We Rv 4 Fun.com Blog

Cherrystone Campground is probably the biggest destination resort for camping on the DelMarVa peninsula.  Located at the southern tip of the peninsula, the campground is about 15 minutes north of the Chesapeake Bay-Bridge tunnel; a 20-mile engineering wonder connecting the Southern Virginia peninsula to the Hampton Roads area, where the Chesapeake Bay meets the Atlantic Ocean. Map of cherrystone virginia

My husband started camping here with his family when he was a child, over 30 years ago. Of course, the campground has changed significantly since then, when it was made up of a hundred or so sites.  Since we started camping, we have visited this campground 20 or so times over the years.

Turning off US Route 13, the first thing you notice about this campground is how it resembles the Eastern Shore in general.  Sitting on 300 level, sprawling acres, the entrance looks like much of the surrounding farmlands dotted with Loblolly Pines. The registration  building sits near a shellfish farm, where a nearby boat ramp provides bay access for the campers bringing their boats.  

Those souls unfortunate enough to roll in on a Friday evening in the summer will see first hand just how many people this campground can accomodate, as the lines for registration and entry can easily back up for over one hour, especially on holiday weekends. Even their prepaid “express” registration is no guarantee for quick admittance, so be sure to arrive early to avoid a long and frustrating wait!

The campground is separated into three general camping areas. Getting to the sites are relatively easy, given the well marked maps and streets withing the campground.To the west of the entrance is the newest section, with large, fairly level pull-throughs. Beware of tree limbs when pulling in, as we have witnessed a couple of mishaps involving significant scratches to gel-coats and one lost TV antenna. Last year the owners installed nice hook-up pedestals for electricity. Last time we went, there was a minimum size requirement of 24 feet to camp in this section. This means if you have a pop-up, you are not allowed in this “high rent” area, so you will be camping in one of the older sections.

The other two sections of the campground are separated by the pools and camp store. The sites are well shaded with the towering “Lollipop” Pines that sway wildly in the winds careening off the Chesapeake Bay. The RV sites are mostly full hook-ups, with the exception of the sites closest to the water, which are water and electric. The sites don’t have pre-defined pads, which is really nice if you are travelling with a group, as the management is fairly lenient about how you situate your rig on the site; we have often parked in a “circle” of RV’s, with water and electric cords hidden under strategically placed mats to avoid tripping over them. 

Choose your site wisely; if you have issues with people walking across campsites, then you may want to choose a site farther from the store and pools area. One Memorial Day we were across from the store, our site on one of the paths that criss-cross the area, and were dismayed by the number of children constantly walking or riding bikes not only on the path, but across our site! LIkewise, the area in front of the store becomes a hang out for the pre-teen bunch.  On the other hand, there is a very nice sandy playground next to the store that has a large jungle gym for the little ones. A split rail fence helps keep children from the traffic in front of the store.

The campground is known for it’s water-oriented activites. Waterfront campsites have westward views boasting beautiful sunsets, while the bay breezes help keep the mosquitos away, at least while the wind is blowing (make sure to bring your bug repellent regardless, as there is always a good chance the breeze will die down, causing the pesky blood suckers to swarm your site).  In addition to the camp store, a full-service fishing store is located on the water. You can get bait and tackle, rent a small motorboat, and even book passage on the campgrounds 50-foot “head” boat, the Miss Jennifer, for fishing and sunset cruises. The fishing store also rents paddle boats and bicycles for use in the campground.

The campground has plenty of activities for the landlubbers (like me!). Three pools of varying depths, putt-putt golf, tennis courts, and lots of fishing piers allow most everyone to participate in an activity. There are also lots of scheduled activities, including organized yard sales, bingo, dancing, to name a few. The camp store is well stocked with lots of stuff you didn’t know you needed, but glad to see available if you do need it. Trinkets, RV supplies, clothes, and toys keep my kids roaming the aisles for hours if we let them.

