Wes T.
Scout
ScoutAndy Guest/Shenandoah River State Park Campground
Favorite Campsite in VA
Clean facilities, each site has plenty of space. Never had an issue with noisy neighbors. Excellent access to the river. 10/10
Best Campgrounds near Clifton, VA
Camping opportunities near Clifton, Virginia span several regional and state parks within a 30-mile radius. Bull Run Regional Park and Pohick Bay Regional Park provide developed campgrounds with amenities for tent and RV campers, while some locations like Burke Lake Park also offer cabin accommodations. Most established campgrounds in the area maintain electric hookups, drinking water, and toilet facilities, making them suitable for families seeking convenient outdoor experiences without venturing far from the Washington DC metropolitan area.
Public lands and regional parks in the vicinity typically operate year-round, though some facilities like Lake Fairfax Campground maintain seasonal schedules, generally open from March through early September. "The sites were decently spaced out from one another, it didn't feel like we were right on top of the people across and next to us," noted one visitor to a nearby state forest campground. Advance reservations are strongly recommended for weekend camping during summer months when sites fill quickly. Most developed campgrounds offer fire rings, picnic tables, and access to bathrooms, with varying degrees of privacy between sites depending on the specific park.
Several campgrounds in the area feature proximity to water recreation opportunities. Oak Ridge Campground in Prince William Forest Park receives high ratings for its wooded sites and accessibility to hiking trails. Campers report that locations closer to DC tend to experience more air traffic noise and less seclusion. A visitor mentioned that "helicopters and planes fly over regularly, and you can hear sirens from neighboring areas," yet still found their camping experience satisfactory. Many campsites in the region serve as convenient basecamps for exploring nearby historic sites, including Harpers Ferry and Civil War battlefields, while others offer on-site activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming in park lakes or along the Potomac River shoreline.
Best Camping Sites Near Clifton, Virginia (107)
1. Bull Run Regional Park
43 ReviewsIron Gate, VA5 milesWebsite+1 (703) 631-0550$39 - $100 / night
"We have lived in northern Virginia for over 30 years and never been to this campground until this month! Very nice campground with friendly staff and friendly campground hosts."
"History buffs will like to explore the park surrounding the campground. Fun little water park within walking distance of all campsites that was great for kids."
2. Oak Ridge Campground — Prince William Forest Park
32 ReviewsDumfries, VA12 milesWebsite+1 (703) 221-7181$26 / night
"Showers are in loop B, which is a 5-7 minute walk. During holiday weekends the sites closest to the shower facilities are fully booked and have less privacy."
"The Oak Ridge campgrounds at Prince William Forest Park are a lovely little campground just outside Washington DC. The sites were large, the facilities are clean and the staff friendly and helpful."
3. Pohick Bay Campground
37 ReviewsLorton, VA14 milesWebsite+1 (703) 339-6104$37 - $170 / night
"We have been camping here for nearly 20 years. Each military tour brought us back to this area so Pohick became our second home. Our kids kayak now older but used to walk the trails as little kids."
"We enjoyed sitting around the campfire at night and walking the dogs down to the water. We were right next to a hiking trail that went down to the water and a beach area."
4. Burke Lake Park Campground
15 ReviewsBurke, VA5 milesWebsite+1 (703) 323-6600"We stayed Burke lake campground for one night last week. It was very peaceful place. The whole camp ground was very clean and well kept."
"This was my second time going Burke Lake and it was just as enjoyable as the first."
5. Lake Fairfax Campground
25 ReviewsReston, VA13 milesWebsite+1 (703) 471-5414$30 - $70 / night
"If you are looking for camping in Fairfax County Virginia, this is it, because there are only a couple to choose from."
"We set up our tent in the far side of the campground close to the lake ( site 27). It is slightly slant but still comfortable in the tent. Bathrooms are close by and kept clean."
6. Prince William Forest RV Campground — Prince William Forest Park
19 ReviewsDumfries, VA12 miles+1 (703) 221-2474"Adjacent to Prince William Forest, near shops and restaurants, and less than an hour away from Washington, DC. Good nature getaway from the city."
"Stayed here for a week while working nearby. Easy to get to and set up. Office was closed when we arrived but arrival paperwork was posted outside office door."
