A
Al L.
Scout
ScoutWestmoreland State Park Campground
Nice end of summer retreat
It was a well maintained campsite. Clean bathrooms and great hikes to fossil beach.
Camping near Bristow, VA
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Campgrounds near Bristow, Virginia provide convenient access to the Washington D.C. metropolitan area while offering natural getaways. Several established campgrounds serve the region, including Bull Run Regional Park in Centreville and Burke Lake Park in Fairfax Station, both within 15-20 miles of Bristow. These developed campgrounds accommodate various camping styles including tent camping, RV sites with hookups, and cabin options. Most facilities in the area operate year-round or with extended seasons, making them accessible for both weekend getaways and longer stays.
Seasonal considerations impact camping experiences in Northern Virginia, with spring and fall offering the most comfortable temperatures. Many campgrounds require advance reservations, especially during peak summer months when facilities reach capacity quickly. "This place is right near my house yet it still feels like you're out in the open," noted one Burke Lake visitor, highlighting how these campgrounds provide nature experiences despite their suburban settings. Fort Belvoir Travel and RV Camp requires military credentials for access, while other parks like Pohick Bay Regional Park charge additional fees for out-of-area visitors. Most campgrounds in the region offer at least basic amenities including toilets and drinking water, with many providing showers and electric hookups.
Camping areas near Bristow typically balance suburban proximity with natural settings. The developed campgrounds in Fairfax County parks feature wooded sites with nearby water recreation. Burke Lake Park receives positive reviews for its family-friendly amenities including fishing, boat rentals, playgrounds, and a 5-mile trail circling the lake. However, some campers note the close quarters between sites and occasional noise issues. According to reviews, "If you are looking for seclusion this is not the place for you, but if you just want a quick night out camping at the last minute, this is a good choice." Prince William Forest Park provides a more secluded alternative with Oak Ridge Campground offering primitive tent sites and RV camping in a forested setting from March through October.
Best Campgrounds near Bristow (95)
1. Pohick Bay Campground
"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."
"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."
from $37 - $170 / night
Check Availability2. Bull Run Regional Park
"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."
from $43 - $100 / night
Check Availability3. Lake Fairfax Campground
"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."
from $30 - $70 / night
Check Availability4. Burke Lake Park Campground
"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."
5. Cherry Hill Park
"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."
"That being said, I’m sure there were a few campers who didn’t like being right next to the walkway to the bathrooms and showers. The park is broken down in to various sections and slightly tiered."
from $999 / night
Check Availability6. Oak Ridge Campground — Prince William Forest Park
"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."
from $26 / night
Check Availability7. Greenbelt Park Campground — Greenbelt Park
"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"
from $20 / night
Check Availability8. Prince William Forest RV Campground — Prince William Forest Park
"Adjacent to Prince William Forest, near shops and restaurants, and less than an hour away from Washington, DC. Good nature getaway from the city."
"Stayed here for a week while working nearby. Easy to get to and set up. Office was closed when we arrived but arrival paperwork was posted outside office door."
9. Fort Belvoir Travel and RV Camp
"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."
from $55 / night
Check Availability10. Fairfax County Burke Lake Park
"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."
"i’ve camped here too many times to count, love being surrounded by nature!"
Drive Time
- 15 min from Washington, DC
- 50 min from Baltimore, MD
- 1 hr 8 min from Winchester, VA
- 1 hr 12 min from Lexington Park, MD
Recent Camping Photos near Bristow, VA
229 Photos of 95 Bristow Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Burke Lake Park Campground
Pohick Bay CampgroundK
Marsden Tract Group Campsite — George Washington Memorial Parkway
Marsden Tract Group Campsite
Lake Fairfax Campground
Bull Run Regional ParkC
Swains Lock Hiker-biker Overnight Campsite — Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park
Louise F. Cosca Regional Park
Smallwood State Park Campground - TEMPORARILY CLOSED THROUGH JULY 2023
Oak Ridge Campground — Prince William Forest ParkJ
Horsepen Branch Hiker-biker Overnight Campsite — Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park
Cherry Hill Park
Recent Reviews near Bristow, VA
687 Reviews of 95 Bristow Campgrounds
Hannah S.
RangerHarpers Ferry / Civil War Battlefields KOA
Close to history!
