R
Roger M.
Traveler
TravelerFredericksburg-Washington DC KOA
Family friendly
Nice size spots. Lake on site. Playground for kids. Fun bike rentals. Lots of dog walks and a dog park. Camp store has a little bit of everything.
Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Fairfax, VA
Burke Lake Park Campground's primitive sites accommodate pet owners with clean communal facilities and pet-friendly policies. Campers can bring leashed dogs to both the campground and throughout the park's extensive trail system. The campground offers tent and RV camping without hookups but provides bathhouses with showers and restrooms. Most sites include picnic tables and fire rings, though they are situated fairly close together as noted by visitors. The wooded setting maintains some privacy between sites despite their proximity. Fairfax County Burke Lake Park also offers pet-friendly cabin accommodations for those seeking more comfort while traveling with animals.
The 5-mile gravel trail circling Burke Lake provides excellent walking opportunities for dogs and their owners. Lake Fairfax Campground, another pet-friendly option near Fairfax, features level gravel sites with electric hookups and private bathroom facilities with enough room for families with pets. The campsites tend to be somewhat close together but remain comfortable for pet owners. Dogs must remain leashed throughout both parks, and owners should bring waste bags as pet waste stations are limited. The parks' suburban locations provide easy access to veterinary services and pet supply stores in Fairfax, with both campgrounds serving as convenient bases for day trips to pet-friendly attractions in the greater Washington DC area.
Best Dog-Friendly Sites Near Fairfax, Virginia (80)
1. Bull Run Regional Park
43 ReviewsIron Gate, VA10 milesWebsite+1 (703) 631-0550$43 - $100 / night
"Portable water and dumping station located at the camp store. We stayed at site 146 on the first caul-de-sac off the first loop just another site away from the bath house (which was pretty clean)."
"Hot dog. Best camping showers I've ever had. Only draw back is that there's only one playground that's awkwardly located."
2. Lake Fairfax Campground
25 ReviewsReston, VA8 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."
"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, Water Park near the campground, fishing"
3. Pohick Bay Campground
37 ReviewsLorton, VA14 milesWebsite+1 (703) 339-6104$37 - $170 / night
"This is a pet friendly campground. There's a lot to do out at the whole park, and its worth exploring (we just didn't have time). I'm sure its so pretty out near the water."
"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, VA6 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. Oak Ridge Campground — Prince William Forest Park
32 ReviewsDumfries, VA18 milesWebsite+1 (703) 221-7181$26 / night
"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."
"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."
6. Cherry Hill Park
42 ReviewsBeltsville, MD23 milesWebsite+1 (301) 937-7116$999 / night
"Great location with access to all forms of transportation. Store fully stocked to include groceries. Two pools. Hot tub. Play areas to include a game room and miniature golf. "
"As we looked around we found that all of the sites, regardless of amenities, were spaced about the same."
7. Prince William Forest RV Campground — Prince William Forest Park
19 ReviewsDumfries, VA17 miles+1 (703) 221-2474"Restrooms/showers: very clean, spacious, centrally located."
"Adjacent to Prince William Forest, near shops and restaurants, and less than an hour away from Washington, DC. Good nature getaway from the city."
8. Greenbelt Park Campground — Greenbelt Park
32 ReviewsGreenbelt, MD24 milesWebsite+1 (301) 344-3948$20 / night
"The park is located away from the camping grounds. It has two play grounds, several picnic tables and a bathroom."
"If you are really looking for somewhere to feel far away from civilization and see some beautiful scenery, this probably isn't it."
9. Fairfax County Burke Lake Park
2 ReviewsFairfax Station, VA6 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!"
10. Fort Belvoir Travel and RV Camp
4 ReviewsFort Belvoir, VA14 milesWebsite+1 (703) 805-3081$55 / night
"Super clean Very well maintained Pet friendly... kinda No veteran discounts smh Good for a day or two"
"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."
Recent Dog-Friendly Camping Photos near Fairfax, VA
68 Photos of 80 Fairfax Campgrounds
Phillip W.
Burke Lake Park Campground
adrian F.
Lake Fairfax Campground
Katia G.
Fort Belvoir Travel and RV Camp
Sonyia W.
Pohick Bay Campground
Gwynn G.
Oak Ridge Campground — Prince William Forest Park
Caitlin A.
Smallwood State Park Campground - TEMPORARILY CLOSED THROUGH JULY 2023
Caralee B.
Louise F. Cosca Regional Park
Evelyn T.
Cherry Hill Park
Cecilia D.