7. Fairfax County Burke Lake Park
2 ReviewsFairfax Station, VA4 milesWebsite+1 (703) 323-6600"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."
"i’ve camped here too many times to count, love being surrounded by nature!"
8. Leesylvania State Park Campground
6 ReviewsDumfries, VA15 milesWebsite+1 (703) 730-8205$15 - $18 / night
"Close to me so theres nothing new"
"Good for a day use, parking is full most of the time but have a lot of space to park you may have to walk but you will find one spot..."
9. Cherry Hill Park
42 ReviewsBeltsville, MD29 milesWebsite+1 (301) 937-7116$999 / night
"Great camping amenities, soft cushioned sites, with power and water close by. DO NOT GET BASIC TENT SITES AS THEY ARE NEXT TO HIGHWAYS AND VERY NOISY!!! Premium tent sites would be a better choice."
"That being said, I’m sure there were a few campers who didn’t like being right next to the walkway to the bathrooms and showers. The park is broken down in to various sections and slightly tiered."
10. Fort Belvoir Travel and RV Camp
4 ReviewsFort Belvoir, VA14 milesWebsite+1 (703) 805-3081$55 / night
"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."
"It is very clean and there are many amenities close by. The base outdoor recreation center has equipment to rent such as kayaks and canoes to explore the Potomac river."
Recent Camping Photos near Clifton, VA
275 Photos of 107 Clifton Campgrounds
Rachel
Burke Lake Park Campground
Kat G.
Bull Run Regional Park
Conni B.
Oak Ridge Campground — Prince William Forest Park
adrian F.
Lake Fairfax Campground
Trees F.
Pohick Bay Campground
Marvin D.
Chopawamsic Backcountry Camping — Prince William Forest Park
Emerson K.
Marsden Tract Group Campsite — George Washington Memorial Parkway
Chrystal P.
Marsden Tract Group Campsite
Alan H.
Swains Lock Hiker-biker Overnight Campsite — Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park
Caitlin A.
Smallwood State Park Campground - TEMPORARILY CLOSED THROUGH JULY 2023
Ethel B.
Horsepen Branch Hiker-biker Overnight Campsite — Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park
Jarmonay N.
Chisel Branch Hiker-Biker Overnight Campsite — Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park
Recent Reviews near Clifton, VA
808 Reviews of 107 Clifton Campgrounds
- J
James T.ScoutCornerstone
Great spot for relax
I have a great spot right by the river. It is away from all noise but the flow of water. Right on the river
- LLucinda H.
GuideSkyline Ranch Resort
Good
This camp ground is very nice with a rustic vibe
- FFredrick K.
TravelerMarble Quarry Hiker-biker Overnight Campsite — Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park
Great place to get some peace and quiet
If youre looking for fun and people, go to the south campground. But if youre looking for true quiet and have a tent, check out the dispersed campsites. Good shower and bathroom setup that i bet would fare well in a tornado, its got that solid storm shelter feel. Next to a quiet airport, plenty of free firewood to gather
- DDebbie W.Scout
Harpers Ferry / Civil War Battlefields KOA
Not as advertised on website. Loose dogs. Sites not as advertised.
Less amenities than advertised. We usually camp in more rustic locations and planned this trip simply for the fun of the amenities. Their website claims that the pool is seasonal but doesn't list anything else as seasonal. There was supposed to be mini golf, a giant bounce pillow, indoor basketball, an arcade with air hockey and a pool table. Mini golf was fine. The bounce pillow was deflated and full of water. The arcade/pool table/air hockey building was locked and the maintenance guy(who locks it up) was outside smoking before leaving early for the day. The employee at the camp store said it was supposed to be open until the store closed but that he probably just closed it early.
The rules state that dogs need to be on a leash at all times and, in the two hours we actually stayed, we saw four that weren't. One was staying near us and started chasing us when we rode our bikes by. One was wandering about 4 campsites down from it's owner. We mentioned it to the person at the camp store before we were chased and she just shrugged it off.
The map is incorrect. It lists site numbers that don't exist and doesn't list some sites that supposedly do. We spent a fifteen minutes trying to find a non-existent site before going back to the camp office and getting assigned a new site. They acted like it was a new thing caused by maintenance but we just looked and saw a review from ten months ago saying the map was messed up then.
