A
Al L.
Scout
ScoutWestmoreland State Park Campground
Nice end of summer retreat
It was a well maintained campsite. Clean bathrooms and great hikes to fossil beach.
Camping near Colonial Beach, VA
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Camping near Colonial Beach, Virginia ranges from waterfront campsites with boat access to primitive tent-only sites reached by hiking trails, spread across the Northern Neck peninsula along the Potomac River. Westmoreland State Park Campground, located about 15 miles east of Colonial Beach, offers year-round camping with tent sites, RV hookups, and cabins among mature forests with views of the Potomac. Thousand Trails Harbor View provides seasonal camping from April through October with shaded sites for tents and RVs. Monroe Bay Marina and Campground offers waterfront camping with boat access directly in Colonial Beach. Caledon State Park, approximately 20 miles northwest, provides more primitive tent-only camping accessed via hiking trails for those seeking a more secluded experience.
Most campgrounds in the area require advance reservations, particularly during the peak summer season when temperatures and humidity can be high. Westmoreland State Park's bathhouses remain clean and heated in winter, making it suitable for off-season camping. Spring brings heavy pollen that can coat outdoor surfaces, as noted by one camper who reported, "If you have allergies, avoid spring. Everything outside was covered in a light haze of pollen." Summer brings mosquitoes and ticks, particularly in wooded areas. Cell service varies by provider, with Verizon reported as reliable at Harbor View. Many campgrounds close or reduce operations between November and March, though some state parks maintain year-round availability.
Potomac River access represents a significant draw for campers in the Colonial Beach area. Westmoreland State Park's Fossil Beach attracts visitors searching for prehistoric shark teeth along the shoreline. According to one camper, "The best part is that you can actually find sharks teeth on the beaches here. When it rains, the teeth get washed out of the cliff." Many campgrounds feature relatively close quarters, with several reviewers noting proximity to neighboring sites. A Harbor View camper observed, "The sites are very shady, which certainly comes in handy in the Virginia heat. They are also very close together—our slide was almost touching our neighbor's slide." Family-friendly amenities like playgrounds, pools, and communal activities are common at the larger established campgrounds, while state parks offer more natural settings with hiking trails and wildlife viewing opportunities.
Best Campgrounds near Colonial Beach (84)
1. Westmoreland State Park Campground
"The tent sites are awesome and mine have always been pretty private feeling despite being somewhat near others. Bathhouses are always SO clean and heated in the winter."
"The sites we have stayed at have all been super clean and close to bathrooms and water. They include a fire ring, picnic table and a hook for your trash. The bathrooms are clean and have hot showers."
from $27 - $134 / night
Check Availability2. Thousand Trails Harbor View
"All the sites are very shady, which certainly comes in handy in the Virginia heat. They are also very close together--our slide was almost touching our neighbor's slide."
"Nearby Colonial Beach is a cute area that has nice waterfront access. We also loved going to Westmoreland park which was practically next door to Harbor View. Great trails and fossil beach was fun."
3. Caledon State Park Campground
"Caledon was an amazing adventure that’s so close to Fredericksburg. It’s a nice 3 mile hike to the campsite which is right by the Potomac river! They have porta Johns and a pavilion close by."
"Porta pottie right next to wood pile. You’re not supposed to setup anything outside of the “tent pads”. I had a hammock hung and three rangers saw but didn’t say anything."
from $16 / night
Check Availability4. Big Timber Campground
5. Monroe Bay Marina and Campground
6. Pohick Bay Campground
"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."
from $37 - $170 / night
Check Availability7. Goose Bay Marina
"the cut down tobacco fields and long dark woods surrounded the entrance into this campground and marina… to be honest I was scared and cried and my husband thought I was ridiculous and reminded me I will"
"Location on the Potomac is great for boaters. Bought a bushel of crabs right off of the boat from Mr. Joe. Many people have golf carts, but not necessary as the campground was very walkable."
8. Smallwood State Park Campground - TEMPORARILY CLOSED THROUGH JULY 2023
"They are in short distance from the water. There is a playground, bathhouse, and historical buildings that are accessible to campers. There are hiking trials, but none are two extensive."
"Nice trails, water sports available, and historic landmarks"
from $27 - $65 / night
Check Availability9. Oak Ridge Campground — Prince William Forest Park
"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."
from $26 / night
Check Availability10. Fredericksburg-Washington DC KOA
"Once here it's tucked away nicely away from everything, sites feel spacious enough and mostly level on their own. Pool facility looks clean and good size for all to enjoy."
