Lake Fairfax Campground accommodates pets throughout its 60 level RV and tent sites. Located in Reston, Virginia, the park maintains clean, family-friendly facilities with electric hookups and spacious sites where dogs can remain with their owners. Some campsites along the tree line (sites 30, 33, and 35) provide more privacy for tent campers with pets. Most sites feature picnic tables and fire rings, though those nearest the lake may have slight slopes. ['Lake Fairfax gets crowded on weekends, so pet owners should be prepared for higher foot traffic through some camping areas.'] The individual bathroom and shower facilities are exceptionally clean, with large private stalls spacious enough for families and pet owners needing to clean up after outdoor activities.
The park offers multiple hiking and mountain biking trails where leashed dogs can join their owners for exercise. Pet owners appreciate the wooded paths with water access along some trails, providing relief for dogs during summer heat. The surrounding 476-acre park includes a lake for fishing, though swimming is restricted to the waterpark area which does not permit pets. Bull Run Regional Park and Burke Lake Park Campground also welcome pets within their established camping areas, providing alternative options when Lake Fairfax reaches capacity during peak seasons. Campers with dogs should bring their own waste bags, as dedicated pet waste stations are limited. The campground's proximity to veterinary services in Reston provides peace of mind for pet owners concerned about emergency care during their stay.
$39 - $100 / night
"Portable water and dumping station located at the camp store. We stayed at site 146 on the first caul-de-sac off the first loop just another site away from the bath house (which was pretty clean)."
"Hot dog. Best camping showers I've ever had. Only draw back is that there's only one playground that's awkwardly located."
$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."
"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"
"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."
$999 / night
"Great location with access to all forms of transportation. Store fully stocked to include groceries. Two pools. Hot tub. Play areas to include a game room and miniature golf. "
"As we looked around we found that all of the sites, regardless of amenities, were spaced about the same."
$37 - $170 / night
"We enjoyed sitting around the campfire at night and walking the dogs down to the water. We were right next to a hiking trail that went down to the water and a beach area."
"This is a pet friendly campground. There's a lot to do out at the whole park, and its worth exploring (we just didn't have time). I'm sure its so pretty out near the water."
"There is a very nice network of trails, most if not all were leashed dog friendly."
"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."
$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."
$20 / night
"The park is located away from the camping grounds. It has two play grounds, several picnic tables and a bathroom."
"If you are really looking for somewhere to feel far away from civilization and see some beautiful scenery, this probably isn't it."
$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"
TravelerWe began our membership here this June. it has a great atmosphere on the banks of the Shenandoah River. There are activities every weekend like concerts and group activities. Staff is very friendly and helpful. The facilities are clean and very convenient. Pet friendly; two dog parks.
LegendThis place is right outside the gate of Harpers Ferry NP. We walked to the shuttle bus stop. It is a very large KOA, and was almost empty when we visited in September. The original site the gave us had a large rut and washed out spot, so we could not get level. I checked in the office and the reassigned another space that was much better. Full hook ups, nice clean shower and bathrooms, playground, pool, large dog park.
TravelerThe staff and seasonal campers are all very friendly. The bathrooms are incredibly clean. We love all the games there are to play and the dog park is our favorite spot. Overall, it's peaceful and quiet in a nice, wooded setting.
ScoutOverall great camp ground only thing I noticed is at some of the RV sites the hook ups are in crazy spots some are In the neighboring sites area so you have to drag extensions around them. Also the pool and dog park isn’t on site you have to leave to go to it.
RangerGreat campground for families. Large water park that goes to 3 ft. Playgrounds, dog park, canteen, mini golf, jumping pillow, laser tag, pedal cars, gem mining are just some of the amenities. Very pricey during peak season. We did the camp & store at about $50/night.
RangerThis is a campers dream site. Everything you can think of is offered here. You have to check their website to see all. This is the closest site to Washington DC. Great location with access to all forms of transportation. Store fully stocked to include groceries. Two pools. Hot tub. Play areas to include a game room and miniature golf. Pets are pampered here. Even dog walking service available.
GuideOn a whim we decided to try this campground. We are tent campers and we’re looking for a place close to Shenandoah to ride our motorcycles. This was 3 miles from the north entrance to the park, perfect. Making a reservation was easy, we arrived and had the loveliest conversation with Pam, she is such a gem!! We got a spot right next to the creek, bought some firewood from Pam for $10, which gave you a small wheelbarrow full. You can get a better deal elsewhere but we were happy to support Pam. The campground wasn’t exceptionally beautiful, the bathrooms and shower are rustic. Paint peeling and very makeshift but who cares. The water was hot and the bathroom facility has gorgeous paintings all over it. The grounds were relatively empty when we stayed and we had no issues w anything. Rained all night, we didn’t care, rain and the creek sounded awesome. Without hesitation I would stay here again, you don’t meet special souls like Pam very often. Give her your business. Oh and watch out for the pet cat, he likes the road down to the campsite. His name is Puppycat.
