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.
