Camping spots near Manassas Park, Virginia range from 5 to 30 miles from the city center, with the densest concentration along the I-95 corridor. The region sits within the Piedmont geological province, with rolling terrain and elevations generally between 200-400 feet above sea level. Most campgrounds in this area experience moderate humidity levels throughout summer with average July temperatures around 87°F.
What to do
Disc golf courses: Located at both Burke Lake Park Campground and Pohick Bay Regional Park, these courses provide recreation beyond standard camping activities. "The park has a frisbee golf course, decent water park for kids, hiking trails, small creek/river you can explore, playgrounds," notes Tom C. about Burke Lake Park.
Water recreation options: Several campgrounds feature water activities beyond swimming. "The park is nice, but if youre looking for fishing don't go here, but you can in fact kayak down the creek," explains Jonny D. about Leesylvania State Park Campground.
Mountain biking trails: Lake Fairfax Campground offers dedicated mountain biking infrastructure. "This is a great place to mountain bike as we noticed several groups camping and biking during our stay," shares Corey B., highlighting the popularity of this activity.
Historical exploration: The region's Civil War significance provides educational opportunities. "We spent 5 days camping and exploring the civil war battle areas and other things. Definitely worth exploring," states Daniel S. about Oak Ridge Campground.
What campers like
Bathroom facilities: Many campgrounds feature well-maintained facilities. "The best review I can give us of the bathrooms. They're with staying again alone. Locking doors, individual stalls. Hot dog. Best camping showers I've ever had," writes Yvonne B. about Bull Run Regional Park.
Family-oriented amenities: Campgrounds often include child-friendly features. "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," reports Bridget H. about Bull Run.
Quiet surroundings: Despite proximity to urban areas, many campers find peaceful settings. "New restrooms and close to the town but far enough to be dark and quiet like the outdoors!" mentions Joanne H. about Oak Ridge Campground — Prince William Forest Park.
Accessibility to DC: Campers value the relatively short distance to Washington DC. "We stayed at Bull Run Regional Campground on our visit to Washington DC. It was fall and the colors were gorgeous," notes Roberta K., highlighting the strategic location for sightseeing.
What you should know
Seasonal operation: Many campgrounds close during winter months. "Season: Mar 01 to Oct 31" applies to Oak Ridge Campground, while other facilities like Prince William Forest RV Campground operate year-round.
Noise factors: Some campgrounds experience noise from nearby facilities or transportation. "Check in was a breeze. 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," warns Drew M. about Bull Run.
Site spacing varies: Campground density differs significantly between locations. "The campground isn't too far from where I live but its far enough and quiet enough for a weekend getaway," explains Clara K. about Oak Ridge, while other campgrounds offer less separation between sites.
Weather preparedness: The region can experience significant rainfall. "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," reports Stuart O. from Bull Run.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Some campgrounds feature multiple play areas. "Only draw back is that there's only one playground that's awkwardly located," notes Yvonne B. about Bull Run Regional Park, while Lake Fairfax Campground offers "mountain bike trails, playgrounds, a water park" according to Tana S.
Educational activities: Several parks offer structured learning opportunities. "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," shares Bridget H. about Bull Run.
Water features: Splash pads and water parks provide cooling options during summer months. "My site had water and electric which was nice. We are tent campers but almost all our neighbors were in an RV or trailer," explains Ben G. about Pohick Bay, noting the amenities that appeal to families.
Site selection strategy: Choose sites carefully based on family needs. "If leveling perfectly is a concern you may want to call ahead and ask before commiting to the inner loop," advises Corey B. about Lake Fairfax, highlighting the importance of advance planning.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Many RVers note terrain issues at various campgrounds. "My site had a slight slope, but was easily overcome using additional blocks on the low side to get the trailer level," shares Drew M. about Bull Run Regional Park.
Hookup availability: Electrical options vary between parks. "I had a 30amp hookup with no issues. They also have up to 50amp full hookups. All of them looked well maintained," notes Megan K. about Prince William Forest RV Campground.
Pull-through access: Some campgrounds offer easier access sites. "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)," explains Kristen M. about Prince William Forest RV Campground.
Size restrictions: Not all campgrounds accommodate larger rigs. "Snug campground with nice, clean bathroom and pool. Adjacent to Prince William Forest, near shops and restaurants, and less than an hour away from Washington, DC," writes Laura G. about Prince William Forest RV Campground.
