In Northern Virginia, camping options near Ashburn sit within the Potomac watershed at elevations ranging from 250 to 350 feet above sea level. Many campgrounds stay open year-round due to the region's moderate climate, though spring and fall offer the most comfortable temperatures. Winter camping is available at several locations with temperatures typically remaining above 20°F even in January.
What to do
Hiking historical trails: At Shenandoah River State Park, over 24 miles of trails accommodate beginners to advanced hikers. "Peace and quiet. Communing with nature at it's finest," notes a visitor. The park connects to Civil War battlefields and historic sites within a 10-mile radius.
Fishing access: Burke Lake Park offers shoreline fishing with bass and catfish being common catches. "BLP has a great lake for fishing and boat rentals, a paved path to walk around the lake (about 5 miles) and a fantastic playground," writes one camper. Fishing licenses required for ages 16+ with daily permits available at the entrance.
Water activities: Several campgrounds provide river access for swimming and paddling. "The river is beautifully clean clear and cool," reports one visitor to Brunswick Family Campground. Many campers appreciate the combination of water access and trail systems. "This campground is adjacent to a very large, very busy train yard. The campground is also right on the Potomac, easy to get to, reasonably priced, and the sites are spacious."
What campers like
Clean facilities: Campers consistently highlight the bathrooms and showers at Little Bennett Campground. "Wonderful bath house. Lots of stuff to do," notes one reviewer. Another mentions, "Sites are quiet, very spacious, level, and heavily wooded with 50A service, water and sewer hookup."
Privacy between sites: Many campgrounds offer good separation between sites. At Pohick Bay Campground, "The site was spacious. We are tent campers but almost all our neighbors were in an RV or trailer. The site had water and electric which was nice." Another camper notes, "Sites are spacious and decently level (depends on the site I'm sure)."
Year-round accessibility: Several campgrounds remain open throughout winter. "Stayed here for 2w while visiting friends in Alexandria. Nice and quiet here during winter more so during week than weekends," reports a winter camper at Pohick Bay. Most year-round sites offer electric hookups to accommodate cold-weather camping.
What you should know
Train noise: Several riverside campgrounds sit near active rail lines. At Harpers Ferry Campground, "The river views were amazing, but face the other way and you're looking at a 15 or so foot CSX rail line berm. The trains that come through here almost hourly range from quick commuter MARC or Amtrak trains to long freight trains."
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds require advance booking, especially during peak season (May-September). Many implement 2-night minimum stays on weekends. At Bull Run Regional Park, one camper noted, "The real kicker is a 2-night minimum stay. Even mid-week. In APRIL for gosh sakes!"
Site variations: Campground quality can vary significantly between loops or site numbers. "We had a pull through campsite, but on the camp side it was all dirt and grass that look like it hadn't been mowed in over two weeks," reports one camper at Harpers Ferry KOA. Research specific site numbers before booking for the best experience.
Tips for camping with families
Playground proximity: When booking, check for sites near play areas. At Bull Run Regional Park, "Our family stayed here in a cabin on a long weekend trip to DC. This campground was full of stuff to do and we didn't even get to do a lot of it. The campground had a climbing wall on one afternoon. There are miles of trails and my gkids enjoyed the nature scavenger hunt."
Scheduled activities: Many campgrounds offer weekend programs. "The check in is a breeze and the staff is super nice and helpful. 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 a Pohick Bay camper.
Educational opportunities: Combine camping with learning experiences at historical parks. At Cherry Hill Park, families appreciate the "On-site bus shuttle" to Washington DC attractions. Another camper notes, "Easy access and well laid out sites. They have a bus stop for metro service to the city, but we took the 20 minute drive."
Tips from RVers
Leveling challenges: Many sites require significant leveling equipment. One RVer at Little Bennett noted, "Site#D69 level side-to-side but we were forced to greatly elevate front of trailer to level front-to-back." Bring extra leveling blocks, especially at older campgrounds.
Seasonal considerations: Electric hookups become essential in summer and winter. "Great night sky viewing as no lights what so ever in camping loops except for toilet/shower buildings," notes a Little Bennett camper. However, the lack of lighting means arriving before dark is recommended for easier setup.
Connectivity issues: Cell service varies widely by carrier and location. "AT&T 5 MB/s w/o booster(1 bar), 8 MB/s with it(2 bars). There is no satellite coverage due to the heavy tree canopy," reports an RVer at Little Bennett. For working remotely, Cherry Hill offers the most reliable WiFi options according to recent reviews.