"We were planning to arrive late after 12 hours of driving. The admin called us when they were closing to make sure we knew they had our reservation and the paperwork would be in the night drop."
Drive Time
- 1 hr 5 min from Lexington Park, MD
- 1 hr 11 min from Richmond, VA
- 1 hr 13 min from Washington, DC
- 1 hr 40 min from Baltimore, MD
Recent Camping Photos near Colonial Beach, VA
151 Photos of 84 Colonial Beach Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Thousand Trails Harbor View
Westmoreland State Park Campground
Caledon State Park Campground
Smallwood State Park Campground - TEMPORARILY CLOSED THROUGH JULY 2023
Endeavor Point
Take It Easy CampgroundD
Fredericksburg-Washington DC KOAB
Dennis Point Marina and Campground
Cedarville State Forest
Pohick Bay Campground
Matoaka Beach Cottages
Chopawamsic Backcountry Camping — Prince William Forest Park
Recent Reviews near Colonial Beach, VA
473 Reviews of 84 Colonial Beach Campgrounds
- SSean D.
TravelerCampsites at Watkins Regional Park
Excellent choice for a Washington visit or local getaway
Based on my stay 3 nights and what I read of Greenbelt Park (the other closeby to Washington campground) I would say this has to be much better and I will stay here again on a future visit. Campground sits inside of a much larger park with great trails, amenities and well maintained. Campground is quiet, lots of trees, forest and yet each space is very large with good spacing and privacy to adjacent sites. High tree canopy at your site so lots of room to spread out. Sites themselves are a little rustic - a mix of grass, gravel and dirt, but not muddy (it rained a good bit prior to my stay) - but in good condition. Shower/toilet block is clean and good hot water and good water pressure. Most sites are flat or near flat and the ones that aren't need minimal levelling blocks. Campground apparently is never full and there was only 1 other when I was there - really hard to believe. There is a neighborhood road up by the sites near the shower block but it is low speed and lightly travelled and I had no disturbance from it. Nice surrounding neighborhood. No signs of vagrants. Park police patrolled multiple times per day and report very little non-camper entry to ther facilities. I felt very safe.Easy access to Eashington - bus stop outside the campground to metro or just drive to the metro (free parking weekend, $6 midweek) and then train (about 8 per hour) into the sites - an hour or less total to get there. For more local people, this seems like a good escape "to the woods" without travelling forever.
- BBrian H.Traveler
Pettigrew WMA
Pettigrew WMA - great dispersed camping
Good spot to get away and pitch a tent. Never anyone else there too! Make sure to get a daily ($4) or annual (~$22 I forget) Access Permit on Virginia DWR, as well as special WMA camping license (free)
- Judy W.
GuideSmallwood State Park Campground - TEMPORARILY CLOSED THROUGH JULY 2023
Great Escape! Air conditioned cabins!
What a gem! We found this place as an alternative to staying in DC during 4th of July festivities. Nice spacious sites, cabins were super clean and smelled great! Did I mention they were air conditioned during the hotest week of the summer!
Bathrooms and showers were spotless.
Many things to see and do there. Historic property, big lake (no swimming), boating, fishing, hiking. There is an Art Center with juried displays for sale.
Kat E.ScoutBurke Lake Park Campground
Amenities good
The park is very well maintained, and the campsites have clean fire pits and cooking grills. The restrooms are clean, spacious, and well maintained, and my campsite was large enough to comfortably fit a 6-person tent and a canopy.
However, there were a few concerns during our stay. Despite the campground’s quiet hours policy starting at 10:00 PM, many campers continued to make noise well past that time. I did not notice any campground staff or maintenance personnel making rounds to enforce the quiet hours.
I also felt concerned about security. One of my neighboring campers, who was visiting from South Carolina, told me that his generator had been stolen during the night. He reported the theft to the police, and an official report was filed. Incidents like this made me feel unsafe while camping.
I recommend increasing staff or security patrols, especially during the evening and overnight hours, to enforce quiet hours and improve the safety and security of campers and their belongings. With better enforcement and security, Burke Lake Campground would provide an even better camping experience.
- SSEUNG HYUN L.Traveler
Lake Anna State Park Campground
Peace & quiet
Very quiet, peaceful . The Staff is very helpful.
Jeremy G.TravelerJoint Base Andrews Military FamCamp
Could be a great campground but......