The description of the site we paid for was non electric tent with a sand tent pad. The site we got was on a hill(no actual flat spot) overgrown with weeds, no tent pad, a slanted picnic table, and no actual parking spot. You had to drive over a drainage ditch and park on the hill. If our car didn't have high clearance we wouldn't have made it. There was also a hole in the middle of the site. And the map showed that number site on the corner where another unmarked site was. Our originally assigned site was supposedly in the same group of sites, so it would've been similar. Also don't believe the claim that they're"large sites." Most of them are crammed together. There are a few that look decent sized and flat, but they want you to pay an extra$30 to pick your own site.
We didn't even look in the bathrooms.
We left after two hours. Definitely a waste of$60+ dollars.
Next time we'll go over to the Brunswick Family campground. Their owners are lovely people who care about their customers.
Beth B.
LegendPrince William Forest RV Campground — Prince William Forest Park
Nice clean Campground
Stayed here for a week while working nearby. Easy to get to and set up. Office was closed when we arrived but arrival paperwork was posted outside office door. Even with busy road nearby, park was quiet and felt private. Sites were level and paved making setup easy. Sites had 1/2 site extra paved for vehicle with extra parking nearby. There was no litter in park, we observed a staff member daily making the rounds to keep everything clean. There was walking access into the park on wide private roads without traffic. With park access you are able to walk into national forest park from RV camp. National Forest visitor center close by, 1 exit away going south I95. Amenities in RV park included swimming pool, chess board with extra large pieces, playground and clean bath house. Firewood and ice on site.
- CCaitlin R.Scout
Oak Ridge Campground — Prince William Forest Park
Great Campground
Our family loved this campground. It was entirely wooded with plenty of shade, sites were close but separated enough to feel like you were in your own site. Our kids and others rode their bikes around the loop all weekend long. Bathrooms could have been a little cleaner and all the entrances except one were closed, but that’s what happens when you cut budgets for public lands.
DaniTravelerGooney Creek Campground
New owners
New owners just bought this place. There are upgrades and cleaning needed, but owner was friendly and helpful. Creek and trail is gorgeous. Highway can be loud at times. Surrounding town gorgeous and dog friendly.
- VVaught M.Scout
Brunswick Family Campground
Lovely campground on the C&O. Beware the trains!
This is a lovely campground that I recommend and would stay again. We have been twice: once as a family and once with a Scout troop. The RV sites are fairly large and clean. The tent-only sites are smaller and have a metal fire ring with a grate (nice!). The RV sites have mostly brick rings without grates. The bathrooms are fairly small (two showers on the female and one on the male) which might be an issue on busy weekends. The only real water entrance is the boat ramp, but you can climb down a cliff in other places. A, D, and E are sunnier. B and C and Nottingham are mostly wooded with mature trees. We used the site as a base for a bike trip along the C&O to go to Harper’s Ferry (14mi round trip along a gravel path). The staff were friendly and there is a small camp store.
But the trains! THE TRAINS!!! Every review will mention them for a reason. The site is adjacent to a rail yard that runs all day. Not just a passing train, but clanging car and engine changes. It’s LOUD. I slept with earplugs, but could still hear the noise. The yard really starts going around 5am and goes all day. It slows down after 8/9pm, but never stops entirely. The trains are the only reason for the removed star and it’s not the campground’s fault. But almost all of the real complaints are about the noise. If you want an extra quiet campground with only birds and running water, this is not the place for you. But if you don’t mind the loud bangs and low rumbles, this place is fine!
The entrance is beyond the train yard and about a mile down a widened part of the C&O. It is possible to be trapped inside or outside if a train is stopped at the crossing (30min for us, once).
In short, it’s a great campground if you bring ear plugs!
Guide to Clifton
Camping spots near Clifton, Virginia offer a mix of recreational activities in forested settings, with most sites within 30 miles of Washington DC. The terrain features rolling hills with elevations ranging from 200-400 feet above sea level, creating varied camping environments across the region. Summer temperatures typically reach the mid-80s with high humidity, while spring and fall camping provides milder conditions in the 60-70°F range with less precipitation.
What to do
Disc golf course access: Pohick Bay Campground offers an 18-hole disc golf course that serves as a popular activity for weekend campers. "Pohick Bay is my go-to weekend camping spot. Just a few miles outside DC, Pohick Bay is a hidden gem in the area. I'd recommend taking in a game of disc golf on their 18 hole course," notes a regular visitor.
