Camping near Hartwood, Virginia offers sites from primitive tent options to full-hookup RV spots within a region intersected by Civil War historical sites and recreational waterways. The area sits approximately 50 miles southwest of Washington DC with elevations ranging from 100-300 feet above sea level throughout the region. Summer night temperatures typically drop into the 70s even when daytime highs reach 90°F, making evening campfires comfortable despite the day's heat.
What to do
Tubing adventures on the Rappahannock: The Rappahannock River provides excellent tubing opportunities near Hartwood. At Rappahannock River Campground, you can organize river tubing trips through the campground operators. As Katie M. noted, "We stayed here and went tubing on the Rappahannock River one day. The tubing trip was organized by the same people that run the campground so that was very convenient!"
Disc golf courses: Several parks offer disc golf opportunities within a 30-minute drive of Hartwood. Bull Run Regional Park features an 18-hole course popular with weekend visitors. Rachel L. recommends it as a top activity: "I'd recommend taking in a game of disc golf on their 18 hole course."
Historical explorations: The area surrounding Hartwood contains numerous Civil War sites and historical landmarks. Daniel S. from Oak Ridge Campground observed, "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."
Fishing opportunities: Multiple fishing spots exist throughout the region with varying levels of accessibility. James T. at Wilderness Presidential Resort reports, "You can rent paddle boats and Jon boats...lake to swim or fish." Jennifer G. adds that Lake Anna State Park offers "some of the nicest fishing piers with ample sitting area" for a relaxing afternoon.
What campers like
Private wooded sites: Many campers appreciate the seclusion offered at certain campgrounds despite proximity to urban areas. At Oak Ridge Campground, Paul A. shared his experience: "We had a great time. Bill, the host on duty was wonderfully hospitable. We found a few other people there mid-week, and it was quiet and comfortable."
Lakeside views: Several campgrounds offer waterfront sites with scenic views. Dan & Karen M. from Wilderness Presidential Resort described their experience: "We camped lakeside next to Hazel Grove Lake and enjoyed the beautiful view and on one occasion, a beautiful lakeside sunset. Fishing during breaks in the rain was great and watching the Mallard ducks, Canada Geese and Great Blue Herons was enjoyable."
Hot showers and clean facilities: Bathroom quality varies significantly between campgrounds, but several receive high marks for cleanliness. Chad noted that Oak Ridge Campground "has great space and super clean bathrooms with marble tile." Similarly, Clara K. mentioned, "The bathrooms were nice and clean throughout my stay and looked newly renovated."
Stargazing opportunities: The clearings at several campgrounds provide excellent night sky viewing. Derek E. at Rappahannock River Campground mentioned, "The stargazing through the hole in the trees was very nice," noting that certain campsites provide better viewing areas than others.
What you should know
Campground layouts vary significantly: Site arrangements and sizes differ greatly between campgrounds. Derek E. described Rappahannock River Campground: "The river side campground has sites that line the perimeter of a large oval opening in the trees near the water. Some sites are wooded (37 was the most wooded with the ability to handle a few tents) with half of the sites along the river bank."
Ticks can be problematic: During warm months, ticks are a significant concern. Tracy R. from Oak Ridge Campground warned, "Ticks were really bad. We killed dozens and ended up taking at least one with us when we left... Only because of the ticks, we would not stay here again. We had Deep Woods Off, but seemed to do no good."
Noise levels fluctuate: Some campgrounds experience noise from nearby transportation routes. Campers at Bull Run note hearing a shooting range and airplane noise from nearby flight paths. Lewis B. mentioned at Prince William Forest RV Campground: "I was not informed next door there was a outdoor concert that went until 10pm extremely loud."
Bathroom and shower quality varies: While some campgrounds have excellent facilities, others are more rustic. Olivia W. noted about Rappahannock River: "There are no flushing toilets! Just outhouses that everyone shares. Showers are outside stalls." Conversely, Tracy R. praised Oak Ridge Campground: "The showers were hot, water pressure and shower heads good. Shower stalls offered more privacy than most."
Tips for camping with families
Scheduled activities for children: Some campgrounds organize regular family activities. Ben G. shared his experience at Pohick Bay Campground: "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."
Proximity to playgrounds: Consider choosing sites near playground areas for convenience with young children. Ben G. noted, "We got a site on the inner loop and it backed to the playground and the bathhouse." Kristen M. added, "Plenty of playgrounds and trails nearby to keep the family busy."
Family-friendly water features: Multiple campgrounds offer swimming options during summer months. Bridget H. from Bull Run Regional Park commented, "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. Great family friendly campground."
First-time camping locations: For families new to camping, certain campgrounds provide an easier introduction. Tom C. advised, "I like to take new families that have not camped before to this campsite, it's close to home and if anyone decides to bail out there is a hotel 5 min away."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Many RV sites in the region require leveling equipment. Drew M. from Bull Run Regional Park noted, "My site had a slight slope, but was easily overcome using additional blocks on the low side to get the trailer level."
Navigation through wooded areas: Several campgrounds have tight turns or low-hanging branches. Ashley S. from Aquia Pines Campground observed, "Like most reviews on google state it's tight and wooded. We have a 42' fifth wheel and even though it was tight we made it through with no issues."
Electrical reliability concerns: Some campers report power issues at certain campgrounds. Eugene M. warned about Wilderness Presidential Resort: "While camping at this resort we had several issues with the shore power for our RV. We have spoken to many fellow owners only to find out they had several issues that have been reported to management with no resolution."
Big rig accommodation: Not all campgrounds can accommodate larger rigs despite claiming to do so. Werner S. from Aquia Pines notes, "Terrain is not flat but our spot was well levelled... Full hook up was oké and our spot was nicly secluded between the trees."
