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Best Campgrounds near Arlington, VA

618 Reviews

Several public campgrounds sit within an hour's drive of Arlington, Virginia, though none exist in the city itself. Greenbrier State Park Campground has good hiking trails through the woods and around the lake. Just 15 miles away, Pohick Bay Campground puts campers near the water where fishing and kayaking are common activities. For a quieter spot, Oak Ridge Campground in Prince William Forest Park tends to have more space between sites. Most camping areas have basic amenities like water spigots, bathrooms, and showers. You'll want to reserve sites well ahead of time, especially for summer weekends and holidays when spots fill quickly. Some campgrounds run tractor tours that show you around the property - kids particularly like these. Cunningham Falls State Park makes another solid option if you want to camp near a waterfall and see some wildlife. The Arlington area camping spots give you a break from the city without having to drive too far.

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Best Camping Sites Near Arlington, Virginia (89)

    1. Cherry Hill Park

    41 Reviews
    Beltsville, MD
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (301) 937-7116

    $282 - $999 / night

    "This CG is an awesome 5+++++ place, close to DC and Arlington NVA. The resort is impeccably clean, the entire staff is friendly and knowledgeable."

    "Great camping amenities, soft cushioned sites, with power and water close by. DO NOT GET BASIC TENT SITES AS THEY ARE NEXT TO HIGHWAYS AND VERY NOISY!!! Premium tent sites would be a better choice."

    2. Pohick Bay Campground

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

    $37 - $170 / night

    "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."

    "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."

    3. Greenbelt Park Campground — Greenbelt Park

    32 Reviews
    Greenbelt, MD
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (301) 344-3948

    $20 / night

    "If you are really looking for somewhere to feel far away from civilization and see some beautiful scenery, this probably isn't it."

    "The campsite is superb with walking trails, wildlife and the occasional overflying US Presidential Helicopter.

    Easily accessible from close by freeways, and charmingly peaceful"

    4. Lake Fairfax Campground

    24 Reviews
    Reston, VA
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (703) 471-5414

    $30 - $70 / night

    "If you are looking for camping in Fairfax County Virginia, this is it, because there are only a couple to choose from."

    "We set up our tent in the far side of the campground close to the lake ( site 27). It is slightly slant but still comfortable in the tent. Bathrooms are close by and kept clean."

    5. Bull Run Regional Park

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

    $39 - $100 / night

    "We have lived in northern Virginia for over 30 years and never been to this campground until this month! Very nice campground with friendly staff and friendly campground hosts."

    "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."

    6. Burke Lake Park Campground

    15 Reviews
    Burke, VA
    13 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."

    7. Oak Ridge Campground — Prince William Forest Park

    31 Reviews
    Dumfries, VA
    26 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."

    8. Cedarville State Forest

    17 Reviews
    Brandywine, MD
    21 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
    13 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. Marsden Tract Group Campsite — George Washington Memorial Parkway

    1 Review
    McLean, MD
    9 miles
    Website
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Showing results 1-10 of 89 campgrounds

Recent Camping Photos near Arlington, VA

239 Photos of 89 Arlington Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Arlington, VA

618 Reviews of 89 Arlington Campgrounds

Guide to Arlington

Camping near Arlington, Virginia, offers a great mix of outdoor fun and easy access to the city. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or a family-friendly adventure, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Explore the trails at Greenbrier State Park Campground. One reviewer said, "Great hiking to Annapolis Rocks or the Washington Monument right from the park, no need to drive!"
  • Swimming: Enjoy a swim at the lake near Cherry Hill Park. A visitor mentioned, "The swimming pools were pretty crowded, but we were very happy with our site."
  • Fishing: Try your luck at Pohick Bay Campground. One camper shared, "We spent an entire day kayak fishing on the small lake and clear clean water."

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate the cleanliness at Bull Run Regional Park. A review noted, "The bathrooms are clean and modern. The grounds are well maintained."
  • Friendly Staff: Many visitors enjoy the helpful staff at Cherry Hill Park. One guest said, "Staff very helpful and really explained the Metro system very well."
  • Nature and Privacy: Campers at Owens Creek Campground love the peaceful setting. A reviewer mentioned, "This place is a great campground to go during summer as it's tucked in the mountains with lots of tree coverage."

What you should know:

  • Noise Levels: Some campgrounds, like Pohick Bay Campground, can be noisy due to nearby traffic. One camper warned, "This place is absolutely the most horrific noisy place; it's like sleeping on the side of the highway."
  • Crowded Areas: Expect busy weekends at popular spots like Cunningham Falls State Park. A visitor noted, "The campsites were relatively small, and close together."
  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds, such as Oak Ridge Campground, lack electric hookups and showers. A reviewer mentioned, "Restrooms have sinks and flush toilets in all Loops. However, Loop C also has showers."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Kid-Friendly Activities: Look for campgrounds with playgrounds, like Cherry Hill Park. One parent said, "There is also plenty to do for the kids, like Tractor Ride through the Campground."
  • Safety First: Choose sites that are close to bathrooms, especially for younger kids. A camper at Owens Creek Campground mentioned, "Our site was right next to bathrooms which was also great with the kids."
  • Plan for Crowds: If you're camping during holidays, be prepared for busy sites. A visitor at Cunningham Falls State Park noted, "It was crowded enough that you do not really feel like you are out 'in nature.'"

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A reviewer at Harpers Ferry / Civil War Battlefields KOA said, "The sites were so unlevel that I was not able to get the RV leveled the entire weekend."
  • Use Public Transit: If you're visiting DC, consider using public transport. One camper at Cherry Hill Park mentioned, "We didn't drive to DC at all - just used public transit."
  • Be Mindful of Noise: Some campgrounds can be noisy, so check reviews before booking. A visitor at Pohick Bay Campground warned about the constant noise from helicopters.

Camping around Arlington, Virginia, has something for everyone, whether you're in a tent or an RV. Just remember to check the amenities and plan accordingly!

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular campground near Arlington, VA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Arlington, VA is Cherry Hill Park with a 4.8-star rating from 41 reviews.

What parks are near Arlington, VA?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 16 parks near Arlington, VA that allow camping, notably Bankhead National Forest and Chugach National Forest.

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