Kiptopeke State Park — Hotel in Cape Charles

See below for updated review April 2022.

Visited in late October 2020. Mainly visited to try out their bike trails which were amazing. Just the right amount of difficulty for my 8 and 5 year old. Make sure you have the right bike for kids too (would not suggest single speed bikes). My younger kids were on geared 20 inch and 24 inch bikes. We parked at upper parking lot across from campgrounds. We rode down baywoods trail towards water and then onto brown pelican along the coast. This was a really fun trail and probably most difficult in the park. Lots of stops for over looks over the beach. We then went onto mocking bird trail and then onto chickadee and back to mocking bird and back on brown pelican because the kids loved that trail so much. We also rode it during a light rain storm and the kids did not complain much at all. We also rode down towards the beach on baywoods trail. The gift shop and visitor center are closed due to COVID. We did not walk onto the beach because we didn't have the right shoes and it was wet but looked very nice. There were people fishing around the pier great views of the concrete ships. There are signs everywhere that provide history of the ships and area. We also drove around campsite and looks at yurts and lodges. Some lodges looks much better than others so didnt look close enough to determine which was best. Lodges and cabins in the circle looked really nice from the outside with multiple parking spots and outdoor trash cans. We were researching and scouting for possible future large family vacations. Would recommend anyone stop by this park for a few hour beginner off road bike ride session. There was a cost to enter the park. I think we paid $7.

We visted again in April 2022. Amazing park still. This time the park office was open. We spent alot of time talking with Kathy who was great and helped the kids get their junior ranger pins and patches. We also were sad the gift shop down by the water wasn't open yet but the office manager i think his name was sean overheard us talking to kathy and walked out and offered to meet us down there so he could let us in to purchase our collectable statepark pin! Super generous. We also pick up a few more items while we were downthere. We spent 2 days exploring the park. First day was completing the junior ranger program and the second we rode almost all the trails. Kids favorite was brown pelican but only in 1 direction and that was syarting from bay wood trail. There were tons of animals and the trails all had different vibes as you felt like you were in different biomes. The junior ranger program forced us to explore all the parts of the park which was awesome. We went up the bird obervation tower and even found the bird banding station. We walked down along the beach as well. We had a great visit and would probably do it again the next time we are in the cape...

It's hard for me to give a fair review right now, as it is 90+ degrees with 90% humidity and we were unlucky enough to get a no-shade spot. There doesn't seem to be an ideal time to get here in order to get a good spot, because despite a 3pm check out and 4pm check in, people come in and out all day. You just have to be lucky.

Mosquitos are pretty bad and the horse flies are atrocious. We travel with two big dogs, so we spent our beach time on the dog beach to the left of the pier. There was a lot of sea weed and dead crabs, and the water is not very clear, but still the beach was enjoyable. Dragging along a canopy for some much needed shade, we were able to enjoy a whole day at the beach with only a handful of people walking by. I can't speak for how busy the swimming beach is, but the dog side is very quiet.

The park is pretty well monitored. The showers are clean until the end of the day after tons of people have been in. They have good pressure and hot water. Toilets are clean and well stocked. Sink area is usually clean.

We did not use the trails because of the heat, but what I did see of them was well groomed. Tons of mosquitos in those woods though. The park is nice and clean and have the kids something to do when we were too burnt or tired to go to the beach.

There is recycling in the park, which is nice. Trash also, but be ready to hold your breath getting out of the car, especially if it is hot! Nearby Cape Charles offers some amenities, such as a Food Lion grocery store which has good prices (sign up for the card). Recommend getting ice from the self-serve across the street from the grocery... $2 for a 16lb bag. 45 min north on 13 will get you to a Walmart. $18 round trip to cross the CBBT, but there are more amenities over there, such a Costco and other retail and grocery. Also, Virginia Beach and Norfolk for tourist destinations.

The camp store at Kiptopeke has kayak and bike rentals, as well a fishing equipment and souvenirs. The prices were on par with what you will find outside of the park. There is a shower house near the beach and pier. The park also has activities you can take part in, such as hikes, kayak fishing, per fishing, and crabbing... many free or reasonably priced.

Overall, it is a nice park and offers lots to do for the family. I wish it had been a bit cooler while we were here, but I would come back if I were better prepared (AC, a...

We have camped here for 10+ years. We love this park. I hope that this review gets some attention.

I have included pictures of the ladies handicapped shower. It is unusable! IT IS NOT ADA COMPLIANT!!! Please replace the broken floor tiles, replace the broken handle on the shower, and remove the outdoor water tap placed where the shower head and handheld shower were before. The bathrooms were cleaner this year, but cleaning and replacing empty toilet paper holders should go hand in hand.

The decking near the boat launch is in poor condition still, and 1 side is blocked off. If funds are the issue, might I suggest hiring enough rangers so they may enforce the rules of the park and impose fines on the people who are breaking them.

Non English speaking people flood the park and disregard the rules on catching crabs, (size, amount, and sponges) to the point that DNR and Park Rangers have told me year after year that they can't enforce the rules easily because the people pretend to not understand. (Might I say that DNR has no issue enforcing rules on boat owners and English speaking people)?

They do not pay the fees to maintain the facilities. They leave trash everywhere and fish in areas that are strictly forbidden. (The swimming beach, especially at night and the boat launch) Their illegal catch should be taken from them and the appropriate fines issued. They should be fined if they do not have the proper fishing license. They should not be allowed to park in handicapped areas unless they have a placard. There is no excuse for this beautiful park to be ruined by people who are careless. The ribbon fish groups will soon be coming in. Every person fishing on the pier should pay the daily license fee. Or take their entire catch and fine them! They will learn quickly.

Issue littering fines. These fines will ultimately keep our park better staffed, and there will be less of a need to clean up the nature areas.

This park is a treasure. Enforce the rules and regulations so the next generation can enjoy it.

Thank you to the over worked rangers that are underpaid. I see you. I appreciate...