Fredericksburg area campgrounds offer primitive to full-hookup sites within an hour's drive of historic attractions. Most open campsites are concentrated along Lake Anna's 200 miles of shoreline or near the Potomac and Rappahannock Rivers. Winter temperatures typically range from 25-45°F while summer brings 70-90°F with high humidity levels requiring additional cooling options.
What to do
Fossil hunting on river beaches: At Westmoreland State Park Campground, visitors search for prehistoric shark teeth along the Potomac shoreline. According to one camper, "With access to the Potomac River, beaches, shark tooth island (!), what seems like endless beautiful hiking trails and the cleanest camp grounds I have ever seen I would recommend everyone to visit this park."
Kayaking the Rappahannock River: Rappahannock River Campground provides direct river access for water activities. A visitor noted, "Great spot right next to the Rappahannock River, plenty of place to set up camp. Had water on site with a fire pit and picnic table too! It was super easy to get down to the water and there was plenty of spots to explore."
Disc golf courses: Several campgrounds maintain full 18-hole courses. One reviewer at Bull Run Regional Park mentioned, "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."
Winter camping activities: Many glamping sites in Fredericksburg remain open year-round. A winter visitor to Westmoreland State Park shared, "Went in March 2018 for my birthday, when it was still VERY cold, but had a wonderful time. The beaches and trails seem so much more peaceful and untouched this time of year. Bath houses are heated which is amazing."
What campers like
Wooded seclusion near city amenities: Fredericksburg-Washington DC KOA offers a forested retreat with convenient access to attractions. A camper observed, "Once here it's tucked away nicely away from everything, sites feel spacious enough and mostly level on their own."
Budget-friendly primitive sites: For those seeking more rustic glamping in Fredericksburg, Virginia, basic tent sites offer the best value. A Rappahannock River Campground visitor explained, "We paid our fee, which was only around $15, and then another $5 for a bunch of firewood. The Firewood was a bit wet and didn't work out, but hey, beggars can't be choosers."
Off-grid relaxation: Simple accommodations away from digital distractions appeal to many campers. According to a reviewer at Rappahannock River Campground, "Very primitive, tent only camping. Nothing near it and very private. An awesome place to relax!"
Stargazing opportunities: The rural setting provides excellent night sky viewing from glamping accommodations. One visitor mentioned, "We did go back out to the field at night to do some star gazing and that was beautiful."
What you should know
Train and aircraft noise: Some campgrounds experience transportation noise despite their natural settings. A reviewer at Bull Run Regional Park mentioned, "The only drawback is that it is not quite [sic]. There is a shooting range in the park. It is on a flight path for DCA. And, I66 is not that far away."
Limited internet access: Most rustic glamping sites have poor connectivity. Christopher Run Campground has "NO INTERNET" according to a camper who noted this limitation in their review.
Shower facilities vary widely: From timer-controlled systems to fully heated bathhouses. A camper at Christopher Run Campground explained, "The shower left SO MUCH to be desired. First, the shower head is on the ceiling which is about 10 feet tall. There is a push button to turn water on (no temp adjustment) and it only allows 36 SECONDS of water before it shuts back off."
Seasonal crowding: Peak periods can transform peaceful sites into busy venues. One Lake Anna State Park visitor observed, "Very nice, plenty to see and do, but very crowded and noisy, even after quite time."
Tips for camping with families
Look for playgrounds near campsites: Wilderness Presidential Resort features multiple recreation areas for children. As one visitor described, "A lovely campground with great site selection options and loads of fun things to do. There are indoor and outdoor pools, a lakeside beach, a well stocked campground store and two fishing lakes and a fishing pond to choose from."
Choose glamping options with kid-friendly programs: Scheduled activities keep children engaged. A visitor to Fredericksburg KOA shared, "Kid focused park. Lots of activities. Great setting. Nice sites. Very wooded. Big pond. Great store."
Consider cabin accommodations for winter stays: Heated structures provide more comfortable cold-weather glamping near Fredericksburg. One family at Bull Run Regional Park reported, "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."
Verify age appropriateness: Some facilities cater to specific age groups. A Christopher Run Campground visitor advised, "It's nice if you have older children," while another noted "The playground is for kids 5+ and there's not much to do outside of swimming in the lake for 5 and under."
Tips from RVers
Reserve level sites: Many campgrounds feature uneven terrain. A camper at Lake Anna State Park Campground noted, "For being a state park, Lake Anna is one of the best I've been to. Although we only tent camped, I noticed a lot of things about the campground that would welcome RVs as well. There were large back-in sites as well as pull-through sites. There was also a dump station."
Check for shore power reliability: Electrical systems can be problematic at some locations. A reviewer at Wilderness Presidential Resort warned about "several issues with the shore power for our RV" and mentioned that other owners had reported similar problems.
Plan for weekend congestion: Expect busy arrival/departure periods, especially at popular glamping destinations. A visitor to Richmond North - Kings Dominion KOA observed, "Some of the sites look pretty tight, but that can be common with a lot of KOA's."
