Best Campgrounds near Reston, VA

Camping options near Reston, Virginia include several established campgrounds with varying levels of amenities. Lake Fairfax Campground, located within Reston city limits, provides tent and RV sites with electrical hookups, while nearby Bull Run Regional Park offers additional accommodation types including cabins and glamping options. Most campgrounds in this region are developed facilities rather than primitive sites, with access to amenities such as showers, toilets, and in some cases, water hookups.

The camping season in the Fairfax County area generally runs from spring through fall, with many facilities like Lake Fairfax operating from March through September. Advance reservations are strongly recommended, particularly for weekend stays during summer months. "The bathhouse was very clean and the staff friendly. Electric hookup only. Water fill and dump station on the beach side of the bathhouse," noted one visitor describing the facilities. Campgrounds in this region typically feature level gravel pads for RVs and designated tent areas, though several reviews mention that tent sites may have uneven terrain requiring careful setup.

Campers at Lake Fairfax Park praise the convenient location and abundance of recreational opportunities. The park features hiking and mountain biking trails, fishing access, and a water park that operates seasonally. Several reviews highlight the campground's proximity to Washington DC attractions while offering a natural setting. While sites are described as relatively close together with limited privacy, the clean facilities and family-friendly atmosphere receive consistent praise. One camper mentioned, "If you are looking for camping in Fairfax County Virginia, this is it, because there are only a couple to choose from. This campground has a lot to offer and there is a bunch of activities available outside the campground." For those seeking camping experiences with more seclusion, travelers should look beyond the immediate Reston area to parks further from the urban core.

Best Camping Sites Near Reston, Virginia (112)

    1. Bull Run Regional Park

    42 Reviews
    Iron Gate, VA
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (703) 631-0550

    $39 - $100 / night

    "We have lived in northern Virginia for over 30 years and never been to this campground until this month! Very nice campground with friendly staff and friendly campground hosts."

    "History buffs will like to explore the park surrounding the campground. Fun little water park within walking distance of all campsites that was great for kids."

    2. Lake Fairfax Campground

    25 Reviews
    Reston, VA
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (703) 471-5414

    $30 - $70 / night

    "We stayed here while visiting our daughter in Reston. Checked out the Mtn biking trails, skateboard park, Great Falls National Park is only a few miles away. Also went golfing at Top Golf."

    "If you are looking for camping in Fairfax County Virginia, this is it, because there are only a couple to choose from."

    3. Burke Lake Park Campground

    15 Reviews
    Burke, VA
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (703) 323-6600

    "We stayed Burke lake campground for one night last week. It was very peaceful place. The whole camp ground was very clean and well kept."

    "This was my second time going Burke Lake and it was just as enjoyable as the first."

    4. Cherry Hill Park

    42 Reviews
    Beltsville, MD
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (301) 937-7116

    $282 - $999 / night

    "Great camping amenities, soft cushioned sites, with power and water close by. DO NOT GET BASIC TENT SITES AS THEY ARE NEXT TO HIGHWAYS AND VERY NOISY!!! Premium tent sites would be a better choice."

    "That being said, I’m sure there were a few campers who didn’t like being right next to the walkway to the bathrooms and showers. The park is broken down in to various sections and slightly tiered."

    5. Pohick Bay Campground

    38 Reviews
    Lorton, VA
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (703) 339-6104

    $37 - $170 / night

    "We have been camping here for nearly 20 years. Each military tour brought us back to this area so Pohick became our second home. Our kids kayak now older but used to walk the trails as little kids."

    "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."

    6. Little Bennett Campground

    23 Reviews
    Clarksburg, MD
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (301) 528-3430

    "We prefer hiking as a family and staying away from crowds and this camp site wasn’t crowded or felt busy. It’s a quick drive from NOVA but just far enough where you feel away from it all."

    "We live in Montgomery County and this is a nice camping get away close to home."

    7. Oak Ridge Campground — Prince William Forest Park

    31 Reviews
    Dumfries, VA
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (703) 221-7181

    $26 / night

    "The Oak Ridge campgrounds at Prince William Forest Park are a lovely little campground just outside Washington DC. The sites were large, the facilities are clean and the staff friendly and helpful."

