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Camping near National Mall & Memorial Parks

633 Reviews

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.

Map showing campgrounds near National Mall & Memorial Parks, District of ColumbiaExplore the Map

Best Camping Sites Near National Mall & Memorial Parks (89)

    1. Cherry Hill Park

    42 Reviews
    Beltsville, MD
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (301) 937-7116

    $282 - $999 / night

    "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."

    2. Greenbelt Park Campground — Greenbelt Park

    32 Reviews
    Greenbelt, MD
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (301) 344-3948

    $20 / 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"

    3. Pohick Bay Campground

    38 Reviews
    Lorton, VA
    16 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."

    "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."

    4. Lake Fairfax Campground

    25 Reviews
    Reston, VA
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (703) 471-5414

    $30 - $70 / 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."

    "For tent camping I would suggests sites 30,33 or 35 these are tucked along the tree line. The bathroom facilities were the cleanest I have seen in a campground."

    5. Burke Lake Park Campground

    15 Reviews
    Burke, VA
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (703) 323-6600

    "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."

    6. Bull Run Regional Park

    42 Reviews
    Iron Gate, VA
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (703) 631-0550

    $34 - $90 / night

    "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."

    "We booked site 136 due to proximity of the playground (traveling with a 5 & 10 yr old). The site was great except the weird parking stops on every site but the pull throughs."

    7. Cedarville State Forest

    17 Reviews
    Brandywine, MD
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (301) 888-1410

    $30 / 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."

    8. Louise F. Cosca Regional Park

    4 Reviews
    Clinton, MD
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (301) 868-1397

    $10 - $45 / 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."

    9. Fort Belvoir Travel and RV Camp

    4 Reviews
    Fort Belvoir, VA
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (703) 805-3081

    $55 / 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."

    10. Oak Ridge Campground — Prince William Forest Park

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

    $26 / night

    "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."

    "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."

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Showing results 1-10 of 89 campgrounds

Recent Camping Photos near National Mall & Memorial Parks

252 Photos of 89 National Mall & Memorial Parks Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near National Mall & Memorial Parks

633 Reviews of 89 National Mall & Memorial Parks Campgrounds

  • 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

  • Amanda S.
    Oct. 14, 2025

    Washington DC / Capitol KOA

    Got bed bugs? They do.

    Stayed in cabin 202 for a Fri- Sun and on our last morning we found a bed bug on our clothing. While they gave a refund it does not come close to cover the time and energy of remediating all of our clothing, sheets, and blankets. We also had to throw out items that could not be cleaned properly and now have to replace them(pillows, shoes, etc). My husband has 23 bites over the course of 2 nights. They burn and itch very badly. I truly hope this was a hiccup for them and they go through correct methods of having the cabin treated properly. 

    UPDATE: A recount of the bites- my husband has 31 bites so far. The remediation of all of our items is exhausting. All the blankets, clothing, suit cases, all the other items we used in the cabin needs to be cleaned. We had to throw out our shoes because they shrunk in the dryer. Spent$$$ replacing shoes for a family for 4. Pillows are not cheap to replace either. I bought a new corset at the renfest this weekend that I'm hoping doesn't get ruined when it goes through the dryer. That too was expensive. So if you're looking to have to spend a bunch of extra money to replace items you didn't want to replace in the first place- I recommend staying here.

  • EThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 23, 2025

    Adventure Bound Washington DC

    Nice

    This place is a good place to stay, the laundry room & showers are handy, the pool is large, & it's a 40 minute drive to the capital & the Smithsonian Mall or a 25 minute drive to the closest Metro station. It's crowded but folks are quiet & respectful!

  • EThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 6, 2025

    Harpers Ferry Campground - River Riders

    Awesome views on the Potomac

    Very cool spot. Amazing sites right on the Potomac. There is a Ale House above the office that delivers for free to your site (2.5 miles away), just tip the driver

  • Werner S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 1, 2025

    Aquia Pines Campground

    Good stopover near the highway but hidden between the trees

    We where forced land-inwards because of tropical storm Erin (potential hurricane hitting the Outer Banks). So we decided to visit Washington DC and had a stopover here. It was conveniently located. Terrain is not flat but our spot was well levelled. There is a big dog (and an older gentleman) in the office to welcome you. Full hook up was oké and our spot was nicly secluded between the trees.

  • Erin W.
    Aug. 3, 2025

    Lake Fairfax Campground

    Nice for a quick weekend

    This campground is nice for a quick weekend and does have pretty trails next to the campground. The sites are largely in more of a meadow and not many are very wooded. Our site, 41, was level and nicely spaced from other sites but many tent sites were not level at all. Many tents were on a full slant. There is a waterpark that is an extra cost which is fun for kids. Bathrooms are well maintained and huge.

  • Jennifer H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 2, 2025

    Cherry Hill Park

    Can’t beat it

    Proximity to DC and surrounding areas can’t be beat. Uber, Lyft, bus, shuttle. It takes about a half hour to get downtown to the monuments. Our uber rides ranged from 20-45$ for a family of 5. So $4-9 per person. We rode in all 4 days this way. Personalized, comfortable. Door to door. We saw tons of stuff. No one can say they saw everything. We took the train from Union station to Penn station. Saw the nationals, the orioles. So fun. The park itself has more than most. Mini golf, two pools, arcade, 24 hour laundry, a store and office open early!! And late!!! Wow! Just can’t be beat. Great sites. So many other things in the park. Splash pad, paved roads for scootering. Just awesome!

