126 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
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.
"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."
from $43 - $100 / night
Check Availability"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."
from $30 - $70 / night
Check Availability"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."
"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."
from $999 / night
Check Availability"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."
"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."
"We enjoyed sitting around the campfire at night and walking the dogs down to the water. We were right next to a hiking trail that went down to the water and a beach area."
from $37 - $170 / night
Check Availability"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."
from $26 / night
Check Availability"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"
from $20 / night
Check Availability"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. "
from $30 / night
Check Availability
RangerThis KOA offers close and cozy get away near Harper’s Ferry Virginia. Technically within walking distance to the National Park shuttle to downtown. Spots are open and spaced out and they offer private showers/bathrooms
ScoutThe staff is certainly at the office not competent. Someone ran over my house when we were away and damaged it. The WiFi didn’t work any of the day but upon assistance request no one was willing to help. It couldn’t be worse. We have no other words except never a KOA location again.
GuideIf you want to be near Annapolis, right on the Severn River...this is it. About 15 RV spots nestled in the woods...with full hook ups. A couple of primitive spots as well. Just a quick 5 min walk to the river...right across from the Academy. NEX, gas within 10 min walk, and 15 min drive to downtown Annapolis. Staff is always great here, and the park is clean....for a park on the woods.
ScoutTrip -week before labor day , temps 93 degrees, nothing on website when booked said about peak and non peak days on booking page. Said there were only 7 sites left(complete lie) campground was empty. First time we ever been to a place where EVERYTHING was closed. Campstore, jump pillow and the final straw was we went to go to the pool and that was closed. It was 545 pm sun still bright in the sky , nowhere near dusk( when its suppose to close) . So much conflicting info from what the paper we got handed vs what internet site said. Charged a resort fee ? for what a place to park? This is no resort. Grass was high enough to be seeding itself. My wife was so upset she was actually crying. This was supposed to be a fun trip for our da6ughter before going back to school. We decided this place over Buttonwood just because it was alittle closer. Did a full tour of the place. Realized there is nothing here. Went to dinner in town. Decided we didnt want to stay where we knew our Daughter would be bored. She's pretty easy to entertain but this was just ridiculous. 12 HOURS OF MY LIFE AND $400 BUCKS i will never get back. (Loading , driving , realizing we got screwed, driving, unloading) yup was pretty bad.
TravelerBased on my stay 3 nights and what I read of Greenbelt Park (the other closeby to Washington campground) I would say this has to be much better and I will stay here again on a future visit. Campground sits inside of a much larger park with great trails, amenities and well maintained. Campground is quiet, lots of trees, forest and yet each space is very large with good spacing and privacy to adjacent sites. High tree canopy at your site so lots of room to spread out. Sites themselves are a little rustic - a mix of grass, gravel and dirt, but not muddy (it rained a good bit prior to my stay) - but in good condition. Shower/toilet block is clean and good hot water and good water pressure. Most sites are flat or near flat and the ones that aren't need minimal levelling blocks. Campground apparently is never full and there was only 1 other when I was there - really hard to believe. There is a neighborhood road up by the sites near the shower block but it is low speed and lightly travelled and I had no disturbance from it. Nice surrounding neighborhood. No signs of vagrants. Park police patrolled multiple times per day and report very little non-camper entry to ther facilities. I felt very safe.Easy access to Eashington - bus stop outside the campground to metro or just drive to the metro (free parking weekend, $6 midweek) and then train (about 8 per hour) into the sites - an hour or less total to get there. For more local people, this seems like a good escape "to the woods" without travelling forever.
GuideWhat a gem! We found this place as an alternative to staying in DC during 4th of July festivities. Nice spacious sites, cabins were super clean and smelled great! Did I mention they were air conditioned during the hotest week of the summer!
Bathrooms and showers were spotless.
Many things to see and do there. Historic property, big lake (no swimming), boating, fishing, hiking. There is an Art Center with juried displays for sale.
ScoutThe park is very well maintained, and the campsites have clean fire pits and cooking grills. The restrooms are clean, spacious, and well maintained, and my campsite was large enough to comfortably fit a 6-person tent and a canopy.
However, there were a few concerns during our stay. Despite the campground’s quiet hours policy starting at 10:00 PM, many campers continued to make noise well past that time. I did not notice any campground staff or maintenance personnel making rounds to enforce the quiet hours.
I also felt concerned about security. One of my neighboring campers, who was visiting from South Carolina, told me that his generator had been stolen during the night. He reported the theft to the police, and an official report was filed. Incidents like this made me feel unsafe while camping.
I recommend increasing staff or security patrols, especially during the evening and overnight hours, to enforce quiet hours and improve the safety and security of campers and their belongings. With better enforcement and security, Burke Lake Campground would provide an even better camping experience.
GuideWonderful campground that has all you need: full hookup, bathrooms, shower, laundry, gift shop, parts shop
TravelerFor $90 per night the WiFi should work better. Didn’t connect at all. Had to use the antenna pointed East to get local Baltimore news.
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.
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.
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."
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.
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.
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 126 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 3.9-star rating from 43 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.
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