30 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Tent campsites near Arlington, Virginia range from primitive hike-in sites to more developed campgrounds, primarily concentrated along the Potomac River corridor. Marsden Tract Group Campsite in Maryland offers secluded tent camping along the Potomac, while Swains Lock Hiker-biker Overnight Campsite provides river access with five designated tent sites. Leesylvania State Park Campground in Woodbridge also accommodates tent campers with more developed facilities approximately 20 miles south of Arlington.
Most primitive tent setups near Arlington require minimal to moderate hiking to access. At Marsden Tract, campers must hike in to reach sites, with no nearby parking, running water, or restroom facilities. Sites typically feature a fire ring and picnic table on natural terrain. Swains Lock provides more amenities with fire rings, portable toilets, and non-potable water access. According to reviews on The Dyrt, "First come first serve with 5 tent or hammock sites. Fire rings, portapotties, and water source. Has a parking lot. Free!!" Most tent camping areas operate seasonally, with some sites remaining available year-round but subject to weather conditions.
Walk-in tent sites at Swains Lock offer scenic river views and relative solitude despite proximity to the popular C&O Canal towpath. The campground sits directly on the Potomac River, providing flat terrain suitable for tent camping. A camper noted that "From my limited camping experience, this is a great site! There are 5 sites that are first come, first serve across from a day use area." Early arrival is recommended, particularly on weekends, as the limited parking fills quickly and the five overnight sites are frequently occupied. Primitive tent camping areas typically allow campfires in designated rings, though regulations may change during dry periods. The Adventure Park at Sandy Spring offers group tent camping options for those visiting their aerial challenge course, providing another unique tent camping option in the region.
"Purchasers the camp site is beautiful secluded quiet wonderful if you're looking for that extreme outdoors a no civilization it's a good hike to get to the campsite there's no parking nearby no water"
from $40 / night
Check Availability"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..."
"Close to me so theres nothing new"
from $15 - $18 / night
Check Availability"Based on my stay 3 nights and what I read of Greenbelt Park (the other closeby to Washington campground) I would say this has to be much better and I will stay here again on a future visit."
from $12 - $45 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $150 - $200 / night
Check Availability"We had a site on the lower end of the loop and our site was hard to set up as we arrived during a storm and it was very wet even after the rain died down."
"There is a massive playground, nature play space, sensory trail, and a small nature center. There are a lot of easy, but beautiful hikes. The campground is on the smaller side."
from $20 - $51 / night
Check Availability"Sites have extras like fire rings with seating, swimming ponds, hiking trails, grassy playing fields, etc. but I’m not sure they all have all of these. They’re all among the trees and shady."
from $70 / night
Check Availability"If you're a NoVa person just like me this is a great close place to get away from it all"
TravelerClose to washington as we could get. Could also park our skoolie bus which was nice and had plenty of close by shower with bathrooms. Keep in mind only one shower per restroom house. We stayed at a pretty slow season so it wasn’t bad. Would recommend if visiting DC! They also have a dump station and water fill up.
ScoutWe stayed in site #133 with our 34'10" travel trailer/toy hauler. Overall, we really like the site. It's spacious, fairly level, heavily wooded, and feels surprisingly private. There's plenty of room around the camper, and although there are other campsites and cabins nearby, the trees provide a lot of separation. We had a nice large area for our chairs, fire pit, picnic table, and dogs. The biggest thing to know about #133 is the approach. We were instructed to pass the site, go around the loop, and then make a left turn into it. With our nearly 35' trailer, that would have required an extremely tight, almost 90-degree turn between the trees, and we did not feel we could safely make it. There is actually visible damage on one of the trees at the entrance, so it appears others may have had difficulty with the turn as well. Instead, we approached from the opposite direction and positioned the camper with our doors facing the main campsite area. That put the water and electric hookups on the opposite side, but our hoses and cord were long enough to run underneath the camper and reach without a problem. Once we figured that out, the site worked very well for us. I initially thought we probably wouldn't choose #133 again because of the awkward setup, but after spending the weekend here, I would. Now that we know how to approach and position our trailer, it really is a nice site. If you're bringing a longer travel trailer, just be prepared to do a little maneuvering and make sure your water hose and electrical cord have enough length if you decide to orient your camper the way we did.
ScoutSimple and friendly check in process. Clean and well-maintained site.
GuideSpent two nights while we saw the Avett Brothers play at Wolf Trap. Nice flat site with power. Campground was quiet and clean. The only negative is communication and signage. It took us a couple wrong turns to find our site and when we came back, after the concert around 11, the entrance gate was closed and we had to sneak in through the exit gate. Asked the next day and they said that is what campers do to access the park after 11pm.
ScoutThis is are first camping adventure in are new travel trailer. Camp ground is quiet and well maintained. Bath rooms and shower facilities are fantastic.
GuidePrimitive feel with full hookups. I have a 22' trailer, and it fits fine. I hope you like trains. Plenty of them go by.
