Best Campgrounds near Iron Gate, VA

The region surrounding Iron Gate, Virginia features a variety of established campgrounds within driving distance, primarily concentrated in the northern Virginia corridor. Pohick Bay Campground in Lorton offers year-round camping with boat-in access and full hookup options for RVs, while Bull Run Regional Park in Centreville provides a mix of tent sites, RV spots, cabins, and glamping accommodations. Burke Lake Park Campground in Fairfax Station stands out for its lakeside setting with boat-in and hike-in access options. Most campgrounds in this region serve as convenient basecamps for exploring both natural areas and the greater Washington DC metropolitan area, with many sites situated near water features or wooded areas.

Reservations are essential at most established campgrounds in the region, particularly during the peak season from April through October. Many campgrounds near Iron Gate maintain year-round operations, though amenities may be reduced during winter months. As one camper noted, "If you're looking for camping in Fairfax County Virginia, this is it, because there are only a couple to choose from." Road access is generally well-maintained, with most sites accessible by standard vehicles. Weather considerations include hot, humid summers and occasional severe storms, while spring and fall offer more moderate temperatures. Cell service is typically reliable throughout the region due to proximity to urban areas, though coverage may vary in more remote locations.

Campers consistently mention the balance between natural settings and urban proximity as a defining characteristic of the area. "BLP has a great lake for fishing and boat rentals, a paved path to walk around the lake (about 5 miles) and a fantastic playground," noted one visitor to Burke Lake Park. Site spacing varies considerably between campgrounds, with some offering more privacy than others. Noise from nearby roads, gun ranges, or aircraft is mentioned in several reviews, particularly at Bull Run and campgrounds closer to military installations. Wildlife sightings commonly include waterfowl, with many campgrounds situated near lakes, ponds, or the Potomac River. Most established sites provide standard amenities like picnic tables, fire rings, and access to restrooms, with varying levels of hookups for RVs.

Best Camping Sites Near Iron Gate, Virginia (115)

    1. Bull Run Regional Park

    42 Reviews
    Iron Gate, VA
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (703) 631-0550

    $43 - $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. Oak Ridge Campground — Prince William Forest Park

    31 Reviews
    Dumfries, VA
    13 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."

    3. Pohick Bay Campground

    38 Reviews
    Lorton, VA
    19 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."

    4. Burke Lake Park Campground

    15 Reviews
    Burke, VA
    11 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."

    5. Lake Fairfax Campground

    25 Reviews
    Reston, VA
    16 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."

    6. Prince William Forest RV Campground — Prince William Forest Park

    17 Reviews
    Dumfries, VA
    14 miles
    +1 (703) 221-2474

    "Adjacent to Prince William Forest, near shops and restaurants, and less than an hour away from Washington, DC. Good nature getaway from the city."

    "Restrooms/showers: very clean, spacious, centrally located."

    7. Greenville Farm Family Campground

    2 Reviews
    Catharpin, VA
    9 miles
    +1 (703) 754-7944

    $60 / night

    "Trails, creek, pool, fishing ponds (back end), batheooms, etc, great rates. No firewood- need to bring your own."

    8. Fairfax County Burke Lake Park

    2 Reviews
    Fairfax Station, VA
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (703) 323-6600

    "BLP has a great lake for fishing and boat rentals, a paved path to walk around the lake (about 5 miles) and a fantastic playground."

    "i’ve camped here too many times to count, love being surrounded by nature!"

    9. Leesylvania State Park Campground

    6 Reviews
    Dumfries, VA
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (703) 730-8205

    $15 - $18 / night

    "Close to me so theres nothing new"

    "Good for a day use, parking is full most of the time but have a lot of space to park you may have to walk but you will find one spot..."

    10. Hillwood Camping Park

    2 Reviews
    Gainesville, VA
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (703) 754-6105
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Recent Reviews near Iron Gate, VA

853 Reviews of 115 Iron Gate Campgrounds


  • Jack W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 16, 2025

    South Fork Shenandoah River

    Great dispersed spot

    Only a few spots around, but beautiful spot right on the river with fire pits. No other amenities but it was exactly what we were looking for

  • Alex R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 6, 2025

    Graves Mountain Farm Campground

    Great camp site for our motorcycle trip

    Awesome views, good food in the restaurant up the hill. Lots of people on horses running around which we loved, and good live music after dinner. Could get muddy if you're there after rain

  • 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!

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 18, 2025

    South Fork Shenandoah River

    Beautiful spot!

    Our site was amazing! The very last car camping site on the road. We were right on the river, we swam and fished. There were plenty of walk in sites beyond ours. Unfortunately there was a decent bit of trash we cleaned up. The road was a little rough, but our 92 ford camper made it, just go slow

  • Zoey W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 13, 2025

    South Fork Shenandoah River

    Horrie Neighbors

    dont disregard the warnings about noise like i did, constant speakers all the time until 4am. i think its out of jurisdiction for park rangers so they wont do anything either

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 12, 2025

    South Fork Shenandoah River

    Riverside site

    The site at the end of the road is beautiful. We stayed right at the end of the road, since we have a 30 foot RV, but there are sites you can walk to all the way down the river. I saw one other site before ours. So limited, but we saw very few people. Got buggy at night, but that happens. Also wish people picked up their trash, but we helped. Absolutely recommend

  • j
    Sep. 8, 2025

    Lake Anna State Park Campground

    Nice space

    Great space for rvs and tents. Cabins and yurts available, bath house clean, but toilet paper is thinner than dry onion skin. Beach area is 1/2 mile paved walk. Beach very crowded on weekends.

