Explore Portsmouth, Virginia
Portsmouth, Virginia, is a city of a little less than 100,000 people. It's across the Elizabeth River from Norfolk and about two miles from Chesapeake. Revolutionary War buffs know that the Yorktown battle site is nearby, and more than a million folks visit First Landing State Park each year as well.
Because nature is as big a part of the area as history, it's just a short drive to a wildlife refuge or a botanical garden. The Norfolk Botanical Garden spans 175 acres and is Virginia's largest. You can explore both native and foreign plants as you stroll through the garden. The Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge is home to more than 200 species of birds. You can hike or ride bikes through the 80 miles of trails to see birds and other wildlife.
Because the area has been inhabited for more than 400 years, the architecture is notable for its diversity as well as its grandeur. Many of the shops in Portsmouth have been in their families hands for many generations too. Immersing yourself in the local culture is both rewarding and interesting.
If seafood is your thing, then Portsmouth, Virginia, provides a veritable smorgasbord of opportunities to indulge. From crabs to game fish, you can find almost anything from the sea at both restaurants in the city and in nearby towns. From shawarma to schnitzel, you can find many international taste sensations in and around Portsmouth, Virginia.
Campgrounds near Portsmouth, Virginia
The Joint Expeditionary Base is home to the Military Park Little Creek MWR RV Park at the Naval Amphibious Base which lies 25 miles from Norfolk. The RV sites at this campground have full hookups, and they can accommodate large RVs. There is a large picnic pavilion for you to use at the campground. Laundry facilities provide extra convenience.
The Virginia Beach Kampground of America is a family-friendly place that offers full hookups, free Wi-Fi, and a pool. There are many activities at the park, and the beach is just an invigorating three-mile bike ride away. You can rent bikes at the campground if you don't have your own. The campground is also pet-friendly as long as you clean up after your pet and keep it on a leash.
At the Ocean Pines RV Park in nearby Virginia Beach, you can rent propane equipment for those big cookouts or for heating water as needed. If you need to stay connected, there's a computer lab on-site too. Other amenities include an archery range, laundry facilities, Wi-Fi, and a playground. This RV campground is also pet-friendly.
State Parks Near Portsmouth, Virginia
First Landing State Park is 18 miles from Portsmouth. It's one of the busiest state parks in the country, so it's a good idea to plan ahead for a visit there. You can both swim on the 1.5 miles of sandy beach and hike the 20 trails through the park after setting up camp with your RV. You can take the historic tour and walk the same paths as the colonists did more than 400 years ago. If you stay there, be aware that the military conducts training exercises at all hours of the day and night nearby. Even though there might be unusual sounds, there is no danger to you or the other guests.
It's a little further to Merchants Millpond State Park near the North Carolina border. The park has been described as having an "enchanted forest" vibe because of the spectacular flora within its borders. It's also got a strong wildlife presence. In fact, it's not unusual to see alligators along the shore of the pond. This area is the limit of the alligators' range in North America. Remember to be safe and to keep a good distance from the alligators.
Further still, about 100 miles, is Pocahontas State Park, named for the famed First Nations woman. Interestingly, it wasn't even her real name, which was Matoaka. She later took the name Rebecca Rolfe when she moved to England before dying at the age of 17. The park itself provides plenty of opportunities for fishing and other water-based activities. Hiking trails crisscross the area. You can also visit the Civil Conservation Corps museum. The people who worked for the Corps during the Depression were instrumental in building the state park system in the country.
National Sites Near Portsmouth, Virginia
The Colonial National Historical Park marks the very spot where the first colonists arrived in 1607. It was also a strategic position to hold during the Revolutionary War. One of the nearby easy hiking trails takes you for a quarter mile in the footsteps of the colonists as they surveyed the beach, and you can then walk down to the water's edge and enjoy the sound of the waves. The Long Creek Trail is eight times longer and makes for an entire afternoon's hike.
Yorktown National Cemetery is another must-see national site. It's just 40 miles from Portsmouth to this Yorktown battlefield where Lord Cornwallis surrendered to a combined Continental and French land and naval force, ending the fighting of the American War for Independence in 1781. When it comes to perspective, walking through the Yorktown National Cemetery gives you plenty as you contemplate the people who gave their lives for the independence of the United States. Be sure to stop by the visitor's center to pick up a map and learn more about the site.
The Fort Monroe National Monument is only 19 miles from Portsmouth. It's sat stolidly in its place for more than 400 years. In addition to commemorating the first landing of British colonists in 1607, the National Park Service also honors the "20 and odd" African slaves who arrived in 1619 to be traded for provisions. During your visit, you can traverse one of the several hiking trails that cross the area, and you can take great photos of the Old Comfort Lighthouse at the end of one of those trails.
National Forests Near Portsmouth, Virginia
Unfortunately, there are no national forests within four hours of Portsmouth, Virginia. Still, there are three major such forests within six hours of travel time. The Monongahela National Forest is located in the Allegheny Mountains of eastern West Virginia and is famous for its orienteering and geocaching. Hiking through the wild landscape of the forest gives you fantastic views, and the excitement that comes from finding a cache is terrific. Bears wander the forest, and so do deer and wild turkeys. More than 200 species of birds flit overhead, so the forest is a birdwatcher's dream.
The George Washington and Jefferson National Forests also offer geocaching, but the chief draw is the wonderful trout fishing. The fishing areas are even wheelchair accessible, and the 50 miles of rivers and streams in the forest are regularly stocked. The rest of the wildlife and flora in the forest is equally diverse and special. It's home to more than 50 endangered species, which include sea turtles and waterfowl along the fully accessible boardwalk.
At the Croatan National Forest near the Atlantic coast in North Carolina, you'll find plenty to do. While there are plenty of fishing opportunities, the bigger draw is the collection of crabs and shellfish, such as oysters, that abound within the park. Perhaps the most interesting denizen of the forest is the Venus Flytrap. This is the only place in the world where the carnivorous plant grows wild. The unique soil composition is such that the plants can't derive nutrients from the soil, and that's why these plants must devour insects to survive. Some areas of the park are frequented by bears, alligators, and snakes, so hardy hikers will have to take proper precautions.
