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Best Campgrounds near Colonial Beach, VA

462 Reviews

The Northern Neck peninsula surrounding Colonial Beach, Virginia features a mix of waterfront and wooded camping options along the Potomac River. Westmoreland State Park Campground, located about 15 miles east of Colonial Beach, offers year-round camping with tent sites, RV hookups, and cabins nestled among mature forests with views of the Potomac. Thousand Trails Harbor View provides seasonal camping from April through October with shaded sites for tents and RVs. Monroe Bay Marina and Campground offers waterfront camping with boat access directly in Colonial Beach. Caledon State Park, approximately 20 miles northwest, provides more primitive tent-only camping accessed via hiking trails for those seeking a more secluded experience.

Most campgrounds in the area require advance reservations, particularly during the peak summer season when temperatures and humidity can be high. Westmoreland State Park's bathhouses remain clean and heated in winter, making it suitable for off-season camping. Spring brings heavy pollen that can coat outdoor surfaces, as noted by one camper who reported, "If you have allergies, avoid spring. Everything outside was covered in a light haze of pollen." Summer brings mosquitoes and ticks, particularly in wooded areas. Cell service varies by provider, with Verizon reported as reliable at Harbor View. Many campgrounds close or reduce operations between November and March, though some state parks maintain year-round availability.

Potomac River access represents a significant draw for campers in the Colonial Beach area. Westmoreland State Park's Fossil Beach attracts visitors searching for prehistoric shark teeth along the shoreline. According to one camper, "The best part is that you can actually find sharks teeth on the beaches here. When it rains, the teeth get washed out of the cliff." Many campgrounds feature relatively close quarters, with several reviewers noting proximity to neighboring sites. A Harbor View camper observed, "The sites are very shady, which certainly comes in handy in the Virginia heat. They are also very close together—our slide was almost touching our neighbor's slide." Family-friendly amenities like playgrounds, pools, and communal activities are common at the larger established campgrounds, while state parks offer more natural settings with hiking trails and wildlife viewing opportunities.

Best Camping Sites Near Colonial Beach, Virginia (79)

    1. Westmoreland State Park Campground

    34 Reviews
    Montross, VA
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (804) 493-8821

    $27 - $134 / night

    "The tent sites are awesome and mine have always been pretty private feeling despite being somewhat near others. Bathhouses are always SO clean and heated in the winter."

    "The sites we have stayed at have all been super clean and close to bathrooms and water. They include a fire ring, picnic table and a hook for your trash. The bathrooms are clean and have hot showers."

    2. Thousand Trails Harbor View

    7 Reviews
    Colonial Beach, VA
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 707-1477

    "All the sites are very shady, which certainly comes in handy in the Virginia heat. They are also very close together--our slide was almost touching our neighbor's slide."

    "Nearby Colonial Beach is a cute area that has nice waterfront access. We also loved going to Westmoreland park which was practically next door to Harbor View. Great trails and fossil beach was fun."

    3. Caledon State Park Campground

    5 Reviews
    King George, VA
    12 miles
    Website

    $16 / night

    "Caledon was an amazing adventure that’s so close to Fredericksburg. It’s a nice 3 mile hike to the campsite which is right by the Potomac river! They have porta Johns and a pavilion close by."

    "Porta pottie right next to wood pile. You’re not supposed to setup anything outside of the “tent pads”. I had a hammock hung and three rangers saw but didn’t say anything."

    4. Big Timber Campground

    1 Review
    Rollins Fork, VA
    6 miles
    +1 (540) 775-9630

    5. Pohick Bay Campground

    38 Reviews
    Lorton, VA
    31 miles
    Website
    +1 (703) 339-6104

    $33 - $150 / night

    "We have been camping here for nearly 20 years. Each military tour brought us back to this area so Pohick became our second home. Our kids kayak now older but used to walk the trails as little kids."

    "Pohick Bay Campground in Virginia offers a peaceful escape with beautiful views and a variety of outdoor activities like hiking and fishing. It's an ideal spot for families and nature lovers."

    6. Monroe Bay Marina and Campground

    1 Review
    Colonial Beach, VA
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (804) 224-7418

    7. Goose Bay Marina

    2 Reviews
    Ironsides, MD
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (301) 932-0885

    "the cut down tobacco fields and long dark woods surrounded the entrance into this campground and marina… to be honest I was scared and cried and my husband thought I was ridiculous and reminded me I will"

    "Location on the Potomac is great for boaters. Bought a bushel of crabs right off of the boat from Mr. Joe. Many people have golf carts, but not necessary as the campground was very walkable."

