Campgrounds surrounding Ashburn, Virginia offer ample options for outdoor recreation in the Potomac River watershed. The area sits at elevations between 200-500 feet with a humid subtropical climate that brings hot summers and mild winters. Most campgrounds remain open from March through October, though several provide year-round accommodations with varying levels of amenities.
What to do
Hiking trails: 5-mile lake circuit. At Burke Lake Park Campground, visitors can enjoy a flat, accessible trail experience. "The trail around the lake is a bit under 5 miles, but it's all trail. There is almost no elevation gain, and it is not very technically rigorous," notes Daniel P. The park offers multiple recreational activities beyond camping.
Historical explorations: Civil War sites. The region's rich history provides educational opportunities within short driving distances. "Harpers Ferry Lower Town and Bolivar Heights are a few minutes by car(or shuttle from the Visitor Center). Frederick and Antietam are each barely 30-minutes by car. Gettysburg, Baltimore, and DC are about an hour's drive," shares Matt S. from Harpers Ferry KOA.
Water recreation: river access. Brunswick Family Campground provides direct river access for cooling off in summer. "The Shanandoah is just as beautiful. This campground is so quaint and carefree you almost forget the outside world," writes Brian S. Many campsites include river views with boat loading facilities nearby.
What campers like
Clean bathroom facilities: Little Bennett Campground receives consistent praise for maintenance. "Very nice bath house. Wonderful network of trails, most if not all were leashed dog friendly," reports Ray & Terri F. The campground maintains separate loops for RVs and tent camping.
Privacy between sites: Site layout matters to many campers. "The sites are quiet, very spacious, level, and heavily wooded with 50A service, water and sewer hookup," adds Ray & Terri F. about Little Bennett Campground. This contrasts with more crowded options elsewhere in the region.
Family activities: seasonal programming. Pohick Bay Campground organizes regular events for children. "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 Ben G. These structured activities provide entertainment beyond the natural setting.
What you should know
Train noise impacts sleep. Several campgrounds sit near active rail lines. "The proximity to the tracks means that if the sound doesn't wake you up, the rumbling ground will. Every hour through the night," warns Sherri C. about Harpers Ferry Campground. Light sleepers should bring earplugs or choose sites farther from tracks.
Weekend crowding: Popular campgrounds fill quickly during peak season. "If you like being around people and don't mind seeing 3-4 other sites around you, then this place is a really nice and easy campsite. But if you want some seclusion, I would recommend other places," notes Tana S. about Lake Fairfax Campground.
Site leveling challenges: Not all sites accommodate larger RVs well. "Our Pull-thru FHU Patio site had a serious slope. It was impossible to level my 45' motorhome without elevating the front wheels dangerously in the air," explains Matt S. Calling ahead to discuss specific site grades can prevent setup frustrations.
Tips for camping with families
Water parks: additional fees apply. Bull Run Regional Park combines camping with water recreation. "This park has too many amenities to list. They had a campfire complete with s'mores followed by hayrides. Great family friendly campground," writes Bridget H. The water park operates seasonally with entrance fees separate from camping costs.
Playground proximity: Site selection matters for families with children. "We got a site on the inner loop and it backed to the playground and the bathhouse. The site was spacious," reports Ben G. about Pohick Bay Campground. Requesting sites near play areas reduces walking distance for younger campers.
Nature programs: free activities. Several dog friendly campgrounds near Ashburn offer structured programs. "My gkids enjoyed the nature scavenger hunt. You even get a prize when you finish," notes Bridget H. These educational opportunities provide entertainment without additional cost.
Tips from RVers
Utility hookups: variations between loops. At Cherry Hill Park, RVers find comprehensive services. "50 amp hook-up, water, sewer, playground, mini golf, swimming pool, hot tub, basketball court, snack bar on site, nightly hayride, gated, on-site camp store, on-site bus shuttle," lists Beth R. The campground specializes in accommodating larger rigs with premium sites.
Pet areas: designated spaces. Many pet-friendly campgrounds have specific dog facilities. "Every site is big enough for large campers, ours is 35 ft. Tent camping have big areas. Lost of nature trails," notes Ron H. about Little Bennett Campground. These areas provide necessary exercise for dogs while maintaining cleanliness elsewhere.
Campsite slopes: leveling blocks needed. Preparation for uneven terrain helps smooth setup. "My site had a slight slope, but was easily overcome using additional blocks on the low side to get the trailer level," advises Drew M. about Bull Run Regional Park. Bringing additional leveling equipment prevents frustration during arrival.
