Camping spots near Washington, District of Columbia are primarily located within a 20-60 mile radius of the city center, creating accessible options for urban residents seeking outdoor experiences. The region experiences humid summers with temperatures frequently exceeding 90°F from June through August, making spring and fall the most comfortable camping seasons. Most campgrounds stay open from April through October, with a few offering year-round access.
What to Do
Wildlife viewing along waterways: At Pohick Bay Campground, campers regularly spot bald eagles throughout the park. "Beautiful campground located near the National Harbor. Eagles everywhere! Large clean sites," reports one visitor who enjoyed the abundant bird watching opportunities.
Disc golf course access: Several parks offer disc golf facilities for campers. "Pohick Bay is my go-to weekend camping spot. Just a few miles outside DC, Pohick Bay is a hidden gem in the area. I'd recommend taking in a game of disc golf on their 18 hole course," suggests a regular visitor.
Fishing and boating: Many campgrounds provide water access. "The park itself is safe, quiet, permitting some nice treks through the woods... The other great thing about it that you can spend entire days at the always-free Smithsonian museums and still fall asleep in the woods," notes a visitor to Greenbelt Park Campground.
Pool facilities and splash pads: For summer visitors, water recreation offers relief from heat. "The sites are pretty close together but enough space to do your thing and lots of woods around for shade and hammocks. Showers were decent," reports a camper at Greenbelt Park.
What Campers Like
Proximity to public transportation: The strategic location for accessing DC attractions remains a major draw. "There is normally a walking path from the campground to the metro station that takes you into DC (the green line takes you to the National Mall), but as of Oct 2023 the bridge is out due to a storm," shares a visitor providing up-to-date access information.
Access to DC without driving: Cherry Hill Park offers specialized transportation options. "The best park in the DC area! Very nice grounds, clean, and amenities galore! Plan and reserve you DC tours right at the campground. No need to drive anywhere, the tour buses pick you up at the park!" explains one satisfied camper.
Large bathhouse facilities: Clean, well-maintained facilities stand out in reviews. "Five stars for the restroom facilities. Bright, large, clean and very well maintained," notes a visitor to Lake Fairfax Campground. Another camper adds, "The bathrooms are the nicest I've ever seen."
Urban wildlife encounters: Despite the metropolitan setting, wildlife viewing opportunities exist. "Saw a snake, alligator snapping turtle, and rabbits, before we even reached the gates," reports a visitor to Cedarville State Forest, noting the surprising biodiversity so close to the city.
What You Should Know
Evening noise patterns: Campgrounds near military facilities experience specific noise issues. "There is a shooting range in the park. It is on a flight path for DCA. And, I66 is not that far away," explains a visitor to Bull Run Regional Park.
Seasonal considerations: Late spring through summer brings additional challenges. "We tried fans, tiki torches, and many deet free or light deet products before having to buy 100% deet so we could be outside," shares a Cedarville State Forest camper about mosquito intensity during summer months.
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds require advance booking with no on-site registration. "This is a NO CASH facility which means you CANNOT pay upon arrival so you will have to do so online," warns a Greenbelt Park visitor about their registration process.
Site levelness varies significantly: Bring leveling equipment. "My site was a little difficult to find because the online park map was incorrect, and the spot was basically an extended shoulder of the road," notes a Greenbelt camper, while another visitor to Lake Fairfax warns, "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."
Tips for Camping with Families
Scheduled activities for kids: Bull Run Regional Park offers regular programming. "The campground had a climbing wall on one afternoon. There are miles of trails and my gkids enjoyed the nature scavenger hunt. You even get a prize when you finish," shares one grandparent about the family-oriented amenities.
Multiple playground options: Lake Fairfax provides extensive recreation facilities. "A lot to do: mountain bike trails (horses and walking, too); wooded hikes with water along the trails (great for dogs in the summer heat), skateboard park, BMX park, Water Park near the campground, fishing, & canoeing)."
Camp amenities for longer stays: Cherry Hill Park offers extensive facilities. "You get what you pay for. This campground has so much to offer. We loved it. Pros: 50 amp hook-up, Water, Sewer, Playground, Mini Golf, Swimming Pool, Hot tub, Basketball court, Snack bar on site, Nightly hayride, Gated, On-site camp store, On-site bus shuttle," lists one family who appreciated the amenities during their stay.
Movie nights and storytelling events: Some campgrounds program evening entertainment. "They informed us that 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 parent camping with young children.
Tips from RVers
Site selection for larger rigs: Choose campgrounds with appropriate space. "Weekdays are pretty quiet in this campground. I think there's 3 loops. One is for group only. One is electric hook up and C is tent only," notes a visitor to Greenbelt Park about the campground layout.
Dump station protocol: Be prepared for unique systems. "They have a new dump station, but the hose has an anti-freeze up in the air with a pull cord valve. This means every time you pull to turn the water on, you get a shower," warns a camper who visited Pohick Bay.
Power management considerations: Electric access varies widely between campgrounds. "This campground is about 25 sites. Only 5 sites have electric (2, 5, 18, 24, 25) but all 25 sites have water hookup," explains a camper at Louise F. Cosca Regional Park, providing specific site numbers for those requiring electrical hookups.
Arrival timing guidance: Some campgrounds have challenging navigation after dark. "Do not try and come in after dark. Very tight and very dark," cautions a visitor about a local campground's narrow access roads and limited lighting.