There are some good things about this Famcamp. It's like a diamond in the rough. If the military would spend some time and money on it, it could be a great campground. One of the greatest points about this campground is its location. You are so close to downtown D.C.! Every RV site (as far as I saw) was a level concrete pad. All sites, except for tent sites, have full electricity. Most sites have sewer and water. Sites 12-18 should be mainly used for the smaller travel trailers. I had an interesting time getting my 35' 5th wheel into the site. Even though I got my RV into the site, I don't have much room for my truck. My site has a picnic table, fire pit, and a grill. Everything is rusted beyond repair. My grill was filled with cigarette butts and my fire pit had trash in it. There is some shade. My site has two trees at the front of the pad on both sides of the RV. My bedroom stays nice and cold and I have a good view for my Starlink in the rear. The sites are close to each other, but there is some space. The good thing is that we are surrounded by the golf course. You don't get much noise from the base, because of the location, and because the FamCamp is surrounded by trees. You can hear the busy road outside the fence but I don't hear it much inside the RV. Every once in a while you'll hear an aircraft... but this is an air base, it's expected. We were told the community laundry was not working and to use the base laundry mat. Finally, one of the best parts about the campground, is the lady at outdoor rec that is in charge of the Famcamp. She is very nice and helpful. She will try to assist you with anything you need from directions to useful tips.
lisa K.GuideRichmond North - Kings Dominion KOA
Relaxing
Nice, quiet in March, shuttle to Kings Dominion every 30 minutes,
Kindra W.GuidePoint Lookout State Park
5 stars! Beautiful, clean, magical
Magical stay at Point Lookout — New Tulip Loop (Full Hook‑Up) and I’m already planning a return. The whole park feels peaceful and safe, the staff were genuinely friendly and helpful, and our site is clean and well‑maintained. The loop’s energy felt magical — quiet, restorative, and tucked into the trees so it felt private but not isolated. Full hookups were convenient and reliable; the site layout is roomy and pet‑friendly, with an easy walk to a beautiful dog beach so our pup had a blast. We walked to stunning beaches and spent afternoons watching water and sky at the tip of the peninsula — spectacular views where the Potomac meets the Chesapeake. The park’s Civil War history and lighthouse added fascinating, walkable sites to explore between beach time, giving the stay both recreation and depth. Clean facilities, helpful staff at the park office, and well-marked trails made everything low‑stress and enjoyable. If you want a peaceful, historic, pet‑friendly Class A spot with full hookups and gorgeous nearby beaches, Tulip Loop at Point Lookout is five stars from me.
Guide to Colonial Beach
Camping options near Colonial Beach stretch beyond the town's limits into surrounding Charles County, Maryland, and King George County, Virginia. The area sits at the confluence of the Potomac River and Mattawoman Creek at approximately 100 feet above sea level. Water levels fluctuate seasonally, with spring bringing higher water that can impact some shoreline campsites.
What to do
Shark tooth hunting at Westmoreland State Park: Walk the 1.5-mile Big Meadow Trail from the campground to Fossil Beach. Campers can spend hours searching along the shoreline after rainstorms expose new specimens. "We came from Pa/De and wanted to look for sharks teeth. It was beautiful here so we decided to stay the night," notes one visitor to Westmoreland State Park Campground.
Disc golf at nearby parks: The 18-hole course at Pohick Bay Regional Park offers challenging play with both wooded and open fairways. "I'd recommend taking in a game of disc golf on their 18 hole course," suggests a regular visitor to Pohick Bay Campground.
Kayaking from waterfront campsites: Mattawoman Creek offers protected paddling with abundant wildlife viewing opportunities. A camper at Smallwood State Park notes, "Mattawoman Creek is right there and great for kayaking. We'll definitely be back!!"
What campers like
Spacious campsites away from crowds: Some campgrounds offer more privacy than others, with ample space between sites. At Prince William Forest Park, a camper reports, "The sites were roomy and not too close. We saw lots of wildlife but had no issues with trash or food (raccoons left everything alone)."
Evening community activities: Weekend organized events provide social opportunities during summer months. "They had a scavenger hunt for the kids going all weekend, they had an outdoor movie scheduled for Friday night, a campfire story time scheduled for Saturday night and crafts scheduled for Sunday morning," shares a family that visited Oak Ridge Campground.
Clean facilities year-round: Many campgrounds maintain high standards even in off-season. "Bath houses are always SO clean and heated in the winter. So appreciate the recycling bins," mentions a winter camper at Westmoreland State Park.
What you should know
Military training impacts: Fort A.P. Hill operates nearby with periodic artillery and aircraft noise. A camper at CHAMPS RV notes, "Sometimes you hear military field training going on (live ranges, helicopters, and ospreys - but I don't mind)."
