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Greenbelt Park Campground's pet-friendly facilities attract dog owners seeking camping near the nation's capital. The campground offers multiple loops with tent and RV sites where pets are welcome, all set within a forested area just minutes from Washington DC. Visitors with pets can choose from several accommodation options, including tent sites in loops B and C, or RV spots in loop D for vehicles up to 35 feet. The park maintains clean, well-maintained sites with picnic tables and fire rings where campers and their dogs can enjoy the natural setting. While there are no electric hookups or sewer connections, the campground provides water spigots throughout the loops and bathhouses with hot showers. Reviews consistently mention wildlife sightings including deer that frequently wander through the camping areas. Campground data and reviews near Washington, District of Columbia is regularly updated on The Dyrt.
Nine miles of hiking trails throughout Greenbelt Park provide excellent exercise opportunities for dogs and their owners. The trails are well-marked and maintained, though campers should apply tick and mosquito prevention for themselves and their pets, especially during warmer months. The park's location offers the unique benefit of proximity to urban amenities while providing a quiet forest retreat where dogs can explore natural surroundings. The Metro station is normally accessible via a walking path from the campground, though as of late 2023, the connecting bridge was damaged and awaiting repairs. Many campers appreciate the park's safety and quiet atmosphere despite its proximity to urban areas. Pet owners should note that park rules require dogs to remain on leash at all times, and the $20 nightly camping fee makes this an affordable option for visiting the DC area with pets.
"This is the closest site to Washington DC. Great location with access to all forms of transportation. Store fully stocked to include groceries. Two pools. Hot tub. "
"Though you are close to highways I don’t recall hearing and noise. I love that they have shuttles to DC., walking trails and a large dog park."
from $999 / night
Check Availability"This mid-sized campground is just 2 miles from Washington D.C. area traffic, shopping centers, etc."
"The park is located away from the camping grounds. It has two play grounds, several picnic tables and a bathroom."
from $20 / night
Check Availability"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."
"This is a pet friendly campground. There's a lot to do out at the whole park, and its worth exploring (we just didn't have time). I'm sure its so pretty out near the water."
from $37 - $170 / night
Check Availability"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"
"We stopped here to go tour Washington DC. We tried both sides 46 and 44 and both were not level."
from $30 - $70 / night
Check Availability"Portable water and dumping station located at the camp store. We stayed at site 146 on the first caul-de-sac off the first loop just another site away from the bath house (which was pretty clean)."
"We stayed at Bull Run Regional Campground on our visit to Washington DC. It was fall and the colors were gorgeous. The sites are all pull-through off the roads through the campground."
from $43 - $100 / night
Check Availability"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."
"Forested campground with fairly lengthy but level (and thus beginner friendly) hiking just a short distance away from Washington, DC."
"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."
from $30 / night
Check Availability"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
Check Availability"Location wise, it's great to see things in area. Both Washington DC and many area's along the Chesapeake Bay, Annapolis, Chesapeake Beach, Solomon's Etc. The sites are very close but adequate."
"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"
"We did not take our dog this time with us but would seriously consider it next time."
"The location worked for my trip but not sure it’s that convenient to DC."
ScoutSnug campground with nice, clean bathroom and pool. Adjacent to Prince William Forest, near shops and restaurants, and less than an hour away from Washington, DC. Good nature getaway from the city. The downside is that there are no trails accessible onsite and the campground is pretty close to main road. It is a slight drive to the main park entrance.
ScoutForested campground with fairly lengthy but level (and thus beginner friendly) hiking just a short distance away from Washington, DC.
If you’ve forgotten anything you can pop on by the Target or Costco right outside the forest.
Also, you can purchase wood while checking in and the Rangers don’t mind if you take a bit extra. Just bring your own starters and kindling (or a small hatchet/saw).
Planes do occasionally fly over the area so consider bringing earplugs if you are a sensitive sleeper. The noise wasn’t really noticeable when I went on a Saturday (the neighboring campsite’s dogs were louder).
