Best Campgrounds near Indian Head, MD

Camping options within 30 miles of Indian Head, Maryland include a mix of state parks, regional facilities, and military-affiliated sites along the Potomac River. Smallwood State Park in nearby Marbury offers tent, RV, and cabin camping with boat access to Mattawoman Creek. Across the river in Virginia, Pohick Bay Regional Park provides year-round camping with full hookups, while Cedarville State Forest maintains seasonal sites from April through October. Most campgrounds in the region feature standard amenities including fire rings, picnic tables, and access to restrooms, with varying levels of privacy between sites.

Reservations are essential at most established campgrounds, particularly during summer weekends when Washington DC residents seek outdoor escapes. Many campsites near Indian Head experience aircraft noise due to proximity to military installations and flight paths. As one camper noted at Cedarville State Forest, "It's close to a Naval base, and therefore you constantly hear airplanes and helicopters at all times." Spring and fall camping often provides more comfortable temperatures, though humidity and mosquitoes remain significant factors through September. Cell service is generally reliable throughout the area, with most campgrounds within 5-15 miles of grocery stores and other conveniences.

Waterfront camping receives consistently positive reviews, with fishing opportunities available at multiple locations. Smallwood State Park features "sites that are all very wooded and spread out with a nice amount of trees and separation," according to one visitor. Campers frequently mention the dual nature of the region's campgrounds—providing natural settings while remaining close to urban amenities. A Pohick Bay camper remarked, "We were working in Arlington/DC only a 25 min drive away and it was nice to come home to some nature." Families appreciate the recreational facilities at Burke Lake Park and Pohick Bay, though privacy can be limited at more developed sites. For those seeking quieter experiences, weekday camping or off-season visits offer significantly reduced crowding.

Best Camping Sites Near Indian Head, Maryland (83)

    1. Pohick Bay Campground

    39 Reviews
    Lorton, VA
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (703) 339-6104

    $37 - $170 / night

    "We have been camping here for nearly 20 years. Each military tour brought us back to this area so Pohick became our second home. Our kids kayak now older but used to walk the trails as little kids."

    "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."

    2. Oak Ridge Campground — Prince William Forest Park

    31 Reviews
    Dumfries, VA
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (703) 221-7181

    $26 / night

    "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."

    3. Prince William Forest RV Campground — Prince William Forest Park

    17 Reviews
    Dumfries, VA
    11 miles
    +1 (703) 221-2474

    "Adjacent to Prince William Forest, near shops and restaurants, and less than an hour away from Washington, DC. Good nature getaway from the city."

    "Restrooms/showers: very clean, spacious, centrally located."

    4. Smallwood State Park Campground - TEMPORARILY CLOSED THROUGH JULY 2023

    9 Reviews
    Marbury, MD
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 432-2267

    $27 - $65 / night

    "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."

    "Nice trails, water sports available, and historic landmarks"

    5. Bull Run Regional Park

    42 Reviews
    Iron Gate, VA
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (703) 631-0550

    $43 - $100 / night

    "History buffs will like to explore the park surrounding the campground. Fun little water park within walking distance of all campsites that was great for kids."

    "We booked site 136 due to proximity of the playground (traveling with a 5 & 10 yr old). The site was great except the weird parking stops on every site but the pull throughs."

    6. Leesylvania State Park Campground

    6 Reviews
    Dumfries, VA
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (703) 730-8205

    $15 - $18 / night

    "Close to me so theres nothing new"

    "Good for a day use, parking is full most of the time but have a lot of space to park you may have to walk but you will find one spot..."

    7. Burke Lake Park Campground

    15 Reviews
    Burke, VA
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (703) 323-6600

    "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."

    8. Cedarville State Forest

    17 Reviews
    Brandywine, MD
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (301) 888-1410

    $30 / night

    "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."

    "Forested campground with fairly lengthy but level (and thus beginner friendly) hiking just a short distance away from Washington, DC."

    9. Fort Belvoir Travel and RV Camp

    4 Reviews
    Fort Belvoir, VA
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (703) 805-3081

    $55 / night

    "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."

    "It is very clean and there are many amenities close by. The base outdoor recreation center has equipment to rent such as kayaks and canoes to explore the Potomac river."

