Best Tent Camping near McLean, VA
Searching for a tent campsite near McLean? The Dyrt helps you find campsites near McLean with tent camping. Each spot offers quick access to one or more of McLean, Virginia's most popular destinations.
Best Tent Sites Near McLean, VA (31)
1. Patapsco Valley State Park-Hilton Area
Catonsville, Maryland18 Reviews•94 Photos•158 SavesHilton is a place for kids of all ages to play and explore. Located off Hilton Avenue, this area is within walking distance for many residents in Catonsville. A popular spot for afternoon walks and morning workouts, the trails are active with local residents and visitors from far away.
You can also gain access to the Patapsco River by traveling down into the river valley along the Forest Glen Trail. This trail follows the Saw Mill Branch Stream and can connect with several trails to make for very interesting hiking adventures. The area also has a small campground with six mini-cabins and 12 basic campsites.
- Pets
- Fires
- Electric Hookups
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- ADA Access
$20 - $51 / night
2. Leesylvania State Park Campground
Dumfries, Virginia6 Reviews•4 Photos•115 SavesLeesylvania is nestled along the tidal shores of the historic Potomac River. Native Americans lived on this land for thousands of years. Capt. John Smith visited the area in 1608 on his voyage of discovery. Listed on the National Register of Historic Landmarks, Leesylvania offers many land and water activities, including hiking, picnicking, fishing, and boating. A universally accessible fishing pier, playground, boat launch, boat storage area, snack bar and store, visitor center, and gift shop are available. A 20-station fitness trail and canoe and kayak rentals also are available.
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- ADA Access
- Tents
- Group
$15 - $18 / night
3. Marsden Tract Group Campsite
Cabin John, Maryland1 Review•22 Photos•72 SavesOverview
The Marsden Tract Group Campground was built by scouts to provide access to larger campsites within easy commuting distance of the D.C. Metro area. It is located at Mile 11.5 on the C&O Canal Towpath, between the Carderock Recreation Area and Anglers Inn. The group campsites are nestled in the woods between the Canal and the Potomac River and they are a short distance from many recreational opportunities. Fishing, rock climbing, paddling and hiking are but a few possibilities while staying at Marsden Tract.
Recreation
The most popular activity for Marsden Tract campers is hiking the three sections (A, B and C) of the Billy Goat Trail, one of the most popular and challenging rock hikes in the east. There are also many woodland trails for beginners and experts alike. Fishing is also a popular pastime in both the C&O Canal and the Potomac River. Be sure to acquire a Maryland fishing license for those age 16 or older. Virginia licenses are approved for fishing in the Potomac only.
Natural Features
Marsden Tract Group Campsite is just south of the Great Falls of the Potomac and Mather Gorge. These two stunning features provide an excellent example of local geology while showing the sheer force and power of nature.
Nearby Attractions
Marsden Tract Group Campsite is located about 14 miles outside of Washington, D.C., providing affordable camping near the nation's capital. Many campers will base out of Marsden to see the sites such as the Smithsonian Institution, National Mall, Capitol and The White House.
Charges & Cancellations
Cancellations A cancellation is the release of a confirmed reservation prior to the start of the defined late cancellation time frame which results in non-use by the original customer. Camping and Day Use Facilities Cancellations up to 2 days before a reservation start date incur a $10.00 cancellation fee. Late Cancellations or Cancellations within the Cut-off Window Individual Campsites: A customer who cancels a reservation the day before or on the day of arrival will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's use fee (not to exceed the total paid for the original reservation). Cancellations for a one-night reservation will forfeit the entire amount paid and will not be subject to an additional service fee. Group Facility: Customers who cancel a group overnight facility reservation less than 14 days before the arrival date will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's use fee. Group Day Use Area: Customers who cancel a group day-use facility reservation less than 14 days before the arrival date will forfeit the total day-use fee.
- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- Tents
- Group
$20 - $40 / night
5. Sky Meadows State Park Campground
Paris, Virginia11 Reviews•35 Photos•130 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- Tents
- Group
6. The Adventure Park at Sandy Spring
Sandy Spring, Maryland1 Review•8 SavesThe Adventure Park at Sandy Spring is Maryland's biggest climbing and ziplining adventure!
We have 5 campsites on site. Please note, these campsites are only available for scout troops and youth groups who are also taking part in park activities.
- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- Tents
- Group
$150 - $200 / night
7. Lichtman Camp 1 — Prince William Forest Park
Prince William Forest Park, Virginia1 Review•4 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Electric Hookups
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- ADA Access
8. Antietam Creek Campground — Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park
Sharpsburg, Maryland11 Reviews•24 Photos•118 SavesOverview
The Antietam Creek Campground is located at Mile 69.4 on the C&O Canal Towpath, a few miles south of Shepherdstown on the Maryland side of the Potomac River. The campsites are nestled in the woods between the Canal and the Potomac River and they are a short distance from many recreational opportunities. Fishing, boating and hiking are but a few possibilities while staying at Antietam Creek Campground.
Recreation
Popular activities at Antietam Creek include boating and fishing. Kayaking the creek and surrounding areas during various times of the year are scenic and ever changing. Nearby boat ramps at Dargan Bend and Snyders Landing provide motor boat access to the river. Fishing is also a popular pastime in both the watered sections of the C&O Canal the Potomac River. Be sure to acquire a Maryland Fishing License for those age 16 or older. West Virginia Licenses are approved for fishing in the Potomac only.
Natural Features
Antietam Creek Campground is just south of Sharpsburg, MD. Antietam Creek is a typically mild and slow moving creek which feeds into the much larger and faster Potomac River directly adjacent to the campsite. River rise and floods can modify conditions quickly here.
Nearby Attractions
Antietam Battlefield, South Mountain Recreation Area and Harpers Ferry National Historical Park all provide additional hiking and history adventures specifically about the Civil War Era.
Charges & Cancellations
Cancellations A cancellation is the release of a confirmed reservation prior to the start of the defined late cancellation time frame which results in non-use by the original customer. Camping and Day Use Facilities Cancellations up to 2 days before a reservation start date incur a $10.00 cancellation fee. Late Cancellations or Cancellations within the Cut-off Window Individual Campsites: A customer who cancels a reservation the day before or on the day of arrival will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's use fee (not to exceed the total paid for the original reservation). Cancellations for a one-night reservation will forfeit the entire amount paid and will not be subject to an additional service fee. Group Facility: Customers who cancel a group overnight facility reservation less than 14 days before the arrival date will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's use fee. Group Day Use Area: Customers who cancel a group day-use facility reservation less than 14 days before the arrival date will forfeit the total day-use fee.
- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- Tents
- Group
$10 - $20 / night
9. Goodwill Cabin — Prince William Forest Park
Dumfries, Virginia1 Review•1 Photo•5 SavesOverview
Cabin Camp 3 is located in Prince William Forest Park and is one of five large cabin camp facilities located in the park. Camp 3 is the only camp where visitors can rent a single cabin. There are thirteen cabins available for rent. The cabins are very rustic and provide a unique camping experience in Northern Virginia. The cabins offer easy access to 37 miles of hiking and 21 miles of biking trails in the park. The park's land was set aside during the Great Depression, and in 1935 the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) began restoring the previously over-farmed acreage, converting it to recreational lands for public use. The CCC built trails, dams and cabins, making the park a wonderful place for recreation and relaxation.____
Recreation
The park offers many recreational activities, including hiking, biking, orienteering and fishing. Hikers enjoy exploring the park's 37 miles of foot trails. Campers may hike South Orenda Road to South Valley Trail and Laurel Trail Loop.__ Bicyclists will find 21 miles of paved roads within the park, including the 12-mile Scenic Drive. Little traffic and a 25 m.p.h. speed limit make this a popular biking spot. Mountain biking is also available on 10 miles of gravel fire roads.__ The park boasts 30 orienteering courses with picturesque settings. Orienteering is a 19th century Scandinavian sport primarily used as military training. The courses were developed in 1972 and continue to provide hours of entertainment and exploration for park visitors.__ Approximately 18 miles of streams and two small lakes are open to the public for fishing. The water quality of Quantico Creek supports numerous fish species and other aquatic life. The most common fish species are bluegill, pumpkinseed, largemouth bass and channel catfish.
