Camp Cardinal - Gloucester Point

Campground in Virginia, VA • 67 RV Sites

Camp Cardinal RV Resort at Gloucester Point, Virginia occupies an exceptional geographic position in the heart of Virginia's Historic Triangle — just five miles from Yorktown and twenty miles from Colonial Williamsburg, with the York River and the broader Chesapeake Bay watershed defining the natural landscape. As a home base for exploring one of the most historically significant corners of America, Camp Cardinal combines genuine waterside character with convenient access to history, outdoor recreation, and the coastal Virginia landscape that the region's literature and tourism rarely do full justice. RV sites, tent sites, and comfortable cabin accommodations give guests a full range of options across the well-maintained grounds. Full hookups, a swimming pool, a splash pad, a jumping pillow, and sports courts keep children active and engaged through the day, while a community fire pit, game room, playground, and regular planned activities add structure to family time beyond the pool deck. Pets are welcome throughout the resort, and the overall atmosphere balances a relaxed coastal vibe with a busy, energetic family activity calendar that gives guests of every age something worth doing between the historical day trips that make the Gloucester Point location particularly compelling. The York River setting is one of Camp Cardinal's most distinctive features — the brackish estuary environment brings a coastal maritime character to the experience that genuinely differs from landlocked camping. Fishing for croaker, flounder, and spot from the riverbank, kayaking the tidal creeks that feed into the river, paddleboarding on the York's calm upper reaches, and crabbing off the dock are all practical on-site or near-site activities that reflect the Chesapeake Bay watershed's extraordinary ecological richness. The light and sky here on clear evenings, with the river widening toward the bay, produce the kind of water views that coastal Virginia property owners pay significant premiums to maintain. Yorktown, five miles away, was the site of the final decisive battle of the American Revolution in 1781, and the Yorktown Battlefield — part of the Colonial National Historical Park — brings that history to life with walking tours, fortification remnants, and panoramic York River views from the bluffs where Washington's artillery once targeted Cornwallis's position. Machicomoco State Park, six miles from camp, offers kayak launches and hiking trails while honoring the history of Virginia's Indigenous nations along the shores of the Piankatank River. Colonial Williamsburg, 20 miles west, is one of the most immersive living history environments in the country, where costumed interpreters, working trades, and meticulously restored 18th-century buildings fill a full day with genuinely educational and entertaining experiences. Camp Cardinal operates through the spring, summer, and fall seasons, with peak demand running Memorial Day through Labor Day. History-focused visitors — couples and adult travelers particularly — often prefer the quieter shoulder months of April, May, and September when Yorktown and Colonial Williamsburg are less crowded and the York River's temperatures are ideal for paddling and fishing. Reserve early for summer holiday weekends, when demand throughout Virginia's Historic Triangle region consistently exceeds accommodation availability and the combination of river access, pool recreation, and day-trip options makes Camp Cardinal one of the most strategic camping addresses on the mid-Atlantic coast.