RangerThis is a campers dream site. Everything you can think of is offered here. You have to check their website to see all. This is the closest site to Washington DC. Great location with access to all forms of transportation. Store fully stocked to include groceries. Two pools. Hot tub. Play areas to include a game room and miniature golf. Pets are pampered here. Even dog walking service available.
GuideThis park is top notch. The grounds are immaculate. The staff is friendly and helpful. They have a lovely gift shop. We were in the 400 sites and it was nice and shady. Though you are close to highways I don’t recall hearing and noise. I love that they have shuttles to DC., walking trails and a large dog park. This is my all time favorite park so far and I need to go back.
LegendWhat a crazy, but well-placed spot for a campground! This mid-sized campground is just 2 miles from Washington D.C. area traffic, shopping centers, etc. Honestly, we didn't hear the traffic at night and just a bit when we woke up in the morning, but not loud enough to bother us. It's a great place to camp if you want to make a visit to D.C. very affordable, as it's located just 1.5 miles from the nearest Metro Station. You can leave your car behind and visit the sites on foot or bike.
Campground is pretty well maintained, though they recently had some tree damage that has a handful or so of the sites closed for awhile. Each site has a firepit and picnic table. There is a tent only campground as well as RV specific sites, and all are non-electric. The bathroom is relatively clean, but very old and needs some maintenance. There is one hot shower per bathhouse. Some sites have a good amount of privacy (perimeter sites) but the ones in the middle do not.
As this campground is run by the NPS, they offer ranger programs and nighttime campfire talks. Hiking trails are nicely graded, but bikes are not allowed on them. We found some bike trails very close to the campground in a nice green space (Indian Creek Trail and Painted Creek Trail, part of the Anacostia Tributary TrailSystem). There is a small picnic area separate from the campground which has a small playground for the kiddos.
Reservations are required for this campground, no more iron ranger on site as of 2018.
LegendThis place is right outside the gate of Harpers Ferry NP. We walked to the shuttle bus stop. It is a very large KOA, and was almost empty when we visited in September. The original site the gave us had a large rut and washed out spot, so we could not get level. I checked in the office and the reassigned another space that was much better. Full hook ups, nice clean shower and bathrooms, playground, pool, large dog park.
TravelerThe staff and seasonal campers are all very friendly. The bathrooms are incredibly clean. We love all the games there are to play and the dog park is our favorite spot. Overall, it's peaceful and quiet in a nice, wooded setting.
ScoutOverall great camp ground only thing I noticed is at some of the RV sites the hook ups are in crazy spots some are In the neighboring sites area so you have to drag extensions around them. Also the pool and dog park isn’t on site you have to leave to go to it.
LegendCherry Hill Park was easy to find and get to basically right off I-95. This was our first time RVing into the WA DC area and we were concerned about traffic getting to the campground(CG). As we arrived, traffic was heavy on I-95 but manageable. Cherry Hill’s and our RV GPS directions were spot on getting us to the park. We were very impressed with this CG from the moment we entered. We picked up our package outside the office(no contact check-in) and went to premium site 93 with FHUs. Back-in was easy. The wifi was very good but the CG was only about a 1/4 full. Cherry Hill has many different ways to stay; cottages, cabins, yurts, glamping pods, premium and regular tent sites in addition to the RV sites. As we looked around we found that all of the sites, regardless of amenities, were spaced about the same. There are a few sites in the CG on the end that will give you a little more yard space like 97(need to be a competent backer), 402, and 1723. We got 2 bars each on Verizon and AT&T. The CG’s cable provided a large selection of channels and worked well. We were impressed with the main laundry facility due to the amount of large washers and dryers, very fair pricing and very clean. The two off leash dog parks(in the same area) were nice plus there’s a well maintained walking trail that goes around this very large CG’s perimeter. We really liked how there are trash receptacles and dog poopy bag dispensers nicely placed all over the CG. Though we didn’t use it, they even have a dog walker service so you can spend a lot of time exploring the DC area without worrying about your pups. About the only draw back was the road noise from the interstate and highway pretty much 24/7, but considering the area that is to be expected. Sites 13-38 and 1500 sites near the premium tent area are the farthest away from the road noise. We would definitely stay here again.
