Camping near Fort Washington, Maryland offers access to several woodland campgrounds with proximity to both natural areas and urban amenities. The region experiences humid summers with temperatures regularly reaching into the 90s from June through August, while spring and fall provide milder camping conditions. Most campgrounds in the area are situated within 30 minutes of Fort Washington, creating convenient bases for both outdoor recreation and day trips to Washington DC.
What to do
Disc golf adventures: Pohick Bay Campground in nearby Lorton, Virginia features an 18-hole disc golf course popular with campers. "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.
Trail exploration: The woodland areas around Fort Washington provide numerous hiking opportunities with varying terrain. "Nice camping spot close to DC with hiking nearby," mentions Perry A. from Pohick Bay. Many trails connect campgrounds to nearby natural areas, allowing for day hikes without driving.
Waterfront activities: Several campgrounds offer water access for fishing or boating. At Cherry Hill Park, campers can plan water-based day trips. The park's proximity to DC allows for a combination of urban and outdoor activities, with one visitor noting, "Proximity to DC and surrounding areas can't be beat. Uber, Lyft, bus, shuttle. It takes about a half hour to get downtown to the monuments."
What campers like
Proximity to Washington DC: The ability to camp affordably while visiting the capital is consistently mentioned in reviews. "If you're in Northern VA close to DC this is a great quick getaway camp site," writes one camper about Lake Fairfax Campground. Campers appreciate the contrast between urban sightseeing and natural camping settings.
Clean facilities: Many campers highlight the well-maintained bathhouses and shower facilities. At Oak Ridge Campground in Prince William Forest Park, visitors noted, "This campground has great space and super clean bathrooms with marble tile."
Diverse recreational options: The variety of activities available at many campgrounds receives positive feedback. "Great regional park with lots to do - trails, biking, boating. Sites are spacious and decently level (depends on the site I'm sure). Plenty of playgrounds and trails nearby to keep the family busy," notes Kristen M. about Pohick Bay.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds in the Fort Washington area require advance reservations, especially during peak season. "This is not a gated campground so anyone can come through and have a tour. Park Police patrol the campground 2 times a day," explains a camper at Louise F. Cosca Regional Park, which requires online reservations.
Wildlife considerations: Ticks and mosquitoes can be problematic in the warmer months. "LOTS and LOTS of ticks. I got one, but my wife and dog got about a dozen each. Just bring tweezers," warns one camper about Cedarville State Forest.
Noise factors: Due to the proximity to urban areas, airports, and military facilities, noise can be a factor at some campgrounds. "There is a shooting range near by so can be kind of noisy or at least it was the night we were here," mentions a visitor to Bull Run Regional Park.
Tips for camping with families
Water recreation options: Bull Run Regional Park offers family-friendly water features. "Our family stayed here in a cabin on a long weekend trip to DC. 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."
Organized activities: Many campgrounds offer scheduled family events, particularly on weekends. "They gave us a great intro to the park as we were first timers. 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," shares Ben G. about his family's experience at Pohick Bay.
Transportation planning: Consider using public transportation when visiting DC with children. "We took the 20 minute drive. They have a nice looking pool area, but it was too cold. The shop was cute and staff nice. Sites were pretty level," mentions Joe R. about Cherry Hill Park, which offers metro access to Washington DC.
Tips from RVers
Site selection considerations: Not all campgrounds accommodate larger RVs. "Check out your site before booking, some sites are steep but spacious," advises ben S. about Louise F. Cosca Regional Park. Many RV sites in the region have water hookups but limited electrical options.
Leveling requirements: Several campgrounds have uneven sites that may require additional equipment. "The outer loop campsites are easily more level than the center loop. If leveling perfectly is a concern you may want to call ahead and ask before committing to the inner loop," recommends a visitor to Lake Fairfax Campground.
Hookup availability: Electric and water hookups vary widely between campgrounds. A camper at Louise F. Cosca Regional Park notes, "Only 5 sites have electric but all 25 sites have water hookup." RVers should confirm specific site amenities when making reservations.
