95 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Campgrounds within a 20-mile radius of Lorton, Virginia provide varied camping experiences in proximity to Washington DC and its historical attractions. Notable options include Pohick Bay Regional Park, which accommodates tents, RVs, and cabins on the banks of the Potomac River, and Burke Lake Park Campground offering serene forest settings with lake access. The area features a mix of county, state, and federal recreation areas providing both developed campgrounds with hookups and more primitive sites for those seeking a natural experience.
Regional campgrounds typically operate year-round or with extended seasons from March through October, though availability at popular waterfront locations becomes limited during summer weekends. Many locations require advance reservations, particularly at Pohick Bay and Bull Run Regional Park during peak periods. "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," noted one long-time visitor. Road access to most campgrounds is suitable for standard vehicles, though RV drivers should be aware of low clearance points, particularly when exiting I-95 near Lorton.
The combination of water access and forest settings draws many campers to the region's parks. Sites adjacent to water bodies like the Potomac River and Burke Lake are particularly valued for fishing, boating, and scenic views. Several visitors mentioned appreciating the balance between natural settings and proximity to urban amenities. A camper at Burke Lake Park described it as "a beautiful lake with a 5-mile gravel walking/running/biking trail around the lake's perimeter" while noting its convenient location. Campgrounds in the area generally feature clean facilities with water access points, picnic areas, and fire rings, though site spacing varies considerably between locations. Noise levels can fluctuate, with some campgrounds experiencing occasional disruption from nearby highways, particularly those closest to I-95 and major roads.
"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"There's plenty of room around the camper, and although there are other campsites and cabins nearby, the trees provide a lot of separation."
"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."
from $43 - $100 / 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."
"Adjacent to Prince William Forest, near shops and restaurants, and less than an hour away from Washington, DC. Good nature getaway from the city."
"Stayed here for a week while working nearby. Easy to get to and set up. Office was closed when we arrived but arrival paperwork was posted outside office door."
"They are in short distance from the water. There is a playground, bathhouse, and historical buildings that are accessible to campers. There are hiking trials, but none are two extensive."
"Nice trails, water sports available, and historic landmarks"
from $27 - $65 / 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"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..."
from $15 - $18 / night
Check Availability"Good site, secure location, decent facilities with solid WiFi. Pier within walking distance. Good location, tho our site wasn't fully level, so bring plenty of leveling blocks."
"It is very clean and there are many amenities close by. The base outdoor recreation center has equipment to rent such as kayaks and canoes to explore the Potomac river."
from $55 / night
Check Availability"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
TravelerClose to washington as we could get. Could also park our skoolie bus which was nice and had plenty of close by shower with bathrooms. Keep in mind only one shower per restroom house. We stayed at a pretty slow season so it wasn’t bad. Would recommend if visiting DC! They also have a dump station and water fill up.
ScoutWe stayed in site #133 with our 34'10" travel trailer/toy hauler. Overall, we really like the site. It's spacious, fairly level, heavily wooded, and feels surprisingly private. There's plenty of room around the camper, and although there are other campsites and cabins nearby, the trees provide a lot of separation. We had a nice large area for our chairs, fire pit, picnic table, and dogs. The biggest thing to know about #133 is the approach. We were instructed to pass the site, go around the loop, and then make a left turn into it. With our nearly 35' trailer, that would have required an extremely tight, almost 90-degree turn between the trees, and we did not feel we could safely make it. There is actually visible damage on one of the trees at the entrance, so it appears others may have had difficulty with the turn as well. Instead, we approached from the opposite direction and positioned the camper with our doors facing the main campsite area. That put the water and electric hookups on the opposite side, but our hoses and cord were long enough to run underneath the camper and reach without a problem. Once we figured that out, the site worked very well for us. I initially thought we probably wouldn't choose #133 again because of the awkward setup, but after spending the weekend here, I would. Now that we know how to approach and position our trailer, it really is a nice site. If you're bringing a longer travel trailer, just be prepared to do a little maneuvering and make sure your water hose and electrical cord have enough length if you decide to orient your camper the way we did.
ScoutSimple and friendly check in process. Clean and well-maintained site.
GuideSpent two nights while we saw the Avett Brothers play at Wolf Trap. Nice flat site with power. Campground was quiet and clean. The only negative is communication and signage. It took us a couple wrong turns to find our site and when we came back, after the concert around 11, the entrance gate was closed and we had to sneak in through the exit gate. Asked the next day and they said that is what campers do to access the park after 11pm.
RangerWe stayed at Little Bennett starting on Labor Day Monday and left before the weekend, so it is hard to say how this looks when the campground is full of life. They had quite a few activities for families and a pavilion capable of concerts and such, but there was minimal activity during our stay. My biggest complaint is that the gate code changed and we didn't get any notice--so after a long day and a dinner out near Baltimore (nearly an hour away), I had to call the police to get back to my camper. Otherwise, the campsite was relatively spacious and quiet. The bugs were a little rough. Lots of whitetail running around.
ScoutIt was a well maintained campsite. Clean bathrooms and great hikes to fossil beach.
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.
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.