Campground rules and policies

Check-In Procedure
- Campsite check-in is at 2 pm.
- Campsite check out at 12 pm.
- Cabins & cottages check-in is at 3 pm.
- Cabins & cottages check out at 11 am.
- Campsites are assigned.
- Please do not change campsites without checking with the reservation desk.
- Early check-in and late check-out are subject to fees and availability.
- Please check with the reservation desk.
- 2 vehicles permitted per site for the Campsite, and 1 vehicle for Cabins.
- Vehicles must park completely on the site.
- If needed, park additional vehicles in the parking area by the reservation desk.Quiet Time
- 11:00 pm-8:00 am.
- No excessive noise or public disturbances.
- Loud or offensive noises, rowdyism, or ill-mannered conduct.Speed Limit
- Speed limit 10 MPH.
- Please observe our speed limit to ensure the safety of all our guests.
- Remember, children are playing!Fireworks and Firearms
- Fireworks and firearms are prohibited!
- Including BB, Airsoft, and pellet guns is prohibited on park property.Courtesy
- Do not walk or ride through other guests' sites.Trash Policy
- Dumpsters are for the use of CC-registered guests and are for household-type trash only.
- Bulky items and hazardous materials must be properly disposed of off CC property.Campfires
- Permitted in fire rings or provided grills only.
- Per the Virginia Department of Forestry, campers agree not to transport firewood across state lines or into campgrounds, parks, or forests.Clotheslines
- Clotheslines are not permitted.Trees
- No nailing, screwing, or permanent attachment to trees is allowed.
- Temporary strapping to trees is permitted.
- Do not cut or mutilate any trees, dead or alive.Signage
- For sale signs are prohibited.
- No offensive or vulgar signage or flags.Golf Carts
- Privately owned golf carts are subject to the fee upon arrival, must have proof of liability insurance, must have working headlights and taillights, and must display a campground permit.
- All golf carts must be operated by a licensed driver.
- Must present a valid license.
- Rented golf carts from Camp Cardinal require a minimum of 18 years of age to operate.
- Golf carts operated by underage or unlicensed drivers or in a reckless and unsafe manner are subject to rental forfeiture or removal from property.
- Golf carts may only be parked on your site or designated golf cart parking, and may only drive on roads and designated pathways.
- Cannot be taken off the property.Visitors
- All visitors are subject to fees and must be registered at the reservation desk upon arrival.
- Maximum of 8 people per site, 6 people per cottage, and 4 people per cabin.Watercraft
- Privately owned trailered watercraft are subject to the fee upon arrival.
- Trailered watercraft may not go to a site and must be parked in designated boat parking.
- Boat Ramp and piers are for the use of all registered guests.
- No overnight mooring at the piers without CC management approval.
- All motorized watercraft(s) must be launched from the boat ramp.
- Kayaks, canoes, and other non-motorized may be launched from the Kayak launch.
- Do not launch from the campsite(s) or other places on the shoreline.Vehicle Policy
- All vehicles must display a campground parking pass.
- Unauthorized vehicles are subject to towing at the owner’s expense.
- Non-registered motorbikes, go-carts, mopeds, etc. are not permitted.
- Vehicle washing is not permitted. Do not park or drive through unoccupied sites.
- 2 vehicles permitted per site.
- Vehicles must park completely on the site.
- If needed, park additional vehicles in the parking area by the reservation desk.
- While each park attempts to accommodate your exact spot request, the on-site manager has the ultimate decision for spot placement.Pet Policy
- Pets must always be leashed unless inside your RV or in the Bark Park.
- Pets may not present a hazard or nuisance to other campers.
- Pets may not be left unattended.
- Please clean up after your pet.
- Doggie Pots are located throughout the campground for your convenience.
- Pets are not permitted in the pool area.
- Management reserves the right to compel the removal of any pet from campground property.
- While each park attempts to accommodate your exact spot request, the on-site manager has the ultimate decision for spot placement.Pool and Piers
- Children 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult in the Poll area, Kayak launch, or on the piers.
- No lifeguards are on duty; swim at your own risk.
- Pets and glass containers are not allowed in the pool area.Waterslides
- To ride the waterslides in the pool area, children must be 42” tall and able to swim unassisted.
- Shoes and floatation devices are not permitted.
- Parents may not ride with our catch children at the bottom of the slides.Boat Shack
- Kayaks, paddle boats & paddle boards are available, weather & water temperature.
- Children 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult when on a boat.
- Check kayaks, paddle boats & paddleboards out at the store.Laser Tag
- Pets and glass containers are not permitted in the Laser Tag Arena.
- Shoes are required for all participants.Alcohol Policy
- Per VA state regulations, alcoholic beverages may not be publicly displayed.
- Please cover cans or bottles or place them in an unmarked container.
- Public intoxication is not permitted.
- Underage drinking is a cause for loss of campground privileges and forfeiture of the site without refund.