Sometimes, the best RV stops are the ones that offer more than just a place to empty your tanks. They offer a bit of an experience, a chance to connect with the local landscape and turn a mundane chore into a memorable part of your journey. If that sounds like your kind of pit stop, then you need to bookmark Northwest River Park in the southeastern corner of Chesapeake, Virginia. This isn’t just a concrete pad with a sewer hookup; it’s a sprawling 763-acre county park that beautifully blends the practical needs of an RVer with the soul-soothing qualities of nature. Imagine taking care of business and then being rewarded with the sight of a bald eagle soaring over a cypress wetland. That’s the kind of experience this park delivers, all within a short, 20-minute drive from the heart of downtown Chesapeake.
The location itself is the main attraction. The park is set along the banks of the Northwest River, a serene black-water river that’s perfect for paddling. You can launch a kayak or canoe and spend a few hours gliding through the calm waters, surrounded by the lush greenery of the Virginia Tidewater. For those who prefer to stay on dry land, the park boasts seven miles of trails that are great for both hiking and horseback riding. It's a wonderful opportunity to stretch your legs after a long day of driving. And if you’re looking for a more off-beat form of recreation, there’s even an 18-hole disc golf course that winds its way through the woods. It’s a fantastic way to get some exercise and have a little fun.
This park also serves as an excellent launch pad for wider explorations of the region. You can easily take a day trip north to the vast and mysterious Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, or head east to feel the sand between your toes at Virginia's Atlantic beaches. The fact that all of this is within a 45-minute drive makes Northwest River Park an incredibly strategic and enjoyable place to stop. You can handle your RV chores in the morning and still have a full day of adventure ahead of you.
Using a dump station at a county-run park like this has its own unique character. These facilities are usually located near the campground exit, a thoughtful design that allows day-visitors and transient RVers to swing through and use the station without having to navigate the interior loops and disturb the overnight campers. You can typically expect a single, well-maintained concrete pad, often bordered by pine straw and the occasional curious squirrel who comes to see what you’re up to. Because this is a public park that serves the entire community, you need to be mindful of its operating hours. The gates usually open at dawn and close at dusk, so you can’t just roll in at 10 p.m. to dump your tanks. You’ll need to plan your arrival and departure within that daylight window.
What’s truly surprising and delightful about this particular park is the level of amenities it offers, which go far beyond what you’d expect from a typical municipal facility. Of course, they have the essentials: a reliable water and rinse hose setup with fresh spigots, allowing you to properly purge your sewer hose before you have to store it away. The campsites within the park offer electric hookups, which is ideal if you decide to stay a while and need to top off your house batteries while you enjoy a picnic by the river. There are also trash containers conveniently located nearby, so you can legally and responsibly get rid of all the garbage that accumulates in the galley.
But here’s where Northwest River Park really stands out: it has showers and laundry facilities. This is an incredibly rare find for a municipal park and a massive boon for RVers, especially those of us who are on extended trips or spend a lot of time boondocking. Having the ability to take a hot shower and do a few loads of laundry in a clean, well-maintained bathhouse can feel like the height of luxury when you’ve been on the road for a while. And for those of us who travel with pets, this park is a great choice. You’re welcome to bring your leashed companion along to stroll the beautiful riverfront boardwalk and explore the trails.
Now, let's talk about the cost. As of my last check, the park’s official website had the price for dump station use listed as “price not available.” This is pretty common for public parks, as fees can change seasonally. However, based on my experience with similar county parks throughout Virginia, you can likely expect to pay a very reasonable fee, probably in the five to ten dollar range. Often, if you are a registered guest with a campsite reservation, the fee for using the dump station is waived entirely. The best course of action is to simply call the ranger station before you arrive. They can give you the current figures and let you know if they accept credit cards or if you should bring cash.
To make sure your visit goes off without a hitch, there are a few tips to keep in mind. First and foremost, those gate hours are critical. Confirm the closing time when you arrive and pay your fee, so you don’t find yourself accidentally locked inside the park for the night. It happens more often than you’d think. If you plan on using the laundry facilities, bring a roll of quarters. The machines in the bathhouse are often the old-school, coin-operated variety. And if you have any flexibility in your schedule, try to plan your stop for a weekday. Local families often crowd the park on weekends, which can mean a line at the dump station. A mid-week visit, on the other hand, usually means you’ll have the place all to yourself.
So, what's the final verdict? Northwest River Park is a shining example of how a public park can provide campground-level amenities, including a top-notch RV dump station, without the crowds and cost of a private campground. It offers the perfect opportunity to pair a necessary task like emptying your tanks with a relaxing and enjoyable recreational activity. Whether you want to go for a paddle, play a round of disc golf, or simply take a walk in the woods, this park delivers. It is a smart, scenic, and satisfying answer to the perpetual RVer question of "where's a good dump station near me?" in coastal Virginia.
1733 Indian Creek Rd, Chesapeake, VA 23322
(757) 421-7151
Cost: Price not available
Category: Park
Has Water
cityofchesapeake.net/499/Northwest-River-Park-Campground