Best Campgrounds near Herndon, VA

Campgrounds near Herndon, Virginia include both suburban parks and regional recreation areas offering a mix of camping experiences. Lake Fairfax Campground in Reston provides electric hookups and accommodates both tent and RV camping with sites arranged in an open meadow setting. Other developed campgrounds within driving distance include Bull Run Regional Park in Centreville and Pohick Bay Campground in Lorton, which offer cabin options alongside traditional camping. The Fairfax County area features several camping areas providing varying levels of amenities and natural settings while maintaining proximity to Washington DC.

Many campgrounds in the Northern Virginia region operate seasonally, with Lake Fairfax Campground typically open from March through early September. Several campgrounds offer electric hookups but limited water connections directly at sites. "This is the first place I ever camped," shared one visitor about Lake Fairfax, noting "there is a bunch of activities available outside the campground." Regional parks feature predominantly level gravel camping pads, though tent campers should be aware that some sites have noticeable slopes. Reservations are strongly recommended, especially for weekend visits between Memorial Day and Labor Day when waterparks and lake activities draw larger crowds.

Campers report that Lake Fairfax Campground provides clean facilities with individual bathroom/shower combinations frequently mentioned as a highlight. The proximity to recreation amenities appears in multiple reviews, with one camper noting "there's a water park, paddle boats, playgrounds, trails, skate park, sports fields, and the bathrooms are the nicest I've ever seen." Several visitors mentioned that while sites lack privacy and can feel crowded, the convenient location and family-friendly activities compensate for the close quarters. Pohick Bay and Bull Run campgrounds offer more wooded settings with cabin options for those seeking alternatives to tent camping. Most developed campgrounds in the region provide fire rings, picnic tables, and access to trails, though alcohol policies vary by park jurisdiction.

Best Camping Sites Near Herndon, Virginia (118)

    1. Bull Run Regional Park

    42 Reviews
    Iron Gate, VA
    13 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."

    2. Lake Fairfax Campground

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

    $30 - $70 / night

    "If you are looking for camping in Fairfax County Virginia, this is it, because there are only a couple to choose from."

    "We set up our tent in the far side of the campground close to the lake ( site 27). It is slightly slant but still comfortable in the tent. Bathrooms are close by and kept clean."

    3. Burke Lake Park Campground

    15 Reviews
    Burke, VA
    15 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."

    4. Cherry Hill Park

    42 Reviews
    Beltsville, MD
    24 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."

    5. Pohick Bay Campground

    38 Reviews
    Lorton, VA
    24 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."

    6. Little Bennett Campground

    23 Reviews
    Clarksburg, MD
    20 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."

    7. Oak Ridge Campground — Prince William Forest Park

    31 Reviews
    Dumfries, VA
    26 miles
    Website
    +1 (703) 221-7181

    $26 / night

    "Showers are in loop B, which is a 5-7 minute walk. During holiday weekends the sites closest to the shower facilities are fully booked and have less privacy."

    "The Oak Ridge campgrounds at Prince William Forest Park are a lovely little campground just outside Washington DC. The sites were large, the facilities are clean and the staff friendly and helpful."

    8. Greenbelt Park Campground — Greenbelt Park

    32 Reviews
    Greenbelt, MD
    27 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"

    9. Button Farm

    1 Review
    Poolesville, MD
    9 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 Herndon, VA

900 Reviews of 118 Herndon Campgrounds


  • Chelsea B.
    Oct. 17, 2025

    Manor - Cunningham Falls State Park

    Hot showers! But no dump station

    Campsite We stayed at M17 after staying at M26 for a night. 17 wasn’t as level and so we had to scrunch to one side of the site to get level. It was closer to the bath house. Overall cozy. Bath house It’s in need of some repairs but don’t let that scare you- these showers are hot and the shower wands are a really nice convenience after using cold push button showers. Lantern flies! Invasive Spotted Lantern Flies are everywhere. I squished as many as I could but keep an eye out and check your gear before leaving! Dump station This campsite doesn’t have a dump station so we went to the Cunningham falls site to dump after leaving and they let us dump no problem. Road noise Since you’re near the highway, there is constant road noise and it’s even worse on the trails but it’s quiet otherwise. Deducted one star for no dump station.

  • Amanda S.
    Oct. 14, 2025

    Washington DC / Capitol KOA

    Got bed bugs? They do.

    Stayed in cabin 202 for a Fri- Sun and on our last morning we found a bed bug on our clothing. While they gave a refund it does not come close to cover the time and energy of remediating all of our clothing, sheets, and blankets. We also had to throw out items that could not be cleaned properly and now have to replace them(pillows, shoes, etc). My husband has 23 bites over the course of 2 nights. They burn and itch very badly. I truly hope this was a hiccup for them and they go through correct methods of having the cabin treated properly. 

    UPDATE: A recount of the bites- my husband has 31 bites so far. The remediation of all of our items is exhausting. All the blankets, clothing, suit cases, all the other items we used in the cabin needs to be cleaned. We had to throw out our shoes because they shrunk in the dryer. Spent$$$ replacing shoes for a family for 4. Pillows are not cheap to replace either. I bought a new corset at the renfest this weekend that I'm hoping doesn't get ruined when it goes through the dryer. That too was expensive. So if you're looking to have to spend a bunch of extra money to replace items you didn't want to replace in the first place- I recommend staying here.

