Bull Run Regional Park offers cabin camping with amenities 25 miles west of Washington DC. Several state and regional parks within a 45-minute drive of Haymarket provide options ranging from primitive tent sites to full-hookup RV areas with electric and water. The region features mountain views of the Blue Ridge foothills with elevations ranging from 300 to 800 feet, creating varied camping experiences throughout the year.
What to do
Disc golf course access: Bull Run Regional Park features an 18-hole disc golf course that makes for a fun day activity. "The park has a climbing wall on one afternoon. There are miles of trails and my gkids enjoyed the nature scavenger hunt. You even get a prize when you finish," notes one Bull Run Regional Park visitor.
Water activities: Visitors to Pohick Bay Campground have multiple water recreation options. "Boating in summer from kayaks to motorboats" mentions one camper, while another notes the "water park is great." The campground offers boat rentals within walking distance of campsites.
Historical exploration: Harpers Ferry provides rich Civil War history minutes from camping areas. "Harpers Ferry National Historical Park is literally next door. Harpers Ferry Lower Town and Bolivar Heights are a few minutes by car (or shuttle from the Visitor Center)," explains a visitor to the area, making it ideal for history buffs.
Stargazing opportunities: The minimal light pollution at some campgrounds makes for excellent night sky viewing. A camper at Andy Guest/Shenandoah River State Park mentioned, "The views are amazing and the hiking make up for the no frills." Several sites offer clear views of constellations without city glow.
What campers like
Riverside camping access: At Andy Guest/Shenandoah River State Park Campground, primitive sites sit right on the Shenandoah River. "There are several rustic campsites located on the Southfork of the Shenandoah River, as well as modern electric sites, RV sites, and cabins," one visitor explains. Another camper mentions, "The primitive spots are right next to the river. The spots are a short walk from the parking area and the campground provides wagons to transport your stuff."
Privacy between sites: Little Bennett Campground offers secluded sites despite proximity to urban areas. A camper notes, "Lots of vegetation between sites providing privacy from neighbors," while another states the "sites are quiet, very spacious, level, and heavily wooded with 50A service, water and sewer hookup."
Clean facilities: Bull Run Regional Park receives praise for its bathroom facilities. "The best review I can give is of the bathrooms. They're with staying again alone. Locking doors, individual stalls. Hot dog. Best camping showers I've ever had," reports one visitor. Another camper confirms "bath houses are clean and well maintained."
Wildlife viewing: Several campgrounds offer opportunities to observe deer and other wildlife. "We loved seeing the deer so close and other wildlife," notes a Big Meadows camper. Another visitor mentions, "Plenty of deer! It was an especially cold night hitting a low of 14F. Very happy for the nearby heated restrooms with hot running water."
What you should know
Weather variability: The region experiences significant temperature ranges, particularly at higher elevations. A camper at Big Meadows Campground notes, "It was an especially cold night hitting a low of 14F." Fall nights can drop below freezing while summer days often reach 90°F with high humidity.
Reservation requirements: Most sites require advance booking, especially during peak seasons. "Reserved 137 days prior to arriving," mentions one camper at Little Bennett, highlighting the need for planning. Many campgrounds implement reservation windows 6 months in advance.
Seasonal operation: Several campgrounds have limited availability during winter months. Big Meadows Campground operates "May 6 to November 13" while others like Little Bennett Campground run "April 1 to October 30."
Noise factors: Some campgrounds experience noise from nearby attractions. A Bull Run camper noted, "The only drawback is that it is not quite [quiet]. There is a shooting range in the park. It is on a flight path for DCA. And, I66 is not that far away."
Tips for camping with families
Activity programs: Many parks offer organized programs specifically for children. At Little Bennett Campground, a visitor mentions it's "a good regional campground with activities for kids on special days. Took our grand daughter there for her first camping trip and she loved the bouncing strawberry and the hikes. She was 3 or 4 at the time."
Playground access: Selecting sites near play areas keeps children entertained. "We got a site on the inner loop and it backed to the playground and the bathhouse," shares a Pohick Bay camper. "There is plenty of things to do here to keep a family occupied."
Organized events: Bull Run offers regular family-friendly activities. "They had a campfire complete with s'mores followed by hayrides. Great family friendly campground," notes a visitor. Another mentions, "The campground had a climbing wall on one afternoon."
Hayrides and crafts: Seasonal programming includes structured activities. "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," a Pohick Bay visitor shares.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Some campgrounds have uneven sites requiring preparation. A Harpers Ferry/Civil War Battlefields KOA visitor warns, "Our Pull-thru FHU Patio site had a serious slope. It was impossible to level my 45' motorhome without elevating the front wheels dangerously in the air."
Space considerations: Site dimensions vary significantly between campgrounds. "The sites were all grass and gravel. However, the area with pull-through sites for big rigs was just a huge RV parking lot. All roads were very narrow and winding," notes a KOA visitor.
Hookup availability: Water and electric hookups are available at most sites, but sewer connections are limited. At Little Bennett, a camper explains, "D Loop is for RVs, A, B, C & E are tents only. AT&T 5 MB/s w/o booster (1 bar), 8 MB/s with it (2 bars)."
Cell coverage: Signal strength varies significantly across campgrounds. A Little Bennett camper reports, "No WIFI. 1 bar Verizon," while another mentions, "There is no satellite coverage due to the heavy tree canopy. OTA TV was decent using an external omni antenna."
