Glamping options near Bristow, Virginia range from canvas safari tents to yurts with modern amenities. The area sits in Virginia's Piedmont region at approximately 250 feet elevation, with mild spring and fall seasons ideal for outdoor recreation. Summer temperatures can reach the high 80s with moderate humidity, making access to water features particularly valuable for campers seeking relief from the heat.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Burke Lake Park offers a 218-acre freshwater fishing lake stocked with largemouth bass, catfish, and walleye. "We stayed at Burke Lake Park on our visit to Washington DC. It was fall and the colors were gorgeous," notes one visitor to Bull Run Regional Park.
Disc golf courses: Multiple courses are available for disc golf enthusiasts. "I'd recommend taking in a game of disc golf on their 18 hole course," suggests a camper at Pohick Bay Campground, which maintains a full course within the park boundaries.
Historical exploration: The region's Civil War history is accessible through nearby battlefields. "Lots of history near by so check out the old battle fields and buildings that housed troops during civil war. Very cool stuff," recommends a visitor to Bull Run Regional Park.
Metro access to DC: Many campgrounds provide transportation connections to Washington DC attractions. "You are far away from bustle of city but not so far that going in to enjoy breakfast or the sights is a feat," explains a winter visitor to Pohick Bay Campground.
What campers like
Private, wooded sites: Campers appreciate the natural screening between sites at several area parks. "The sites are quiet, very spacious, level, and heavily wooded with 50A service," notes a reviewer about Little Bennett Campground, highlighting the privacy many glamping locations provide.
Clean facilities: Bathroom cleanliness receives consistent praise. "Bath houses are clean and well maintained. Our site was very level, but I could see that some others were not so much, so you might want to ask about that," advises a camper at Bull Run Regional Park.
Wildlife viewing: The natural setting offers opportunities to observe local wildlife. "Eagles everywhere! Large clean sites. Great staff!" exclaims a visitor at Leesylvania State Park Campground, noting the bird watching opportunities along the Potomac River.
Proximity to activities: The convenience of on-site recreation gets high marks. "There are miles of trails and my grandkids enjoyed the nature scavenger hunt. You even get a prize when you finish," shares a cabin camper at Bull Run Regional Park.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most glamping sites need advance booking, especially during peak seasons. "Reserved 137 days prior to arriving," notes a camper at Little Bennett Campground, indicating the advance planning often required.
Site variations: Campsite quality and features vary significantly within the same park. "Check out your site before booking, some sites are steep but spacious," advises a visitor to Louise F. Cosca Regional Park.
Noise considerations: Some campgrounds experience noise from nearby facilities or transportation. "There is a shooting range in the park. It is on a flight path for DCA. And, I66 is not that far away," reports a camper at Bull Run Regional Park.
Wildlife precautions: Local wildlife may visit campsites. "Raccoons run wild at night flipping trash can lids on your campsite hunting for food. Use repel spray to keep the raccoons off your site," recommends a camper at Cosca Regional Park.
Tips for camping with families
Scheduled activities: Many parks offer organized programs for children. "The park had a climbing wall on one afternoon. They had a campfire complete with s'mores followed by hayrides," shares a visitor to Bull Run Regional Park who stayed in a cabin.
Playground proximity: Consider site location relative to play areas. "We got a site on the inner loop and it backed to the playground and the bathhouse. The site was spacious," recommends a family camper at Pohick Bay Campground.
Water features: Parks with splash pads and water parks are popular with families during summer. "This park has golf frisbee course, decent water park for kids, hiking trails, small creek/river you can explore, playgrounds," notes a visitor at Cherry Hill Park.
Nature programs: Look for educational opportunities. "My grandkids enjoyed the nature scavenger hunt. You even get a prize when you finish," shares a Bull Run Regional Park visitor, highlighting the structured activities available for children.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling: Be prepared for uneven terrain at some campgrounds. "My site had a slight slope, but was easily overcome using additional blocks on the low side to get the trailer level," advises an RVer at Bull Run Regional Park.
Hookup variations: Check specific site amenities before booking. "Only 5 sites have electric (2, 5, 18, 24, 25) but all 25 sites have water hookup," details a camper at Cosca Regional Park, providing valuable information for those requiring electrical connections.
Road conditions: Some parks have challenging interior roads. "This is not big rig friendly but there are pull through sites but the roads are very narrow and there is only 1 way in and 1 way out," cautions a reviewer at Cosca Regional Park.
Cell service quality: Mobile reception varies by location and provider. "AT&T 5 MB/s without 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 Campground.
