Best Campgrounds near Great Falls, VA

You'll find several camping options near Great Falls, Virginia that work well for weekend trips. Shenandoah River State Park Campground has both tent and RV sites right along the Shenandoah River for easy water access. Lake Fairfax Campground sits just four miles from Great Falls and puts campers close to the lake and several hiking trails. Fall brings colorful leaves to the area while spring has milder temperatures, making both seasons good times to visit. Deer and many bird species live around Great Falls, so keep food secured to prevent unwanted visitors to your campsite. Most camping areas have restrooms and picnic tables, and some include shower buildings. Campers looking for a more basic outdoor experience tend to prefer Shenandoah River State Park, while families often choose Lake Fairfax for its playground and water park. Always check if the campgrounds are open during your planned visit dates, as some close seasonally. Both tent and RV campers can find good spots that match their camping style near Great Falls.

Best Camping Sites Near Great Falls, Virginia (110)

    1. Lake Fairfax Campground

    25 Reviews
    Reston, VA
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (703) 471-5414

    $30 - $70 / night

    "There is a cool skate park right near the campground which is great if you like to use it, but can get a little loud in the evening. They also had on spot lights once dark."

    "Checked out the Mtn biking trails, skateboard park, Great Falls National Park is only a few miles away. Also went golfing at Top Golf. Super clean restrooms."

    2. Bull Run Regional Park

    42 Reviews
    Iron Gate, VA
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (703) 631-0550

    $39 - $100 / night

    "We have lived in northern Virginia for over 30 years and never been to this campground until this month! Very nice campground with friendly staff and friendly campground hosts."

    "History buffs will like to explore the park surrounding the campground. Fun little water park within walking distance of all campsites that was great for kids."

    3. Cherry Hill Park

    42 Reviews
    Beltsville, MD
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (301) 937-7116

    $282 - $999 / night

    "Great camping amenities, soft cushioned sites, with power and water close by. DO NOT GET BASIC TENT SITES AS THEY ARE NEXT TO HIGHWAYS AND VERY NOISY!!! Premium tent sites would be a better choice."

    "That being said, I’m sure there were a few campers who didn’t like being right next to the walkway to the bathrooms and showers. The park is broken down in to various sections and slightly tiered."

    4. Little Bennett Campground

    23 Reviews
    Clarksburg, MD
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (301) 528-3430

    "We prefer hiking as a family and staying away from crowds and this camp site wasn’t crowded or felt busy. It’s a quick drive from NOVA but just far enough where you feel away from it all."

    "We live in Montgomery County and this is a nice camping get away close to home."

    5. Greenbelt Park Campground — Greenbelt Park

    32 Reviews
    Greenbelt, MD
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (301) 344-3948

    $20 / night

    "If you are really looking for somewhere to feel far away from civilization and see some beautiful scenery, this probably isn't it."

    "The campsite is superb with walking trails, wildlife and the occasional overflying US Presidential Helicopter.

    Easily accessible from close by freeways, and charmingly peaceful"

    6. Burke Lake Park Campground

    15 Reviews
    Burke, VA
    17 miles
    Website
    +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."

    7. Pohick Bay Campground

    39 Reviews
    Lorton, VA
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (703) 339-6104

    $37 - $170 / night

    "We have been camping here for nearly 20 years. Each military tour brought us back to this area so Pohick became our second home. Our kids kayak now older but used to walk the trails as little kids."

    "Pohick Bay Campground in Virginia offers a peaceful escape with beautiful views and a variety of outdoor activities like hiking and fishing. It's an ideal spot for families and nature lovers."

    9. Camping by the Creek in Woods

    2 Reviews
    Great Falls, MD
    4 miles
    +1 (240) 595-5000

    $45 - $55 / night

    "Awesome site tucked away in mature woods. Quiet. Easy paved access. Near C&O Canal, biking, hiking across street in Block House Park. Lovely attentive host."

    10. Button Farm

    1 Review
    Poolesville, MD
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (240) 579-5112

    $30 / night

    "You are able to drive right up to the camp area and we kept our car right next to our tent. There are nearby chickens, geese and pigs. "

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Recent Reviews near Great Falls, VA

816 Reviews of 110 Great Falls Campgrounds


  • EThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 23, 2025

    Adventure Bound Washington DC

    Nice

    This place is a good place to stay, the laundry room & showers are handy, the pool is large, & it's a 40 minute drive to the capital & the Smithsonian Mall or a 25 minute drive to the closest Metro station. It's crowded but folks are quiet & respectful!

  • EThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 21, 2025

    Watermelon Park Campground

    Beautiful setting!

    This camping ground is for RVs only. It's right on the Shenandoah River so it's a quiet peaceful setting. However it's a long way from any town, has terrible wifi, (the mobile data was slightly better) & doesn't hav a laundry room. The road in is very narrow so our moterhome had a little difficulty getting in, but we made it! There is only a dumping station. This is just info, not a bad review :) they have showers & firewood & the staff is very friendly & helpful! Tubing on the river was closed for the season but that wud have been a great pass time!

  • EThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 6, 2025

    Harpers Ferry Campground - River Riders

    Awesome views on the Potomac

    Very cool spot. Amazing sites right on the Potomac. There is a Ale House above the office that delivers for free to your site (2.5 miles away), just tip the driver

  • Werner S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 1, 2025

    Aquia Pines Campground

    Good stopover near the highway but hidden between the trees

    We where forced land-inwards because of tropical storm Erin (potential hurricane hitting the Outer Banks). So we decided to visit Washington DC and had a stopover here. It was conveniently located. Terrain is not flat but our spot was well levelled. There is a big dog (and an older gentleman) in the office to welcome you. Full hook up was oké and our spot was nicly secluded between the trees.

  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 8, 2025

    A World Away Farm LLC

    Great folks. Inexpensive for full hookup.

    They have a farm with chickens, ducks, horses etc for our 7 yr old to enjoy. She got to feed the chickens, gather eggs and offer carrots to the beautiful horses. Wonderful people ❤️. We will be back next year.

  • Erin W.
    Aug. 3, 2025

    Lake Fairfax Campground

    Nice for a quick weekend

    This campground is nice for a quick weekend and does have pretty trails next to the campground. 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. There is a waterpark that is an extra cost which is fun for kids. Bathrooms are well maintained and huge.

  • Jennifer H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 2, 2025

    Cherry Hill Park

    Can’t beat it

    Proximity to DC and surrounding areas can’t be beat. Uber, Lyft, bus, shuttle. It takes about a half hour to get downtown to the monuments. Our uber rides ranged from 20-45$ for a family of 5. So $4-9 per person. We rode in all 4 days this way. Personalized, comfortable. Door to door. We saw tons of stuff. No one can say they saw everything. We took the train from Union station to Penn station. Saw the nationals, the orioles. So fun. The park itself has more than most. 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!

  • Caleb S.
    Jul. 31, 2025

    Patapsco Valley State Park-Hilton Area

    Tabolt island state park

    We had a nice stay overlooking the marsh. The small crabs were skittering around the campsite and birds perched in the marsh. The beach was nice and clean.

  • John B.
    Jul. 21, 2025

    Harpers Ferry / Civil War Battlefields KOA

    Overcrowded with upkeep

    I hate leaving bad reviews, but I think people should be aware of this campsite. First thing we noticed when we arrived at the campsite was that it was very tight. We had a pull through campsite, but on the camp side it was all dirt and grass that look like it hadn’t been mowed in over two weeks. With the heat and humidity we have been having for the last couple weeks, I knew this was gonna be a buggy site. Then the rains came and everything turned into mud. We had a rug laid down, but the mud and water worked its way through that. We couldn’t enter the RV without tracking mode through it. On days it was raining we spent a lot of time in the camper. That’s when we discovered another issue. On almost all occasions there was no Internet. We had a strong Wi-Fi signal, but no Internet. Upon talking to some of our neighbors who frequented this campsite, they said they had never seen it this bad. The other thing too, was that there was hardly any trash receptacles. Ending this on a good note, we loved how close it was to historical Harpers Ferry, and how convenient it was to be able to walk to the visitor center and catch a ferry. It really is a beautiful area. I would hope that the management of this KOA would address these issues, because I’m sure I’m not gonna be the only one to leave a negative review about this campground.


Guide to Great Falls

Camping near Great Falls, Virginia offers access to the Potomac River Valley's forested terrain at elevations ranging from 200-400 feet above sea level. The area features a mix of hardwood forests and riverside camping environments within a 30-mile radius of Great Falls. Summers can reach 90°F with high humidity, while spring and fall temperatures average 60-75°F, creating varying conditions for tent and RV camping throughout the camping season.

What to do

Water sports access: Bull Run Regional Park provides convenient water recreation options close to Great Falls. "BR park is absolutely beautiful. So much to do and centered around many historical sites. It's a gem," notes one camper who visited Bull Run Regional Park.

Hiking trails: Lake Fairfax Campground offers multiple trail systems for different skill levels. A visitor mentioned, "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)." Another camper stated, "This campground is nice for a quick weekend and does have pretty trails next to the campground."

Wildlife viewing: The forested areas near Pohick Bay Campground provide excellent birdwatching opportunities. "Eagles everywhere!" reports one camper. The waterfront location attracts diverse wildlife year-round, with peak bird activity during spring migration from March through May.

Historical exploration: Multiple campgrounds provide access to Civil War sites and historical landmarks. One camper at Bull Run noted: "Lots of history near by so check out the old battle fields and buildings that housed troops during civil war. Very cool stuff."

What campers like

Clean facilities: Campground bathrooms near Great Falls are generally well-maintained. A camper at Bull Run Regional Park wrote, "I'll go again just for the showers," adding that they were "the best camping showers I've ever had" with "locking doors, individual stalls."

Spacious sites: Many campgrounds offer good separation between sites. A camper at Pohick Bay noted, "Sites are spacious and decently level (depends on the site I'm sure)." Another at Cherry Hill Park appreciated their "premium site for seven nights. The site was perfectly level with a fire ring, grill, picnic table and table with three chairs."

