10 campgrounds with availability this weekend
Camping options near National Mall & Memorial Parks include several established campgrounds within a short drive of Washington DC, providing convenient accommodations for visitors exploring the nation's capital. Greenbelt Park Campground, located approximately 12 miles northeast of the National Mall, serves as an urban oasis with tent and RV camping in a wooded setting. Other nearby options include Cherry Hill Park in College Park with full-service RV sites, cabins and glamping accommodations, and several regional parks in Virginia like Pohick Bay Campground and Bull Run Regional Park that offer mixed-use campgrounds with tent sites, RV hookups, and cabin rentals.
The camping landscape surrounding the DC area features a mix of federal and regional park facilities, most requiring advance reservations through recreation.gov or park-specific websites. Greenbelt Park Campground maintains four separate loops with varying accommodation types - one for organized groups, and others designated for tents and RVs under specific length limits. Most campgrounds in the region operate seasonally, with some facilities closing during winter months, though Cherry Hill Park and Bull Run Regional Park remain open year-round. Many campers appreciate the strategic location of these campgrounds for city exploration. As one visitor noted, "Amazing that there is such a pretty place so close to DC. This must be a great getaway for locals."
Several reviews highlight Greenbelt Park's accessibility to public transportation as a key advantage for campers wanting to visit Washington DC. The park offers a natural setting with hiking trails and wildlife viewing opportunities while being minutes from metro stations. Campers frequently mention seeing deer and enjoying the forest atmosphere despite the urban surroundings. While basic amenities like bathrooms, showers, and picnic tables are standard at most sites, hookup availability varies significantly between campgrounds. Some visitors point out limitations - "No electric or hook ups - even with tent camping we like to be plugged in but no RV services are offered here." Regional parks in Virginia tend to offer more amenities including electric and water hookups, while Greenbelt Park focuses on a more natural camping experience with minimal facilities despite its urban proximity.
"Great camping amenities, soft cushioned sites, with power and water close by. DO NOT GET BASIC TENT SITES AS THEY ARE NEXT TO HIGHWAYS AND VERY NOISY!!! Premium tent sites would be a better choice."
"That being said, I’m sure there were a few campers who didn’t like being right next to the walkway to the bathrooms and showers. The park is broken down in to various sections and slightly tiered."
Available this weekend
from $999 / night
"If you are really looking for somewhere to feel far away from civilization and see some beautiful scenery, this probably isn't it."
"The campsite is superb with walking trails, wildlife and the occasional overflying US Presidential Helicopter. Easily accessible from close by freeways, and charmingly peaceful"
Available this weekend
from $20 / 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."
"We enjoyed sitting around the campfire at night and walking the dogs down to the water. We were right next to a hiking trail that went down to the water and a beach area."
Available this weekend
from $150 / night
"We set up our tent in the far side of the campground close to the lake ( site 27). It is slightly slant but still comfortable in the tent. Bathrooms are close by and kept clean."
"It took us a couple wrong turns to find our site and when we came back, after the concert around 11, the entrance gate was closed and we had to sneak in through the exit gate."
from $30 - $70 / night
"We stayed Burke lake campground for one night last week. It was very peaceful place. The whole camp ground was very clean and well kept."
"This was my second time going Burke Lake and it was just as enjoyable as the first."
"There's plenty of room around the camper, and although there are other campsites and cabins nearby, the trees provide a lot of separation."
"History buffs will like to explore the park surrounding the campground. Fun little water park within walking distance of all campsites that was great for kids."
Available this weekend
from $34 - $90 / night
"We picked up the camping registration outside the office at the entrance, no need to speak with anyone. Then we just drove down to our campsite in the family camping loop."
"Forested campground with fairly lengthy but level (and thus beginner friendly) hiking just a short distance away from Washington, DC."
from $30 / night
"Site 24 and 25 are very close together but the other sites are at a distance however, 6 of the 25 sites are unleveled so tent camping is probably the only option."
"Close to town but far enough to enjoy yourself. Bathrooms are clean and have decent showers."
from $10 - $45 / night
"Good site, secure location, decent facilities with solid WiFi. Pier within walking distance. Good location, tho our site wasn't fully level, so bring plenty of leveling blocks."
"It is very clean and there are many amenities close by. The base outdoor recreation center has equipment to rent such as kayaks and canoes to explore the Potomac river."
from $55 / 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."