    8. Oak Ridge Campground — Prince William Forest Park

    31 Reviews
    Dumfries, VA
    34 miles
    Website
    +1 (703) 221-7181

    $26 / night

    "Showers are in loop B, which is a 5-7 minute walk. During holiday weekends the sites closest to the shower facilities are fully booked and have less privacy."

    "The Oak Ridge campgrounds at Prince William Forest Park are a lovely little campground just outside Washington DC. The sites were large, the facilities are clean and the staff friendly and helpful."

    9. Smallwood State Park Campground - TEMPORARILY CLOSED THROUGH JULY 2023

    9 Reviews
    Marbury, MD
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 432-2267

    $27 - $65 / night

    "They are in short distance from the water. There is a playground, bathhouse, and historical buildings that are accessible to campers. There are hiking trials, but none are two extensive."

    "Nice trails, water sports available, and historic landmarks"

    10. Fredericksburg-Washington DC KOA

    14 Reviews
    Woodford, VA
    27 miles
    Website
    +1 (540) 898-7252

    "Once here it's tucked away nicely away from everything, sites feel spacious enough and mostly level on their own. Pool facility looks clean and good size for all to enjoy."

    "We were planning to arrive late after 12 hours of driving. The admin called us when they were closing to make sure we knew they had our reservation and the paperwork would be in the night drop."

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Showing results 1-10 of 79 campgrounds

Recent Camping Photos near Colonial Beach, VA

151 Photos of 79 Colonial Beach Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Colonial Beach, VA

462 Reviews of 79 Colonial Beach Campgrounds

  • T
    Mar. 19, 2026

    Lake Anna State Park Campground

    Easy to camp together

    We've been to Lake Anna a couple of times and have enjoyed it each time. This past trip was over Memorial Day with close family friends. We RV and they cabin camp. So they snagged camp cabin 56 and we were in E/W site 30. Those two are very close to each other, so our kids could go back and forth without supervision, but site 30 was big enough that we were able to host all of the meals in our site. The 5 people staying in our RV and the 4 people staying in their cabin plus the 4 dogs that we have between us! That's a lot of camp chairs and cooking equipment. 

    Being Memorial Day weekend, we expected it to be very busy, but it wasn't too crowded at all. And everyone was very nice. 

    A word for parents: the tent pad is pea gravel. Really nice pea gravel. Applied pretty deeply too. So, if your kids are anything like mine, the first they'll do - and continue to fixate on all weekend - is digging in the pit, burying each other, and other various forms of playing with the rocks. You'd think they'd get enough of at at the actual beach. But no. Apparently not.

  • Ashley T.
    Mar. 13, 2026

    Goose Bay Marina

    Jeepers Creepers meets Catalina Wine Mixer

    When we first arrived it was late (we are either late or not coming as always!) the cut down tobacco fields and long dark woods surrounded the entrance into this campground and marina… to be honest I was scared and cried and my husband thought I was ridiculous and reminded me I will love it tomorrow… welp he knows me! All the boat storage and walking around it so fun looking at all the boat names… they are remodeling the bathhouses now they look nice so far on the inside. Everyone is working really hard a staying busy tending to the boats or landscaping or docks… Vicki is super friendly she works practically everyday… but hopefully one day she will trust someone enough to delegate her duties to…

  • EThe Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 1, 2026

    Richmond North - Kings Dominion KOA

    RV camping by Kings Dominion

    Spacious RV campsites. Lots of pull-through sites. They also have tent camping sites and cabins. Location is right next to Kings Dominion amusement park. Staff was very friendly!

  • Michael H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jan. 31, 2026

    Bonny Biggin Farm

    Private spot on a working farm

    Nice private spot close to Richmond. No hookups

  • D
    Dec. 3, 2025

    Doswell Retreat and Tree Farm

    Lots of trees and space and even more fun!

    This place has tons of trees and also back up to a 1200 acres of MORE timbers. Close to Highway, yet feels far and remote!

  • Thiru Moorthy G.
    Nov. 27, 2025

    Bull Run Regional Park

    ⭐ 1-Star Review – Shockingly Rude, Misleading, and Embarrassing Experience

    I am writing this review because what happened to me at Bull Run Regional Park Campground was not just inconvenient—it was humiliating, unprofessional, and completely avoidable.

    I camp in my Tesla. I have already stayed at this exact campground before with no issue. Their online reservation system allowed me to book again—no warnings, no restrictions, nothing to indicate a problem. So I drove all the way from North Carolina to Virginia trusting that everything was fine.

