RV parks near Chantilly, Virginia offer campsites within 30 miles of urban amenities while providing access to historical sites and nature trails. Located in Northern Virginia's Piedmont region at approximately 300 feet elevation, these campgrounds experience hot, humid summers with occasional thunderstorms and mild spring and fall seasons. Winter camping is limited, with only a few year-round facilities operating during the colder months.
What to do
Hiking trails: Prince William Forest Park offers extensive hiking options with multiple loops for day hikes. "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," notes Kenneth H. at Prince William Forest RV Campground.
Water activities: Lake Fairfax Campground provides seasonal access to swimming and boating facilities. "There's a water park, paddle boats, playgrounds, trails, skate park, sports fields, and the bathrooms are the nicest I've ever seen," says Brittany V. about the Lake Fairfax facilities.
Historical exploration: Several campgrounds provide convenient access to Civil War sites and other historical attractions. Brunswick Family Campground offers proximity to Harpers Ferry, with one camper noting, "Harpers Ferry is only 6 miles away on the trail," making it an accessible day trip for history enthusiasts.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Multiple campgrounds feature recently renovated bathroom facilities. At Oak Ridge Campground, campers appreciate "super clean bathrooms with marble tile" according to Chad, while others note the facilities appear "newly renovated."
River access: Riverside camping sites provide direct water access at several locations. "This campground is right on the river so you can go swimming right from your campsite," reports Robin W. about Harpers Ferry Campground, which features sites along the Potomac River.
Proximity to DC: Many campers value the ability to visit Washington DC while maintaining a campsite base. Cherry Hill Park receives praise for its "On-site bus shuttle" to DC, with Jennifer H. noting, "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."
What you should know
Train noise: Several campgrounds experience railway noise that may disrupt light sleepers. At Harpers Ferry Campground, Maggie A. warns, "There are train tracks behind the campground with a train going through day and night. For me it's a minor inconvenience and my daughter, who even as a baby, slept through it. Do bring ear plugs if you're a light sleeper."
Military installation noise: Campgrounds near military facilities may experience training-related sounds. Tracy R. from Oak Ridge Campground mentions, "We were in Loop C and could hear activity at Quantico. Lots of air noise too, from both airplanes and helicopters."
Reservation requirements: Many campgrounds have specific reservation systems and requirements. At Brunswick Family Campground, loops are divided into walk-in versus reservation sections, while other parks have minimum stay requirements, with Stuart O. noting Bull Run Regional Park enforces "a 2-night minimum stay. Even mid-week. In APRIL for gosh sakes!"
Tips for camping with families
Activity planning: Look for campgrounds with diverse recreational options for different age groups. "This campground has an abundance of things to do. The campground offers adventures like rafting, biking, tubing and zip lining to name a few," shares a camper about family-friendly activities at Harpers Ferry.
Water parks: Several campgrounds feature water recreation facilities perfect for summer visits. At Bull Run Regional Park, "the park has golf frisbe course, decent water park for kids, hiking trails, small creek/river you can explore, playgrounds," making it ideal for families with varied interests.
Nature programs: Look for parks with organized activities for children. Oak Ridge Campground offers nature programs, with campers mentioning that "we saw lots of wildlife" and some parks provide scavenger hunts and ranger-led activities for younger campers.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling: Bring extra leveling equipment to many RV sites near Chantilly. At Fort Belvoir Travel Camp, Thomas advises, "Good site, secure location, decent facilities with solid WiFi. Pier within walking distance. Good location, tho our site wasn't fully level, so bring plenty of leveling blocks."
Size restrictions: Check maximum RV dimensions before booking. Drew M. notes about Lake Fairfax, "My 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," highlighting the importance of selecting appropriate sites.
Pull-through availability: Some RV sites near Chantilly offer easier access options. Laura G. describes Prince William Forest RV Campground as having "convenient pull-through" sites that are "snug" but well-situated for accessing nearby attractions, noting it's "adjacent to Prince William Forest, near shops and restaurants, and less than an hour away from Washington, DC."
