Campgrounds near Potomac, Maryland offer limited options for visitors seeking equestrian facilities. While searching for horse campgrounds near Potomac, Maryland yields few results with dedicated equine amenities, several nearby camping areas provide recreational opportunities for families, hikers, and general campers. The campgrounds within an hour's drive of Potomac experience hot, humid summers with temperatures averaging 85-90°F and mild winters, making spring and fall the most comfortable camping seasons.
What to do
Disc golf courses: Bull Run Regional Park features an 18-hole disc golf course popular with weekend visitors. "BR park is absolutely beautiful. So much to do and centered around many historical sites. It's a gem," notes one Bull Run Regional Park visitor. Pohick Bay also offers disc golf, with one camper mentioning "Great regional park with lots to do - trails, biking, boating."
Hiking trails: Multiple forest paths wind through Cedarville State Forest, with varying difficulty levels. "We hiked the brown trail and it was a nice walk," shares a reviewer. The trails can get muddy after rain, and some cross through hunting areas, so check with rangers about seasonal restrictions.
Water activities: Watercraft rentals are available at some locations. "Boating in summer from kayaks to motorboats" is available at Pohick Bay Campground, making it a good option for water enthusiasts. Bull Run offers creek access, though one visitor cautions: "if you're looking for fishing don't go here, but you can in fact kayak down the creek."
What campers like
Clean facilities: Bathroom cleanliness receives consistent praise. At Cedarville State Forest, campers appreciate that "Restrooms were clean, closed daily for cleaning between 1 pm - 3 pm." Another visitor mentions "Clean sites include table and fire pit."
Wildlife viewing: The natural surroundings provide opportunities for wildlife spotting. "Saw a snake, alligator snapping turtle, and rabbits, before we even reached the gates," reports one Cedarville camper. Another notes that Pohick Bay is an "Eagle haven! Eagles everywhere!"
Off-season tranquility: Camping during less busy times offers a quieter experience. A winter visitor to Pohick Bay found "Nice and quiet here during winter more so during week than weekends." However, summer weekends can become crowded and noisy at many area campgrounds.
What you should know
Noise considerations: Several campgrounds experience noise from nearby infrastructure. At Bull Run, "There is a shooting range in the park. It is on a flight path for DCA. And, I66 is not that far away." Andrews AFB Military FamCamp requires "military ID and reservations" for access.
Tick prevention: Ticks are prevalent, particularly in warmer months. One Cedarville visitor warns: "LOTS and LOTS of ticks. I got one, but my wife and dog got about a dozen each. Just bring tweezers." Another calls it "Tickville" and notes that "in June at least the ticks were waaaay too plentiful."
Firewood logistics: Campgrounds have varying firewood policies. At Cedarville, "the ranger delivers firewood to your site within about 10-15 min of calling, which was very convenient. Cost was $5 for 8 logs." However, one camper noted that at this location, "I've never been to a site where the firewood is padlocked, and you have to call someone to come unlock it."
Tips for camping with families
Water park access: Several parks offer water recreation specifically designed for children. Camp Winery provides a "Very beautiful spot" for tent camping and is "Close to many cool things in the area too," making it suitable for families seeking diverse activities.
Playground proximity: Consider site location relative to play areas. At Cedarville, one family "got a site on the inner loop and it backed to the playground and the bathhouse." However, another camper at Bull Run noted "Only draw back is that there's only one playground that's awkwardly located."
Scheduled activities: Some parks organize family-friendly events. Bull Run offers various programs: "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."
Tips from RVers
Site levelness: RV sites vary considerably in how level they are. At Bull Run, "Our site was very level, but I could see that some others were not so much, so you might want to ask about that." Another camper noted their "site had a slight slope, but was easily overcome using additional blocks on the low side to get the trailer level."
Drainage issues: Rain can create standing water problems. During a "fairly heavy day of rain" at Bull Run, one RVer experienced flooding because "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."
Site size constraints: Some campgrounds have limited space for larger rigs. At Lichtman Camp 1 in Prince William Forest Park, larger RVs may find maneuvering challenging, as the camping areas are better suited to smaller setups. One Cedarville camper mentions "We have a pop up and had to navigate around a tree that would have been very difficult for larger rigs."