    When I arrived to check in, the office staff was literally handing me the paperwork. Out of nowhere, a ranger barged in and bluntly told me: “You cannot camp in a Tesla. You need a separate rig.”

    His tone was rude, dismissive, and made me feel like I was doing something dirty or cheap. There was zero respect, zero empathy—just instant judgment. I felt like I was being treated as if I was trying to sneak in or break rules, even though they allowed the booking and accepted my reservation.

    If they have such a rule, why wasn’t I notified during booking? Why was I allowed to stay the first time? Why let me drive for hours only to embarrass me at the check-in counter?

    The office employee even tried to defend me, but he couldn’t convince the ranger. Instead, they told me I could not stay and promised an immediate refund.

    After a long drive, being spoken to like that was extremely disappointing. I’ve camped all over North Carolina and never been treated with such disrespect. Camping in a Tesla is clean, quiet, zero-emission, and safe, yet I was made to feel like I didn’t belong.

    To make matters worse, it has now been seven days and not a single dollar of the refund has appeared. When I called, the office representative didn’t even ask for my reservation details and seemed completely clueless. She first said she couldn’t do anything, then suddenly changed her story and said she would “leave a note.” When I asked to speak with someone who could actually help, she put me on hold and suddenly claimed the manager had “just refunded” me and that I would see the money in two business days.

    After everything that happened, it felt like another layer of indifference and incompetence.

    This entire experience—from the rude ranger to the unprofessional refund handling—left me feeling disrespected and upset. For a campground that charges over $75 a night after fees and taxes, the treatment I received was unacceptable.

    Guests deserve honesty, clear communication, and basic respect.

  • Vidalia S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 10, 2025

    Coles Point Marina

    Marina on the Potomac

    We kept our boat here, so it was no problem for us to park our van for free. But they do have lovely campsites, with toilets, showers, water, pump out, electric, and trash, right on the Potomac River. They allow tent, camping and RVs and have several cottages. Price varies depending on size and services. Tents are $20 a night. The only problem, or maybe it's an advantage, is that it is a long way to anything else. Small store onsight. Will recieve and hold packages. Great accommodating and friendly staff.

  • BThe Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 2, 2025

    Fredericksburg-Washington DC KOA

    Trick or treat night!

    Came in to tent camp 1 night to break up a long drive south, and it happened to be trick or treat night. There were several events during the day for the kiddos that were here. Staff was friendly, Our site was clean, fire ring was empty and our neighbors were playing 90’s hits! Perfect vibe.

  • C
    Oct. 31, 2025

    Prince William Forest RV Campground — Prince William Forest Park

    Beautiful views - steep sites

    caution though, the back row is steep. We were unable to get our Super C level.  The rain created red clay mud so the dogs were a mess - actually became sort of comical.  All in all it was a beautiful and clean location.  Try and reserve row E if you need full hook up

Guide to Colonial Beach

Camping options near Colonial Beach stretch beyond the town's limits into surrounding Charles County, Maryland, and King George County, Virginia. The area sits at the confluence of the Potomac River and Mattawoman Creek at approximately 100 feet above sea level. Water levels fluctuate seasonally, with spring bringing higher water that can impact some shoreline campsites.

What to do

Shark tooth hunting at Westmoreland State Park: Walk the 1.5-mile Big Meadow Trail from the campground to Fossil Beach. Campers can spend hours searching along the shoreline after rainstorms expose new specimens. "We came from Pa/De and wanted to look for sharks teeth. It was beautiful here so we decided to stay the night," notes one visitor to Westmoreland State Park Campground.

Disc golf at nearby parks: The 18-hole course at Pohick Bay Regional Park offers challenging play with both wooded and open fairways. "I'd recommend taking in a game of disc golf on their 18 hole course," suggests a regular visitor to Pohick Bay Campground.

Kayaking from waterfront campsites: Mattawoman Creek offers protected paddling with abundant wildlife viewing opportunities. A camper at Smallwood State Park notes, "Mattawoman Creek is right there and great for kayaking. We'll definitely be back!!"

What campers like

Spacious campsites away from crowds: Some campgrounds offer more privacy than others, with ample space between sites. At Prince William Forest Park, a camper reports, "The sites were roomy and not too close. We saw lots of wildlife but had no issues with trash or food (raccoons left everything alone)."

Evening community activities: Weekend organized events provide social opportunities during summer months. "They had a scavenger hunt for the kids going all weekend, they had an outdoor movie scheduled for Friday night, a campfire story time scheduled for Saturday night and crafts scheduled for Sunday morning," shares a family that visited Oak Ridge Campground.