  • Caleb S.
    Jul. 31, 2025

    Patapsco Valley State Park-Hilton Area

    Tabolt island state park

    We had a nice stay overlooking the marsh. The small crabs were skittering around the campsite and birds perched in the marsh. The beach was nice and clean.

  • John B.
    Jul. 21, 2025

    Harpers Ferry / Civil War Battlefields KOA

    Overcrowded with upkeep

    I hate leaving bad reviews, but I think people should be aware of this campsite. First thing we noticed when we arrived at the campsite was that it was very tight. We had a pull through campsite, but on the camp side it was all dirt and grass that look like it hadn’t been mowed in over two weeks. With the heat and humidity we have been having for the last couple weeks, I knew this was gonna be a buggy site. Then the rains came and everything turned into mud. We had a rug laid down, but the mud and water worked its way through that. We couldn’t enter the RV without tracking mode through it. On days it was raining we spent a lot of time in the camper. That’s when we discovered another issue. On almost all occasions there was no Internet. We had a strong Wi-Fi signal, but no Internet. Upon talking to some of our neighbors who frequented this campsite, they said they had never seen it this bad. The other thing too, was that there was hardly any trash receptacles. Ending this on a good note, we loved how close it was to historical Harpers Ferry, and how convenient it was to be able to walk to the visitor center and catch a ferry. It really is a beautiful area. I would hope that the management of this KOA would address these issues, because I’m sure I’m not gonna be the only one to leave a negative review about this campground.

Guide to National Mall & Memorial Parks

Camping near National Mall & Memorial Parks, District of Columbia, offers a unique blend of outdoor adventure and easy access to the nation's capital. Whether you're looking to explore historical sites or just enjoy nature, there are several campgrounds nearby that cater to different needs.

What to do:

  • Visit Washington, D.C.: Many campers use the campgrounds as a base to explore the city. For instance, at Cherry Hill Park, one reviewer mentioned, "We stayed a week at Cherry Hill and it had everything we needed for visiting DC." The campground is conveniently located near public transit options that make getting into the city easy.
  • Enjoy outdoor activities: At Bull Run Regional Park, families can take advantage of the giant playground and water park. A visitor shared, "My son loved the giant playground and full water park at the campground."
  • Explore nature trails: Campers at Pohick Bay Campground can enjoy scenic trails. One reviewer noted, "The trails to the bay are fun," making it a great spot for hiking and enjoying the outdoors.

What campers like:

  • Clean facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and showers. A visitor at Lake Fairfax Campground said, "Great bathrooms all singles w showers. Lots of fun things to do."
  • Community feel: Many campgrounds foster a sense of community. A reviewer at Cherry Hill Park mentioned, "There is a generally good sense of community," which can make for a more enjoyable experience.
  • Proximity to attractions: Campers love being close to major attractions. One camper at Greenbelt Park Campground stated, "This must be a great getaway for locals," highlighting its convenience for visiting the National Mall.

What you should know:

  • Noise levels: Some campgrounds can be noisy due to nearby highways or urban areas. A visitor at Pohick Bay Campground complained, "This place is absolutely the most horrific noisy place," so be prepared for potential disturbances.
  • Site spacing: Campgrounds like Bull Run Regional Park have sites that can be close together. One camper noted, "The sites are situated quite close to one another," which might not suit everyone.
  • Limited amenities: Some campgrounds may not have all the amenities you expect. A reviewer at Greenbelt Park Campground mentioned, "There is not a ton to do within the park itself," so plan accordingly.

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose family-friendly campgrounds: Look for places with activities for kids. At Cherry Hill Park, one family enjoyed the "clean bathrooms and showers" and found the campground well-stocked with supplies.
  • Plan for transportation: If you're visiting D.C., consider using public transit. A camper at Cherry Hill Park said, "We didn't drive to DC at all - just used public transit," making it easy for families without a car.
  • Check for kid-friendly activities: Campgrounds like Little Bennett Campground offer activities like pedal carts and jumping pads, which can keep kids entertained.

Tips from RVers:

  • Big rig friendly sites: If you're traveling with a large RV, look for campgrounds that accommodate big rigs. A reviewer at Ramblin' Pines mentioned, "Roomy spots, propane on site," which is a plus for RV travelers.
  • Be mindful of site access: Some campgrounds have tight roads. A camper at Pohick Bay Campground advised, "Careful low bridge on Route 1 exit ramp," so check your route before heading in.
  • Check for amenities: Look for campgrounds with full hookups. A visitor at Lake Fairfax Campground noted, "Campground has mostly level gravel lots with fire rings," which is ideal for RV setups.

Camping near National Mall & Memorial Parks, District of Columbia, can be a fantastic experience with the right preparation and knowledge. Enjoy your adventure!

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 42 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.

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