Northern Virginia campgrounds near Herndon provide access to historic sites while balancing suburban convenience with outdoor recreation opportunities. Most camping options sit within a 40-mile radius of Herndon, with elevations ranging from 200-400 feet above sea level. The region features moderate rainfall year-round and four distinct seasons, with summer temperatures averaging 85-90°F during peak camping months.
What to do
Hiking at Prince William Forest: Just 28 miles from Herndon, Prince William Forest RV Campground offers access to extensive trails. "Prince William Forest National Park is accessible for awesome day hikes. Civil War National Parks nearby. DC just up the road. National Marine Corp Museum just around corner," notes Kenneth H.
Water activities at Burke Lake: Burke Lake Park Campground features a 218-acre freshwater lake ideal for fishing and boating. "You can take out boats (there is a boat launch). Campgrounds are nice, located in the woods along the lake and have access to decent bathrooms," shares Sarah M.
River exploration at Brunswick: Located along the Potomac River, Brunswick Family Campground provides water recreation options. "The Shanandoah River parallels the campground. The river is beautifully clean clear and cool," reports Brian S. The campground sits adjacent to the C&O Canal, where "you could walk or bike for miles in either direction for hours! Harpers Ferry is only 6 miles away on the trail."
What campers like
Direct river access: At Harpers Ferry Campground, campers appreciate the waterfront location. "Gorgeous spot on the river. Small campground with not a lot of amenities BUT THAT RIVER IS GORGEOUS. Lots of activities - tubing, zip lining, fishing," shares Darcy S.
Clean facilities: Many campers highlight bathroom quality as a key factor. At Bull Run Regional Park, visitors note exceptional facilities. "I'll go again just for the showers. They're with staying again alone. Locking doors, individual stalls. Best camping showers I've ever had," reports Yvonne B.
Proximity to attractions: Located near Washington DC, many campgrounds serve as bases for sightseeing. "This campground is close (ish) to the DC area. It is easy and convenient to get to," mentions Kristen M. about Prince William Forest RV Campground. Similarly, Brunswick Family Campground offers access to "Harpers Ferry... only 6 miles away on the trail."
What you should know
Train noise: Several campgrounds in the region sit near active train tracks. At Brunswick Family Campground, "the CNO railroad runs pretty close it's not super loud just wanted to make you aware." Similarly, at Harpers Ferry Campground, "face the other way and you're looking at a 15 or so foot CSX rail line berm. The trains that come through here almost hourly range from quick commuter MARC or Amtrak trains to long freight trains."
Site levelness: Many campgrounds require leveling equipment. At Fort Belvoir Travel and RV Camp, "our site wasn't fully level, so bring plenty of leveling blocks," advises Thomas. Similarly, at Bull Run Regional Park, "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 committing to the inner loop."
Seasonal availability: Weather conditions affect campground operations throughout the year. Burke Lake Park Campground maintains limited facilities during colder months. At Lake Fairfax Campground, one visitor notes the park is "not far from the freeway. Very close to Washington DC," making it convenient during shoulder seasons.
Tips for camping with families
Water park access: Lake Fairfax Campground features additional water recreation for children. "Great for families. Swimming, biking, and hiking," mentions Amy B. Another camper adds, "There's a water park, paddle boats, playgrounds, trails, skate park, sports fields."
Activity variety: Bull Run Regional Park offers diversified recreation options for all ages. "Park has golf frisbee course, decent water park for kids, hiking trails, small creek/river you can explore, playgrounds," shares Tom C., who adds, "I like to take new families that have not camped before to this campsite."
Cabin options: For families new to camping, several parks offer cabin accommodations. At Bull Run Regional Park, "the park also offers cabin rentals if you don't want to camp," making it ideal for those testing the camping experience. One visitor explains their experience: "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."
Tips from RVers
RV site selection: For RV sites near Herndon, Virginia, campers recommend careful site selection at Cherry Hill Park. "You really need a toad since supplies are not very close to the camping area," advises Mike H. about Fort Belvoir. At Cherry Hill Park, "look at the park map and try to get a site at the end of a row. The sites are pretty close together but on the ends at least you only have a neighbor on one side."
Electric service considerations: Most RV campgrounds in the area offer 30-50 amp service. At Cherry Hill Park, campers appreciate the "50 amp hook-up, water, sewer," along with other amenities. The campground is "close to plenty of attractions. We loved the brick patio with patio furniture," reports John A.
Transportation options: RVers value convenient access to Washington DC from area campgrounds. Cherry Hill Park offers "on-site bus shuttle" service, while Bull Run Regional Park is "located in the middle of suburbs close to Manassas VA," providing easy access to urban areas. "Handy to the DC Metro Transit system," notes Mike H. about Fort Belvoir, though "you need military credentials" to stay there.