Greenbelt Park Campground offers a distinctive camping experience close to Washington DC with nine miles of hiking trails through forest terrain. Sites are arranged in several loops, with Loop A reserved for organized groups, Loop B for tents and RVs under 30 feet, Loop C for tents only, and Loop D accommodating vehicles up to 35 feet. The park doesn't provide electric hookups, though water spigots are available throughout the camping area, and the $20 nightly fee makes it budget-friendly for visitors to the capital region.
Explore nearby waterparks: Lake Fairfax Campground features a water park that's popular with families during summer months. "They have a water park, paddle boats, playgrounds, trails, skate park, sports fields, and the bathrooms are the nicest I've ever seen," notes camper Brittany V.
Visit historical sites: Bull Run Regional Park offers access to Civil War battlefields and historical buildings. "The park has golf frisbe course, decent water park for kids, hiking trails, small creek/river you can explore, playgrounds," explains one reviewer, adding that the location is ideal for first-time campers.
Paddle on the Potomac: Fort Belvoir Travel and RV Camp provides riverside recreation opportunities. "The base outdoor recreation center has equipment to rent such as kayaks and canoes to explore the Potomac river. There is a pier out into the river to fish on," writes Jack R., highlighting the water-based activities available.
Wildlife viewing: Greenbelt Park Campground offers frequent wildlife encounters. "Every morning birds and squirrels" can be seen according to one camper, while another notes, "The park itself is safe, quiet, permitting some nice treks through the woods."
Metro accessibility: Urban camping locations provide convenient public transportation access. "The Greenbelt station is about 5 miles away, parked there for the day, and took the green line into town," reports Laura M., adding that weekend parking is free and weekday parking costs about $5/day if you take the metro.
Affordability: Burke Lake Park Campground provides budget-friendly camping near DC. The primitive sites have "communal bath house with water, restrooms and showers" without the expense of full hookup campgrounds, making it a cost-effective base for exploring the region.
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds near DC require advance booking through online systems. "This is a NO CASH facility which means you CANNOT pay upon arrival so you will have to do so online," explains one Greenbelt Park camper.
Varying privacy levels: Site spacing differs significantly between campgrounds. At Cherry Hill Park, "sites are pretty close together but on the ends at least you only have a neighbor on one side," while Bull Run offers more separation where "your camper faces the woods and you feel like you're all alone."
Insect preparation: Ticks and mosquitoes are common in warmer months. "We tried fans, tiki torches, and many deet free or light deet products before having to buy 100% deet so we could be outside," reports one Cedarville State Forest visitor about the mosquito situation.
Look for organized activities: Many campgrounds schedule family-oriented programs. "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 Ben G. about Pohick Bay Campground.
Choose sites near amenities: Select campsites strategically for convenience with children. "We got a site on the inner loop and it backed to the playground and the bathhouse," notes one family camper, reducing walking distance for bathroom trips and play areas.
Consider day-use facilities: Many parks offer recreation beyond camping. Burke Lake Park includes "a 5-mile gravel walking/running/biking trail around the lake's perimeter" and doesn't allow swimming but has "a boat launch" for water activities, providing options for family entertainment.
Site selection matters: Check site details before booking. At Louise F. Cosca Regional Park, "Check out your site before booking, some sites are steep but spacious," advises ben S., noting that bathrooms have "decent showers."
Leveling requirements: Bring adequate leveling equipment for uneven sites. "Not all sites are level (half)," reports one Pohick Bay camper, while another notes at Lake Fairfax that "many tent sites were not level at all. Many tents were on a full slant."
Early arrival recommended: Set up during daylight hours when possible. "Do not try and come in after dark. Very tight and very dark," warns Matthew S. about navigation challenges at Adventure Bound Washington DC, especially important for larger rigs in densely wooded campgrounds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Washington, DC?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Washington, DC is Cherry Hill Park with a 4.8-star rating from 44 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Washington, DC?
TheDyrt.com has all 73 dog-friendly camping locations near Washington, DC, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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