Camping near Casanova, Virginia includes options ranging from primitive tent sites to full hookup RV spaces. Located in the Piedmont region between the Blue Ridge Mountains and Chesapeake Bay, the area experiences moderate seasonal temperatures with summer averages around 86°F. Most campgrounds remain open year-round, though winter stays often come with reduced amenities and potential water system shutdowns during freezing temperatures.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Prince William Forest Park offers multiple fishing spots within its boundaries. "We were able to fish for hours at the two fishing ponds, which both were stocked with bass and bluegill," notes a visitor to nearby Fort Valley Ranch.
Historical exploration: Visit the National Marine Corps Museum near Triangle. "Prince William Forest National Park is accessible for awesome day hikes. Civil War National Parks nearby. DC just up the road. National Marine Corp Museum just around corner," shares Kenneth H. about Prince William Forest RV Campground.
Hiking trails: Access miles of trails directly from Oak Ridge Campground. "The park is nice, but if you're looking for fishing don't go here, but you can in fact kayak down the creek," mentions Jonny D. about Bull Run Regional Park.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Bull Run Regional Park maintains well-kept shower buildings. "I'll go again just for the showers... Best review I can give is of the bathrooms. They're worth staying again alone. Locking doors, individual stalls. Hot dog. Best camping showers I've ever had," raves Yvonne B.
Riverside sites: Many campers appreciate water access. "Gorgeous spot on the river. Small campground with not a lot of amenities BUT THAT RIVER IS GORGEOUS. Lots of activities - tubing, zip lining, fishing," notes Darcy S. about Harpers Ferry Campground.
Convenient locations: Easy access to Washington DC makes some parks popular for combined urban/nature trips. "About 17 miles to the closest Rail station to bring you to the mall in Washington DC," mentions Ken W. about Prince William Forest RV Campground.
What you should know
Military credentials: Fort Belvoir Travel and RV Camp requires proper identification. "You need military credentials. Handy to the DC Metro Transit system. Nice views of river. Eagle's nest were interesting," explains Mike H.
Reservation policies: Several rv parks near Casanova, Virginia implement minimum stay requirements. "But Bull Run manages to goose you even more. There are occupancy AND transaction fees that really add up if you're only there a few nights. But the real kicker is a 2-night minimum stay. Even mid-week. In APRIL for gosh sakes!" reports Stuart O.
Weather considerations: Drainage issues affect some campgrounds during rainy periods. "While we were here, there was a fairly heavy day of rain. Couple inches, I suppose, but nothing Biblical. The mouths of the metal culverts in our loop were bent downward from campers driving over them, which obstructed the flow. Result was lots of standing water at our campsite," explains a Bull Run visitor.
Tips for camping with families
Animal attractions: The HarmStead Campground offers unique experiences for children. "The hosts provided our kids with a cup of animal food to feed the goats and the emu. The spot had a fire ring and a picknick table. Highlight for the kids were the playground and the fireflies at night," shares Michael.
Swimming options: Several campgrounds feature water recreation. "We found a river access point perfect for swimming and wading," notes Jason G. about Fort Valley Ranch, which is within a 10-minute drive from river activities.
Educational activities: Look for parks with nature programs. "The campground had a climbing wall on one afternoon. There are miles of trails and my gkids enjoyed the nature scavenger hunt. You even get a prize when you finish," reports Bridget H. about Bull Run Regional Park.
Tips from RVers
Leveling requirements: Fort Valley Ranch offers level sites for easier setup. "Our site (site 3) was an easy level pull-through site, making the setup/breakdown very quick and painless. All the RV sites were impressively level, with only minimal leveling needed," reports Jason G.
Cell service variations: Service levels differ significantly between Casanova area rv parks. "Att coverage is good," notes Kristen M. about Prince William Forest, while another campground reports, "The wifi was terrible and unusable, even with our antenna. AT&T worked well and Verizon was a bit spotty."
Road conditions: Access to some parks requires careful navigation. "I was initially concerned about the road leading into the campground, as my rig is over 50 feet in total length. However, we were surprised that the winding roads presented no issues for us. The access was smooth and hassle-free," shares a Fort Valley Ranch visitor.
