Camping near Haymarket, Virginia offers a mix of developed and primitive sites within a 30-mile radius. The area sits at the foothills of the Bull Run Mountains with elevations ranging from 300-1,400 feet, creating varied camping environments from riverside spots to forested retreats. Winter camping options remain available with several campgrounds operating year-round despite the region's cold temperatures from December through February.
What to do
Mountain biking trails: Lake Fairfax Park Campground provides access to numerous trails suitable for cyclists. "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," notes a visitor to Lake Fairfax Park.
Fishing opportunities: Burke Lake offers a well-stocked fishing lake with multiple access points from the campground. "The park is nice, but if youre looking for fishing don't go here, but you can in fact kayak down the creek," mentions a camper about Bull Run Regional Park, highlighting the importance of choosing the right location for specific activities.
Historical exploration: Prince William Forest Park provides access to Civil War sites and historical structures. "There is lots and lots of history around the area. We spent 5 days camping and exploring the civil war battle areas and other things. Definitely worth exploring," shares a camper who stayed at Oak Ridge Campground.
What campers like
Clean bathing facilities: Modern shower buildings with privacy features are highly rated by visitors. "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," says a tent camper at Bull Run Regional Park.
Wildlife viewing: Early morning and evening wildlife sightings enhance the camping experience. "At night I saw white-tailed deer and heard owls and cattle! During the day I saw/heard SOOO many birds on the South Ridge Trail and found a bear track," reports a visitor to Sky Meadows State Park.
Convenient location: Many campgrounds offer proximity to metropolitan areas while still providing natural settings. "This campground is close (ish) to the DC area. It is easy and convenient to get to. Almost all sites are pull through and are close together," notes a visitor to Prince William Forest RV Campground.
What you should know
Seasonal availability: Some campgrounds have limited operating seasons. "Everything was fully operational at our campsite when we visited in early April. Bathrooms were clean and stocked. Sites were nicely kept. Be aware that they do not sell firewood on-site!" advises a spring visitor to Oak Ridge Campground.
Site leveling challenges: Not all tent sites are naturally level, requiring preparation. "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," suggests a Lake Fairfax Park camper.
Cell service variations: While generally good, service can be spotty in some areas. "Att coverage is good," notes one Prince William Forest RV Campground visitor, while another reports inconsistent WiFi: "If the campground had better wifi and cable it would get five stars."
Tips for camping with families
Water activities: Seasonal water parks and lake activities provide entertainment for children. "We took my daughter (4.5 yr old) for her first campout, at her request. We had a great time. Bill, the host on duty was wonderfully hospitable," shares a visitor to Oak Ridge Campground.
Ranger programs: Educational activities enhance family camping experiences. "They had a campfire complete with s'mores followed by hayrides. Great family friendly campground," notes a visitor who stayed at Pohick Bay Campground.
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature play areas for children. "Only draw back is that there's only one playground that's awkwardly located," mentions a Bull Run Regional Park visitor, suggesting to check playground proximity when selecting sites with children.
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Electric and water connections vary by campground. "We got a site on the inner loop and it backed to the playground and the bathhouse. The site was spacious. We are tent campers but almost all our neighbors were in an RV or trailer. The site had water and electric which was nice," reports a Pohick Bay Campground visitor.
Site privacy considerations: RV sites with varying degrees of separation and tree coverage affect privacy. "Your camper faces the woods and you feel like you're all alone. Bath houses are clean and well maintained. Our site was very level, but I could see that some others were not so much, so you might want to ask about that," advises an RV camper at Bull Run Regional Park.
Site slope challenges: Some RV sites require additional leveling equipment. "My site had a slight slope, but was easily overcome using additional blocks on the low side to get the trailer level," notes another Bull Run visitor, highlighting the importance of carrying leveling equipment.