Available this weekend
from $26 / night
TravelerClose to washington as we could get. Could also park our skoolie bus which was nice and had plenty of close by shower with bathrooms. Keep in mind only one shower per restroom house. We stayed at a pretty slow season so it wasn’t bad. Would recommend if visiting DC! They also have a dump station and water fill up.
ScoutWe stayed in site #133 with our 34'10" travel trailer/toy hauler. Overall, we really like the site. It's spacious, fairly level, heavily wooded, and feels surprisingly private. There's plenty of room around the camper, and although there are other campsites and cabins nearby, the trees provide a lot of separation. We had a nice large area for our chairs, fire pit, picnic table, and dogs. The biggest thing to know about #133 is the approach. We were instructed to pass the site, go around the loop, and then make a left turn into it. With our nearly 35' trailer, that would have required an extremely tight, almost 90-degree turn between the trees, and we did not feel we could safely make it. There is actually visible damage on one of the trees at the entrance, so it appears others may have had difficulty with the turn as well. Instead, we approached from the opposite direction and positioned the camper with our doors facing the main campsite area. That put the water and electric hookups on the opposite side, but our hoses and cord were long enough to run underneath the camper and reach without a problem. Once we figured that out, the site worked very well for us. I initially thought we probably wouldn't choose #133 again because of the awkward setup, but after spending the weekend here, I would. Now that we know how to approach and position our trailer, it really is a nice site. If you're bringing a longer travel trailer, just be prepared to do a little maneuvering and make sure your water hose and electrical cord have enough length if you decide to orient your camper the way we did.
ScoutSimple and friendly check in process. Clean and well-maintained site.
GuideSpent two nights while we saw the Avett Brothers play at Wolf Trap. Nice flat site with power. Campground was quiet and clean. The only negative is communication and signage. It took us a couple wrong turns to find our site and when we came back, after the concert around 11, the entrance gate was closed and we had to sneak in through the exit gate. Asked the next day and they said that is what campers do to access the park after 11pm.
ScoutThis is are first camping adventure in are new travel trailer. Camp ground is quiet and well maintained. Bath rooms and shower facilities are fantastic.
GuidePrimitive feel with full hookups. I have a 22' trailer, and it fits fine. I hope you like trains. Plenty of them go by.
GuideThis is a great camping spot. The sites aren’t too close together and the hosts are very friendly. The only reason I gave it four stars is because we are near a highway so you can hear cars throughout the night. But the crickets make up for it by being as loud as possible. With the fees, it cost $25 for a non-electric site and with access to showers after a long trek I was happy to pay.
RangerWe stayed at Redemption Springs to get relatively close to Baltimore without bringing our 30ft travel trailer into the city. Seth and the other gentlemen I spoke with were all extremely accommodating. Enjoyed learning about their approach to restorative farming and purchasing a variety of treats at the farm store. Beef, pork, chicken, seasonings, baked goods, and more. We booked on Hipcamp and recommend following his driving instructions. Our rig fit fine by tuhe main barn and they kept an eye on us going in and out to make sure we didn't have issues making any of the turns. Lots of farm life!
RangerWe stayed at Little Bennett starting on Labor Day Monday and left before the weekend, so it is hard to say how this looks when the campground is full of life. They had quite a few activities for families and a pavilion capable of concerts and such, but there was minimal activity during our stay. My biggest complaint is that the gate code changed and we didn't get any notice--so after a long day and a dinner out near Baltimore (nearly an hour away), I had to call the police to get back to my camper. Otherwise, the campsite was relatively spacious and quiet. The bugs were a little rough. Lots of whitetail running around.
Camping options near National Mall & Memorial Parks extend beyond the immediate city limits, providing varied overnight accommodations within a 25-40 minute drive of DC's iconic monuments. The region features a mix of forested state parks, military facilities, and county-operated campgrounds, creating a diverse selection of camping environments. Many sites experience high seasonal demand from April through October when temperatures average 65-85°F during daytime hours.
Water recreation: 30 minute drive to Pohick Bay from most DC locations offers multiple water-based activities. "Boating in summer from kayaks to motorboats" is available as noted by camper Anne K. The park maintains boat rental facilities a short walk from the campground.
