meaning "swamp on a hill." In 1963, Pungo NWR was established for the protection of…

ArcheryBikingBirdingBoatingEducational ProgramsFishingHikingHunting

Recreation area

Presquile National Wildlife Refuge

64 miles northwest · straight-line distanceFish and Wildlife Service

Presquile National Wildlife Refuge was officially established in 1953 for use as an inviolate sanctuary, or for any other management purpose, for migratory birds.

Educational ProgramsFishingHuntingPhotographyWildlife viewing

Recreation area

Petersburg National Battlefield

70 miles west · straight-line distanceNational Park Service

Two hundred ninety-two days, eight offensives, over 70,000 casualties, U. S. Colored Troops, and the decline of Gen. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia all describe the Siege of Petersburg. U.S.

BikingHiking

Recreation area

Roanoke River National Wildlife Refuge

70 miles southwest · straight-line distanceFish and Wildlife Service

Roanoke River NWR was established in 1989 to protect and enhance wooded wetlands consisting of bottomland hardwoods and swamps with high waterfowl value along the Roanoke River.

ArcheryBirdingBoatingEducational ProgramsFishingHikingHuntingMotor Boat

Recreation area

Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge

71 miles southeast · straight-line distanceFish and Wildlife Service

Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge is located on the Albemarle Peninsula in eastern North Carolina. The refuge was established in 1984 to protect the rare pocosin wetlands and their associated wildlife.

BikingBirdingBoatingEducational ProgramsFishingHikingHorseback ridingHunting

Recreation area

Fort Raleigh National Historic Site

71 miles southeast · straight-line distanceNational Park Service

Amongst the shallow blue waters of the Outer Banks lies Fort Raleigh on Roanoke Island. Shaped by constant winds of change, Fort Raleigh has become a focal point of American history.

HistoryPicnicking

Recreation area

Richmond National Battlefield Park

71 miles northwest · straight-line distanceNational Park Service

The center of Confederate manufacturing fueled a modern war, one of the South’s largest hospitals gave care to the sick and wounded, and armies battled on open fields and in miles of defensive earthworks.

HikingHistory

Campground

Oregon Inlet Campground

83 miles southeast · straight-line distanceAbout 1 hr 50 min by car (93 road miles, checked October 2026)National Park Service

Oregon Inlet Campground is the northernmost campground on Cape Hatteras National Seashore.

BoatingCamping

Recreation area

Wallops Island National Wildlife Refuge

86 miles northeast · straight-line distanceFish and Wildlife Service

Since this site is only accessed by the public during the hunting season, it is truly a refuge for a variety of wetland and woodland birds.

Hunting

Recreation area

Rappahannock River Valley National Wildlife Refuge

87 miles north · straight-line distanceFish and Wildlife Service

Rappahannock River Valley National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1996 to conserve and protect fish and wildlife resources, including endangered and threatened species and wetlands.

Educational ProgramsFishingHikingHuntingNon-Motorized BoatingPhotographyWildlife viewing

Recreation area

Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge

89 miles northeast · straight-line distanceFish and Wildlife Service

Located on the Indigenous homelands of the Pocomoke and Occohannock people, Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge protects beach, dune, marsh, and maritime forest habitats.

BeachBikingBirdingBoatingFishingHikingHistoryHorseback riding

Campground

George Washington Birthplace National Monument Picnic Pavilion

99 miles north · straight-line distanceAbout 2 hr 30 min by car (125 road miles, checked October 2026)National Park Service

The Popes Creek Picnic Area Pavilion is located within George Washington Birthplace National Monument. The surrounding picnic grounds were built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930's.

BikingBoatingCampingFishingHikingHistoryHotel/Lodge/Resort Privately OwnedRanger programs

Campground

Pax River Hog Point Campgrounds

101 miles north · straight-line distanceAbout 3 hr 35 min by car (181 road miles, checked October 2026)Commander, Navy Installation Command (CNIC)

Visitors eligible for reservations at this location are limited to Active Duty, Reservists, Retired Military, Unremarried Widow, Veterans and Department of Defense employees.

BikingBoatingCampingCanoeingCrabbingFishingGolfHunting

Campground

Pax River Paradise Grove Campgrounds

101 miles north · straight-line distanceAbout 3 hr 35 min by car (181 road miles, checked October 2026)Commander, Navy Installation Command (CNIC)

Visitors eligible for reservations at this location are limited to Active Duty, Reservists, Retired Military, Unremarried Widow, Veterans and Department of Defense employees.

CampingCanoeingCrabbingFishingGolfHuntingKayakingPaddle Boating

Campground

Assateague Island National Seashore Campground

104 miles northeast · straight-line distanceNational Park Service

Assateague Island National Seashore is a 37-mile long barrier island on the Atlantic Coast of Maryland and Virginia.