    10. Charity’s Hope Family Farm Resort

    1 Review
    La Plata, MD
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (202) 277-3004

    $60 - $100 / night

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Recent Reviews near Indian Head, MD

537 Reviews of 83 Indian Head Campgrounds


  • AThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 27, 2025

    Pax River Hog Point Campgrounds — Naval Airstation (Nas) Patuxent River

    Left Early, Won’t Be Back

    When we saw a review of this campground on Rec.gov complaining about the amount of bugs we thought they were being ridiculous, they were not. In addition to an insane amount of bugs making the experience here uniquely miserable — it is not quiet or peaceful. A (clearly quite drunk) group nearby was singing at the top of their lungs until at least 11pm when we made the decision to bail seeing as we weren’t going to be getting any sleep between being eaten alive and serenaded.

  • EThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 23, 2025

    Adventure Bound Washington DC

    Nice

    This place is a good place to stay, the laundry room & showers are handy, the pool is large, & it's a 40 minute drive to the capital & the Smithsonian Mall or a 25 minute drive to the closest Metro station. It's crowded but folks are quiet & respectful!

  • j
    Sep. 8, 2025

    Lake Anna State Park Campground

    Nice space

    Great space for rvs and tents. Cabins and yurts available, bath house clean, but toilet paper is thinner than dry onion skin. Beach area is 1/2 mile paved walk. Beach very crowded on weekends.

  • Werner S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 1, 2025

    Aquia Pines Campground

    Good stopover near the highway but hidden between the trees

    We where forced land-inwards because of tropical storm Erin (potential hurricane hitting the Outer Banks). So we decided to visit Washington DC and had a stopover here. It was conveniently located. Terrain is not flat but our spot was well levelled. There is a big dog (and an older gentleman) in the office to welcome you. Full hook up was oké and our spot was nicly secluded between the trees.

  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 8, 2025

    A World Away Farm LLC

    Great folks. Inexpensive for full hookup.

    They have a farm with chickens, ducks, horses etc for our 7 yr old to enjoy. She got to feed the chickens, gather eggs and offer carrots to the beautiful horses. Wonderful people ❤️. We will be back next year.

  • Erin W.
    Aug. 3, 2025

    Lake Fairfax Campground

    Nice for a quick weekend

    This campground is nice for a quick weekend and does have pretty trails next to the campground. The sites are largely in more of a meadow and not many are very wooded. Our site, 41, was level and nicely spaced from other sites but many tent sites were not level at all. Many tents were on a full slant. There is a waterpark that is an extra cost which is fun for kids. Bathrooms are well maintained and huge.

  • Jennifer H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 2, 2025

    Cherry Hill Park

    Can’t beat it

    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. Our uber rides ranged from 20-45$ for a family of 5. So $4-9 per person. We rode in all 4 days this way. Personalized, comfortable. Door to door. We saw tons of stuff. No one can say they saw everything. We took the train from Union station to Penn station. Saw the nationals, the orioles. So fun. The park itself has more than most. Mini golf, two pools, arcade, 24 hour laundry, a store and office open early!! And late!!! Wow! Just can’t be beat. Great sites. So many other things in the park. Splash pad, paved roads for scootering. Just awesome!

  • Josey F.
    Jun. 30, 2025

    Greenville Farm Family Campground

    Wonderful!

    We are repeat customers and come here with our troops. Nice mix of RV and tent campers. Quiet. Trails, creek, pool, fishing ponds (back end), batheooms, etc, great rates. No firewood- need to bring your own.

  • L
    Jun. 22, 2025

    Greenbelt Park Campground — Greenbelt Park

    Nice Little Campground

    Decent little campground! It was quiet aside from occasional air traffic noise, and while there wasn't much spacing between some camp sites everyone was respectful. My spot was a little difficult to find because the online park map was incorrect, and the spot was basically an extended shoulder of the road. Checking in was a breeze, though!


Guide to Indian Head

Campgrounds near Indian Head, Maryland range from military-affiliated facilities to state forests, with many situated along the Potomac River watershed. The region sits at low elevation (under 200 feet) and experiences hot, humid summers with frequent afternoon thunderstorms. Most campgrounds remain open April through October, though several locations offer year-round availability with seasonal variations in amenities.

What to do

Disc golf adventures: At Pohick Bay Regional Park, campers can enjoy an 18-hole disc golf course. "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.

