Bull Run Regional Park sits 13 miles from Casanova in northern Virginia at approximately 300 feet above sea level. The park offers camping options in a region characterized by rolling hills and deciduous forest with average summer temperatures reaching 85°F during peak camping season. Visitors can access both established campgrounds and more rustic options within a 30-minute drive of Casanova.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Bull Run Regional Park provides fishing access though some campers note limitations. "The park is nice, but if you're looking for fishing don't go here, but you can in fact kayak down the creek," according to one visitor at Bull Run Regional Park.
Disc golf courses: Several campgrounds near Casanova feature disc golf. "Park has golf frisbe course, decent water park for kids, hiking trails, small creek/river you can explore, playgrounds," reports a camper about Bull Run Regional Park.
Water recreation: Rappahannock River Campground offers tubing excursions organized by the campground staff. "We stayed here and went tubing on the Rappahannock River one day. The tubing trip was organized by the same people that run the campground so that was very convenient!" notes a visitor at Rappahannock River Campground.
What campers like
Privacy in wooded settings: Many campers appreciate secluded sites. "We were there during a heat wave so there were bugs but being from Georgia the heat was bearable. The site was a tent site with lots of shade and not too close to others," writes a reviewer about Big Meadows Campground.
Clean bathroom facilities: Campgrounds maintain well-serviced facilities. "The bathrooms are with staying again alone. Locking doors, individual stalls. Hot dog. Best camping showers I've ever had," notes a camper at Bull Run Regional Park.
Fall season beauty: Autumn brings special appeal to the region. "We stayed at Bull Run Regional Campground on our visit to Washington DC. It was fall and the colors were gorgeous. The sites are all pull-through off the roads through the campground. So your camper faces the woods and you feel like you're all alone," reports a visitor.
What you should know
Elevation variations: Some sites require leveling equipment. "My site had a slight slope, but was easily overcome using additional blocks on the low side to get the trailer level," notes a camper at Bull Run Regional Park.
Noise factors: Proximity to transportation corridors affects some campgrounds. "Camp ground is nice. Check in was a breeze. The only drawback is that it is not quite. There is a shooting range in the park. It is on a flight path for DCA. And, I66 is not that far away," advises a camper.
Primitive facilities at some locations: Rappahannock River Campground offers a more rustic experience. "Very primitive, tent only camping. Nothing near it and very private. An awesome place to relax!" writes a visitor at Rappahannock River Campground. Another camper adds: "The bathrooms are more like outhouses and the showers are a drive from the campground."
Tips for camping with families
Water activities for children: Multiple campgrounds offer water recreation. "BR park is absolutely beautiful. So much to do and centered around many historical sites. It's a gem," notes a camper at Bull Run Regional Park.
Off-season considerations: Visiting during shoulder seasons changes the experience. "We stayed here on the night of December 11, 2020. No problem finding a spot, campground was about half full when we got there around 4pm. The Primitive Camping spots were all taken however, so arrive early if you want one of those," advises a visitor at Andy Guest/Shenandoah River State Park Campground.
Year-round yurt camping: Casanova, Virginia area offers yurt camping options throughout the year. "We stayed here 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," reports a family at Bull Run.
Tips from RVers
Site selection importance: Choose level sites when booking. "Our only real drawback was our site was not even close to level. It probably shouldn't have been available for a 40'+ RV. Still, we would go back...just to a different site location," advises an RVer at Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Luray.
Parking configuration: Bull Run offers pull-through sites. "The sites are all pull-through off the roads through the campground. So your camper faces the woods and you feel like you're all alone. 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."
Campground store access: Many campgrounds near Casanova maintain supplies. "The camping store as everything u need and plus homemade food," notes a visitor at Wilderness Presidential Resort, which offers options for RVers seeking additional amenities.
