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Pohick Bay Campground's wooded sites cater to pets with designated dog-friendly areas throughout the regional park. Located just 30 minutes from Washington DC, the campground offers spacious sites where dogs can accompany campers in tents, RVs, cabins, and glamping accommodations. Leashed pets are permitted throughout the grounds, though owners should maintain control at all times, particularly on the hiking trails that overlook the Potomac River. Fort Belvoir Travel and RV Camp also welcomes pets with clean facilities and access to the Potomac where dogs can enjoy water activities. Most campgrounds in the region require pets to be on leashes no longer than 6 feet, with waste disposal stations available at central locations. The campground is particularly quiet on weekdays, making it ideal for campers with noise-sensitive dogs.
Trails near both Pohick Bay and Greenbelt Park Campground provide excellent exercise opportunities for dogs, with several miles of pet-accessible paths through shaded forest areas. Cherry Hill Park offers premium amenities for pet owners including designated pet relief areas and proximity to veterinary services in College Park. During summer months, pet owners should be mindful of heat concerns, especially at sites with limited shade. Wildlife encounters are common in these parks, so keeping dogs leashed protects both local animals and pets. All campgrounds enforce quiet hours starting at 10 PM when excessive barking is prohibited. Oak Ridge Campground at Prince William Forest Park features additional pet-friendly trails with water access points where dogs can cool off after hikes. The bathhouse facilities are generally clean and well-maintained, though floors can become muddy during wet weather.
"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"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"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."
"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. "
from $999 / night
Check Availability"The park is located away from the camping grounds. It has two play grounds, several picnic tables and a bathroom."
"If you are really looking for somewhere to feel far away from civilization and see some beautiful scenery, this probably isn't it."
from $20 / 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."
"Showers are in loop B, which is a 5-7 minute walk. During holiday weekends the sites closest to the shower facilities are fully booked and have less privacy."
"The Oak Ridge campgrounds at Prince William Forest Park are a lovely little campground just outside Washington DC. The sites were large, the facilities are clean and the staff friendly and helpful."
from $26 / 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)."
"There's plenty of room around the camper, and although there are other campsites and cabins nearby, the trees provide a lot of separation."
from $39 - $100 / night
Check Availability"The other campers were all respectful and observed pet policy and quiet hours. I have a reactive dog and he did well here! We’ll be back!"
"They are in short distance from the water. There is a playground, bathhouse, and historical buildings that are accessible to campers. There are hiking trials, but none are two extensive."
from $27 - $65 / night
Check Availability"Super clean Very well maintained Pet friendly... kinda No veteran discounts smh Good for a day or two"
"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."
from $55 / night
Check Availability"Restrooms/showers: very clean, spacious, centrally located."
"Adjacent to Prince William Forest, near shops and restaurants, and less than an hour away from Washington, DC. Good nature getaway from the city."
TravelerClose to washington as we could get. Could also park our skoolie bus which was nice and had plenty of close by shower with bathrooms. Keep in mind only one shower per restroom house. We stayed at a pretty slow season so it wasn’t bad. Would recommend if visiting DC! They also have a dump station and water fill up.
ScoutWe stayed in site #133 with our 34'10" travel trailer/toy hauler. Overall, we really like the site. It's spacious, fairly level, heavily wooded, and feels surprisingly private. There's plenty of room around the camper, and although there are other campsites and cabins nearby, the trees provide a lot of separation. We had a nice large area for our chairs, fire pit, picnic table, and dogs. The biggest thing to know about #133 is the approach. We were instructed to pass the site, go around the loop, and then make a left turn into it. With our nearly 35' trailer, that would have required an extremely tight, almost 90-degree turn between the trees, and we did not feel we could safely make it. There is actually visible damage on one of the trees at the entrance, so it appears others may have had difficulty with the turn as well. Instead, we approached from the opposite direction and positioned the camper with our doors facing the main campsite area. That put the water and electric hookups on the opposite side, but our hoses and cord were long enough to run underneath the camper and reach without a problem. Once we figured that out, the site worked very well for us. I initially thought we probably wouldn't choose #133 again because of the awkward setup, but after spending the weekend here, I would. Now that we know how to approach and position our trailer, it really is a nice site. If you're bringing a longer travel trailer, just be prepared to do a little maneuvering and make sure your water hose and electrical cord have enough length if you decide to orient your camper the way we did.
ScoutSimple and friendly check in process. Clean and well-maintained site.
GuideSpent two nights while we saw the Avett Brothers play at Wolf Trap. Nice flat site with power. Campground was quiet and clean. The only negative is communication and signage. It took us a couple wrong turns to find our site and when we came back, after the concert around 11, the entrance gate was closed and we had to sneak in through the exit gate. Asked the next day and they said that is what campers do to access the park after 11pm.
RangerWe stayed at Little Bennett starting on Labor Day Monday and left before the weekend, so it is hard to say how this looks when the campground is full of life. They had quite a few activities for families and a pavilion capable of concerts and such, but there was minimal activity during our stay. My biggest complaint is that the gate code changed and we didn't get any notice--so after a long day and a dinner out near Baltimore (nearly an hour away), I had to call the police to get back to my camper. Otherwise, the campsite was relatively spacious and quiet. The bugs were a little rough. Lots of whitetail running around.
ScoutIt was a well maintained campsite. Clean bathrooms and great hikes to fossil beach.
GuideIf you want to be near Annapolis, right on the Severn River...this is it. About 15 RV spots nestled in the woods...with full hook ups. A couple of primitive spots as well. Just a quick 5 min walk to the river...right across from the Academy. NEX, gas within 10 min walk, and 15 min drive to downtown Annapolis. Staff is always great here, and the park is clean....for a park on the woods.