Greenbelt Park Campground — Greenbelt Park
Charity B.
The Oasis at Lake Serenity
Charity B.
Charity’s Hope Family Farm Resort
James W.
The Garden
Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Fairfax, VA
659 Reviews of 80 Fairfax Campgrounds
Joel R.
LegendHarpers Ferry / Civil War Battlefields KOA
Very convenient to National Park
This place is right outside the gate of Harpers Ferry NP. We walked to the shuttle bus stop. It is a very large KOA, and was almost empty when we visited in September. The original site the gave us had a large rut and washed out spot, so we could not get level. I checked in the office and the reassigned another space that was much better. Full hook ups, nice clean shower and bathrooms, playground, pool, large dog park.
singinajf@aol.comTravelerRamblin' Pines
Quiet Spot
The staff and seasonal campers are all very friendly. The bathrooms are incredibly clean. We love all the games there are to play and the dog park is our favorite spot. Overall, it's peaceful and quiet in a nice, wooded setting.
- JJordan W.
ScoutBrunswick Family Campground
Great but only a few things I noticed
Overall great camp ground only thing I noticed is at some of the RV sites the hook ups are in crazy spots some are In the neighboring sites area so you have to drag extensions around them. Also the pool and dog park isn’t on site you have to leave to go to it.
- Linda B.
RangerCherry Hill Park
Actually a 10!!!
This is a campers dream site. Everything you can think of is offered here. You have to check their website to see all. This is the closest site to Washington DC. Great location with access to all forms of transportation. Store fully stocked to include groceries. Two pools. Hot tub. Play areas to include a game room and miniature golf. Pets are pampered here. Even dog walking service available.
Megan K.
GuidePrince William Forest RV Campground — Prince William Forest Park
Great spot with hookups by PW park
If you, like me, hate making reservations over the phone, it was worth it! Quick, simple, painless process.
Restrooms/showers: very clean, spacious, centrally located. My spot was in the back row and I didn't mind the walk
Lots: lots are really staggered/ set back from each other so feels like you have more space. Average lot size in general, but the set back feels like you have more space. It wasn't crowded either way, especially given on a weekend
Small pool
Wifi: don't plan on being able to have work zoom calls or really much on it for that matter
Cell service: I can confirm Verizon and Google fi have great service. I would imagine any other carrier would work just as well.
Area: the surrounding area is really bikeable
Hookups: I had a 30amp hookup with no issues. They also have up to 50amp full hookups. All of them looked well maintained.
Staff: super friendly; great check in experience They have a dog park but didn't get a chance to check it out.
Overall: great experience, would recommend
MickandKarla W.LegendCherry Hill Park
Impressive Campground
Cherry Hill Park was easy to find and get to basically right off I-95. This was our first time RVing into the WA DC area and we were concerned about traffic getting to the campground(CG). As we arrived, traffic was heavy on I-95 but manageable. Cherry Hill’s and our RV GPS directions were spot on getting us to the park. We were very impressed with this CG from the moment we entered. We picked up our package outside the office(no contact check-in) and went to premium site 93 with FHUs. Back-in was easy. The wifi was very good but the CG was only about a 1/4 full. Cherry Hill has many different ways to stay; cottages, cabins, yurts, glamping pods, premium and regular tent sites in addition to the RV sites. As we looked around we found that all of the sites, regardless of amenities, were spaced about the same. There are a few sites in the CG on the end that will give you a little more yard space like 97(need to be a competent backer), 402, and 1723. We got 2 bars each on Verizon and AT&T. The CG’s cable provided a large selection of channels and worked well. We were impressed with the main laundry facility due to the amount of large washers and dryers, very fair pricing and very clean. The two off leash dog parks(in the same area) were nice plus there’s a well maintained walking trail that goes around this very large CG’s perimeter. We really liked how there are trash receptacles and dog poopy bag dispensers nicely placed all over the CG. Though we didn’t use it, they even have a dog walker service so you can spend a lot of time exploring the DC area without worrying about your pups. About the only draw back was the road noise from the interstate and highway pretty much 24/7, but considering the area that is to be expected. Sites 13-38 and 1500 sites near the premium tent area are the farthest away from the road noise. We would definitely stay here again.
Shawn W.TravelerLake Fairfax Campground
This is It!
If you are looking for camping in Fairfax County Virginia, this is it, because there are only a couple to choose from. This campground has a lot to offer & there is bunch of activities available outside the campground. This is the first place I ever camped.
