Camping near Occoquan, Virginia offers sites within a 45-minute radius of town, with options ranging from waterfront locations to forested settings. The region experiences typical Mid-Atlantic weather patterns with average summer temperatures reaching the upper 80s and winter lows in the 30s. Most campgrounds in the Occoquan area offer access to water recreation on the Potomac River watershed.
What to do
Disc golf courses: Pohick Bay Regional Park features an 18-hole course among its amenities. "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 Rachel L.
Mountain biking: Lake Fairfax Campground provides extensive trail networks suitable for riders. "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 Amy B.
Historical exploration: Oak Ridge Campground in Prince William Forest Park serves as a base for 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," explains Daniel S.
Boating options: Multiple boat launches provide water access at several parks. "Boating in summer from kayaks to motorboats," mentions Anne K. about Pohick Bay, while Smallwood State Park offers "boat launching access" according to Sean R.
What campers like
Urban proximity with natural setting: Bull Run Regional Park balances accessibility with seclusion. "We stayed at Bull Run Regional Campground on our visit to Washington DC. It was fall and the colors were gorgeous. 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," remarks Roberta K.
Shade coverage: Many campsites provide tree cover for summer heat relief. "Best quality: totally in the woods so summer sun doesn't affect you," notes Amy B. about Lake Fairfax. Similarly, "Sites are very well spaced out and there are only 15 in the only camp loop... Campground was very shaded," reports Laure D. about Smallwood State Park.
Wildlife viewing: Pohick Bay Campground offers opportunities for bird watching. "Beautiful campground located near the National Harbor. Eagles everywhere! Large clean sites. Great staff!" shares Kathie M.
Site privacy: Campground layouts often provide separation between sites. "Sites are very well spaced out... Sites are private with most having thick foliage and trees between them," notes Caitlin A. about Smallwood State Park Campground.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Weekend bookings fill quickly, especially at Bull Run Regional Park. "There are occupancy AND transaction fees that really add up if you're only there a few nights. But the real kicker is a 2-night minimum stay. Even mid-week. In APRIL for gosh sakes!" warns Stuart O.
Bathroom facilities: Quality varies significantly between parks. Smallwood State Park Campground has "Bath house was old, and quite buggy, but reasonably clean. No dish washing sink, which was a bummer for me," according to Jen V., while Lake Fairfax gets praised: "Five stars for the restroom facilities. Bright, large, clean and very well maintained," from Tana S.
Noise levels: Some campgrounds experience noise from nearby infrastructure. "We were in Loop C and could hear activity at Quantico. Lots of air noise too, from both airplanes and helicopters," mentions Tracy R. about Oak Ridge Campground, while Bull Run has "a shooting range in the park. It is on a flight path for DCA. And, I66 is not that far away," notes Drew M.
Site leveling: Terrain can present challenges at certain locations. "If leveling perfectly is a concern you may want to call ahead and ask before committing to the inner loop," advises Corey B. about Lake Fairfax Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Water recreation: Lake Fairfax Campground features a popular water park. "We enjoyed the water park immensely. Ten of us in total with kids ranging from 18 months old to 13 years old. Everyone enjoyed the water park and the time we spent there," shares Corey B.
Organized activities: Bull Run Regional Park schedules kid-friendly events. "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... They had a campfire complete with s'mores followed by hayrides," reports Bridget H.
Playground options: Multiple campgrounds feature play areas for children. "The campground sits in a beautiful Prince William national Forrest. At the sites there are picnic tables, fire pits, and grills which makes for easy cooking and relaxing," notes Daniel S. about Oak Ridge Campground.
Family camping success: Pohick Bay offers multiple family amenities. "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. This was music to our ears as we camp with our 3 and 1 year old," shares Ben G.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Prince William Forest RV Campground offers varied lot arrangements. "Lots are really staggered/set back from each other so feels like you have more space. Average lot size in general, but the set back feels like you have more space," notes Megan K.
Leveling challenges: Some campgrounds require additional equipment. "Our site was the last site available when I made the reservation about 6 weeks prior. Site 9 is next to the bathhouse and across from the dumpsters. Neither was an issue... Our site was perfectly level. Most sites appeared fairly level," reports Laure D. about Smallwood State Park.
Seasonal considerations: Campgrounds have varying availability throughout the year. "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. Nice and quiet here during winter more so during week than weekends," mentions Josh J. about staying at Pohick Bay during off-season.
Hookup availability: Services 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," reports Megan K. about Prince William Forest RV Campground.