Urban accessibility: Campgrounds like Greenbelt Park Campground offer a balance of nature and city access. A camper described it as "an urban oasis. Traffic can be heard but not seen." Another noted, "The other great thing about it that you can spend entire days at the always-free Smithsonian museums and still fall asleep in the woods."

Family-friendly amenities: Multiple campgrounds offer activities for children. A visitor to Lake Fairfax Campground noted, "There's a water park, paddle boats, playgrounds, trails, skate park, sports fields, and the bathrooms are the nicest I've ever seen."

What you should know

Noise considerations: Some campgrounds have nearby traffic or activity noise. At Greenbelt Park Campground, a camper noted: "You can barely hear the traffic from the road outside the park." Another visitor to Bull Run mentioned, "There is a shooting range in the park. It is on a flight path for DCA. And, I66 is not that far away."

Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds require advance booking, especially during peak seasons. A Little Bennett visitor noted: "Reserved 137 days prior to arriving." At some parks, same-day check-ins may be difficult as "the booth was closed (something I learned is common practice since they have changed over from cash to reservations only for this site)."

Site leveling: Terrain varies across campgrounds with some requiring adjustments. At Bull Run, one camper reported: "My site had a slight slope, but was easily overcome using additional blocks on the low side to get the trailer level." Another at Lake Fairfax noted: "Many tent sites were not level at all. Many tents were on a full slant."

Weather impacts: The area experiences seasonal storms that can affect camping conditions. At Little Bennett Campground, one visitor reported: "Trees falling on Park power lines caused power outage for hours," highlighting the need for backup power sources during storms.

Tips for camping with families

Water features: Pohick Bay offers excellent water activities for children. "We enjoyed the water park immensely. Ten of us in total with kids ranging from 18 months old to 13 years old. Everyone enjoyed the water park and the time we spent there," shared a visitor, noting there was "an additional fee for access to the water park."

Group camping options: For larger family gatherings, Little Bennett Campground provides spacious sites. A visitor noted, "This is our second time here. This place is quiet, the spaces are big. They can accommodate large campers, ours is 35 ft. Tent camping have big areas."

Special events: Seasonal activities add value for families with children. At Pohick Bay, a camper reported: "They informed us that they had a scavenger hunt for the kids going all weekend, they had an outdoor movie scheduled for Friday night, a campfire story time scheduled for Saturday night and crafts scheduled for Sunday morning."

Playground proximity: When selecting a site, consider location relative to play areas. A camper at Pohick Bay explained: "We got a site on the inner loop and it backed to the playground and the bathhouse. The site was spacious... We choose site 1 due to its proximity to the bathroom and picnic tables because we were camping with small kids."

Tips from RVers

Hookup options: The best places to camp near Great Falls, Virginia for RVs include full-service sites at Cherry Hill Park. A camper reported amenities including "50 amp hook-up, water, sewer," plus recreational facilities like "playground, mini golf, swimming pool, hot tub, basketball court."

Site dimensions: RV campers should verify site specifics before booking. At Bull Run Regional Park, "The sites are all pull-through off the roads through the campground. So your camper faces the woods and you feel like you're all alone."

Leveling challenges: Some campgrounds require leveling equipment. At Lake Fairfax, a camper advised: "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 committing to the inner loop."

Dump station access: At Cherry Hill Park, the facilities are conveniently located. "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," shared one resourceful RVer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is camping allowed in Great Falls Park?

No, camping is not allowed within Great Falls Park itself. The park is a day-use only area with no overnight facilities. However, you can camp nearby at Swains Lock Hiker-biker Overnight Campsite, located along the C&O Canal just a few miles from Great Falls. This campsite offers road access while maintaining a natural setting and is popular with visitors looking to explore the Great Falls area. Another option is Marsden Tract Group Campsite, which provides primitive camping along the Potomac River within the George Washington Memorial Parkway system and is relatively close to Great Falls.

What activities can I enjoy while camping near Great Falls?

The Great Falls area offers numerous outdoor activities for campers. At Lake Fairfax Campground, you can enjoy hiking trails, a skate park, and it's just a few miles from Great Falls National Park's spectacular views. The area is perfect for fishing in the Potomac River, mountain biking on local trails, and wildlife photography. Brunswick Family Campground provides easy river access for kayaking and tubing. Beyond water activities, the region offers historic sites to explore, rock climbing opportunities, and scenic biking along the C&O Canal towpath. During summer months, Lake Fairfax's water park is a hit with families looking to cool off after a day of hiking.

What campgrounds are available near Great Falls, VA?

Several campgrounds serve visitors to Great Falls, VA. Prince William Forest RV Campground offers a clean facility with bathrooms and a pool less than an hour from DC, making it convenient for Great Falls visitors. Greenbelt Park Campground provides a basic NPS camping experience relatively close to Great Falls. Other options include Harpers Ferry / Civil War Battlefields KOA, which features shaded sites, a pool, and family activities while providing access to both historic sites and recreational opportunities on the Potomac River near Great Falls. For those seeking more amenities, Bull Run Regional Park offers water, toilets, and both drive-in and walk-in sites.