TravelerGood spot to get away and pitch a tent. Never anyone else there too! Make sure to get a daily ($4) or annual (~$22 I forget) Access Permit on Virginia DWR, as well as special WMA camping license (free)
Camping near Lorton, Virginia provides access to both the Potomac River watershed and Northern Virginia's hardwood forests at elevations ranging from near sea level to about 400 feet. Summer temperatures typically reach the mid-80s with high humidity, while spring and fall offer milder camping conditions with daytime temperatures in the 60s-70s. Regional campsites often require reservations 2-3 months in advance for summer weekends.
Disc golf courses: Pohick Bay Regional Park offers an 18-hole disc golf course within walking distance of campsites. "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 one Pohick Bay Campground visitor.
Trails and running paths: Burke Lake features a 5-mile gravel loop trail that circles the entire lake, suitable for walking, running, and biking. A visitor explains, "Located close to George Mason University, host to many high school cross country meets, this park has a beautiful lake with a 5-mile gravel walking/running/biking trail around the lake's perimeter. You are not supposed to swim in the lake but you can take out boats (there is a boat launch)."
Historical exploration: Prince William Forest Park offers access to Civil War battlefields and historical 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," shares a camper at Oak Ridge Campground.
Fishing and boating: Smallwood State Park provides direct access to Mattawoman Creek for kayaking and fishing. "Mattawoman Creek is right there and great for kayaking. We'll definitely be back!!" mentions a repeat visitor.
Wildlife viewing: Eagle sightings are common along the Potomac River at certain campgrounds. One visitor noted, "Beautiful campground located near the National Harbor. Eagles everywhere! Large clean sites. Great staff!"
Proximity to DC: Many campers appreciate how quickly they can reach Washington DC attractions. "Stayed here for 2w while visiting friends in Alexandria. Took me 25-30m to get there so you are far away from bustle of city but not so far that going in to enjoy breakfast or the sights is a feat," shares a visitor to Pohick Bay Campground.
Wooded privacy: Bull Run Regional Park offers sites that face the woods, creating a sense of seclusion. "The sites are all pull-through off the roads through the campground. So your camper faces the woods and you feel like you're all alone. Bath houses are clean and well maintained," explains a camper.
Organized activities: Many parks offer scheduled events for campers. "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. This park has too many amenities to list. They had a campfire complete with s'mores followed by hayrides," reports a family who stayed at Bull Run.
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds in the area require advance booking, especially during peak season. "Only was able to stay a night here I wish I could have stayed more. Beautiful park and campground many of nice camp sites!" comments a visitor to Oak Ridge Campground.
Site levelness varies: Campsite terrain can be uneven at some locations, requiring leveling equipment. A camper at Prince William Forest RV Campground noted, "Sites were mostly level," while another mentioned, "Our site was in the back row and I didn't mind the walk."
Noise considerations: Some campgrounds experience noise from nearby roads, military installations, or airport flight paths. "There is a shooting range in the park. It is on a flight path for DCA. And, I66 is not that far away," explains a Bull Run Regional Park visitor.
Ticks and insects: Some wooded areas have significant tick populations, especially in spring and early summer. A camper reported, "Ticks were really bad. We killed dozens and ended up taking at least one with us when we left. Only because of the ticks, we would not stay here again."
Playgrounds and recreational amenities: Lake Fairfax Campground offers extensive family activities. "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, Water Park near the campground, fishing, & canoeing)," says one visitor.
Water features: Several parks include water parks or swimming facilities for children. "Pirate's Cove waterpark is definitely a highlight in summer. Boating in summer from kayaks to motorboats," notes a camper about Pohick Bay.
Structured activities: Some campgrounds provide organized programming for children. "We had a great time here over a long weekend in August. They gave us a great intro to the park as we were first timers. They informed us that they had a scavenger hunt for the kids going all weekend, they had an outdoor movie scheduled for Friday night, a campfire story time scheduled for Saturday night and crafts scheduled for Sunday morning."
Site selection: For families with young children, consider proximity to bathrooms and playgrounds. "We got a site on the inner loop and it backed to the playground and the bathhouse. The site was spacious. The bathhouse is standard but also has laundry and an outdoor dish washing station."
Dump stations: Quality and accessibility of dump stations vary significantly between parks. "Plenty of playgrounds and trails nearby to keep the family busy. Amenities and such are what you'd expect - clean but not new," shares a camper at Cherry Hill Park.
Site spacing and privacy: RV sites range from spacious to tightly packed depending on the campground. "The sites are nicely spread out. My site had a slight slope, but was easily overcome using additional blocks on the low side to get the trailer level," notes an RVer at Bull Run Regional Park.
Hookup availability: Electric amperage and hookup options differ across campgrounds. "I had a 30amp hookup with no issues. They also have up to 50amp full hookups. All of them looked well maintained," reports a visitor to Prince William Forest RV Campground.
Accessibility: Some campgrounds have challenging access for larger rigs. "Almost all sites are pull through and are close together. Most have some tree cover (and some of the trees could use a trim along the roads)," advises an RV camper.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular campground near Lorton, VA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Lorton, VA is Pohick Bay Campground with a 4.1-star rating from 37 reviews.
What parks are near Lorton, VA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 17 parks near Lorton, VA that allow camping, notably George Washington Memorial Parkway and Fort Washington Park.
Keep Exploring
