Located within commuting distance of Washington DC, Midland, Virginia sits in Fauquier County with elevations ranging from 300-400 feet above sea level. The region features moderate summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F and winter lows in the 30s. Camping options near Midland include tent sites, RV hookups, and several distinctive yurt accommodations within state parks, offering solid shelter with canvas walls.
What to do
Explore historic battlefields and sites: Bull Run Regional Park provides access to Civil War historical sites. "The park is a beautiful one to visit and the sites are huge. It's super close to breweries, wineries, and historical battlegrounds," notes a camper at Bull Run Regional Park.
Kayak on local waterways: The Rappahannock River offers paddling opportunities for all skill levels. "Great spot right next to the Rappahannock River, plenty of place to set up camp. Had water on site with a fire pit and picnic table too! It was super easy to get down to the water and there was plenty of spots to explore," says Nicholas S. from Rappahannock River Campground.
Wildlife observation: Big Meadows in Shenandoah National Park provides excellent wildlife viewing. "We saw many deer and bear while camping. Just being in Shenandoah is a soothing experience. With so many hiking trails and waterfalls nearby we love to camp in Big Meadows - and for the star watching at night," writes Rachel M.
What campers like
Private forest campsites: Many campgrounds offer secluded sites. "Bull Run Regional Park was wonderful. 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," explains Roberta K.
Stargazing opportunities: Clear night skies make for excellent astronomy viewing at several locations. "We did go back out to the field at night to do some star gazing and that was beautiful," reports Jon N. from Rappahannock River Campground.
Rustic riverside camping: Multiple campgrounds offer sites directly on waterways. "There are several rustic campsites located on the Southfork of the Shenandoah River, as well as modern electric sites, RV sites, and cabins. Park and campgrounds are clean and well maintained," notes Ricki F. about Andy Guest/Shenandoah River State Park Campground.
What you should know
Variable site conditions: Some campgrounds have uneven terrain. "My site had a slight slope, but was easily overcome using additional blocks on the low side to get the trailer level," advises Drew M. from Bull Run Regional Park.
Bathroom facilities vary widely: Quality ranges from basic to excellent. "The best review I can give is of the bathrooms. They're worth staying again alone. Locking doors, individual stalls. Hot dog. Best camping showers I've ever had," writes Yvonne B. about Bull Run Regional Park.
Seasonal concerns: Rain can affect campsite conditions. "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.
Tips for camping with families
Look for organized activities: Some campgrounds offer structured programs. "We stayed at Bull Run 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. Great family friendly campground," shares Bridget H.
Multiple playgrounds: Several parks have kid-friendly play areas. "We got a site on the inner loop and it backed to the playground and the bathhouse. The site was spacious. The campground was quiet which is nice," notes Ben G. about Pohick Bay Campground.
Educational programs: Nature-focused activities are available for children. "We enjoyed Big Meadows very much. Nice amphitheater with interesting ranger programs. Busy traffic in park but nice trails are accessible from campground. Visitor Center, gas station, food walking distance from campground," says Kim L.
Tips from RVers
Site selection matters: Look for specific site characteristics when booking. "Not all sites are level (half). Staff are always nice and go out of their way to help," advises Robert P. about Pohick Bay Campground.
Yurt options for non-RV campers: Several parks offer yurt camping near Midland, Virginia as alternatives to traditional RVs. "Virginia has the best state park campgrounds. Water and electric. Large sites. The bathrooms are clean with separate shower rooms," reports Adam and Suzanne B. about Lake Anna State Park Campground, which offers yurt accommodations.
Consider weather impacts: Be prepared for temperature variations. "It was an especially cold night hitting a low of 14F. Very happy for the nearby heated restrooms with hot running water," notes Carol B. about her winter camping experience at Big Meadows.
