Camping near Falls Church, Virginia offers both primitive tent camping and full-service RV sites within 40 miles of Washington D.C. The region sits at the transition between the Piedmont and Coastal Plain at approximately 328 feet elevation, creating varied terrain for camping experiences. Summer temperatures typically range from 70-90°F with high humidity, while spring and fall provide milder conditions with temperatures between 50-75°F.
What to do
Disc golf course access: Bull Run Regional Park features an 18-hole disc golf course that's popular with campers. As one visitor noted, "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."
Water recreation options: Lake Fairfax Campground offers multiple water activities during the summer months. "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). Best quality: totally in the woods so summer sun doesn't affect you," explains a regular visitor.
Historical exploration: The region provides access to significant Civil War sites within short driving distance. At Pohick Bay Campground, campers can combine outdoor recreation with historical tourism. "Beautiful campground located near the National Harbor. Eagles everywhere! Large clean sites. Great staff!" writes one camper who enjoyed the area's natural and historical attractions.
What campers like
Urban accessibility: Greenbelt Park Campground offers a surprisingly natural setting despite its metropolitan location. One camper shared, "There is plenty of space between camp site clusters. The park itself is safe, quiet, permitting some nice treks through the woods. It is not free but very reasonable considering the area. The other great thing about it that you can spend entire days at the always-free Smithsonian museums and still fall asleep in the woods."
Peaceful surroundings: Despite being near urban areas, many campgrounds maintain a natural atmosphere. A visitor to Oak Ridge Campground wrote, "Super peaceful so close to DC. The staff were so helpful and nice. They checked on us daily but didn't over stay. The sites were roomy and not to close. We saw lots of wildlife but had no issues with trash or food (raccoons left everything alone)."
Extended stay options: Several campgrounds accommodate longer visits for those exploring the DC area. At Bull Run Regional Park, one camper mentioned, "State run park with many amenities. Park has golf frisbe course, decent water park for kids, hiking trails, small creek/river you can explore, playgrounds. The park is located in the middle of suburbs close to manassas va."
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds near Falls Church require advance bookings, especially at Oak Ridge Campground. "The staff were so helpful and nice. They checked on us daily but didn't over stay. The sites were roomy and not to close. We saw lots of wildlife but had no issues with trash or food (raccoons left everything alone)," reports one visitor.
Weather considerations: The region experiences high humidity in summer months, making spring and fall preferable for tent camping. At Lake Fairfax Campground, a camper observed, "This campground is nice for a quick weekend and does have pretty trails next to the campground. The sites are largely in more of a meadow and not many are very wooded. Our site, 41, was level and nicely spaced from other sites but many tent sites were not level at all."
Noise factors: Being near urban areas means some ambient noise at certain campgrounds. A visitor to Prince William Forest RV Campground mentioned, "Snug campground with nice, clean bathroom and pool. Adjacent to Prince William Forest, near shops and restaurants, and less than an hour away from Washington, DC. Good nature getaway from the city. The downside is that there are no trails accessible onsite and the campground is pretty close to main road."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly amenities: Several campgrounds offer specific facilities for children. Bull Run Regional Park provides numerous options as noted by a camper: "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. The campground had a climbing wall on one afternoon. There are miles of trails and my gkids enjoyed the nature scavenger hunt."
Scheduled activities: Look for campgrounds with organized events. Pohick Bay Campground offers regular programming according to one review: "We had a great time here over a long weekend in August. The check in is a breeze and the staff is super nice and helpful. They gave us a great intro to the park as we were first timers. They informed us that they had a scavenger hunt for the kids going all weekend."
Bathroom facilities: When camping with children, clean bathroom access becomes more important. A visitor to Lake Fairfax noted, "Bathrooms are well maintained and huge. Register any visitors!! Clean, reasonable rates & quiet. Prince William Forest National Park is accessible for awesome day hikes."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling: At many campgrounds, site leveling can be challenging. A visitor to Cherry Hill Park advised, "You get what you pay for. This campground has so much to offer. We loved it. Pros: 50 amp hook-up, Water, Sewer, Playground, Mini Golf, Swimming Pool, Hot tub, Basketball court, Snack bar on site, Nightly hayride, Gated, On-site camp store, On-site bus shuttle. Cons: Gravel pad, Expensive, Spotty Wi-Fi."
Transport options: Public transportation access varies between campgrounds. Cherry Hill Park offers convenient options as mentioned by a reviewer: "Proximity to DC and surrounding areas can't be beat. Uber, Lyft, bus, shuttle. It takes about a half hour to get downtown to the monuments. Our uber rides ranged from 20-45$ for a family of 5. So $4-9 per person."
Internet connectivity: Cell service and WiFi quality differ significantly between locations. At Prince William Forest RV Campground, a camper reported, "Wifi: don't plan on being able to have work zoom calls or really much on it for that matter. Cell service: I can confirm Verizon and Google fi have great service. I would imagine any other carrier would work just as well."
