Bull Run Regional Park offers diverse camping options near Manassas, Virginia. Sites range from secluded tent spots to full-service RV hookups at varying price points. The park lies within a heavily wooded area 30 miles from Washington DC and provides year-round accommodations with seasonal amenities that fluctuate based on weather conditions.
What to do
Disc golf course access: Bull Run Regional Park features an 18-hole disc golf course popular with weekend campers. "We enjoyed the multiple marked trails throughout the campground and surrounding area. This regional park also has a shooting complex that is located near the back of the park," notes one visitor.
Historical excursions: Rappahannock River Campground serves as a convenient base for exploring Civil War history. "The area of the campground is deep in the woods with the only audible intrusion coming from the infrequent airplane or helicopter passing by," explains one camper, noting the campground's historical significance as "the river facing campground used as a crossing point during the civil war."
Water activities: Pohick Bay Campground provides direct water access with boat rentals available. "Boating in summer from kayaks to motorboats," mentions a reviewer who visited during fall, when water activities are less crowded but still accessible.
What campers like
Seasonal camping availability: Cherry Hill Park stays open all year with winter camping options when many other parks close. "Stayed here for 2w while visiting friends in Alexandria. Nice and quiet here during winter more so during week than weekends," reports one winter visitor.
Clean facilities: Campgrounds near Manassas maintain high cleanliness standards. "Bathroom/shower facilities were clean and plentiful, laundry worked and was average price," notes a visitor about Harper's Ferry KOA, while another camper at Bull Run Regional Park shares, "The best review I can give us of the bathrooms. They're with staying again alone. Locking doors, individual stalls. Best camping showers I've ever had."
Cabin alternatives: Multiple campgrounds offer yurt camping near Manassas, Virginia for those seeking shelter beyond traditional tent sites. "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," shares a visitor who enjoyed Bull Run's cabin accommodations.
What you should know
Camping costs vary significantly: Site fees range from basic to premium across the region. "We have found municipal campgrounds in Northern Virginia are a bit spendy for being government sponsored. But Bull Run manages to gouge you even more. There are occupancy AND transaction fees that really add up if you're only there a few nights," warns one reviewer.
Weekend crowds: Leesylvania State Park Campground becomes extremely busy during peak season weekends. "This park is ALWAYS full of family's having picnics and enjoying time together! There's playground and a beach area for kids and family to all enjoy," notes a summer visitor.
Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies widely across campgrounds. "Cell service in the area for both AT&T and Verizon was poor. I do not know if this was due to the terrain or lack of towers," reports a visitor to Harper's Ferry, while another camper notes that connectivity improves at designated visitor centers where WiFi is available.
Tips for camping with families
Playground proximity: Request sites near play areas to minimize walking with small children. "We got a site on the inner loop and it backed to the playground and the bathhouse. The site was spacious," shares a family who camped at Pohick Bay Regional Park with their young children.
Weekend programming: Many parks offer structured children's activities on weekends. "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," explains a parent who found these activities perfect for their 1-year-old and 3-year-old.
Nature scavenger hunts: Several parks provide educational activities for children. "There are miles of trails and my grandkids enjoyed the nature scavenger hunt. You even get a prize when you finish," notes a visitor to Bull Run Regional Park who stayed in a cabin with family.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Shenandoah River State Park Campground has varying site conditions requiring preparation. "My site had a slight slope, but was easily overcome using additional blocks on the low side to get the trailer level," shares an RV camper at Bull Run, while another notes that site selection at many regional parks requires careful consideration of leveling needs.
Noise considerations: Several campgrounds have nearby noise sources worth noting. "The only drawback is that it is not quiet. There is a shooting range in the park. It is on a flight path for DCA. And I-66 is not that far away," advises an RV camper who still rated their experience positively.
Winter RV camping: Year-round campgrounds maintain water and electrical hookups even in cold months. "Water and electrical available at all the spots even though it was winter," confirms a December visitor to Shenandoah River State Park, noting that winter camping offers solitude with roughly half the campground occupied during their stay.