Clean facilities year-round: Many campgrounds maintain high standards even in off-season. "Bath houses are always SO clean and heated in the winter. So appreciate the recycling bins," mentions a winter camper at Westmoreland State Park.

What you should know

Military training impacts: Fort A.P. Hill operates nearby with periodic artillery and aircraft noise. A camper at CHAMPS RV notes, "Sometimes you hear military field training going on (live ranges, helicopters, and ospreys - but I don't mind)."

Site privacy varies widely: Research individual sites before booking as exposure differs significantly. "Sites are very private with most having thick foliage and trees between them. Our site was perfectly level," reports a visitor to Smallwood State Park.

Internet connectivity challenges: Cell reception is inconsistent throughout the region. "Limited cell service (StarLink or similar is your best option)," advises an experienced camper at Fort A.P. Hill's military campground.

Tips for camping with families

Look for campgrounds with scheduled activities: Some parks offer organized programming specifically for children. A parent camping at Oak Ridge Campground shares, "There is plenty of things to do here to keep a family occupied."

Choose sites near playgrounds: Strategic site selection can enhance family camping experience. "We got a site on the inner loop and it backed to the playground and the bathhouse. The site was spacious," notes a family with young children.

Plan for seasonal weather variations: Summer brings high humidity requiring preparation. A camper at Pohick Bay mentions, "Pohick Bay is my go-to weekend camping spot. Just a few miles outside DC, Pohick Bay is a hidden gem in the area."

Tips from RVers

Reserve waterfront sites early: Prime locations at Monroe Bay Marina fill months in advance for summer weekends. A visitor to Goose Bay Marina advises, "We camped here in a rental while towing our boat. Super nice people, mostly long term sites, with 8 transient sites. They are in an open and mostly flat area."

Check site dimensions carefully: Some campgrounds have tight spacing between RVs. "The sites are very shady, which certainly comes in handy in the Virginia heat," notes a camper at Thousand Trails Harbor View.

Use campgrounds as base for regional exploration: Many campers use Colonial Beach area campgrounds to visit Washington DC and historic sites. "We stayed here for 2w while visiting friends in Alexandria. Took me 25-30m to get there so you are far away from bustle of city but not so far that going in to enjoy breakfast or the sights is a feat."

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best campgrounds in Colonial Beach, VA?

For camping in Colonial Beach, Thousand Trails Harbor View is a popular option with shady sites and family-friendly amenities including a pool with kiddie area, playground, and putt-putt golf. The campground hosts community events like Saturday night bonfires. Another excellent option is Monroe Bay Marina and Campground, located right in Colonial Beach with waterfront access. For those willing to drive a bit further, Westmoreland State Park offers scenic camping with hiking trails and beach access. The area provides a mix of private and public campgrounds to suit different preferences, from full-service RV resorts to more rustic experiences.

Are there RV parks with hookups in Colonial Beach?

Goose Bay Marina offers RV camping with hookups near Colonial Beach, providing water and electric connections in a convenient location for boaters and RVers alike. The marina is big-rig friendly, making it suitable for larger recreational vehicles. For those seeking a full-service RV experience, Americamps RV Resort is within driving distance and features full hookups, a seasonal pool, and clean facilities. While located just north of Richmond off I-95, it makes a good base for exploring the Colonial Beach area. Several campgrounds in the region offer various hookup options from basic water/electric to full service with sewer connections.

Is tent camping available near Colonial Beach, VA?

Yes, tent camping is available near Colonial Beach. Big Timber Campground near King George offers tent sites with basic amenities including water access and toilets. Westmoreland State Park Campground is another excellent option for tent campers, featuring scenic sites along the Potomac River about 20 minutes from Colonial Beach. The park provides tent pads, picnic tables, and access to hiking trails and beach areas. Many tent campers appreciate the natural settings and more affordable rates compared to RV-focused parks. Most tent campgrounds in the area are open seasonally, typically from spring through fall, with some offering winter camping for hardy outdoor enthusiasts.

What attractions can I visit while camping in Colonial Beach, Virginia?

While camping near Colonial Beach, you can enjoy the town's waterfront access with its public beaches along the Potomac River. Pohick Bay Campground visitors recommend exploring nearby Westmoreland State Park, which offers hiking trails, fossil hunting, and scenic Potomac River views. Colonial Beach itself features a charming downtown area with shops and restaurants. History enthusiasts will appreciate the birthplace of George Washington at nearby Washington's Birthplace National Monument and James Monroe's birthplace. Prince William Forest Park is within day-trip distance, offering extensive hiking trails through 15,000 acres of protected forest. Fishing, boating, and water activities are popular along the Potomac River and Monroe Bay.

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