Facilities
The campground is open mid-April through the first weekend in November and there are three 4-person, seven 6-person, and three 10-person cabins. The 4-person and 6-person cabins are located in the "A" Unit and the 10-person cabins are located in the "B" Unit. There is a bath house with hot showers, a craft lodge, and a fire ring in both the A unit and the B unit. All campers renting cabins must share these common spaces.
Natural Features
Prince William Forest Park preserves approximately 15,000 acres of Piedmont forest covering a major portion of the Quantico Creek watershed. The park represents one of the largest parcels of undeveloped land in the area and is the third largest unit of the National Park System in Virginia. The area is the largest example of a Piedmont forest ecosystem in the National Park Service, making it a significant natural resource.__ __ Various geological outcroppings, winding creeks, gently rolling slopes and man-made lakes make wonderful destinations for any adventurous visitor.____ __ The park is home to 46 species of mammals, 22 species of amphibians, 25 species of reptiles, more than 129 species of birds, 26 species of fish and an unknown number of invertebrates. __ More than 900 plant species exist in Prince William Forest Park. From the smallest wildflower to the tallest tree, each species has a special role to play in this forest ecosystem. From tree bark in winter, wildflowers in spring, canopy cover in summer and autumn colors in fall, Prince William Forest Park offers beautiful scenery year-round.
Nearby Attractions
Prince William Forest Park is centrally located, with easy access to all of the attractions the Northern Virginia and Washington, D.C., area have to offer. From the park entrance, the National Museum of the Marine Corps and the main gate of the United States Marine Corps Base Quantico are just a mile away.____ The park is located directly between historic Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park and Manassas National Battlefield Park.
- Electric Hookups
- Tents
- Cabins
$70 / night
10. Happyland Cabin — Prince William Forest Park
Dumfries, Virginia1 Review•2 SavesCabin Camp 5 was the last camp to be completed by the CCC and WPA. The camp offers the largest capacity (210 in summer, 104 in winter) due to the large dorm buildings and restrooms. This is also the only camp with heat, so this camp may be rented year-round. This is also the only camp to have an outdoor picnic pavilion located inside the camp. Cabin Camp 5 is set up in two units with cabins that sleeps 2 to 4 people and larger dorm buildings that sleep 24.
- Tents
Recent Tent Reviews in McLean
704 Reviews of 31 McLean Campgrounds
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Becky
Scout
Greenbelt Park Campground — Greenbelt Park
Convenient to DC and public transportation
This is an urban oasis. Traffic can be heard but not seen. Weekdays are pretty quiet in this campground. Living nearby but storing my popup camper elsewhere, I often park my camper here for a few days while I pack it for a trip. It's also just nice to experience that "getaway" feeling without being too far from home. Rangers keep a close eye on things, and there are monthly programs at the campfire circle that I sometimes attend even when not camping here. No electric or hook ups. There is a dump station and water available at spickets throughout the campground. Showers and bathrooms are basic and clean. Oh, and bonus, the American Discovery Trail (ADT) passes through the park. https://discoverytrail.org/
- TTimothy C.Scout
Greenbelt Park Campground — Greenbelt Park
Great site - super accessible!
Sites were well-maintained, including lavatories. Plenty of tree cover. NOTE: park service forbade tying lines or straps to the trees at the time of our visit (Autumn 2024), so if you favor hammock camping or deploying tarps/ridgelines, plan accordingly.
