Camping options near Fairfax Station, Virginia sit at elevations between 200-400 feet above sea level in the Piedmont region. The area experiences distinct seasons with hot, humid summers when temperatures regularly exceed 90°F and mild winters with occasional snowfall. Campsites throughout the region typically open from March through October, with a few RV parks near Fairfax Station offering year-round availability.
What to do
Mountain biking trails: Lake Fairfax Campground offers excellent mountain biking opportunities with wooded trails that follow water features. "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 Amy B., who appreciates the shaded environment.
Historical exploration: Located within day-trip distance of Harpers Ferry Campground, the historic town offers educational opportunities. "The hike that leads to the lookout about harpers ferry was fantastic. This hike takes you well above the town settled in West Virginia. While some points are pretty steep don't let this deter you from completing it," recommends Anthony S.
Water recreation: Multiple swimming options exist across area campgrounds. At Bull Run Regional Park, visitors can enjoy the water park adjacent to camping areas. As Yvonne B. mentions, "We tent camped there with 2 other families memorial day weekend. It rained the entire time but we still had a blast... Best camping showers I've ever had."
What campers like
Cleanliness of facilities: Campers consistently mention clean bathrooms as a highlight. At Prince William Forest RV Campground, Rebecca E. noted, "The showers are clean/hot and the playground is in very good condition." Similarly, Megan K. observed, "Restrooms/showers: very clean, spacious, centrally located."
Convenient location: Proximity to Washington DC appeals to many campers. Scott C. describes Cherry Hill Park as having "some nice tenting sites under the trees and off by themselves for the true campers, and for the rest of us glampers there are hookups and lots to do. The park is close to Washington DC and offers a conceirge service for tours."
Site spacing: Some campgrounds offer better spacing between sites than others. At Prince William Forest RV Campground, Kristen M. observed, "Most sites are pull through and are close together. Most have some tree cover (and some of the trees could use a trim along the roads)." At Lake Fairfax, a reviewer noted that "sites were largely in more of a meadow and not many are very wooded."
What you should know
Seasonal limitations: Several campgrounds have restricted operating seasons. Lake Fairfax Campground operates "March 22 to September 7," while Harbor View RV and Camping Resort runs from "April 7 to October 15." Others like Bull Run Regional Park remain open "All year round."
Security requirements: Military campgrounds require proper identification. At Fort Belvoir Travel and RV Camp, visitors need "military credentials" as Mike H. notes, "You need military credentials. Handy to the DC Metro Transit system. Nice views of river."
Noise considerations: Environmental noise varies significantly between campgrounds. Thomas at Fort Belvoir mentions, "Good site, secure location, decent facilities with solid WiFi." At Harpers Ferry Campground, visitors should expect train noise as Robin W. explains, "You are directly next to train tracks but being from the city, this noise doesn't bother my husband or me."
Tips for camping with families
Water park access: Several campgrounds offer water features specifically for children. At Bull Run Regional Park, Bridget H. shares, "This campground was full of stuff to do and we didn't even get to do a lot of it. The campground had a climbing wall on one afternoon... They had a campfire complete with s'mores followed by hayrides."
Playgrounds and activities: Look for campgrounds with dedicated children's areas. "The playground is nice," notes Kristen M. about Prince William Forest RV Campground, while at Lake Fairfax Campground, another camper mentions "water park, paddle boats, playgrounds, trails, skate park, sports fields."
Consider weekday visits: For a less crowded experience with children, avoid peak times. As Tana S. observed at Lake Fairfax Campground, "This place gets crowded. I shouldn't be surprised since it's in the middle of the city but driving through the masses picnicking on the weekends takes you out of it."
Tips from RVers
Leveling requirements: Many RV parks Fairfax Station visitors mention site leveling challenges. At Bull Run Regional Park, Drew M. shares, "My site had a slight slope, but was easily overcome using additional blocks on the low side to get the trailer level." Similarly, at Fort Belvoir, Thomas notes, "Good location, tho our site wasn't fully level, so bring plenty of leveling blocks."
Site selection strategy: Request specific site features when possible. For Cherry Hill Park, Scott C. advises, "Look at the park map and try to get a site at the end of a row. The sites are pretty close together but on the ends at least you only have a neighbor on one side."
Hookup variations: Electric options differ across campgrounds. Prince William Forest RV Campground offers "30amp hookup with no issues," according to one reviewer. At Thousand Trails Harbor View, Jason E. confirms they have "50 amp full hookups" that are "well maintained."