Water recreation access: Bull Run Regional Park includes a water park perfect for summer visits. "The campground had a climbing wall on one afternoon. There are miles of trails and my gkids enjoyed the nature scavenger hunt. You even get a prize when you finish," shares Bridget H.

Wildlife observation: Bald eagle watching is popular at Pohick Bay and surrounding areas. "Beautiful campground located near the National Harbor. Eagles everywhere! Large clean sites. Great staff!" reports Kathie M. at Pohick Bay Campground.

Historic site exploration: Many campgrounds provide access to Civil War battlefields and historic structures. "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," reports Daniel S. from Oak Ridge Campground.

What campers like

Private wooded sites: Campers appreciate the secluded nature of sites at several parks. "These campground is a great find. The sites are well spaced, and while on the smaller side they're very private with woods between each one," notes Caitlin A. about Smallwood State Park.

Clean facilities: Many reviewers highlight the well-maintained bathrooms. "The bathrooms were nice and clean throughout my stay and looked newly renovated," mentions Clara K. about Oak Ridge Campground in Prince William Forest Park.

Fishing opportunities: Multiple locations offer shoreline and pier fishing access. "We had a guys weekend here with my Brother and my 4 year old son. Had a great time. Every park ranger we met was nice and helpful. There is a nice fishing pier and the Generals Trail which my son loved," shares Sean R. about Smallwood State Park.

Access to trails: The network of walking and biking paths receives positive mentions. "Great regional park with lots to do - trails, biking, boating. Sites are spacious and decently level. Plenty of playgrounds and trails nearby to keep the family busy," writes Kristen M.

What you should know

Airplane noise: Military installations create consistent aircraft sound at several campgrounds. "We could hear activity at Quantico. Lots of air noise too, from both airplanes and helicopters," reports Tracy R. from Oak Ridge Campground.

Insect concerns: Ticks and mosquitoes are significant issues, particularly in summer months. "Ticks were really bad. We killed dozens and ended up taking at least one with us when we left. Only because of the ticks, we would not stay here again," warns a reviewer at Oak Ridge.

Limited privacy at some sites: Cedarville State Forest receives mixed reviews about site spacing. "The loop is very small, with all the sites pretty close together. The forest behind the site was sparse, enough so that it was hard to find fuel for the fire," notes Chris F.

Variable site leveling: Many campsites require adjustment for RVs. "Sites were mostly level. My site had a slight slope, but was easily overcome using additional blocks on the low side to get the trailer level," explains Drew M. at Bull Run Regional Park.

Tips for camping with families

Look for organized activities: Several parks offer ranger-led programs. "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 Pohick Bay.

Consider weekday visits: Weekend crowds can impact experience at popular parks. "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," cautions Kelli T. about Pohick Bay during peak times.

Check playground locations: Not all campgrounds have conveniently placed play areas. "Only draw back is that there's only one playground that's awkwardly located," notes Yvonne B. about Bull Run Regional Park.

Water activities schedule: Leesylvania State Park offers water access that families appreciate. "This park is ALWAYS full of family's having picnics and enjoying time together! There's playground and a beach area for kids and family to all enjoy," recommends Sarah F.

Tips from RVers

Campsite selection matters: Request specific sites based on rig size. "Some sites seemed entirely too close, others spread apart. At times, sites seemed backwards - I kept saying they should reverse the one way direction so back in sites were easier," notes an Oak Ridge Campground visitor.

Leveling challenges: Bring extra leveling equipment for certain parks. "Handy to the DC Metro Transit system. Nice views of river. Some sites are a little unlevel, front to rear, but definitely manageable," advises Mike H. about Fort Belvoir Travel and RV Camp.

Secure campgrounds: Military-affiliated sites offer added security. "This campground is aboard Fort Belvoir, a US Army base in Northern, VA. It is very clean and there are many amenities close by," notes Jack R. about Fort Belvoir Travel and RV Camp.

Hookup variations: Water and electrical options differ between parks. "We got a site on the inner loop and it backed to the playground and the bathhouse. The site was spacious. The site had water and electric which was nice," reports Ben G. about camping at Pohick Bay.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular campground near Indian Head, MD?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Indian Head, MD is Pohick Bay Campground with a 4.2-star rating from 39 reviews.

What parks are near Indian Head, MD?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 18 parks near Indian Head, MD that allow camping, notably George Washington Memorial Parkway and Fort Washington Park.