Northern Virginia's wooded landscape offers camping options within 25 miles of Chantilly, with most sites located between 400-500 feet elevation. The region experiences four distinct seasons with summer daytime temperatures typically reaching 85-90°F and winter lows averaging 25-30°F. Multiple campgrounds remain open year-round while others operate seasonally from April through October.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Burke Lake Park Campground features a 218-acre lake stocked with largemouth bass, catfish, and walleye. "The park is nice, but if youre looking for fishing don't go here, but you can in fact kayak down the creek," reports one visitor to Bull Run Regional Park.
Mountain biking: The trail network at Lake Fairfax offers varied terrain for riders of all skill levels. "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," notes a camper at Lake Fairfax Campground.
Historical exploration: The region contains numerous Civil War battle sites within short driving distance. "Lots of history near by so check out the old battle fields and buildings that housed troops during civil war. Very cool stuff," suggests a reviewer of Bull Run Regional Park.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Many campgrounds offer substantial separation between camping areas. "The sites are nicely spread out. My site had a slight slope, but was easily overcome using additional blocks on the low side to get the trailer level," mentions one camper at Bull Run Regional Park.
Clean facilities: Bathhouses receive regular maintenance at most locations. "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," shares a visitor to Fairfax County Burke Lake Park.
Pull-through sites: Several campgrounds provide easy-access parking. "Sites were mostly level. Small, well stocked camp store. Propane and 2 easy dump stations. Nice pool and bath house. Close to everything," notes a camper at Prince William Forest RV Campground.
What you should know
Noise considerations: Some campgrounds experience sound from nearby facilities or transportation. "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," explains a camper at Bull Run Regional Park.
Variable site leveling: Tent sites particularly may require adjustment. "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 a visitor to Little Bennett Campground.
Reservation requirements: Many campgrounds enforce minimum stay rules during peak season. "The real kicker is a 2-night minimum stay. Even mid-week. In APRIL for gosh sakes!" reports one Bull Run visitor.
Tips for camping with families
Water recreation options: Several parks offer swimming and boating during summer months. "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. They had a campfire complete with s'mores followed by hayrides," shares a family at Bull Run Regional Park.
Playgrounds and activities: Parks provide designated play areas for different age groups. "There a water park type thing here. Hiking, biking, swimming, fishing. Downfall there's a shooting range near by so can be kind of noisy," notes a Bull Run visitor.
Dog friendly campgrounds near Chantilly: Most facilities welcome pets with standard leash requirements. "Wooded hikes with water along the trails (great for dogs in the summer heat)," mentions a visitor at Lake Fairfax, one of several pet-friendly campgrounds near Chantilly.
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Sites offer varying levels of service across the region. "This is a small facility that is well maintained. The staff is amazing. The showers are clean/hot and the playground is in very good condition. If the campground had better wifi and cable it would get five stars," notes a camper at Prince William Forest RV Campground.
Dumping stations: Most parks with RV sites provide sanitary disposal options. "W arrived late at night and finding our site was easy. Very spacious sites and awesome views of the forest," reports a visitor to Bull Run Regional Park.
Metro access: For campers wanting to visit Washington DC, several locations offer transportation options. "Stay here to explore DC! Very nice grounds, clean, and amenities galore! No need to drive anywhere, the tour buses pick you up at the park!" mentions a visitor to Cherry Hill Park.