This 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
Danny S.ScoutHarpers Ferry / Civil War Battlefields KOA
It is absoluutly the worst ever experience
The staff is certainly at the office not competent. Someone ran over my house when we were away and damaged it. The WiFi didn’t work any of the day but upon assistance request no one was willing to help. It couldn’t be worse. We have no other words except never a KOA location again.
- Jason
GuideAnnapolis MWR Academy RV/Campground
Great spot for Retirees/Active
If you want to be near Annapolis, right on the Severn River...this is it. About 15 RV spots nestled in the woods...with full hook ups. A couple of primitive spots as well. Just a quick 5 min walk to the river...right across from the Academy. NEX, gas within 10 min walk, and 15 min drive to downtown Annapolis. Staff is always great here, and the park is clean....for a park on the woods.
- SSean D.
TravelerCampsites at Watkins Regional Park
Excellent choice for a Washington visit or local getaway
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. Campground sits inside of a much larger park with great trails, amenities and well maintained. Campground is quiet, lots of trees, forest and yet each space is very large with good spacing and privacy to adjacent sites. High tree canopy at your site so lots of room to spread out. Sites themselves are a little rustic - a mix of grass, gravel and dirt, but not muddy (it rained a good bit prior to my stay) - but in good condition. Shower/toilet block is clean and good hot water and good water pressure. Most sites are flat or near flat and the ones that aren't need minimal levelling blocks. Campground apparently is never full and there was only 1 other when I was there - really hard to believe. There is a neighborhood road up by the sites near the shower block but it is low speed and lightly travelled and I had no disturbance from it. Nice surrounding neighborhood. No signs of vagrants. Park police patrolled multiple times per day and report very little non-camper entry to ther facilities. I felt very safe.Easy access to Eashington - bus stop outside the campground to metro or just drive to the metro (free parking weekend, $6 midweek) and then train (about 8 per hour) into the sites - an hour or less total to get there. For more local people, this seems like a good escape "to the woods" without travelling forever.
- BBrian H.Traveler
Pettigrew WMA
Pettigrew WMA - great dispersed camping
Good spot to get away and pitch a tent. Never anyone else there too! Make sure to get a daily ($4) or annual (~$22 I forget) Access Permit on Virginia DWR, as well as special WMA camping license (free)
- Judy W.Guide
Smallwood State Park Campground - TEMPORARILY CLOSED THROUGH JULY 2023
Great Escape! Air conditioned cabins!
What a gem! We found this place as an alternative to staying in DC during 4th of July festivities. Nice spacious sites, cabins were super clean and smelled great! Did I mention they were air conditioned during the hotest week of the summer!
Bathrooms and showers were spotless.
Many things to see and do there. Historic property, big lake (no swimming), boating, fishing, hiking. There is an Art Center with juried displays for sale.
Kat E.ScoutBurke Lake Park Campground
Amenities good
The park is very well maintained, and the campsites have clean fire pits and cooking grills. The restrooms are clean, spacious, and well maintained, and my campsite was large enough to comfortably fit a 6-person tent and a canopy.
However, there were a few concerns during our stay. Despite the campground’s quiet hours policy starting at 10:00 PM, many campers continued to make noise well past that time. I did not notice any campground staff or maintenance personnel making rounds to enforce the quiet hours.
I also felt concerned about security. One of my neighboring campers, who was visiting from South Carolina, told me that his generator had been stolen during the night. He reported the theft to the police, and an official report was filed. Incidents like this made me feel unsafe while camping.
I recommend increasing staff or security patrols, especially during the evening and overnight hours, to enforce quiet hours and improve the safety and security of campers and their belongings. With better enforcement and security, Burke Lake Campground would provide an even better camping experience.
- JJohn S.Traveler
Ramblin' Pines
Weak WiFi
For $90 per night the WiFi should work better. Didn’t connect at all. Had to use the antenna pointed East to get local Baltimore news.
Guide to Bristow
Camping sites near Bristow, Virginia offer both natural settings and quick access to metropolitan areas. Most campsites in this region sit at elevations under 500 feet within the Piedmont region's rolling hills. Summer temperatures typically reach 85-90°F with high humidity, while spring and fall camping seasons maintain more moderate 60-75°F daytime temperatures.