Wildlife viewing: Bald eagle habitat surrounds several camping areas near the Potomac River watershed. At Fort Belvoir Travel and RV Camp, campers report "Eagle's nest were interesting" according to Mike H., who used the campground as a base for DC tourism.
Disc golf: Free 18-hole course available at Pohick Bay Regional Park. Rachel L. calls it her "go-to weekend spot" and recommends "taking in a game of disc golf on their 18 hole course" as a primary activity.
Historical exploration: Civil War sites within short driving distance of most campgrounds. Oak Ridge Campground sits inside Prince William Forest Park where Daniel S. reports "We spent 5 days camping and exploring the civil war battle areas and other things. Definitely worth exploring."
Metro accessibility: Convenient public transit from several campgrounds saves on parking costs. Greenbelt Park campers particularly note the two nearby stations. Nick C. reports that Greenbelt has "3 loops. One is for group only. One is electric hook up and C is tent only" providing options for different camping styles.
Urban escape with natural setting: Most campers appreciate the unexpected forest environment so close to the city. "Plenty of tree cover" at Greenbelt Park Campground according to Timothy C., who notes the park service restricts "tying lines or straps to the trees" which affects hammock camping.
Nearby attractions: Water parks at several campgrounds provide additional recreation. Pohick Bay features "Pirate's Cove waterpark" which Anne K. calls "definitely a highlight in summer" for families staying at the campground.
Clean facilities: Modern bathhouses receive high marks at most campgrounds within 30 minutes of DC. At Oak Ridge Campground, campers praise "super clean bathrooms with marble tile" according to Chad, reflecting recent renovations at many park facilities.
Seasonal operation: Limited winter availability affects camping planning from November-March. Bull Run Regional Park and Cherry Hill Park remain open year-round, but most other options close seasonally.
Noise factors: Urban proximity means varying sound levels at different campgrounds. Josh J. notes at Fort Belvoir you're "far away from bustle of city but not so far that going in to enjoy breakfast or the sights is a feat."
Tick precautions: Bring protection especially during peak seasons. At Cedarville State Forest, Ben J. warns "LOTS and LOTS of ticks. I got one, but my wife and dog got about a dozen each. Just bring tweezers."
Reservation requirements: Plan ahead for weekend camping from April-October when sites fill quickly. Most campgrounds require advance booking through recreation.gov or county reservation systems.
Site selection: Research campground maps before booking. At Lake Fairfax Campground, Tana S. notes "this place gets crowded" and "campsites are close together" which affects privacy levels.
Playground access: Check campground maps before booking to find sites near play areas. Ben G. reports Oak Ridge Campground has sites that "backed to the playground and the bathhouse" creating convenient access for children.
Organized activities: Weekend programming often includes family-friendly events. Bridget H. reports Bull Run Regional Park "had a campfire complete with s'mores followed by hayrides" and even featured "a climbing wall on one afternoon."
Nature programs: Ranger-led activities occur regularly at many campgrounds. Clara K. notes that Prince William Forest Park is "great for a weekend getaway" while offering educational opportunities for children.
Water features: Plan for swimming options during summer months. Lake Fairfax Campground visitor Amy B. highlights that the park offers "Water Park near the campground" which helps keep children entertained during hot summer days.
Limited hookup availability: Check amenities carefully when booking as options vary significantly. Cherry Hill Park offers the most comprehensive RV services, with Jonathan B. noting "We had a premium site for seven nights. The site was perfectly level with a fire ring, grill, picnic table and table with three chairs."
Transportation options: RVers appreciate shuttle service at select campgrounds. Jason E. emphasizes Cherry Hill Park's convenience: "No need to drive anywhere, the tour buses pick you up at the park!"
Site leveling: Bring blocks for many area campgrounds. Thomas at Fort Belvoir recommends "plenty of leveling blocks" as "our site wasn't fully level" despite otherwise good facilities.
Dump station access: Limited availability at some campgrounds. Nurse N. notes Cedarville State Forest provides "Dump station and trash were just outside of the loop" making end-of-stay cleanup convenient.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular campground near National Mall & Memorial Parks?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near National Mall & Memorial Parks is Cherry Hill Park with a 4.8-star rating from 44 reviews.
What parks are near National Mall & Memorial Parks?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 16 parks near National Mall & Memorial Parks that allow camping, notably Fort Dupont Park and Rock Creek Park.
Keep Exploring
