Camping options around Cabin John, Maryland include multiple county and state parks with varying levels of facilities. Located near the Potomac River at an elevation of about 250 feet, the area experiences hot, humid summers and mild winters with occasional snow. Several campgrounds remain accessible year-round, while seasonal facilities typically operate from March through October.
What to do
Trail access at multiple parks: Brunswick Family Campground offers direct access to the C&O Canal towpath for hiking and biking. "The C&O canal, so you could walk or bike for miles in either direction for hours! Harpers Ferry is only 6 miles away on the trail," notes Susan K. about the convenient trail connections.
Water activities on the Potomac: Harpers Ferry Campground provides riverside camping with water recreation options. According to Mikala S., "My family stayed here for two nights during the middle of the week, about half the campground was occupied. Our campsite was right along the water (all spots are along the water)." The river supports tubing, fishing, and kayaking opportunities.
Winter camping accessibility: Several campgrounds remain open year-round for off-season camping. Bull Run Regional Park operates continuously regardless of season, as does Camp Meade RV Park, providing camping opportunities when many other facilities close for winter.
What campers like
Proximity to DC attractions: Cherry Hill Park ranks as a popular base for Washington DC exploration. "This was a great stop to take the kids to visit the city. Easy access and well laid out sites. They have a bus stop for metro service to the city, but we took the 20 minute drive," says Joe R. about the convenient location.
Clean facilities: Lake Fairfax Campground receives consistent praise for its well-maintained bathrooms. "Five stars for the restroom facilities. Bright, large, clean and very well maintained. It's very convenient and plenty of activities for the kids," writes Tana S. about the park amenities.
Diverse recreational options: Bull Run Regional Park offers multiple activities beyond basic camping. According to Bridget H., "This campground was full of stuff to do and we didn't even get to do a lot of it. The campground had a climbing wall on one afternoon. There are miles of trails and my gkids enjoyed the nature scavenger hunt."
What you should know
Train noise affects some locations: Several campgrounds near Cabin John experience railroad disruptions. At Brunswick Family Campground, Dale Y. notes, "The campground is adjacent to a very large, very busy train yard. It's not bothered me but you should be aware."
Site leveling challenges: Many campgrounds in the region have uneven terrain requiring proper equipment. Thomas from Fort Belvoir Travel and RV Camp mentions, "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."
Military-only restrictions: Certain campgrounds near Cabin John require military credentials for access. Fort Belvoir Travel and RV Camp and Camp Meade RV Park both operate under military management with restricted access. Mike H. clarifies, "You need military credentials" when describing Fort Belvoir.
Tips for camping with families
Affordable river options: Burke Lake Park Campground offers budget-friendly sites without hookups. Glen W. recommends, "Nice spot with plenty to do with a little one. Train, carousel, fishing." The park provides family activities at lower price points than full-service campgrounds.
Swimming facilities: Several campgrounds feature swimming options that appeal to families with children. According to Yvonne B. regarding Bull Run, "It rained the entire time but we still had a blast. 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."
Educational opportunities: Parks near historical sites combine recreation with learning experiences. Kenneth H. notes about Prince William Forest, "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."
Tips from RVers
Site selection priorities: Prince William Forest RV Campground requires careful site selection for larger rigs. Cheryl D. advises, "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. Try and reserve row E if you need full hook up."
Spacing considerations: Many rv campgrounds near Cabin John, Maryland place sites close together. At Prince William Forest RV Campground, Kristen M. observed, "Campground is close (ish) to the DC area. It is easy and convenient to get to. Almost all sites are pull through and are close together. Most have some tree cover (and some of the trees could use a trim along the roads)."
Hookup variations: Electric-only sites predominate at some campgrounds, requiring self-contained water systems. Stuart O. reports about Bull Run Regional Park, "While we were here, there was a fairly heavy day of rain. Couple inches, I suppose, but nothing Biblical. The mouths of the metal culverts in our loop were bent downward from campers driving over them, which obstructed the flow. Result was lots of standing water at our campsite."