GuideThis is a great camping spot. The sites aren’t too close together and the hosts are very friendly. The only reason I gave it four stars is because we are near a highway so you can hear cars throughout the night. But the crickets make up for it by being as loud as possible. With the fees, it cost $25 for a non-electric site and with access to showers after a long trek I was happy to pay.
RangerWe stayed at Little Bennett starting on Labor Day Monday and left before the weekend, so it is hard to say how this looks when the campground is full of life. They had quite a few activities for families and a pavilion capable of concerts and such, but there was minimal activity during our stay. My biggest complaint is that the gate code changed and we didn't get any notice--so after a long day and a dinner out near Baltimore (nearly an hour away), I had to call the police to get back to my camper. Otherwise, the campsite was relatively spacious and quiet. The bugs were a little rough. Lots of whitetail running around.
RangerThis KOA offers close and cozy get away near Harper’s Ferry Virginia. Technically within walking distance to the National Park shuttle to downtown. Spots are open and spaced out and they offer private showers/bathrooms
Tent camping near Arlington, Virginia centers around the natural features of the Potomac River Valley. Most campgrounds sit within a 20-30 mile radius of the city, positioned along waterways or within state and regional parks. Summer temperatures average 85-90°F with high humidity, while spring and fall offer milder camping conditions between 60-75°F with reduced precipitation.
Playground access: The Patapsco Valley State Park offers extensive children's activities beyond standard camping. "This park has a wide range of activities for kids. The hike I did was not very long but was well worth it. The trail was well marked but there was some confusion at one point on where we were suppose to go," notes a visitor to Patapsco Valley State Park-Hilton Area.
Water activities: Many Arlington-area campgrounds provide river access for paddling. "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... good access for kayak, boat, jet skis," explains a camper about Leesylvania State Park Campground.
Aerial adventures: Combine tent camping with adventure sports at specialized facilities. "Very convenient for before or after your time in the largest aerial challenge course in North America. Groups only- no individual campsites," reports a visitor to The Adventure Park at Sandy Spring.
Proximity to DC: Several tent camping options near Arlington provide quick access to metropolitan areas. A Leesylvania visitor remarks, "This campground was so pretty. It is small, but the price and location near DC cannot be beat. It is directly on Potomac River."
Natural surroundings: Arlington-area tent sites frequently offer wildlife viewing opportunities. "The small crabs were skittering around the campsite and birds perched in the marsh. The beach was nice and clean," shares a camper at Patapsco Valley State Park.
Historical connections: Some camping areas near Arlington have historical significance. "These camps were made by the CCC and even used by the then-CIA during WWII. They are extremely rustic and you should expect to see lots of bugs, snakes, etc. during your stay, and it adds to the experience in a great way," explains a visitor to Goodwill Cabin.
Accessibility challenges: Many tent sites near Arlington require physical effort to access. A camper at Marsden Tract Group Campsite notes, "Purchasers the camp site is beautiful secluded quiet wonderful if you're looking for that extreme outdoors a no civilization it's a good hike to get to the campsite there's no parking nearby no water no bathrooms or electricity but all in all it's beautiful."
Weather impact: Seasonal conditions affect camping experiences. "Nice small campsite in MD not too far from DC. One negative was that when it rains it really flushes through the grounds. We had a site on the lower end of the loop and our site was hard to set up as we arrived during a storm."
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds require advance booking, especially for group sites. Group campsites often have capacity restrictions and different amenities than individual sites.
Playground proximity: Choose parks with child-friendly amenities. "The Hilton entrance of Patapsco Valley Park is perfect for keeping the kids entertained. There is a huge playground, sensory trail and nature discovery center at the entrance to the park," recommends a family camper.
Cabin alternatives: For families new to tent camping, consider cabin options. "The cabins have beds with waterproof mattresses, closets, screen windows, and electricity, but no fans or AC (bring fans!!). There are central shower houses, central dining halls (with full modern kitchens, fridge, etc)."
Family gatherings: Several parks accommodate large family events. A visitor to Leesylvania explains, "My son and I really enjoy spending time here! 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."
Limited RV options: True tent camping dominates the Arlington area with few developed RV sites. Most RV-friendly campgrounds are located farther from Arlington city center, typically 30+ miles out.
Site preparation: RVers should note surface conditions at Patapsco. "The crushed stone at the sites isn't comfortable for tents, and they won't let you pitch it on the ground, so bring extra pads and alternative ways to secure the tent to the ground."
Accessibility: Many Arlington-area campgrounds have narrow access roads unsuitable for larger RVs. "If you're a NoVa person just like me this is a great close place to get away from it all," notes a camper at Happyland Cabin, though visitors should check vehicle restrictions before arriving.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Arlington, VA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Arlington, VA is Marsden Tract Group Campsite — George Washington Memorial Parkway with a 5-star rating from 1 review.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Arlington, VA?
TheDyrt.com has all 30 tent camping locations near Arlington, VA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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