Caitlin A.ScoutSmallwood State Park Campground - TEMPORARILY CLOSED THROUGH JULY 2023
Private sites with water views nearby
These campground is a great find. The sites are well spaced, and while on the smaller side they’re very private with woods between each one. Bathrooms were clean and well stocked. The other campers were all respectful and observed pet policy and quiet hours. I have a reactive dog and he did well here! We’ll be back!
Guide to Fairfax
Fairfax County camping options range from primitive tent sites to full-hookup RV accommodations within a 40-mile radius of Washington DC. Most campgrounds in the area sit at elevations between 200-400 feet, creating moderate terrain suitable for various camping styles. Summer temperatures average 85-90°F with high humidity, while spring and fall offer milder conditions with temperatures ranging from 55-75°F.
What to do
Disc golf course access: Prince William Forest Park features an 18-hole disc golf course popular with 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 Rachel L. at Pohick Bay Campground.
Hiking trail networks: Oak Ridge Campground provides access to miles of wooded trails. "This campground has great space and super clean bathrooms with marble tile," mentions Chad at Oak Ridge Campground. The campground connects to extensive hiking paths throughout Prince William Forest.
Water activities: Many campers enjoy fishing and boating opportunities at Lake Fairfax. "Lake is beautiful!" says Drew H. about Lake Fairfax Campground. The park offers rentals for paddleboats and fishing access points around the shoreline.
What campers like
Clean, modern bathhouses: Bull Run Regional Park receives consistent praise for its facilities. "I'll go again just for the showers. 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," shares Yvonne B. about Bull Run Regional Park.
Wildlife viewing: Many campgrounds offer opportunities to observe local wildlife. "Pohick Bay is beautiful campground located near the National Harbor. Eagles everywhere! Large clean sites. Great staff!" reports Kathie M., highlighting the bird watching opportunities at Pohick Bay Campground.
Pet-friendly trails: Multiple campgrounds accommodate dogs with designated walking paths. "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)," explains Amy B. about Lake Fairfax Campground, making it one of several dog friendly campgrounds near Fairfax.
What you should know
Proximity to military installations: Some campgrounds are located near training facilities. "Camp ground is nice. Check in was a breeze. The only drawback is that it is not quite. There is a shooting range in the park. It is on a flight path for DCA. And, I66 is not that far away," notes Drew M. about Bull Run Regional Park.
Urban noise levels: Most campgrounds experience some level of urban sounds. "You can barely hear the traffic from the road outside the park," mentions Miranda M. about Greenbelt Park Campground, indicating minimal traffic noise at this location compared to others.
Site spacing concerns: Site proximity varies considerably between campgrounds. "The sites are largely in more of a meadow and not many are very wooded. Our site, 41, was level and nicely spaced from other sites but many tent sites were not level at all. Many tents were on a full slant," cautions Erin W. about Lake Fairfax Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Children's activities: Bull Run offers structured entertainment for kids. "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. They had a campfire complete with s'mores followed by hayrides. Great family friendly campground," shares Bridget H. about Bull Run Regional Park.
Water park options: Several pet-friendly campgrounds near Fairfax also offer water recreation. "Pirate's Cove waterpark is definitely a highlight in summer," says Anne K. about Pohick Bay Campground, referencing the adjacent water park that operates seasonally from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Playground access: Campgrounds frequently feature play equipment. "Only reason it's not a 5 stars is a larger RV site is $50/night on the weekends but I guess that goes in line with all things in Northern VA. Overall great site to get outdoors and not have to travel a long time. Plenty of trails, water park when in season," notes Adrian F. about Lake Fairfax.
Tips from RVers
RV site selection: Prince William Forest RV Campground offers strategic site positioning. "Almost all 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). Some long term guests occupy the back sites which have sewer," advises Kristen M. at Prince William Forest RV Campground.
Leveling challenges: Many RV sites require careful positioning. "The outer loop campsites are easily more level than the center loop. If leveling perfectly is a concern you may want to call ahead and ask before commiting to the inner loop. Electric hookup only," recommends Corey B. about Lake Fairfax Campground.
Utility considerations: Cell service varies between locations. "Cell service is pretty good for Verizon and ATT. No alcohol allowed in the park," notes Laura M. about Greenbelt Park Campground, useful information for those planning to work remotely while camping.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly
campsite near Fairfax, VA?
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Fairfax, VA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Fairfax, VA is Bull Run Regional Park with a 3.9-star rating from 43 reviews.
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dog-friendly camping near
Fairfax, VA?
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Fairfax, VA?
TheDyrt.com has all 80 dog-friendly camping locations near Fairfax, VA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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