- LLewis B.Scout
Prince William Forest RV Campground — Prince William Forest Park
Night stop
I was only stopping for single night. I could not access water as the spigot was broken. Was not informed next door there was a outdoor concert that went until 10pm extremely loud
- Heather
Ranger
Breezy Point Beach
Nice to be by the water & hear the waves
They have renovated the beach and per my friends, the fencing protecting the area is new, but needed. The sites are too close to each to each other and people were blaring their music. The bathhouse needs updating. Not enough fire rings and if you don’t have one and the campground is full, you’re out of luck. Saw an otter one night!
dito S.Scout
Pohick Bay Campground
Pohick Bay Campground
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. Don’t forget to register dito sim to stay connected during your visit!
- ZZu Y.
Guide
Aquia Pines Campground
So convenience campsite, right up the Rt 95, 36mile from Washington DC.
And the host are very kind and very friendly, event near Rt. 95, not very loud noise with big tall trees, happy stay!
- AA B.
Traveler
Hollofield Area Campground
Closed
We arrived at 1am, hadn’t made a reservation, and it was closed and the gates locked. No where on the website does it say it’s closed. Very frustrating, especially as a weary traveler.
- RRick V.Traveler
Camp Meade RV Park
Great RV park to stay near Vicksburg
Did stay here after visting Vicksburg. Nice clean restrooms and showers. Friendly hostess and we had a nice shady spot, what was great with a heat of 94F.
Rob O.Traveler
Oak Ridge Campground — Prince William Forest Park
Great family campground with trails and HOT showers
Reservations are made through the National parks service "recreation.gov" website. Arrived for tent camping for 1 nights, park ranger met me at the entrance to ensure i could find my site. My stay was quiet and the bathrooms were clean and well stocked with HOT water in the private showers. This is a great base camp for getting out to hike the various trails in Prince William Forrest. Firewood is gather your own from fallen limbs in the park.
- Judy W.Traveler
Bull Run Regional Park
Noisy but Nice
Pros - Clean Bathrooms, Camp store open 8am - 8pm, Sites 62 - 92 (except #74 and 88) are all pretty good. Security was great, patrol throughout the night. Quiet hours are enforced and campers are polite. Lots of activities, and nice hiking trails. Fabulous historical attractions, great visitor center.
Cons - Campground is in the flight path of Dulles Airport, so planes are flying over head at all hours of the day and sometimes late at night/morning. There is a shooting range nearby. Some noise during range hours. (Not late at night!) Because there had been so little rain, there was not great fishing in the park. (I went to Silver Lake, that was great!)
Traffic! Lots of local traffic on the main roads. (to be fair, it IS a suburb of DC ). Stores are all approx. 20 mins away. (Head towards Haymarket)
- KKarin P.Traveler
Little Bennett Campground
Great for families
Fun weekend trip very close to DC. Well kept park with lots of activities for kids - jumping pillow, laser tag, pedal carts, arts and crafts. Nice little game room and some outdoor games at the activity center as well. Full hookup spots in the D loop were pretty nice. The spots in the first half of the loop felt a little close together for my taste, but our spot (D61) was nice as we didn’t have any neighbors on one side. Only complaint is that it’s pricey and has a two night minimum on weekends, but felt worth it with all the activities that were available.
- DDale Y.Traveler
Brunswick Family Campground
Nice campground
The campground is adjacent to a very large, very busy train yard. It’s not bothered me but you should be aware.
The campground is also right on the Potomac, easy to get to, reasonably priced, and the sites are spacious. The loops are small, each containing a dozen or fewer spaces. Many sites share a power pole and water faucet, but they are well situated.
There is a small camp store, but the campground is convenient to ample grocery stores, convenience stores, and restaurants as well as many local historic attractions.
Germ E.Scout
Horsepen Branch
Good
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- DDale Y.Traveler
Harpers Ferry Campground - River Riders
Loud with trains and car horns
Busiest train corridor I’ve ever experienced, with several every hour all night. To add to the noise, there is a one-way tunnel a few feet from the campground. The practice is for cars to stop, blow their horn to announce their presence, then proceed into the tunnel.
I have a 14’ trailer, and it wouldn’t fit into my site perpendicular to the road. I had to pull past then back in so that I was parallel to the road. Ordinarily no big deal, except that the road isn’t a loop. It’s a single lane straight road in. No place to turn around, no way out except to back all the way out.
