RV camping near Arlington, Virginia connects travelers to several established campgrounds within a 45-minute drive. The region sits at elevations between 100-400 feet above sea level with a humid subtropical climate featuring hot summers and mild winters. Precipitation remains fairly consistent year-round with slightly higher rainfall in summer months when campgrounds experience their highest occupancy.
What to Do
Hiking opportunities: Prince William Forest offers diverse trail options through mature hardwood forests. "Prince William Forest which is a fantastic National Parks forest," notes one camper about the area near Prince William Forest RV Campground.
Water activities: Burke Lake Park features a 5-mile trail around its perimeter for running and biking. "Beautiful Park... In suburbia," reports one visitor, while another notes "There is a boat launch" for those wanting to get on the water.
Historical exploration: Sites near Harpers Ferry Campground provide access to Civil War landmarks. "From there you can grab a bite, visit the history of Harper's Ferry or continue exploring more hiking trails," explains a camper who walked the 1.5-mile trail from the campground into the historic town.
What Campers Like
Private sites: Bull Run Regional Park offers secluded camping spaces. "The sites are all pull-through off the roads through the campground. So your camper faces the woods and you feel like you're all alone," writes one reviewer about Bull Run Regional Park.
Clean facilities: Fairfax County parks maintain high cleanliness standards. "Five stars for the restroom facilities. Bright, large, clean and very well maintained," states a review of Lake Fairfax Campground, with another adding "Bathhouse was very clean and the staff friendly."
Riverside camping: Several campers praise the waterfront options. "All spots are along the water," notes one Harpers Ferry Campground visitor, with another adding "Our campsite was right along the water (all spots are along the water). We love walking and having a nice walk right from our campsite is a big bonus."
What You Should Know
Military credentials required: Some campgrounds restrict access to military personnel. "You need military credentials," explains a reviewer about Fort Belvoir Travel and RV Camp, which offers riverside campsites but limits entry.
Seasonal operations: Several parks maintain limited winter schedules. Burke Lake Park and Lake Fairfax Campground operate primarily during warmer months, with Lake Fairfax running "March 22 to September 7" according to park information.
Noise considerations: Transportation corridors impact several campgrounds. One Burke Lake reviewer warns, "This place can be noise at night with all the cars zooming by," while Harpers Ferry campers note trains "come through here almost hourly" ranging from commuter to freight trains.
Tips for Camping with Families
Activity options: Multiple parks offer dedicated children's attractions. "Train, carousel, fishing" are available at Burke Lake Park according to one camper, while another notes Bull Run has "climbing wall on one afternoon... miles of trails and my gkids enjoyed the nature scavenger hunt."
Waterpark access: Cherry Hill Park provides swimming facilities for families seeking respite from summer heat. "This campground has so much to offer... Swimming Pool, Hot tub, Basketball court, Snack bar on site, Nightly hayride," details one reviewer listing the park's family amenities.
Playground proximity: Check campground maps for playground access. A Lake Fairfax reviewer notes "Only draw back is that there's only one playground that's awkwardly located," suggesting families request sites with convenient access to play areas.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling: Prepare for varying campsite conditions throughout the region. "Some sites are a little unlevel, front to rear, but definitely manageable," mentions a Fort Belvoir camper, while another at Bull Run notes "Our site was very level, but I could see that some others were not so much."
Hookup availability: Thousand Trails Harbor View offers full connections for longer stays. "They also have up to 50amp full hookups. All of them looked well maintained," reports a Prince William Forest reviewer, describing the electrical options available to RVers.
Site spacing: Expect variable distances between campsites at most parks. "The sites are big enough, maybe a little right in some places," explains a Harbor View reviewer, while another notes "lots are really staggered/set back from each other so feels like you have more space."
