Campgrounds near Oxon Hill, Maryland offer varied accommodations within a 40-mile radius of Washington DC's urban landscape. The region features hardwood forests with moderate elevation changes and temperatures averaging 75-85°F during summer camping season. Fall visitors can expect cooler temperatures from 50-70°F with colorful foliage displays throughout area forests.
What to do
Disc golf courses: Bull Run Regional Park features an 18-hole disc golf course that serves as a popular activity for campers. As Rachel L. notes, "I'd recommend taking in a game of disc golf on their 18 hole course."
Water activities: Pohick Bay Regional Park offers boating and water recreation options. Anne K. mentions, "Pirate's Cove waterpark is definitely a highlight in summer. Boating in summer from kayaks to motorboats."
Trail exploration: The wooded paths at Cedarville State Forest provide hiking opportunities for various skill levels. One camper reports, "We hiked the brown trail and it was a nice walk. We have AT&T and had two bars pretty consistently."
Seasonal programs: Family-oriented campgrounds often schedule regular activities. At Bull Run Regional Park, Bridget H. explains, "They had a campfire complete with s'mores followed by hayrides. Great family friendly campground."
What campers like
Accessible location: Proximity to DC makes these campgrounds convenient for weekend trips or city exploration. Josh J. states about Pohick Bay: "Stayed here for 2w while visiting friends in Alexandria. Took me 25-30m to get there so you are far away from bustle of city but not so far that going in to enjoy breakfast or the sights is a feat."
Wildlife viewing: The natural areas around camps support diverse wildlife. Kathie M. observed at Pohick Bay: "Beautiful campground located near the National Harbor. Eagles everywhere! Large clean sites. Great staff!"
Shower facilities: Multiple campgrounds feature well-maintained bathroom facilities. Yvonne B. specifically praised Bull Run: "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."
Level sites: Several campgrounds offer reasonably level camping spots, though this varies by site. As Robert P. notes about Pohick Bay, "Nice layout, not all sites are level (half). Staff are always nice and go out of their way to help."
What you should know
Insect preparation: Ticks and mosquitoes can be prevalent, especially in summer months. Ben J. warns about Cedarville State Forest: "LOTS and LOTS of ticks. I got one, but my wife and dog got about a dozen each. Just bring tweezers."
Noise considerations: Aircraft noise affects several area campgrounds. Drew M. mentions about Bull Run: "The only drawback is that it is not quite. There is a shooting range in the park. It is on a flight path for DCA. And, I66 is not that far away."
Site size variations: Campsite dimensions vary significantly between and within campgrounds. Chris F. notes about his Cedarville experience: "The site itself was very small - difficult to get 2 cars and two tents in - and the fire ring was smaller as well."
Weather preparedness: The area can experience significant storms during camping season. Justin G. recounts at Cedarville: "We set up camp and ate dinner only to be hit by a tornado watch in the area. I spent most of the trip adjusting the water proofing so we stayed dry."
Tips for camping with families
Scavenger hunts: Camp Winery and several other campgrounds offer educational activities for children. Ben G. describes one campground's offerings: "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."
Playground access: Consider site location relative to play areas. One camper mentions, "We got a site on the inner loop and it backed to the playground and the bathhouse. The site was spacious."
Activity planning: Schedule time for special features at each park. Kristen M. suggests: "Plenty of playgrounds and trails nearby to keep the family busy. Amenities and such are what you'd expect - clean but not new."
Weekend considerations: Weekends bring more visitors and potentially more noise. Kelli T. warns: "This place is packed full of people who like to stay up late and make lots of noise. Park rules aren't very well enforced."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling: Many campgrounds require additional equipment for proper leveling. Drew M. advises: "My site had a slight slope, but was easily overcome using additional blocks on the low side to get the trailer level."
Electric hookups: Camp Meade RV Park offers full hookups for RVs in a secure environment. Elvin J. mentions: "Was great not to have to really worry about anything because you are securely on post."
Accessibility considerations: Horse owners with larger rigs should consider site dimensions carefully. Several reviewers note size constraints at certain campgrounds, with one camper at Cedarville mentioning, "Site 6 was good but not for larger rigs. We have a pop up and had to navigate around a tree that would have been very difficult for larger rigs."
Dump station facilities: Most horse campgrounds near Oxon Hill provide sanitation facilities, though design varies. At Cedarville State Forest, a camper notes: "They have a new dump station, but the hose has an anti-freeze up in the air with a pull cord valve. This means every time you pull to turn the water on, you get a shower."