Site privacy varies widely: Research individual sites before booking as exposure differs significantly. "Sites are very private with most having thick foliage and trees between them. Our site was perfectly level," reports a visitor to Smallwood State Park.
Internet connectivity challenges: Cell reception is inconsistent throughout the region. "Limited cell service (StarLink or similar is your best option)," advises an experienced camper at Fort A.P. Hill's military campground.
Tips for camping with families
Look for campgrounds with scheduled activities: Some parks offer organized programming specifically for children. A parent camping at Oak Ridge Campground shares, "There is plenty of things to do here to keep a family occupied."
Choose sites near playgrounds: Strategic site selection can enhance family camping experience. "We got a site on the inner loop and it backed to the playground and the bathhouse. The site was spacious," notes a family with young children.
Plan for seasonal weather variations: Summer brings high humidity requiring preparation. A camper at Pohick Bay mentions, "Pohick Bay is my go-to weekend camping spot. Just a few miles outside DC, Pohick Bay is a hidden gem in the area."
Tips from RVers
Reserve waterfront sites early: Prime locations at Monroe Bay Marina fill months in advance for summer weekends. A visitor to Goose Bay Marina advises, "We camped here in a rental while towing our boat. Super nice people, mostly long term sites, with 8 transient sites. They are in an open and mostly flat area."
Check site dimensions carefully: Some campgrounds have tight spacing between RVs. "The sites are very shady, which certainly comes in handy in the Virginia heat," notes a camper at Thousand Trails Harbor View.
Use campgrounds as base for regional exploration: Many campers use Colonial Beach area campgrounds to visit Washington DC and historic sites. "We stayed here for 2w while visiting friends in Alexandria. Took me 25-30m to get there so you are far away from bustle of city but not so far that going in to enjoy breakfast or the sights is a feat."
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best campgrounds in Colonial Beach, VA?
What are the best campgrounds in Colonial Beach, VA?
For camping in Colonial Beach, Thousand Trails Harbor View is a popular option with shady sites and family-friendly amenities including a pool with kiddie area, playground, and putt-putt golf. The campground hosts community events like Saturday night bonfires. Another excellent option is Monroe Bay Marina and Campground, located right in Colonial Beach with waterfront access. For those willing to drive a bit further, Westmoreland State Park offers scenic camping with hiking trails and beach access. The area provides a mix of private and public campgrounds to suit different preferences, from full-service RV resorts to more rustic experiences.
Are there RV parks with hookups in Colonial Beach?
Are there RV parks with hookups in Colonial Beach?
Goose Bay Marina offers RV camping with hookups near Colonial Beach, providing water and electric connections in a convenient location for boaters and RVers alike. The marina is big-rig friendly, making it suitable for larger recreational vehicles. For those seeking a full-service RV experience, Americamps RV Resort is within driving distance and features full hookups, a seasonal pool, and clean facilities. While located just north of Richmond off I-95, it makes a good base for exploring the Colonial Beach area. Several campgrounds in the region offer various hookup options from basic water/electric to full service with sewer connections.
Is tent camping available near Colonial Beach, VA?
Is tent camping available near Colonial Beach, VA?
Yes, tent camping is available near Colonial Beach. Big Timber Campground near King George offers tent sites with basic amenities including water access and toilets. Westmoreland State Park Campground is another excellent option for tent campers, featuring scenic sites along the Potomac River about 20 minutes from Colonial Beach. The park provides tent pads, picnic tables, and access to hiking trails and beach areas. Many tent campers appreciate the natural settings and more affordable rates compared to RV-focused parks. Most tent campgrounds in the area are open seasonally, typically from spring through fall, with some offering winter camping for hardy outdoor enthusiasts.
What attractions can I visit while camping in Colonial Beach, Virginia?
What attractions can I visit while camping in Colonial Beach, Virginia?
While camping near Colonial Beach, you can enjoy the town's waterfront access with its public beaches along the Potomac River. Pohick Bay Campground visitors recommend exploring nearby Westmoreland State Park, which offers hiking trails, fossil hunting, and scenic Potomac River views. Colonial Beach itself features a charming downtown area with shops and restaurants. History enthusiasts will appreciate the birthplace of George Washington at nearby Washington's Birthplace National Monument and James Monroe's birthplace. Prince William Forest Park is within day-trip distance, offering extensive hiking trails through 15,000 acres of protected forest. Fishing, boating, and water activities are popular along the Potomac River and Monroe Bay.
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