Camping spots near Arlington, Virginia tend to be busiest from May through September, with average summer temperatures ranging 80-90°F during peak season. The region features a mix of deciduous forests with oak and maple dominating the landscape, creating dense shade at many campsites. Most campgrounds in this area sit at low elevations between 200-400 feet above sea level, resulting in high humidity during summer months.
What to do
Water recreation access: Pohick Bay Campground offers multiple options for water activities. "Boating in summer from kayaks to motorboats," notes reviewer Anne K. The campground includes a waterpark that's "great for kids," according to Glen W.
Hiking opportunities: The trails at Lake Fairfax Campground provide various difficulty levels suitable for different abilities. "Wooded hikes with water along the trails (great for dogs in the summer heat)," mentions Amy B. The park also features "mountain bike trails (horses and walking, too)."
Recreation facilities: Active campers appreciate the variety of sports facilities at multiple campgrounds. At Lake Fairfax, you'll find a "skateboard park, BMX park" and other recreational areas. Burke Lake Park Campground offers "a 5-mile gravel walking/running/biking trail around the lake's perimeter," according to Sarah M., who adds there's "a boat launch" though "you are not supposed to swim in the lake."
What campers like
Urban convenience with natural settings: Campers consistently mention the benefit of being close to Washington DC while enjoying nature. At Greenbelt Park Campground, Becky explains it's "an urban oasis. Traffic can be heard but not seen. Weekdays are pretty quiet in this campground." She adds, "The American Discovery Trail passes through the park."
Bathroom and shower quality: Multiple reviewers highlight the cleanliness and quality of facilities. At Bull Run Regional Park, Yvonne B. states, "I'll go again just for the showers," noting they have "locking doors, individual stalls... Best camping showers I've ever had." At Greenbelt Park, a reviewer notes "Showers and bathrooms are basic and clean."
Wildlife viewing: Many campers report wildlife sightings across multiple campgrounds. Crystal C. at Greenbelt Park observed "a family of deer grazing close by" and "every morning birds and squirrels." At Pohick Bay Campground, Kathie M. reports it's an "Eagle haven! Eagles everywhere!"
What you should know
Security considerations: Campground supervision varies significantly between locations. At Burke Lake Park Campground, one reviewer warns "When a bunch of high schoolers decide to party till 3AM, there's no one to call," noting your "only option is to call 911." In contrast, at Greenbelt Park, Crystal notes "The camp host came by and welcomed me before I was fully set up for the evening and was great!!!"
Noise factors: Multiple sites experience noise from nearby infrastructure. At Oak Ridge Campground, Tracy R. reports they "could hear activity at Quantico. Lots of air noise too, from both airplanes and helicopters." Similarly, at Cedarville State Forest, a reviewer notes it's "close to a Naval base, and therefore you constantly hear airplanes, and helicopters at all times."
Ticks and insects: Bug protection is essential at many sites. Tracy R. warns Oak Ridge Campground had "Ticks were really bad. We killed dozens and ended up taking at least one with us when we left." At Cedarville State Forest, one camper reports they "tried fans, tiki torches, and many deet free or light deet products before having to buy 100% deet so we could be outside."
Tips for camping with families
Scheduled activities: Cherry Hill Park offers organized programs for children. "They have so much going on!" exclaims Jason E., adding "Pool, playgrounds, game room, camp store, pavilions, everything!" Jennifer H. notes additional activities: "Mini golf, two pools, arcade, 24 hour laundry... splash pad, paved roads for scootering."
Educational opportunities: Bull Run Regional Park incorporates learning into camping experiences. Bridget H. shares that "my gkids enjoyed the nature scavenger hunt. You even get a prize when you finish." The park offers "a campfire complete with s'mores followed by hayrides."
Transportation considerations: For families wanting to explore DC, planning transit options is critical. Laura M. at Greenbelt Park suggests: "Since we don't have a tow car, and just have our 26ft motorhome, we packed up and drove to the Greenbelt station about 5 miles away, parked there for the day, and took the green line into town."
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Many campgrounds have challenging site conditions for larger rigs. At Cedarville State Forest, a reviewer with a pop-up camper notes: "Site 6 was good but not for larger rigs. We had to navigate around a tree that would have been very difficult for larger rigs. Site 5 or 7 wouldn't have that problem."
Leveling challenges: Uneven sites are common in this region. At Fort Belvoir Travel and RV Camp, Thomas advises "bring plenty of leveling blocks" as "our site wasn't fully level." Similarly, at Bull Run Regional Park, Drew M. notes his "site had a slight slope, but was easily overcome using additional blocks on the low side to get the trailer level."
Water and hookup considerations: RVers should verify hookup availability before booking. At Greenbelt Park, Laura M. notes "No hookups at any of the sites" and explains "The water fill was a little annoying in that there's a handle you have to hold down the whole time, but we used a rock to prop the handle down."
