Cabin rental options near Hartwood, Virginia range from rustic shelters to well-appointed accommodations within 30 miles of the town. Located in Virginia's Piedmont region at approximately 250 feet elevation, the area experiences hot, humid summers and mild winters, making camping comfortable from April through October. Fall temperatures average between 50-70°F, creating ideal conditions for exploring nearby parks and waterways.
What to do
Water recreation at Lake Anna: Christopher Run Campground offers direct lake access with boat rentals and swimming areas. "The lake is a great way to relax, spend time with family, or try out some water sports," notes Sam M., who adds that "the campground has canoes that can be rented, places to fish, mini golf, and weekly events."
Disc golf courses: Bull Run Regional Park maintains an 18-hole disc golf course through wooded terrain. Rachel L. recommends it as a "go-to weekend camping spot" where you can "take in a game of disc golf on their 18 hole course."
Historic site exploration: Smallwood State Park provides access to General Smallwood's mansion and historical buildings. One visitor mentioned, "We walked to the Smallwood retreat house (a museum I think) and while it wasn't open it was a beautiful house."
Wildlife viewing at Shenandoah: Big Meadows Campground offers excellent opportunities for observing deer and other wildlife. "You will definitely see deer in the campground as they walk through and browse the understory. They are unafraid of humans unless directly approached," reports Veronica S.
What campers like
Spacious, private sites: Fredericksburg-Washington DC KOA offers well-separated camping spots. Edward S. notes, "Sites feel spacious enough and mostly level on their own," while Thomas S. adds it's "quiet which is really nice!"
Central location for day trips: Big Meadows Campground serves as a convenient base for exploring regional attractions. Kim L. mentions, "Visitor Center, gas station, food walking distance from campground," making it easy to access supplies and information.
Evening entertainment: Pohick Bay Regional Park hosts regular activities for guests. Ben G. recalls, "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."
Natural features: Bull Run Regional Park provides scenic wooded campsites. Charyssa G. appreciates the "very spacious sites and awesome views of the forest," while Roberta K. notes, "your camper faces the woods and you feel like you're all alone."
What you should know
Shower facilities vary: Christopher Run Campground has timed shower systems. As one camper explains, "The shower left SO MUCH to be desired... it only allows 36 SECONDS of water before it shuts back off. The water is lukewarm."
Seasonal considerations: Aquia Pines Campground can present navigation challenges. Ashley S. advises, "Like most reviews on google state its tight and wooded. We have a 42' fifth wheel and even though it was tight we made it through with no issues."
Wildlife precautions: Big Meadows enforces strict food storage rules. Rachel M. notes, "We saw many deer and bear while camping," and the park "takes food clean up seriously. You can be fined for leaving food out."
Traffic noise: Some campgrounds have nearby highways. Tina C. reports about Christopher Run: "There is a very busy main road just across the water that is noisy. You hear traffic late into the night."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-focused amenities: Wilderness Presidential Resort offers multiple water recreation options. James T. describes, "indoor pool, lake to swim or fish. You can rent paddle boats and Jon boats. The camping store has everything u need and plus homemade food."
Beach access: Christopher Run provides lake swimming areas. Brooke V. mentions, "The campground is pretty big and has a wonderful beach with swim access to the lake. The beach is well maintained and campsites are spacious."
Playground locations: Pohick Bay positions playgrounds strategically near facilities. Ben G. shares, "We got a site on the inner loop and it backed to the playground and the bathhouse. The site was spacious."
Family programming: Bull Run offers organized activities for children. Bridget H. reports, "The campground had a climbing wall on one afternoon. There are miles of trails and my grandkids enjoyed the nature scavenger hunt. You even get a prize when you finish."
Tips for RVers
Site terrain: Pohick Bay Regional Park has varying site levelness. Kristen M. notes, "Sites are spacious and decently level (depends on the site I'm sure)," while Robert P. cautions that "not all sites are level (half)."
Access considerations: Aquia Pines has challenging road layouts. One reviewer explains, "Pretty big hill to climb to get in; roads in have some tight curves," which could be difficult for larger rigs.
Power reliability: Wilderness Presidential Resorts has experienced electrical issues. Eugene M. mentions having "several issues with the shore power for our RV" and found that other owners "had several issues that have been reported to management."
Pull-through availability: Christopher Run offers convenient pull-through sites for easier setup. A camper mentions, "Pull through options available," which can simplify arrival and departure for larger rigs.
