96 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
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.
"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 Availability"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 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."
from $43 - $100 / night
Check Availability"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 Availability"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."
"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 Availability"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 Availability"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 Availability"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."
"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 Availability"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!"
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.
ScoutIt was a well maintained campsite. Clean bathrooms and great hikes to fossil beach.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
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?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 17 parks near Bristow, VA that allow camping, notably National Mall & Memorial Parks and George Washington Memorial Parkway.
Keep Exploring