BeachBikingBirdingCampingCanoeingClam DiggingCrabbingFishing

Campground

Cape Point Campground

113 miles south · straight-line distanceNational Park Service

Cape Point Campground sites have a shortened reservation window. Due to the ground saturation and potential for flooding we encourage you to check the sites prior to paying.

CampingFishingHiking

Campground

North Bend Park

114 miles west · straight-line distanceAbout 2 hr 35 min by car (135 road miles, checked October 2026)US Army Corps of Engineers

North Bend Park is located on John H. Kerr Reservoir, a 50,000-acre lake that extends 39 miles up the wooded, cove-studded shoreline of the Roanoke River in Virginia and North Carolina.

AmphitheaterBikingBirdingBoatingCampingDisc GolfEvening ProgramsFishing

Campground

Frisco Campground

118 miles south · straight-line distanceAbout 2 hr 55 min by car (140 road miles, checked October 2026)National Park Service

Frisco Campground is part of Cape Hatteras National Seashore on the Outer Banks of North Carolina.

BeachBikingCampingCrabbingFishingHikingOff Road Vehicle TrailsSea Kayaking

Campground

Rudds Creek Rec. Area

120 miles west · straight-line distanceAbout 2 hr 30 min by car (135 road miles, checked October 2026)US Army Corps of Engineers

Rudds Creek Park is located on John H. Kerr Reservoir, a 50,000-acre lake that extends 39 miles up the wooded, cove-studded shoreline of the Roanoke River in Virginia and North Carolina.

AmphitheaterBoatingCampingEvening ProgramsFishingHikingHuntingNature education

Campground

Ocracoke Campground

121 miles south · straight-line distanceAbout 4 hr 20 min by car (164 road miles, checked October 2026)National Park Service

Located in the famous Outer Banks area of the stunning North Carolina coast, this campground is perfect for a beach getaway trip. Recreation The seashore provides a place for active recreation or for quiet reflection.

BoatingCampingFishingSwimming

Campground

Longwood Park

127 miles west · straight-line distanceAbout 2 hr 40 min by car (146 road miles, checked October 2026)US Army Corps of Engineers

Longwood Park is located on John H. Kerr Reservoir, a 50,000-acre lake that extends 39 miles up the wooded, cove-studded shoreline of the Roanoke River in Virginia and North Carolina.

BoatingCampingCanoeingFishingPicnickingSwimmingWildlife viewing

Campground

Buffalo Park

131 miles west · straight-line distanceAbout 2 hr 50 min by car (153 road miles, checked October 2026)US Army Corps of Engineers

Buffalo Park is a small day use and campground park, located on John H. Kerr Reservoir. The campground is open May 1 - September 30. The Day Use Park is open year-around.

BirdingBoatingCampingCanoeingFishingSwimmingWater Access

Campground

Cabin Camp 3

132 miles northwest · straight-line distanceAbout 2 hr 35 min by car (163 road miles, checked October 2026)National Park Service

Cabin Camp 3 is located in Prince William Forest Park and is one of five large cabin camp facilities located in the park. Camp 3 is the only camp where visitors can rent a single cabin. There are thirteen cabins available for rent.

BackpackingBikingBirdingCampingFishingHikingHistoryPhotography

Campground

Telegraph Picnic Pavilion

132 miles northwest · straight-line distanceAbout 2 hr 35 min by car (163 road miles, checked October 2026)National Park Service

Telegraph Picnic Pavilion is a covered pavilion with twelve picnic tables located in Prince William Forest Park, 35 miles (56 km) southwest of Washington, D.C.

BikingCampingHikingPicnickingWildlife viewing

Campground

Chopawamsic Backcountry Camping Permits

133 miles northwest · straight-line distanceNational Park Service

Looking for some peace and quiet? Want to get back to nature, listen to the sounds of the nocturnal world, or simplify your life? Then come experience primitive camping at Prince William Forest Park’s Chopawamsic Backcountry Area.

BackpackingBirdingCampingFishingHikingPhotographyWildernessWildlife viewing

Campground

Turkey Run Ridge Group

134 miles northwest · straight-line distanceAbout 2 hr 40 min by car (165 road miles, checked October 2026)National Park Service

Prince William Forest Park is located 35 miles southwest of Washington, D.C., the park's land was set aside during the Great Depression.

CampingHikingRanger programs

Recreation areas and campgrounds from Recreation.gov's directory, checked October 9, 2026. Listings are not live availability: check Recreation.gov or the managing agency for open dates, fees, reservations and conditions. Directions go to the listed coordinates, which may not be the entrance. Campground driving times: Powered by Geoapify · © OpenStreetMap contributors.

Questions

Where can I camp near Norfolk?

Recreation.gov lists 16 campgrounds within 134 miles, including Oregon Inlet Campground (83 miles southeast), George Washington Birthplace National Monument Picnic Pavilion (99 miles north), Pax River Hog Point Campgrounds (101 miles north). Check Recreation.gov for current availability, seasons and reservations.

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