Camping opportunities near Accokeek, Maryland concentrate primarily within a 30-mile radius, with several options situated in neighboring Virginia. The region experiences distinct seasons with humid summers reaching into the 90s and mild winters occasionally dropping below freezing. Most camping facilities in this area sit at relatively low elevations under 300 feet above sea level, creating accessible terrain for most vehicles.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Smallwood State Park offers easy water access via a fishing pier and boat launch included with your camping fee. "There was a nice fishing pier and the Generals Trail which my son loved," notes one visitor who enjoyed a weekend trip with family.
Historic exploration: Visit the historical buildings at Prince William Forest RV Campground which provides proximity to Civil War sites. As one camper mentions, "Prince William Forest National Park is accessible for awesome day hikes. Civil War National Parks nearby. DC just up the road. National Marine Corp Museum just around corner."
Trail systems: Access various difficulty levels of hiking paths at Bull Run Regional Park where paved and natural surface trails accommodate different abilities. A visitor notes there are "miles of trails and my gkids enjoyed the nature scavenger hunt. You even get a prize when you finish."
Kayaking: Launch directly from Harbor View RV and Camping Resort for paddling adventures. "Nearby Colonial Beach is a cute area that has nice waterfront access. We also loved going to Westmoreland park which was practically next door to Harbor View. Great trails and fossil beach was fun," reports one camper.
What campers like
Camp amenities: Cedarville State Forest provides clean facilities and convenient firewood delivery. "Restrooms were clean, closed daily for cleaning between 1 pm - 3 pm. The ranger delivers firewood to your site within about 10-15 min of calling, which was very convenient. Cost was $5 for 8 logs," shares one satisfied visitor.
Privacy between sites: Smallwood State Park features well-spaced campsites with natural barriers. "The sites are well spaced, and while on the smaller side they're very private with woods between each one. Bathrooms were clean and well stocked," reports one camper who particularly appreciated the setup for their reactive dog.
Clean bathhouses: Many campers highlight the quality of shower facilities at Bull Run Regional Park. "The best review I can give us of the bathrooms. They're with staying again alone. Locking doors, individual stalls. Hot dog. Best camping showers I've ever had," enthuses one tent camper.
Camp stores: Several campgrounds maintain supplies for forgotten items. At Prince William Forest RV Campground, visitors appreciate the "small, well stocked camp store. Propane and 2 easy dump stations."
What you should know
Military ID requirements: Several rv parks near Accokeek require proper identification for entry. Fort Belvoir Travel and RV Camp specifies "you need military credentials" while offering "nice views of river" and proximity to DC transit systems.
Reservation policies: Minimum stay requirements exist at certain facilities. Bull Run Regional Park enforces "a 2-night minimum stay. Even mid-week. In APRIL for gosh sakes!" according to one frustrated visitor who also noted additional occupancy and transaction fees.
Seasonal considerations: Insect activity varies dramatically by season. At Cedarville State Forest, one camper warns, "Bring bug and tick spray - definitely need it!" while another notes, "I have never left this park without at least one tick."
Noise factors: Several campgrounds experience noise from nearby transportation. One camper at Bull Run notes, "There is a shooting range in the park. It is on a flight path for DCA. And, I66 is not that far away."
Tips for camping with families
Pool facilities: Cherry Hill Park offers extensive water recreation options. One visitor lists amenities including "playground, mini golf, swimming pool, hot tub, basketball court, snack bar on site, nightly hayride."
Playgrounds: Multiple campgrounds feature play areas for children. Prince William Forest RV Campground has "a nice pool and bath house" and "the playground is in very good condition" according to reviewers.
Educational opportunities: Structured activities enhance children's camping experiences. Bull Run Regional Park provides "a campfire complete with s'mores followed by hayrides" and hosts special programming like nature scavenger hunts.
Diverse accommodation options: Cherry Hill Park accommodates various comfort levels with "some nice tenting sites under the trees and off by themselves for the true campers, and for the rest of us glampers there are hookups and lots to do."
Tips from RVers
Leveling challenges: Bring adequate equipment for uneven sites. At Fort Belvoir Travel and RV Camp "our site wasn't fully level, so bring plenty of leveling blocks" advises one RVer.
Site selection strategy: End sites typically provide more space at Thousand Trails Harbor View. "Look at the park map and try to get a site at the end of a row. The sites are pretty close together but on the ends at least you only have a neighbor on one side," recommends one experienced camper.
Site surface conditions: Prepare for variable ground quality based on recent weather. One Harbor View camper noted, "Gravel site pad could definitely use some maintenance and fresh material added. Had to put down boards to park our travel trailer because about a third of the pad had just turned into mud."
Hookup variations: Electric service differs between campgrounds. Prince William Forest RV Campground offers a mix where "I had a 30amp hookup with no issues. They also have up to 50amp full hookups. All of them looked well maintained."