    "Showers are in loop B, which is a 5-7 minute walk. During holiday weekends the sites closest to the shower facilities are fully booked and have less privacy."

    8. Greenbelt Park Campground — Greenbelt Park

    32 Reviews
    Greenbelt, MD
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (301) 344-3948

    $20 / night

    "If you are really looking for somewhere to feel far away from civilization and see some beautiful scenery, this probably isn't it."

    "The campsite is superb with walking trails, wildlife and the occasional overflying US Presidential Helicopter. Easily accessible from close by freeways, and charmingly peaceful"

    10. Marsden Tract Group Campsite

    1 Review
    Cabin John, MD
    7 miles
    Website

    $40 / night

    "Purchasers the camp site is beautiful secluded quiet wonderful if you're looking for that extreme outdoors a no civilization it's a good hike to get to the campsite there's no parking nearby no water"

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Recent Reviews near Reston, VA

830 Reviews of 112 Reston Campgrounds


  • Chelsea B.
    Oct. 17, 2025

    Manor - Cunningham Falls State Park

    Hot showers! But no dump station

    Campsite We stayed at M17 after staying at M26 for a night. 17 wasn’t as level and so we had to scrunch to one side of the site to get level. It was closer to the bath house. Overall cozy. Bath house It’s in need of some repairs but don’t let that scare you- these showers are hot and the shower wands are a really nice convenience after using cold push button showers. Lantern flies! Invasive Spotted Lantern Flies are everywhere. I squished as many as I could but keep an eye out and check your gear before leaving! Dump station This campsite doesn’t have a dump station so we went to the Cunningham falls site to dump after leaving and they let us dump no problem. Road noise Since you’re near the highway, there is constant road noise and it’s even worse on the trails but it’s quiet otherwise. Deducted one star for no dump station.

  • Amanda S.
    Oct. 14, 2025

    Washington DC / Capitol KOA

    Got bed bugs? They do.

    Stayed in cabin 202 for a Fri- Sun and on our last morning we found a bed bug on our clothing. While they gave a refund it does not come close to cover the time and energy of remediating all of our clothing, sheets, and blankets. We also had to throw out items that could not be cleaned properly and now have to replace them(pillows, shoes, etc). My husband has 23 bites over the course of 2 nights. They burn and itch very badly. I truly hope this was a hiccup for them and they go through correct methods of having the cabin treated properly. 

    UPDATE: A recount of the bites- my husband has 31 bites so far. The remediation of all of our items is exhausting. All the blankets, clothing, suit cases, all the other items we used in the cabin needs to be cleaned. We had to throw out our shoes because they shrunk in the dryer. Spent$$$ replacing shoes for a family for 4. Pillows are not cheap to replace either. I bought a new corset at the renfest this weekend that I'm hoping doesn't get ruined when it goes through the dryer. That too was expensive. So if you're looking to have to spend a bunch of extra money to replace items you didn't want to replace in the first place- I recommend staying here.

  • Chelsea B.
    Oct. 13, 2025

    Manor - Cunningham Falls State Park

    Great non-electric site, no dumstation

    This site is at the very top of the loop so it has a great cozy vibe and is spaced well away from other sites. The only downside is that the bathhouse is a walk downhill and then a walk back uphill. Surprised there’s no place for someone to park next to the bathhouse - only trails to it- so if you have accessibility needs, consider choosing a site that’s lower in the loop. The site is level and was raked by the hosts before we got there. Really clean and quiet except for some road noise. Showers are SO nice compared to other campsite. Hot water is hot, no push buttons, and there is a shower wand in both stalls. No dump station though!! Dump before you get here. Also if you work remote and depend on service, it’s spotty. Very wooded so Starlink can’t help much. OH- Don’t bother visiting the winery down the road. Ew. Just don’t.

  • EThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 23, 2025

    Adventure Bound Washington DC

    Nice

    This place is a good place to stay, the laundry room & showers are handy, the pool is large, & it's a 40 minute drive to the capital & the Smithsonian Mall or a 25 minute drive to the closest Metro station. It's crowded but folks are quiet & respectful!

  • EThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 21, 2025

    Watermelon Park Campground

    Beautiful setting!