  • Chelsea B.
    Oct. 13, 2025

    Manor - Cunningham Falls State Park

    Great non-electric site, no dumstation

    This site is at the very top of the loop so it has a great cozy vibe and is spaced well away from other sites. The only downside is that the bathhouse is a walk downhill and then a walk back uphill. Surprised there’s no place for someone to park next to the bathhouse - only trails to it- so if you have accessibility needs, consider choosing a site that’s lower in the loop. The site is level and was raked by the hosts before we got there. Really clean and quiet except for some road noise. Showers are SO nice compared to other campsite. Hot water is hot, no push buttons, and there is a shower wand in both stalls. No dump station though!! Dump before you get here. Also if you work remote and depend on service, it’s spotty. Very wooded so Starlink can’t help much. OH- Don’t bother visiting the winery down the road. Ew. Just don’t.

  • 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.


Guide to Herndon

Campgrounds near Herndon, Virginia provide varied camping experiences within 30 miles of the Washington DC metropolitan area. The region features a mix of county, regional, and federal park camping options ranging from primitive tent sites to full-hookup RV accommodations. Most campgrounds in the area sit at elevations between 200-400 feet above sea level and experience humid subtropical conditions with distinct seasonal changes that affect camping availability and comfort levels.

What to do

Disc golf access: Pohick Bay Campground offers an 18-hole course perfect for casual players. "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," notes Rachel L.

Mountain biking trails: The trail networks at Lake Fairfax Campground accommodate multiple skill levels with varying terrain. "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," reports Amy B.

Historical exploration: Oak Ridge Campground in Prince William Forest Park provides access to Civil War history sites. "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," writes Daniel S.

What campers like

Private camping atmosphere: Many sites at Little Bennett Campground feature natural screening between campsites. "The sites are quiet, very spacious, level, and heavily wooded with 50A service, water and sewer hookup," notes Ray & Terri F., highlighting the campground's privacy despite its suburban location.

Urban escape proximity: Greenbelt Park Campground offers woodland camping with quick transit access to DC. One camper explains: "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. Can't beat the close proximity to DC."

Bathroom quality: Clean restroom facilities rate highly among campers. "Five stars for the restroom facilities. Bright, large, clean and very well maintained," writes Tana S. about Lake Fairfax Campground, while another camper at Oak Ridge Campground mentions "super clean bathrooms with marble tile."

What you should know

Reservation requirements: Most camping sites near Herndon require advance booking. Bull Run Regional Park has specific booking policies to note: "Bull Run manages to goose you even more. There are occupancy AND transaction fees that really add up if you're only there a few nights. But the real kicker is a 2-night minimum stay. Even mid-week," explains Stuart O.

Noise considerations: Urban-adjacent campgrounds experience various noise sources. Drew M. notes about Bull Run: "The only drawback is that it is not quite. There is a shooting range in the park. It is on a flight path for DCA. And, I66 is not that far away."

Tent site levelness: Many tent sites throughout the region have noticeable slopes. "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," reports Erin W. about Lake Fairfax Campground.

Tips for camping with families

Water features: Multiple campgrounds offer water-based recreation for children. "This campground is nice for a quick weekend and does have pretty trails next to the campground... There is a waterpark that is an extra cost which is fun for kids," reports Erin W. about Lake Fairfax.

Structured activities: Cherry Hill Park offers scheduled family programming. "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... They had a campfire complete with s'mores followed by hayrides. Great family friendly campground," shares Bridget H. about Bull Run.

Playground access: Many regional parks feature play equipment adjacent to camping areas. "The camp host came by and welcomed me before I was fully set up for the evening and was great!!! After staying here for a week I was so pleased by the quiet nature of the campground," notes Crystal C. about Greenbelt Park.

Tips from RVers

Site leveling challenges: RV campers should prepare for uneven terrain at many area campgrounds. "My site had a slight slope, but was easily overcome using additional blocks on the low side to get the trailer level," advises Drew M. regarding Bull Run Regional Park.

RV size restrictions: Campgrounds have varying length limitations and loop configurations. "Only came through for a weekend but the sites were well maintained, and felt separated enough to have some privacy," notes Michael A. about Little Bennett Campground, which separates its loops by RV capability.

Premium site amenities: Higher-tier sites may include additional features worth the cost difference. "We had a premium site for seven nights. The site was perfectly level with a fire ring, grill, picnic table and table with three chairs," explains Jonathan B. about Cherry Hill Park.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Herndon, VA?

According to TheDyrt.com, Herndon, VA offers a wide range of camping options, with 118 campgrounds and RV parks near Herndon, VA and 2 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Herndon, VA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Herndon, VA is Bull Run Regional Park with a 4-star rating from 42 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Herndon, VA?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 2 free dispersed camping spots near Herndon, VA.

What parks are near Herndon, VA?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 17 parks near Herndon, VA that allow camping, notably Rock Creek Park and National Mall & Memorial Parks.