Fairfax County campgrounds sit within the Piedmont region of Virginia, where elevations range from 200-400 feet above sea level with a humid subtropical climate. Summer temperatures regularly reach 90°F with high humidity, while spring and fall camping seasons offer milder 60-75°F conditions. Year-round camping options exist, though several campgrounds have limited amenities from November through March.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Bull Run Regional Park offers basic creek fishing where campers can try their luck. "The park is nice, but if you're looking for fishing don't go here, but you can in fact kayak down the creek," notes Jonny D. about the small waterways in the park.
Historical exploration: The Civil War history surrounding Fairfax County Burke Lake Park provides educational opportunities. One visitor mentioned, "i've camped here too many times to count, love being surrounded by nature!" The park's proximity to multiple Civil War sites offers day trip options within a 20-minute drive.
Disc golf courses: Several campgrounds feature disc golf, including Bull Run Regional Park which has an 18-hole course. "Park has golf frisbe course, decent water park for kids, hiking trails, small creek/river you can explore, playgrounds," explains Tom C., highlighting the diverse recreational options.
What campers like
Spacious sites: Pohick Bay Campground receives praise for its site layouts. "Nice layout, not all sites are level (half). Staff are always nice and go out of their way to help," mentions Robert P., a regular visitor who stays at least 6 times per year.
Wildlife viewing: The riverside location makes Pohick Bay popular for bird enthusiasts. "Beautiful campground located near the National Harbor. Eagles everywhere! Large clean sites. Great staff!" reports Kathie M., highlighting the abundant bald eagle population.
Shower facilities: Campers frequently mention the quality of facilities. "I'll go again just for the showers," writes Yvonne B. about Bull Run. "They're with staying again alone. Locking doors, individual stalls. Hot dog. Best camping showers I've ever had."
What you should know
Weather considerations: Spring brings frequent rain to the area, which can affect campsite conditions. "While we were here, there was a fairly heavy day of rain. Couple inches, I suppose, but nothing Biblical. The mouths of the metal culverts in our loop were bent downward from campers driving over them, which obstructed the flow. Result was lots of standing water at our campsite," warns Stuart O. about drainage problems at Bull Run.
Noise levels: Little Bennett Campground provides a quieter alternative to other area options. "We stayed at site D72 for 4 days. The sites are quiet, very spacious, level, and heavily wooded with 50A service, water and sewer hookup," reports Ray & Terri F., highlighting the peaceful environment despite being near urban areas.
Seasonal rates: Pricing varies significantly between peak summer season and shoulder seasons. "We have found municipal campgrounds in Northern Virginia are a bit spendy for being government sponsored... But Bull Run manages to goose you even more. There are occupancy AND transaction fees that really add up if you're only there a few nights," explains a visitor regarding off-season costs.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Cherry Hill Park stands out for yurt camping options near Fairfax, Virginia with extensive family amenities. "Mini golf, two pools, arcade, 24 hour laundry, a store and office open early!! And late!!! Wow! Just can't be beat. Great sites. So many other things in the park. Splash pad, paved roads for scootering. Just awesome!" raves Jennifer H.
Ranger programs: Educational opportunities abound for children at several campgrounds. "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... The campground had a climbing wall on one afternoon. There are miles of trails and my gkids enjoyed the nature scavenger hunt. You even get a prize when you finish," describes Bridget H. about Bull Run's family programming.
Playground locations: When booking sites with children, check proximity to playgrounds. "Only draw back is that there's only one playground that's awkwardly located," notes Yvonne B. about Bull Run's layout, indicating site selection matters for families.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Leesylvania State Park Campground requires careful site selection. "The sites are 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," advises Drew M., highlighting a common issue.
Cellular connectivity: Internet access varies significantly between campgrounds. "AT&T 5 MB/s w/o booster(1 bar), 8 MB/s with it(2 bars). There is no satellite coverage due to the heavy tree canopy. OTA TV was descent using an external omni antenna. There is no WiFi," notes a Little Bennett camper, important information for those needing to stay connected.
Full hookup availability: Yurt camping near Fairfax, Virginia often includes RV-friendly amenities. "We had a premium site for seven nights. The site was perfectly level with a fire ring, grill, picnic table and table with three chairs," shares Jonathan B. about Cherry Hill Park, which offers both traditional camping and luxury yurt accommodations.