  • 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


Guide to Iron Gate

Camping areas near Iron Gate, Virginia offer sites with varying levels of development and recreational options, primarily in the northeastern corridor of the state. Most campgrounds sit at elevations between 300-450 feet, with moderately hilly terrain providing natural drainage during storms. Many campgrounds maintain year-round operations with reduced winter services, while the region's hot, humid summers make swimming areas and water activities particularly popular from June through August.

What to do

Disc golf courses: Bull Run Regional Park features a full 18-hole disc golf course perfect for beginners and experienced players. "BR park is absolutely beautiful. So much to do and centered around many historical sites. It's a gem," notes one visitor who enjoyed the extensive recreation options.

Historical exploration: Prince William Forest RV Campground provides access to numerous Civil War historical sites within a short drive. A camper mentioned the convenience, stating "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."

Water activities: Multiple campgrounds offer fishing, boating, and paddling opportunities. At Burke Lake Park Campground, "the 5-mile gravel walking/running/biking trail around the lake's perimeter" provides scenic views. Another visitor noted "BLP has a great lake for fishing and boat rentals."

Climbing and nature programs: Seasonal activities engage visitors of all ages. One family at Bull Run mentioned, "The campground had 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."

What campers like

Bathroom facilities: Clean, modern bathrooms receive consistent praise across several campgrounds. At Bull Run Regional Park, one camper specifically mentioned, "I'll go again just for the showers. They're with staying again alone. Locking doors, individual stalls. Hot dog. Best camping showers I've ever had."

Family programming: Organized activities for children stand out as a highlight. A visitor to Bull Run noted, "They had a campfire complete with s'mores followed by hayrides. Great family friendly campground."

Spacious sites: Many campers appreciate the site layouts at select campgrounds. At Oak Ridge Campground, "The sites were roomy and not too close. We saw lots of wildlife but had no issues with trash or food (raccoons left everything alone)."

Urban accessibility: The proximity to metropolitan areas while maintaining natural settings appeals to many visitors. As one Oak Ridge camper stated, "We saw DC during the day but camped each evening. It was amazing!"

What you should know

Site variations: Terrain and site quality vary significantly between and within campgrounds. At Lake Fairfax 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."

Noise considerations: Background noise from nearby military installations, roads, and airports affects some campgrounds. At Bull Run Regional Park, one reviewer 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."

Drainage issues: Heavy rainfall can create problems at certain campgrounds. One camper at Bull Run observed, "While we were here, there was a fairly heavy day of rain. Couple inches, I suppose, but nothing Biblical. The mouths of the metal culverts in our loop were bent downward from campers driving over them, which obstructed the flow. Result was lots of standing water at our campsite."

Reservation policies: Some campgrounds enforce minimum stay requirements, particularly on weekends. A visitor to Bull Run mentioned, "But the real kicker is a 2-night minimum stay. Even mid-week. In APRIL for gosh sakes!"

Tips for camping with families

Water parks: Pohick Bay Campground offers family-oriented water features that make hot summer days more enjoyable. "Pirate's Cove waterpark is definitely a highlight in summer," notes one regular visitor.

Playground access: When selecting a site, consider proximity to play areas. At Bull Run, a camper noted, "Only draw back is that there's only one playground that's awkwardly located."

Kid-friendly activities: Look for campgrounds with structured programs. At Oak Ridge Campground, "Bill, the host on duty was wonderfully hospitable. We found a few other people there mid-week, and it was quiet and comfortable. The facilities were very clean, and when needed, well lit."

Security considerations: At some campgrounds, noise management can be an issue. As one Burke Lake visitor warned, "When a bunch of high schoolers decide to party till 3AM, there's no one to call. Your only option is to call 911, but it's not technically an emergency so you have to call the non-emergency number and leave a message."

Tips from RVers

Leveling needs: Many sites require adjustments for RVs. At Bull Run, "My site had a slight slope, but was easily overcome using additional blocks on the low side to get the trailer level."

Site orientation: The layout at Greenville Farm Family Campground provides "a nice mix of RV and tent campers" with good separation between sites. Last-minute travelers appreciate that they "were able to accommodate with a pull through site."

Hookup variations: Electric service varies between campgrounds, so confirm what's available before booking. At Prince William Forest RV Campground, one camper reported, "I had a 30amp hookup with no issues. They also have up to 50amp full hookups. All of them looked well maintained."

Internet connectivity: Working remote campers should plan accordingly. At Prince William Forest RV Campground, "don't plan on being able to have work zoom calls or really much on it for that matter," though "Verizon and Google fi have great service. I would imagine any other carrier would work just as well."

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Iron Gate, VA?

According to TheDyrt.com, Iron Gate, VA offers a wide range of camping options, with 115 campgrounds and RV parks near Iron Gate, VA and 5 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Iron Gate, VA?

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

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Iron Gate, VA?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 5 free dispersed camping spots near Iron Gate, VA.

What parks are near Iron Gate, VA?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 17 parks near Iron Gate, VA that allow camping, notably Prince William Forest Park and George Washington Memorial Parkway.