One caveat: a trip to Cherrystone ain’t cheap.  We have paid $75 per night for a holiday weekend with a full hook-up, not to mention you can get nickled and dimed to death. If you are on a budget, bypass Cherrystone altogether for Kiptopeke State Park, just 10 minutes south. They call it a family campground, but charge extra for the children ($5 per night).  Don’t forget the air conditioning and heating surcharge of $3 per night, which pretty much applies to the entire camping season. I heartily complained for a heating surcharge one Halloween weekend. 

“But I have propane heat: I don’t understand why you are charging me for this when I already pay extra for my propane!” I exclaimed.

“Well, you may have an electric heater in your camper,” was the feeble reply from the tired registration clerk.

The kicker was during a Memorial Day event. We did not camp that weekend, but received a phone call from our friends who were at Cherrystone. She said the kids were told to go to the camp store to pick up boxes to decorate for a parade, and then were charged for the boxes, which were throw aways from the camp store. Pretty sly, if you ask me.

Overall, Cherrystone is a good destination campground if you want to savor the Chesapeake Bay scenery and fishing and have lots of pre-planned activities for your family.

Ask my family to name one of our favorite camping spots, and I am sure each one would include Chincoteague, Virginia.

Granted, Chincoteague is not a well known major tourist draw like Williamsburg or Roanoke. But this outwardly appearing sleepy, backwater town is steeped in history and legend, and has enough activities to keep any family busy for a full week-long vacation.The name “Chincoteague” is popularly accepted to be an Indian name meaning “beautiful land across the water,” and the name definitely befits this charming island.

Chincoteague is 37 square mile island about one mile from the mainland of Virginia. The long, low island is connected to the mainland by a causeway slightly elevated above a tidal marsh dotted with oyster beds and rocking fishing boats. The decaying vegetation and marine life forms a black muck rich in nutrients, which serves as a protected nursery for fish and shellfish that lay their eggs among the phragmites and other marsh plants.  The same decay also provides a treat for the senses; the first time you smell the marsh, you may think you just passed some hidden roadkill. One word of warning: while crossing the causeway, beware of the swooping gulls, as they frequently crash into unsuspecting vehicles, as one did to our RV on one trip.

The banks of Chincoteague island offer watersports like kayaking and boating, and fishing. Crabbing for the famous Maryland Blue Crab is easy when using a crab pot, available for rent or purchase at most shops.  Simply place chicken parts in the middle of the chicken-wire pot, and toss the into the water after tying to a nearby dock post. Check your pot periodically for some of the tastiest crabs ever boiled. Some crab-catching purists rely only on a chicken neck tied to a piece of string to lure the crabs from the brackish water. Toss out the “hand line”, and reel the string slowly back to the dock. A quick tug means you have a crab on the line. This is a fun activity the kids love! 

Chincoteague is also the gateway to one of the Nations most visited National Wildlife Refuges: Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge on Assateague Island. The refuge receives over one million visitors per year.  Like most refuges, the wildlife is abundant. The denizens include Osprey, Bald Eagles, the Delmarva Peninsula Fox Squirrel, ducks, geese, and more. Nature programs are free at the brand new Visitor’s Center, and Interpretive Rangers lead bird and nature walks.

Across from the visitors center is a small parking area with a trail leading to the Chincoteague Lighthouse. Built in the 1800’s, the lighthouse is located at what was once the Southernmost tip of Assateague Island. Now one of the few lighthouses still working in the United States, the lighthouse is about 6 miles from the southern edge of the island due to the erosion of the beaches to the north. The Coast Guard opens the lighthouse to the public on most days for a small fee. You can climb the steps to the top for a gorgeous view of Chincoteague and Assateague Islands.

The refuge is also home to a herd of wild ponies, rumored to be descendants of survivors of a 17th Century Spanish shipwreck. Like the Assateague Park herds, the ponies are supposed to be contained in an area of salt marsh dotted with Lob Lolly pines, but they frequently escape and can be seen roaming parking lots, searching for the remnants of picnics. The ponies were the subject of the famous children’s book, Marguerite Henry’s Misty of Chincoteague. Currently the ponies are owned by the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Department.

 Following a devastating fire in the town, the Fire Department started auctioning off the foals in 1925 to raise funds for equipment. The VFD swims the ponies across the channel separating the islands once a year, on the last Wednesday of July.  The swim and auction is a huge draw to the town, and resorts are booked for months in advance.

