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Sharp's Island

97%
·
· Richmond, Richmond City, Virginia · 1 acre
Hosted by Andy T.
Tent site
· 12 guests max
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Amazing views
Hipcampers say this spot has amazing views.
Staff verified
Accuracy verified by Hipcamp's on-the-ground team.
Andy is a Star Host
Star Hosts are highly rated, responsive, and committed to providing incredible experiences.
Off-leash friendly
Pets can be off-leash at this Hipcamp.
NEW IN 2024: There is a beautiful cabin for guests to use. Sleeps 4 easily. Also new is the outdoor kitchen and bar. Check out @sharpsislandrva on Insta to see pics! NOTE: The parking situation has changed due to construction! The parking information in the pictures is not correct (but Hipcamp won't let me delete them). Contact Andy at 804-212-6639 for parking instructions. There is no bridge to Sharp's Island, but we can rent you a canoe or kayak (it's super easy). Sharp's Island is so named because the Sharp family of Richmond owned it as far back as the 1850s. The old brick foundation you see in the pictures is all that remains of a house that was built on the island in 1895 and stood for 75 years! We consider ourselves stewards of an amazing historic, ecological, geologic, and recreational asset, and we would love to have you add your story to this island's long history! Learn more about this land: One-of-a-kind really only begins to describe 1-acre Sharp's Island! For starters, this is the only legal camping option in the city of Richmond. You read that correctly. This is your own private island, and it's right in the heart of downtown RVA! The Piedmont meets the Coastal Plain right here at Sharp's Island. That makes for amazing fishing, especially during the spring shad and striper runs.  Some other incredible things about camping at Sharp's Island: You can motor up to it from Ancarrow's Landing, canoe over from the trail just below Mayo Bridge, or make this the destination for your downriver raft/kayak trip; at summer river levels there are oodles of great swimming holes along the banks; fire pit ready and waiting for you. And lots more!One-of-a-kind really only begins to describe 1-acre Sharp's Island! For starter's, this is the only legal camping option in the city of Richmond. You read that correctly. This is your own private island, and it's right in the heart of downtown RVA! The Piedmont meets the Coastal Plain right here at Sharp's Island. That makes for amazing fishing, especially during the spring shad and striper runs.  Some other incredible things about camping at Sharp's Island: You can motor up to it from Ancarrow's Landing, canoe over from the trail just below Mayo Bridge, or make this the destination for your downriver raft/kayak trip; at summer river levels there are literally dozens of great swimming holes along the banks (we can sell you tubes for lounging); choose your own campsite: sandy beach or forested interior; Fire pit ready and waiting for you. And lots more! (You have to get to Sharp's Island on your own, but we can rent you a canoe or kayak!)
What to expect
Tent site
You'll have this Hipcamp all to yourself.
12 guests max
Campfires allowed
Firewood provided, firepit. There's plenty of driftwood to burn on the island, and we've got a nice metal waiting firepit for you.
Toilet available
Composting toilet. Do we offer indoor plumbing on Sharp's Island? No, but we're a couple rungs up the ladder from digging a hole in the ground! Our custom groover is now out on the island with a pop-up privacy shelter to go with it. The 5-gal bucket inside is lined with a Hefty bag and some kitty litter. Now you're camping in style!
Pets allowed
Off leash. Dogs welcome!
No potable water
Bring your own water, purify from river or stream
No showers
Bathe in river or stream
Pack it out
This does include any deposits made to the toilet!
Cooking equipment absent
Picnic table absent
No wifi

Things to know

Getting there
Check in: After 12:00 PM
Check out: Before 11:00 AM
On arrival: Head straight to site
Access: By boat
Cancellation policy: Moderate
Minimum nights: 1 night
Accepts bookings: 12 months out
Wheelchair accessible
Max 4 vehicles
During your trip
Leave it better
Inclusion policyWe have a zero-tolerance policy against discrimination at Hipcamp. We are committed to helping our Host and Hipcamper communities be inclusive.
ExtrasAvailable at checkout
Reviews
97% Recommend64 Ratings · 48 reviews
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Macklin H.
2 months on Hipcamp
Recommends
· January 2025
Great Spot
Tent · Group trip
The space was an awesome and unique spot, with a city view that you really can’t get anywhere else! Will be returning to enjoy the countless amenities such as the grill and the cool cabin design. If you forget pillows the couch cushions make good substitutes.
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Amber N Olivia C.
2 reviews
Recommends
· November 2024
Tent
It was a magical island stay with a great view of the city and totally private
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Bert G.
1 year on Hipcamp
Recommends
· August 2024
There is nothing else like it
Tent · With pets
I absolutely love this place and Andy is a pleasure to deal with. I've camped here like 5 times since they turned it into a camping spot and every time has been a blast. It may be challenging for some less advernturous people to get their gear over to the island. You need to come in by some kind of watercraft (be it canoe, paddle board, kayak, or john boat). But for those that are capable it's worth the effort. It's so cool to be surround by nature but in the heart of the city at the same time. Truly magical place worth experiencing.
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Doris T.
1 year on Hipcamp
Recommends
· August 2024
Tent · Group trip
I loved camping at Sharp's Island. It was so cool to be camping in such a natural setting in the middle of the city. Thank you Andy for having a vision to create a little slice of paradise and sharing it with other people.
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Tim R.
4 reviews
Recommends
· August 2024
Great host! Future trip in the work
Tent
I'm so grateful to Andy for his warnings and understanding about the high water brought on by Hurrican Debbie! It was not possible to paddle to the site with the rapids raging. Looking forward to making the trip when the James is ready for me.
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James H.
2 reviews
Recommends
· July 2024
Tent · With kids
I loved staying at Sharps Island. My boys enjoyed fishing, kayaking and sleeping in the new cabin!
Location
Richmond, Richmond City, Virginia, United StatesTraditional, ancestral territory of Powhatan First Nations according to
To respect the Host's privacy, the precise address of this land will be provided after booking
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Hosted by Andy T.

Joined in April 2019

Safety partners

Hipcamp acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders past, present and future and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.