TravelerBased on my stay 3 nights and what I read of Greenbelt Park (the other closeby to Washington campground) I would say this has to be much better and I will stay here again on a future visit. Campground sits inside of a much larger park with great trails, amenities and well maintained. Campground is quiet, lots of trees, forest and yet each space is very large with good spacing and privacy to adjacent sites. High tree canopy at your site so lots of room to spread out. Sites themselves are a little rustic - a mix of grass, gravel and dirt, but not muddy (it rained a good bit prior to my stay) - but in good condition. Shower/toilet block is clean and good hot water and good water pressure. Most sites are flat or near flat and the ones that aren't need minimal levelling blocks. Campground apparently is never full and there was only 1 other when I was there - really hard to believe. There is a neighborhood road up by the sites near the shower block but it is low speed and lightly travelled and I had no disturbance from it. Nice surrounding neighborhood. No signs of vagrants. Park police patrolled multiple times per day and report very little non-camper entry to ther facilities. I felt very safe.Easy access to Eashington - bus stop outside the campground to metro or just drive to the metro (free parking weekend, $6 midweek) and then train (about 8 per hour) into the sites - an hour or less total to get there. For more local people, this seems like a good escape "to the woods" without travelling forever.
TravelerGood spot to get away and pitch a tent. Never anyone else there too! Make sure to get a daily ($4) or annual (~$22 I forget) Access Permit on Virginia DWR, as well as special WMA camping license (free)
Camping options around Fort Washington Park range from forested tent sites to full-service RV hookups within a 30-mile radius. The region experiences hot, humid summers with temperatures frequently exceeding 90°F and mild winters where overnight temperatures can drop below freezing. Several campgrounds remain open year-round while others operate seasonally from March through October with varying accessibility during wet weather conditions.
Disc golf at Pohick Bay: An 18-hole course provides a recreational alternative to hiking and water activities. "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," notes Rachel L. about Pohick Bay Campground.
Boating and fishing: Multiple watercraft options from non-motorized to powered boats available seasonally. "Boating in summer from kayaks to motorboats," explains Anne K. about the activities at Pohick Bay. The Potomac River access points provide various fishing opportunities throughout the warmer months.
Historical exploration: Civil War sites and historical buildings offer educational opportunities within short driving distance. "There is lots and lots of history around the area. We spent 5 days camping and exploring the civil war battle areas and other things. Definitely worth exploring," shares Daniel S. about staying at Oak Ridge Campground.
Clean, modern facilities: Many campgrounds feature recently renovated bathhouses with good water pressure. "The showers were hot, water pressure and shower heads good. Shower stalls offered more privacy than most, each having a locking door and small dressing area with a bench," notes Tracy R. about Oak Ridge Campground.
Wildlife viewing: Eagles, deer, and other animals frequently visit campsites in the quieter campgrounds. "Beautiful campground located near the National Harbor. Eagles everywhere! Large clean sites. Great staff!" shares Kathie M. about Cherry Hill Park.
Evening activities: Many campgrounds offer structured family events including campfires and hayrides. "We had a great time here over a long weekend in August. 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," reports Ben G. about Pohick Bay.
Seasonal considerations: Ticks become particularly problematic during warmer months. "Ticks were really bad. We killed dozens and ended up taking at least one with us when we left," warns Tracy R. about camping at Oak Ridge Campground. Bug spray containing DEET is recommended between April and October.
Noise factors: Several campgrounds experience noise from nearby transportation routes or military facilities. "There is a shooting range in the park. It is on a flight path for DCA. And, I66 is not that far away," explains Drew M. about Bull Run Regional Park.
Site selection: Sites vary significantly in size, privacy, and levelness within the same campground. "Sites varied greatly in size. Some seemed entirely too close, others spread apart. At times, sites seemed backwards," notes Tracy R. about Oak Ridge Campground. Research specific site reviews or contact park staff before booking.
Accessible activities: Several parks feature multiple kid-friendly amenities in close proximity. "The check in is a breeze and the staff is super nice and helpful. There is boat rental a short walk down the trail from the campgrounds and the pool and disc golf course are another short trail walk away," shares Ben G. about Greenbelt Park Campground.
Water recreation options: Water parks and splash areas provide cooling alternatives during hot summer months. "Pirate's Cove waterpark is definitely a highlight in summer," mentions Anne K. about Pohick Bay Regional Park. Most water features operate between Memorial Day and Labor Day.
Weekday visits: Quieter conditions prevail during weekdays at most campgrounds. "Nice and quiet here during winter more so during week than weekends," observes Josh J. about Pohick Bay Campground. This timing particularly benefits families with noise-sensitive children.
Site leveling: Many RV sites require additional equipment for proper leveling. "Not all sites are level (half). Staff are always nice and go out of their way to help," advises Robert P. about Pohick Bay Campground. Bring extra leveling blocks, especially for the hillier campgrounds.
Urban convenience: Several campgrounds offer city proximity while maintaining natural surroundings. "This campground is byfar one of the best I have ever stayed at. The price is a little steep, but with all the amenities you get, it is well worth it. This campground is very close to DC and you are able to ride the metro bus right from the campground," explains Jonathan B. about Cherry Hill Park, a pet friendly camping option near Fort Washington Park.
Hookup variations: Not all sites offer the same level of service even within one campground. "The sites for tents are big enough for a 4 person tent. There are clean bathrooms and the hosts, who I have spoken to many times, are friendly and knowledgeable about the area," shares Bill G. about Greenbelt Park Campground. Check specific site details when making reservations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Fort Washington Park?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Fort Washington Park is Pohick Bay Campground with a 4.1-star rating from 37 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Fort Washington Park?
TheDyrt.com has all 76 dog-friendly camping locations near Fort Washington Park, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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