Northwest River Park
Northwest River Park
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1-2 hours
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
23 reviews
Excellent
7
Very good
12
Average
4
Poor
0
Terrible
0
GoingWithKid
Fredericksburg, VA64 contributions
Oct 2020 • Family
I took my teenager camping here over a fall weekend. The park is about 40 minutes from First Landing State Park, about 30 minutes from the VA Beach boardwalk, and a little over an hour from Duck, NC. Since we wanted a beach weekend but didn’t plan ahead in time with the reservation, it worked well for us.
The campground is clean, well-maintained and family friendly. The spots are close together and both RVs and tents are allowed. There is no alcohol allowed in the park, so most of the noise from other groups was done by 10, but we did hear some sounds from others in the middle of the night and by 7:30 in the morning the kids and dogs at various sites were audible. We could also hear trucks on the road outside the park from time to time, so if you are looking for a quiet and private spot, this isn’t for you. However, for $26/night and being near so many destinations, it’s a good base.
The trails at the park are mostly well maintained and marked. The terrain is a mix of hard pack sand, pine needles, and gravel, with little elevation change, so it’s an easy place to enjoy a walk in nature. I didn’t see any otters at Otter Point, but did enjoy lovely scenery and more quiet than at the campground.
The staff was friendly and helpful. They were good about wearing masks and there is plenty of signage to remind people about social distancing and other safety measures.
The campground is clean, well-maintained and family friendly. The spots are close together and both RVs and tents are allowed. There is no alcohol allowed in the park, so most of the noise from other groups was done by 10, but we did hear some sounds from others in the middle of the night and by 7:30 in the morning the kids and dogs at various sites were audible. We could also hear trucks on the road outside the park from time to time, so if you are looking for a quiet and private spot, this isn’t for you. However, for $26/night and being near so many destinations, it’s a good base.
The trails at the park are mostly well maintained and marked. The terrain is a mix of hard pack sand, pine needles, and gravel, with little elevation change, so it’s an easy place to enjoy a walk in nature. I didn’t see any otters at Otter Point, but did enjoy lovely scenery and more quiet than at the campground.
The staff was friendly and helpful. They were good about wearing masks and there is plenty of signage to remind people about social distancing and other safety measures.
Written October 11, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
chelsealynne
Pensacola, FL906 contributions
Mar 2021 • Solo
This was a great place to hike with my dog! I prefer to take just one long trail but this park you must combine several small trails. It wasn’t too crowded but then again the trails were pretty muddy. My pup needed a bath when we got home. Just prepare and don’t bring your best sneakers or stick to the paved paths.
Written March 30, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
cuculbashinos
Virginia Beach, VA4 contributions
Nov 2018 • Solo
It's getting worst and worst and worst. Something was happening starting last year, and it certainly ain't as good as it used to be couple years ago. I think the stocking trout quantity dropped significantly, and fewer trouts are stocked. I can tell, and probably can others as well tell the difference. I'm done with it.
Written November 27, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
J3nCary
Smithfield, VA128 contributions
Jan 2019 • Couples
Stopped in to explore and checkout the campground. Park workers were wonderful and super helpful with hike suggestions and let us even take a quick peak at the campground (closed for the winter). We then headed out on one of the trails that ended at the Northwest River. Chilly but great day... will be back in the Spring to try out the paddle boats.
Written January 3, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
kwgarnache
Chesapeake, VA73 contributions
Oct 2017 • Friends
I enjoy hiking the trails throughout the park. Every time I hike, it seems like I'm the only one in the park as I hardly ever see another person.
Written August 19, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Marshall L
10 contributions
May 2017 • Couples
We visited the North Terminal area after a picnic lunch in the day use area. Although it was a cool and rainy day there were still some canoes out on the little lake.
The rangers were friendly and helpful as was the clerk in the camp store.
There were also paddle boats, a small swimming area, washrooms and an old school mini golf suitable for young children (and oldsters seeking nostalga?).
There are 4 or 5 blazed nature trails, an equestrian area with several trails as well as a campground with dump station.
The park map also shows a rather large, 18 hole disc golf course.
The rangers were friendly and helpful as was the clerk in the camp store.
There were also paddle boats, a small swimming area, washrooms and an old school mini golf suitable for young children (and oldsters seeking nostalga?).
There are 4 or 5 blazed nature trails, an equestrian area with several trails as well as a campground with dump station.
The park map also shows a rather large, 18 hole disc golf course.
Written May 9, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
K M
Oklahoma226 contributions
Apr 2017
Very nice and relaxing setting. We enjoyed the hiking trails and canoeing. The rates were really good for canoes, $6 an hour down a very peaceful neck of a lake.
Written April 22, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
WA2world
Chesapeake, VA3,349 contributions
Jul 2016 • Couples
Our first visit to the Northwest River Park in Chesapeake, VA just so happened to be on Halloween morning in 2015. Some of the photos are from that initial visit. I haven’t definitively heard, but I assume the local high school kids will be decorating the park for Halloween 2016 activities.
We continue to go the park on weekend mornings to walk the various trails. We favor the Shuttle Trail from the parking area to the Northwest River, hence the name of the park. The roundtrip is about 2 miles. Several other walking and horse trails crisscross through the park. My favorite time to walk the tails is October and November when the leaves turn. Pets are welcome and we see many.
From the main office, you can rent canoes and paddle boats to enjoy on the small lakes and some of the connecting creeks. There is an equestrian area for horses and a pretty good-sized camping area with showers and hook-ups for motor homes and trailers.
All this is in southeast Chesapeake just north of the North Carolina border. In fact, the North River is mostly in NC vs. VA. The park is a little out of the way and we must take back roads to get to it, thus is not as well-known as other parks in the area. It is in the rural part of Chesapeake and you’ll drive by farms on the way there. We’ll enjoy the ride.
We continue to go the park on weekend mornings to walk the various trails. We favor the Shuttle Trail from the parking area to the Northwest River, hence the name of the park. The roundtrip is about 2 miles. Several other walking and horse trails crisscross through the park. My favorite time to walk the tails is October and November when the leaves turn. Pets are welcome and we see many.
From the main office, you can rent canoes and paddle boats to enjoy on the small lakes and some of the connecting creeks. There is an equestrian area for horses and a pretty good-sized camping area with showers and hook-ups for motor homes and trailers.
All this is in southeast Chesapeake just north of the North Carolina border. In fact, the North River is mostly in NC vs. VA. The park is a little out of the way and we must take back roads to get to it, thus is not as well-known as other parks in the area. It is in the rural part of Chesapeake and you’ll drive by farms on the way there. We’ll enjoy the ride.
Written October 8, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
johnwick73
2 contributions
Feb 2020
I went their to play disc golf, online they stated they have a 'pro shop' not many decent discs available for sale. The course itself was very wooded and the maps were not great but overall it was a fun course. The hiking trails and other recreational opportunities make it look like a great place to take the entire family.
Written February 6, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
BachStradavarius
Chesapeake, VA22 contributions
May 2018 • Friends
Nice pavilions for a family or group picnic! Multiple activities for the whole family. Hiking, Camping, Playground, Fishing and more.
Written October 3, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
cuculbashinos
Virginia Beach, VA4 contributions
It could very well be the otters that become nuisance. Don't you think so?
Northwest River Park (Chesapeake) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about Northwest River Park
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