Jake C.
LegendBull Run Regional Park
Spacious Sites and family friendly
I stayed here with my family this summer and the park itself is a perfect spot for nature near DC. My son loved the giant playground and full water park at the campground, they even had discounted entry to the water park for campers. We stayed in site 20 which is an easy pull through and had a direct trail to the water park and the full network of trails in the park.
Edward S.ScoutPrince William Forest RV Campground — Prince William Forest Park
Decent Overnight Rest Stop
About 5 minutes off the highway, we stopped here for a night on our trip home. Close to plenty of amenities. Sites are paved and mostly level and pull through. HOWEVER, the sites are very small (short, so you will have to unhook)
- Germ E.Scout
Sky Meadows State Park Campground
Great
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Richard B.TravelerHollofield Area Campground
Nice place to camp
This campground is pleasant, but the sites are situated quite close to one another. The camping area is away from the main parts of the park through gates, so you won't be bothered by non-camp traffic. A few hiking trails lead to many more extended trails, but it is a steep slope down to the river.
Craig F.Guide
Harpers Ferry / Civil War Battlefields KOA
Nice Amenities but poor sites
Great location, amazing amenities(huge pool, game room, snack bar, camp store, coffee shop etc.), and friendly employees, but these are where the positives end. I've never stayed at a KOA/campground where the sites were so unlevel, close together, and the whole infrastructure in need of repair.
The Historic trench section is nice in the trees, but the roads are crumbling and too small for most RV's. If the person across from your site is already parked, good luck having enough room to back into your site. Our site was so unlevel that I was not able to get the RV leveled the entire weekend. Looking at the surrounding sites most campers were jacked high on blocks or sloping significantly. The section of sites were on a curve/semi-circle, which caused the site beside ours to be even smaller. We had to move our picnic table to give space for this person to back his camper on the site. They were unable to get even close to level so they didn't put out their slide. There is a new section to the campground out in the open whose sites are more level, but they are even closer together than the section we stayed in.
In addition to the poor sites, little enforcement was done regarding monitoring the number of people on the sites and the partying going on. A nearby site had 15+ people on Friday night partying and carrying on until 1:30AM until a fight broke out. They had a boombox on the bumper of the camper and blasted music all evening. After hours any vehicle can enter the campground as there is no gate. Cars/trucks pulled up to the party sites, who just drove in to party. I know calls were made to the office as neighboring campers stated to us. On Saturday night, the group wasn't quite as rambunctious, due to a visible presence of staff driving by, but with a campground this size, regular monitoring and shutting down of quiet hour violators should occur pre-actively. Harpers Ferry KOA could be so much more if they would invest in site upgrades and rule monitoring. We will not return.
Terrance D.Scout
Lacy Oasis Campground
Serenity, serenity, serenity!
If you are a nature lover, a person who loves peace, serenity, and, tranquility, or just need some respite, Lacy Oasis is the place to be. Whether you are an adult or a child, this place will have a positive effect on you. The owners are involved and designed this space with the visitors pleasure in mind. This space is about healing and being grounded with yourself. My agency took about 25 children there last week and they did not want to leave, neither did I. The rates are very economical for what is being provided on the space. There is not enough I can say about this place. It was definitely more than I expected. But my agency has worked with the owner in the past on other community support initiatives and she has always been an overachiever. Please come and enjoy this space. You will not be disappointed. I cannot wait to return.
Trees F.ScoutPohick Bay Campground
Excellent spot
We loved staying at Pohick. We were here to visit DC and it was an excellent spot to stay. It was extremely hot as it was July but the sites had a lot of shade. Site 46 where we stayed was close to the bathrooms and nice and flat. The bathrooms were cleaner than any other campground we have stayed in and they have laundry and a nice stainless sink and counter for washing dishes if needed. About a 40 minute drive into DC and definitely worth it. Also, campers get a discount at the water park which was a very reasonable 5 dollars per person. The weekend tends to be a bit louder but during the week was very quiet.
