Camping sites near Centreville, Virginia range from primitive tent areas to full-service RV parks with most locations situated within dense forest environments at elevations between 200-400 feet. The region experiences humidity year-round that affects camping gear, with moisture-resistant equipment recommended even during cooler months. Nighttime temperatures can drop significantly even in summer, requiring appropriate sleeping gear.
What to do
Disc golf at multiple parks: Bull Run Regional Park offers an 18-hole course that provides a challenging game for all skill levels. According to one camper, "BR park is absolutely beautiful. So much to do and centered around many historical sites. It's a gem."
Kayaking opportunities: Leesylvania State Park provides direct access to the Potomac River with boat launches. A visitor notes, "Good access for kayak, boat, jet skis." The park charges a day-use fee but REI members can show a receipt for free entry.
Historical exploration: The area contains significant Civil War sites accessible from most campgrounds. One camper at Oak Ridge Campground mentioned, "There is lots and lots of history around the area. We spent 5 days camping and exploring the civil war battle areas and other things. Definitely worth exploring."
Lake activities: Multiple campgrounds offer fishing, boating and lake trails. A Lake Fairfax visitor shared, "A lot to do: mountain bike trails (horses and walking, too); wooded hikes with water along the trails (great for dogs in the summer heat), skateboard park, BMX park, Water Park near the campground, fishing, & canoeing)."
What campers like
Shower facilities: Several campgrounds receive high marks for their bathhouse facilities. At Bull Run, one camper emphasized, "The 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."
Proximity to DC with nature access: Cherry Hill Park gets praise for balancing urban access with outdoor amenities. A camper explained, "Proximity to DC and surrounding areas can't be beat. Uber, Lyft, bus, shuttle. It takes about a half hour to get downtown to the monuments. Our uber rides ranged from $20-45 for a family of 5."
Water recreation options: Multiple parks feature water attractions beyond natural lakes. At Lake Fairfax Campground, visitors appreciate the adjacent water park with one noting, "There is a waterpark that is an extra cost which is fun for kids."
Year-round availability: Several campgrounds remain open all seasons, with Pohick Bay Campground receiving positive comments about its year-round operation. A visitor shared, "We stay here at least 6 trips a year. Nice layout, not all sites are level (half). Staff are always nice and go out of their way to help."
What you should know
Noise considerations: Several campgrounds experience noise issues due to their proximity to urban areas. At Bull Run, a camper noted, "Camp ground is nice. Check in was a breeze. The only drawback is that it is not quiet. There is a shooting range in the park. It is on a flight path for DCA. And, I66 is not that far away."
Varying site levelness: Uneven terrain affects camping comfort at several locations. One camper at Lake Fairfax Campground reported, "The sites are largely in more of a meadow and not many are very wooded. Our site, 41, was level and nicely spaced from other sites but many tent sites were not level at all. Many tents were on a full slant."
Drainage issues: Heavy rain can create problems at certain campgrounds. A Bull Run visitor warned, "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."
Occupancy and transaction fees: Some campgrounds charge additional fees beyond the base rate. A camper reported about Bull Run, "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!"
Tips for camping with families
Activity planning: Greenville Farm Family Campground offers family-oriented amenities in a quieter setting. A visitor noted, "We are repeat customers and come here with our troops. Nice mix of RV and tent campers. Quiet. Trails, creek, pool, fishing ponds (back end), bathrooms, etc, great rates."
Scavenger hunts: Several parks organize activities specifically for children. At Bull Run, one family shared, "Our family stayed here in a cabin 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. There are miles of trails and my gkids enjoyed the nature scavenger hunt. You even get a prize when you finish."
Multiple playgrounds: Parks with play equipment make camping with small children easier. At Lake Fairfax, a visitor highlighted, "There's a water park, paddle boats, playgrounds, trails, skate park, sports fields, and the bathrooms are the nicest I've ever seen."
Site selection for bathroom access: Families with young children may want sites near facilities. One camper at Burke Lake Park advised, "We reserved campsite B14. It was right next to the bathroom (we wanted to be near the restroom for the kids) but it was about 20 ft away, so pretty distracting."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling preparation: Multiple campgrounds require additional equipment for leveling. At Bull Run, an RVer reported, "My site had a slight slope, but was easily overcome using additional blocks on the low side to get the trailer level."
Limited full hookup options: Not all campgrounds near Centreville provide complete services. A camper at Prince William Forest RV Campground advised, "The back row is steep. We were unable to get our Super C level. The rain created red clay mud so the dogs were a mess - actually became sort of comical. All in all it was a beautiful and clean location. Try and reserve row E if you need full hook up."
Big rig accessibility: Some areas have tight turns or low-hanging branches. One RVer noted about Prince William Forest, "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)."
Service availability: While most campgrounds provide electric hookups, water and sewer connections vary significantly. A Cherry Hill Park visitor mentioned, "50 amp hook-up, water, sewer" but noted "gravel pad" as a drawback for setting up larger vehicles.