    This camping ground is for RVs only. It's right on the Shenandoah River so it's a quiet peaceful setting. However it's a long way from any town, has terrible wifi, (the mobile data was slightly better) & doesn't hav a laundry room. The road in is very narrow so our moterhome had a little difficulty getting in, but we made it! There is only a dumping station. This is just info, not a bad review :) they have showers & firewood & the staff is very friendly & helpful! Tubing on the river was closed for the season but that wud have been a great pass time!

  • EThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 6, 2025

    Harpers Ferry Campground - River Riders

    Awesome views on the Potomac

    Very cool spot. Amazing sites right on the Potomac. There is a Ale House above the office that delivers for free to your site (2.5 miles away), just tip the driver

  • Werner S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 1, 2025

    Aquia Pines Campground

    Good stopover near the highway but hidden between the trees

    We where forced land-inwards because of tropical storm Erin (potential hurricane hitting the Outer Banks). So we decided to visit Washington DC and had a stopover here. It was conveniently located. Terrain is not flat but our spot was well levelled. There is a big dog (and an older gentleman) in the office to welcome you. Full hook up was oké and our spot was nicly secluded between the trees.

  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 8, 2025

    A World Away Farm LLC

    Great folks. Inexpensive for full hookup.

    They have a farm with chickens, ducks, horses etc for our 7 yr old to enjoy. She got to feed the chickens, gather eggs and offer carrots to the beautiful horses. Wonderful people ❤️. We will be back next year.

  • Erin W.
    Aug. 3, 2025

    Lake Fairfax Campground

    Nice for a quick weekend

    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. Many tents were on a full slant. There is a waterpark that is an extra cost which is fun for kids. Bathrooms are well maintained and huge.


Guide to Reston

Camping options near Reston, Virginia extend beyond the immediate area to include several established campgrounds within a 30-minute drive. The region sits at approximately 300-400 feet above sea level in the Piedmont region between the coastal plain and the Blue Ridge Mountains. Most area campgrounds remain open from early spring through late fall, with temperatures ranging from 70-90°F during peak summer camping season.

What to do

Mountain biking on dedicated trails: Bull Run Regional Park offers mountain biking opportunities on wooded trails. "The park is nice, but if youre looking for fishing don't go here, but you can in fact kayak down the creek," notes Jonny D. about the recreational options at Bull Run Regional Park.

Water activities beyond swimming: While Lake Fairfax has a water park, other campgrounds offer different water experiences. "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," writes Corey B. about Lake Fairfax Campground.

Historical exploration: The region contains significant Civil War sites near several campgrounds. "We spent 5 days camping and exploring the civil war battle areas and other things. Definitely worth exploring," reports Daniel S. about Oak Ridge Campground.

Urban outdoor experiences: For those wanting to combine urban exploration with camping, several options exist. "If you are in Northern VA close to DC this is a great quick getaway camp site. Great sites that are clean and flat for tents," explains Adrian F.

What campers like

Shower facilities: Many campers specifically praise bathroom amenities at regional campgrounds. "I'll go again just for the showers... They're with staying again alone. Locking doors, individual stalls. Hot dog. Best camping showers I've ever had," raves Yvonne B. about her experience at Bull Run.

Proximity to Washington DC: Several campgrounds serve as convenient bases for DC tourism. "You can spend entire days at the always-free Smithsonian museums and still fall asleep in the woods. Can't beat the close proximity to DC," notes a camper at Greenbelt Park Campground.

Family-friendly amenities: Multiple campgrounds offer organized activities for children. "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," shares Bridget H. about her family's stay at Bull Run Regional Park.

Wooded privacy: Unlike the closely-spaced sites mentioned in the existing description, some area campgrounds offer more seclusion. "The sites are quiet, very spacious, level, and heavily wooded with 50A service, water and sewer hookup," reports Ray & Terri F. about their stay at Little Bennett Campground.

What you should know

Reservation requirements vary: While some campgrounds require advance booking, others offer more flexibility. "Cost is $20/night, must reserve on recreation.gov, and you can do that when you arrive and pick a site (no service fee for this site)," explains Laura M. about Greenbelt Park Campground.

