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.
What to do
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.
What campers like
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.
What you should know
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.
Tips for camping with families
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.
Tips from RVers
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.