What to do
Disc golf course access: Bull Run Regional Park features an 18-hole disc golf course that draws enthusiasts. "The park has disc golf, decent water park for kids, hiking trails, small creek/river you can explore, playgrounds," notes Tom C. about Bull Run Regional Park.
Fishing opportunities: Multiple campgrounds offer fishing access, particularly at lakes. "The lake is beautiful!" comments Drew H. about Burke Lake Park Campground, which includes rental options for those without gear.
Water recreation: Several parks feature water activities beyond swimming. "We'd recommend taking in a game of disc golf on their 18 hole course," suggests Rachel L. from Pohick Bay, while Anne K. adds, "Boating in summer from kayaks to motorboats" is available at Pohick Bay Campground.
Historical exploration: The region's rich Civil War history provides educational opportunities. "There are tons of amenities here. Lots of history near by so check out the old battle fields and buildings that housed troops during civil war," explains Daniel S., highlighting activities beyond typical camping.
What campers like
Convenient access to DC: Multiple campgrounds serve as bases for Washington DC exploration. Josh J. explains that Pohick Bay "took me 25-30m to get there so you are far away from bustle of city but not so far that going in to enjoy breakfast or the sights is a feat."
Clean facilities: Reviews frequently mention facility quality as a standout feature. "The bathrooms are with staying again alone. Locking doors, individual stalls. Hot dog. Best camping showers I've ever had," raves Yvonne B. about Bull Run Regional Park.
Wildlife viewing: The natural setting provides wildlife viewing opportunities despite suburban proximity. Kathie M. notes that Pohick Bay is an "Eagle haven! Beautiful campground located near the National Harbor. Eagles everywhere!"
Family-friendly amenities: Campgrounds in the region typically offer extensive amenities. "The campground had a climbing wall on one afternoon. There are miles of trails and my gkids enjoyed the nature scavenger hunt," writes Bridget H., highlighting Bull Run's family activities.
What you should know
Site leveling challenges: Several campgrounds have uneven terrain requiring preparation. "My site had a slight slope, but was easily overcome using additional blocks on the low side to get the trailer level," notes Drew M. about Bull Run.
Seasonal crowds: Public areas can become congested during peak times. "This place is packed full of people who like to stay up late and make lots of noise. Park rules aren't very well enforced," warns Kelli T. about Pohick Bay.
Reservation requirements: Most area campgrounds require advance booking. "You need military credentials," cautions Mike H. about Fort Belvoir Travel and RV Camp, highlighting specific access restrictions at some facilities.
Urban noise factors: Despite wooded settings, some urban sounds penetrate. "There is a shooting range in the park. It is on a flight path for DCA. And, I66 is not that far away," explains Drew M. about ambient noise at Bull Run.
Tips for camping with families
Multiple activity options: Families benefit from diversified recreation options. "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. There is a carousel and a kiddy train, frisbee golf," details Alexis about Fairfax County Burke Lake Park.
Organized activities: Some parks offer structured programming for children. "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," Ben G. shares about Pohick Bay's family programming.
Water park access: Several campgrounds feature water recreation beyond natural bodies of water. "This park has too many amenities to list. They had a campfire complete with s'mores followed by hayrides," Bridget H. notes about Bull Run's family attractions.
Tips from RVers
Site selection considerations: RV campers should research site characteristics before booking. "Caution though, the back row is steep. We were unable to get our Super C level," warns Cheryl D. about Prince William Forest RV Campground.
Full-hookup availability: Not all campgrounds offer complete hookups. "Almost all sites are pull through and are close together. Most have some tree cover (and some of the trees could use a trim along the roads). Some long term guests occupy the back sites which have sewer," explains Kristen M. about Prince William Forest RV Campground.
Accessibility for large rigs: Site dimensions and road access vary significantly between campgrounds. "The outer loop campsites are easily more level than the center loop. If leveling perfectly is a concern you may want to call ahead and ask before commiting to the inner loop," advises Corey B. about Lake Fairfax Campground.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular campground near Bristow, VA?
Which is the most popular campground near Bristow, VA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Bristow, VA is Pohick Bay Campground with a 4.1-star rating from 37 reviews.
What parks are near Bristow, VA?
What parks are near Bristow, VA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 17 parks near Bristow, VA that allow camping, notably National Mall & Memorial Parks and George Washington Memorial Parkway.
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