Seasonal access limitations: Different campgrounds have varying operating seasons. "The camping season in this region generally runs from spring through fall, with many facilities operating from March through September," notes a regular camper.

Urban noise factors: Despite natural settings, some campgrounds experience noise from surrounding development. "Camp ground is nice. Check in was a breeze. The only drawback is that it is not quite. There is a shooting range in the park. It is on a flight path for DCA. And, I66 is not that far away," explains Drew M. about his stay at Bull Run.

Camping with limited or no hookups: Not all campgrounds offer full services. "The camping spots are primitive no running water or electricity at your campsite but they do have communal bath house with water, restrooms and showers," explains Tom C. about Burke Lake Park Campground.

Tips for camping with families

Waterpark access: Several campgrounds offer water recreation beyond basic swimming. "There is a water park type thing here. Hiking, biking, swimming, fishing. Downfall there's a shooting range near by so can be kind of noisy," shares Daniel S. about his experience at Bull Run Regional Park.

Structured activities: Some campgrounds organize regular family programming. "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," describes Ben G. about Pohick Bay Regional Park.

Urban escape options: For families wanting nature without full wilderness commitment, several options exist. "I took my daughter (4.5 yr old) for her first campout, at her request. We had a great time. Bill, the host on duty was wonderfully hospitable," shares Paul A. about Oak Ridge Campground.

Site selection for families: Not all sites work equally well for families with children. "The outer loop campsites are easily more level than the center loop. If leveling perfectly is a concern you may want to call ahead and ask before commiting to the inner loop," advises Corey B.

Tips from RVers

Site leveling challenges: Many RVers note variable site conditions. "Our site, 41, was level and nicely spaced from other sites but many tent sites were not level at all. Many tents were on a full slant," observes Erin W. about Lake Fairfax Park.

Limited big rig access: Size restrictions exist at several area campgrounds. "I wouldn't take my camper here personally but it's great for tent camping especially with a group," advises Drew H. about Lake Fairfax.

RV site privacy considerations: Some campgrounds offer more private RV sites than others. "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," describes Roberta K. about her experience at Pohick Bay Campground.

Electric service variations: Electric service differs across campgrounds. "Driveways are all very narrow. Most have too much tree cover for solar or starlink, but some sites are more open and you might be able to make it work," explains Laura M. about technical aspects for RVers.

Frequently Asked Questions

What amenities are available at camping sites near Reston?

Campgrounds near Reston offer a range of amenities to enhance your outdoor experience. Prince William Forest RV Campground features clean bathrooms, a swimming pool, and is conveniently located near shops and restaurants while still providing a nature getaway. Cedarville State Forest offers family camping loops with clean sites that include fire rings and picnic tables. Many campgrounds in the area provide basic amenities such as potable water and restroom facilities, while others offer more extensive features like showers, dump stations, and recreational activities. Some locations like Harper's Ferry area campgrounds provide access to water activities on the Potomac River, hiking trails, and historical attractions nearby.

Are there tent and RV camping options available near Reston?

Yes, the Reston area offers diverse camping options for both tent and RV campers. Harpers Ferry Campground - River Riders accommodates tents, RVs, and even offers cabins, making it versatile for different camping preferences while providing access to the Appalachian Trail and Potomac River activities. For RV enthusiasts, Harpers Ferry / Civil War Battlefields KOA offers shaded sites with typical KOA amenities including a pool and activities for children, though sites are relatively close together. Tent campers looking for more primitive experiences can consider Swains Lock Hiker-biker Overnight Campsite along the C&O Canal with nearby parking, while Brunswick Family Campground offers sites situated between railroad tracks and the river, appealing to both tent and RV campers.

Where are the campgrounds near Reston, VA?

The closest campground to Reston is Lake Fairfax Campground, which offers a convenient base for visiting the area with nearby attractions including mountain biking trails, a skateboard park, and Great Falls National Park just a few miles away. Other options within driving distance include Greenbelt Park Campground, located about 30 miles east of Reston, providing a wooded setting while still being accessible to the DC metro area. For those willing to travel a bit further, Prince William Forest Park (about 40 miles south), Cedarville State Forest (45 miles southeast), and the Harper's Ferry area (about 35 miles northwest) offer additional camping opportunities with varying amenities and natural settings.