Robert G.GuidePrince William Forest RV Campground — Prince William Forest Park
Maintenance is wantimg
Not happy about:
Promised wi-fi does not even appear as an available signal Toilet paper roll dispensers empty Grass 8" high No hot water at dishwashing sink Chess board not swept, neat
- KKatie H.Guide
Greenbrier State Park Campground - TEMPORARILY CLOSED
Great MD State Park Campground
We love this campground. The staff really make sure the traffic is circulating and organized during the weekend when it’s crazy busy!! The only negative that stinks is that campers have to drive down and park their cars in the parking lot by the lake EARLY or you won’t get a spot (especially for the campers in the further camp loops like Dogwood, where we stay). I wish the campground had their own access to the lake like at Rocky Gap State Park. Other than that, we love the park. The bath houses & sites are always clean, camp hosts are friendly and park rangers are present and helpful.
- TTracy K.Guide
Cherry Hill Park
Great park and amenities
We stayed a week at Cherry Hill and it had everything we needed for visiting DC. Staff very helpful and really explained the Metro system very well. We didn't drive to DC at all - just used public transit We also did 2 tours with Cherry Hill, which were good overviews of the featured sites. Nicely stocked store, great cafe onsite, and clean bathrooms and showers were great features. Swimming pools pretty crowded so we didn't use. Still, very happy with site, partial shade too. Would return to Cherry Hill.
- jjohn L.Traveler
Little Bennett Campground
Level site with privacy
We were going to a family reunion. So we brought our "mobile hotel room" with us. In D loop, they were long sites, clean, and a nice woods buffer between sites. Also, full hookups. We were quite pleased for a reagenal park.
Chris S.Traveler
Lake Fairfax Campground
Nice spot, friendly park rangers, clean bathrooms
Chicken was easy and the Rangers were helpful. We stopped here to go tour Washington DC. We tried both sides 46 and 44 and both were not level.
- jjanice K.Traveler
Lake Fairfax Campground
Crowded but nice
Great bathrooms all singles w showers. Lots of fun things to do. Pretty peaceful despite being crowded and not overly scenic campsites. A bit on top of each other. Site 43 had good location, electric and trees. But was a very pokey gravel pad, a bit uncomfortable if you don’t have good mattress. Interior sites, less scenic but some have more grass. But also more slope. 43 was pretty flat.
Guide to McLean
Tent camping near McLean, Virginia offers a perfect escape into nature while still being close to the city. With a variety of campgrounds featuring unique amenities and activities, outdoor enthusiasts can find the ideal spot to pitch their tents.
Tent campers appreciate these amenities
- Leesylvania State Park Campground provides drinking water, picnic tables, and allows campfires, making it a comfortable choice for families.
- Marsden Tract Group Campsite features reservable sites with picnic tables and allows fires, perfect for group gatherings.
- Seneca Creek State Park Campground is known for its peaceful environment and allows campfires, making it a great spot for relaxation.
Tips for tent camping near McLean
- When visiting Horsepen Branch, be prepared to bring your own water and supplies, as it lacks basic amenities.
- The Adventure Park at Sandy Spring is ideal for those looking to combine camping with adventure activities like zip-lining and aerial courses.
- For a more secluded experience, consider Marsden Tract, which requires a hike to access but rewards campers with a tranquil setting.
Local attractions to explore while camping
- Enjoy the scenic views and recreational opportunities at Leesylvania State Park Campground, located right on the Potomac River.
- Goodwill Cabin — Prince William Forest Park offers a unique cabin camping experience with access to hiking trails and historical sites.
- Experience the beauty of nature at Campsites at Watkins Regional Park, which features well-maintained trails and picnic areas for family outings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near McLean, VA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near McLean, VA is Patapsco Valley State Park-Hilton Area with a 4.2-star rating from 18 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near McLean, VA?
TheDyrt.com has all 31 tent camping locations near McLean, VA, with real photos and reviews from campers.