You can see the ponies and two types of deer (Whitetail and Sika) on your way to the family beach on the Eastern edge of the island.  Get there early during busy summer days, as parking is limited and fills up quickly.Looking to escape the hustle and bustle of crowded beaches? Carry a pack (with lots of water and sunscreen) up the relatively deserted beach north of the parking area. Although the fresh salt air and sandy stretch of beach may give you the urge to get back to nature and shuck your swimsuit, beware that rangers frequently patrol the out-of-way areas and nudity is strictly prohibited.

Don’t feel like walking to a less crowded beach spot?  Then visit the off-road vehicle (ORV) area on the southern part of the island. A registration sticker, available for a fee, can be purchased for the ORV area. Before heading out to the beach, be sure to visit the Park Service website for a list of required items you must have in your vehicle to gain beach access (a ranger will check to make sure you have these in your truck). Also, leave early, as entrance to the ORV area is limited, and fills up quickly.

Perhaps one of the best ways to see the refuge is to pedal your way around the trails by bicycle. Do not worry if you forget to bring your bike; rentals are available on the main road into the Refuge. You can ride your bike over from the mainland on the roadside bike path, then cross to the beach on the Wildlife Loop Trail and, when open to the public, the Swan Cove Trail.  This trail runs along the backside of the dunes for about one mile, before ending at the northernmost beach parking lot at Swan Cove. The cove is named for the hundreds of swimming Whistling Swans that call the pond home, rumored to be able to break a man’s arm with their powerful wings. However, the chances of this happening are next to impossible, unless you are foolhardy enough to wade out into the cove.

After a day of roaming the beach collecting shells, you can retire at your waterfront campsite at one of the islands two campgrounds: Maddox Family Campground and Tom’s Cove Campground. From your campsite, you can watch the flash-flash-pause signal of the lighthouse, which is across the channel from both lighthouses.

Fishing fanatics will be able to take advantage of boat rentals or fishing trips in the channel or Atlantic Ocean. Flounder, Rockfish, and offshore Tuna fishing are abundant. You can also try your hand at clamming by treading or tonging for the elusive mollusks. The one bill of fare that Chincoteague is famous for is the oyster. Chincoteague oysters are supposed to be some of the sweetest, perfectly flavored of all oysters, and are available in most restaurants and many roadside stands.

Before leaving for home, when back on the mainland, take a few minutes to stop at  the NASA visitor’s center, right across from a huge NOAA facility sporting several large satellites, located where the causeway meets the mainland. Local gossip is that there may eventually be a space shuttle lift-off from the nearby NASA Wallops Island facility.

Chincoteague will always be one our favorite spots to visit, as this is where we met after the famous pony auction, in 1992. Amy was a Federal Law Enforcement Officer, working and living at the Refuge, while Rich was visiting on business and stayed for the pony penning festivities. We were married on the beach two years later. Maybe we’ll see you at Chincoteague sometime; we go back every year on our Anniversary!

Family camping trips are a perfect way for families to reconnect in a natural environment away from all the stresses of work and school. There are camping destinations to suit every budget and desired activity; from amusement parks to beaches to mountain lakes.

 So far our favorite family camping destinations are:

Bar Harbor, Maine Whale watching, Acadia National Park, lobsters and blueberries. Bring your appetite and your wallet!

The Adirondacks of New York (upstate) We spent time in Lake Placid; my DH was in Fly Fishing heaven

Maryland camping (our home state, so we spend a lot of time here) Assateague Island Seashore and Hagerstown

Fiesta Key KOA, Islamorada, FL The entire island is the campground. A guitarist plays Jimmy Buffet tunes at the Tiki Bar next to the pool which overlooks the water. Need I say more?

Williamsburg, Virginia (The big attractions here are not the campgrounds, but Busch Gardens Amusement Park and Historic Williamsburg and Jamestown).

Shenandoa, Virginia (this KOA doesn’t have all the amenities, but I love it. It is tucked into the woods at the base of Massanutton Mountain; big stone fire pits and a hiking trail connects the campground with the State Forest trails).