Water recreation options: The water park at Lake Fairfax provides family entertainment during summer months, with admission fees separate from camping costs. "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 or at least it was the night we were here," reports one camper about the recreational options.
Fishing opportunities: Multiple lakes and waterways provide fishing access, with some sites permitting kayak rentals. One camper at Burke Lake Park Campground mentions that the area has "a beautiful lake with a 5-mile gravel walking/running/biking trail around the lake's perimeter. You are not supposed to swim in the lake but you can take out boats (there is a boat launch)."
What campers like
Cleanliness of facilities: Bath facilities receive consistently positive reviews at several campgrounds, with Bull Run Regional Park earning particular praise. "The best review I can give us of the bathrooms. They're with staying again alone. Locking doors, individual stalls. Hot dog. Best camping showers I've ever had," reports one satisfied camper.
Wildlife viewing: Bird watchers report eagle sightings at waterfront campgrounds near the Potomac. "Beautiful campground located near the National Harbor. Eagles everywhere! Large clean sites. Great staff," notes a visitor to Fort Belvoir Travel and RV Camp, highlighting the unexpected wildlife encounters possible even at developed campgrounds.
Proximity to historical sites: The region provides convenient access to Civil War battlefields and historical markers. A camper observed that there are "Lots of history near by so check out the old battle fields and buildings that housed troops during civil war. Very cool stuff," referring to the historical significance of the area surrounding Bull Run Regional Park.
What you should know
Seasonal operations: Some campgrounds operate only during warmer months. Lake Fairfax Campground runs from March to September, while Oak Ridge Campground is open from March through October. One camper notes: "We stayed 5 days camping and exploring the civil war battle areas and other things. Definitely worth exploring."
Noise considerations: Multiple campers report aircraft and traffic noise at sites closer to urban areas. "The park is nice, but if youre looking for fishing don't go here, but you can in fact kayak down the creek," advises one visitor about the limitations at some camping areas.
Site specifications: Terrain varies significantly between campgrounds, affecting tent setup. "The sites were 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," reports a visitor to Bull Run Regional Park, highlighting the importance of proper leveling equipment.
Tips for camping with families
Organized activities: Cherry Hill Park offers scheduled entertainment for children. "They have a nice looking pool area, but it was too cold. The shop was cute and staff nice. Sites were pretty level," shares a visitor about the family-friendly amenities available.
Playground proximity: When reserving sites, check proximity to play areas for convenience with young children. "The site was spacious. We are tent campers but almost all our neighbors were in an RV or trailer. The site had water and electric which was nice. The bathhouse is standard but also has laundry and an outdoor dish washing station," reports a camper who appreciated being near recreational facilities.
Nature programs: Several parks offer ranger-led activities and scavenger hunts on weekends. One camper at Bull Run Regional Park shares: "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."
Tips from RVers
Dump station access: Prince William Forest RV Campground provides accessible dump stations for larger rigs. "Quiet campground with tables and fire rings at all sites. Small, well stocked camp store. Propane and 2 easy dump stations. Nice pool and bath house. Close to everything," mentions a visitor who appreciated the convenient services.
Site leveling challenges: Many RV sites in the region require leveling blocks. "If leveling perfectly is a concern you may want to call ahead and ask before commiting to the inner loop. Electric hookup only. Bathhouse was very clean and the staff friendly. Water fill & Dump Station on the beach side of the bathhouse," advises an experienced RVer about preparing for the terrain.
Connectivity options: Cell service quality varies significantly between campgrounds, with those closer to urban areas typically offering better coverage. "Att coverage is good. Playground is nice," notes a camper about the mobile connectivity at Prince William Forest RV Campground, an important consideration for those needing to stay connected.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Clifton, VA?
What camping is available near Clifton, VA?
According to TheDyrt.com, Clifton, VA offers a wide range of camping options, with 107 campgrounds and RV parks near Clifton, VA and 3 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Clifton, VA?
Which is the most popular campground near Clifton, VA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Clifton, VA is Bull Run Regional Park with a 3.9-star rating from 43 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Clifton, VA?
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Clifton, VA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 3 free dispersed camping spots near Clifton, VA.
What parks are near Clifton, VA?
What parks are near Clifton, VA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 17 parks near Clifton, VA that allow camping, notably Prince William Forest Park and George Washington Memorial Parkway.
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