GuideIf you, like me, hate making reservations over the phone, it was worth it! Quick, simple, painless process.
Restrooms/showers: very clean, spacious, centrally located. My spot was in the back row and I didn't mind the walk
Lots: 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. It wasn't crowded either way, especially given on a weekend
Small pool
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.
Area: the surrounding area is really bikeable
Hookups: I had a 30amp hookup with no issues. They also have up to 50amp full hookups. All of them looked well maintained.
Staff: super friendly; great check in experience They have a dog park but didn't get a chance to check it out.
Overall: great experience, would recommend
LegendCherry Hill Park was easy to find and get to basically right off I-95. This was our first time RVing into the WA DC area and we were concerned about traffic getting to the campground(CG). As we arrived, traffic was heavy on I-95 but manageable. Cherry Hill’s and our RV GPS directions were spot on getting us to the park. We were very impressed with this CG from the moment we entered. We picked up our package outside the office(no contact check-in) and went to premium site 93 with FHUs. Back-in was easy. The wifi was very good but the CG was only about a 1/4 full. Cherry Hill has many different ways to stay; cottages, cabins, yurts, glamping pods, premium and regular tent sites in addition to the RV sites. As we looked around we found that all of the sites, regardless of amenities, were spaced about the same. There are a few sites in the CG on the end that will give you a little more yard space like 97(need to be a competent backer), 402, and 1723. We got 2 bars each on Verizon and AT&T. The CG’s cable provided a large selection of channels and worked well. We were impressed with the main laundry facility due to the amount of large washers and dryers, very fair pricing and very clean. The two off leash dog parks(in the same area) were nice plus there’s a well maintained walking trail that goes around this very large CG’s perimeter. We really liked how there are trash receptacles and dog poopy bag dispensers nicely placed all over the CG. Though we didn’t use it, they even have a dog walker service so you can spend a lot of time exploring the DC area without worrying about your pups. About the only draw back was the road noise from the interstate and highway pretty much 24/7, but considering the area that is to be expected. Sites 13-38 and 1500 sites near the premium tent area are the farthest away from the road noise. We would definitely stay here again.
Reston, Virginia sits at 336 feet above sea level in the Piedmont region, with moderate humidity levels throughout camping season. Most campsites near Reston operate from March through October, with some year-round options available. Summer temperatures typically range from 70-90°F during peak camping months, while spring and fall provide milder conditions in the 50-70°F range.
Mountain biking trails: Bull Run Regional Park offers extensive trail networks suitable for bikers of all skill levels. "There are miles of trails and my gkids enjoyed the nature scavenger hunt. You even get a prize when you finish," notes Bridget H. about Bull Run Regional Park.
Water activities: During summer months, multiple water-based activities become available at regional parks. "There's a water park, paddle boats, playgrounds, trails, skate park, sports fields," explains Brittany V. from her visit to Lake Fairfax Campground.
Historical exploration: The region offers significant historical sites within driving distance of campgrounds. "Lots of history near by so check out the old battle fields and buildings that housed troops during civil war. Very cool stuff," recommends Daniel S. when discussing the area around Bull Run.
Clean facilities: The bathroom facilities at Oak Ridge Campground feature modern amenities. "The bathrooms were nice and clean throughout my stay and looked newly renovated," reports Clara K. about her experience at Oak Ridge Campground.
Urban proximity with natural setting: Campers appreciate the balance between wilderness and accessibility. "This is an urban oasis. Traffic can be heard but not seen. Weekdays are pretty quiet in this campground," explains a reviewer about Greenbelt Park Campground.
Well-spaced sites: Many campgrounds offer adequate separation between campsites. "The sites are quiet, very spacious, level, and heavily wooded with 50A service, water and sewer hookup," notes Ray & Terri F. about their experience at Little Bennett Campground.
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds near Reston require advance booking, especially during peak seasons. "Reserve online - this is a NO CASH facility which means you CANNOT pay upon arrival so you will have to do so online," advises Crystal C. about Greenbelt Park.
Site differences: Site quality and levelness vary significantly within the same campground. "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 committing to the inner loop," shares Corey B. about Lake Fairfax.
Seasonal crowding: Weekends bring significantly more visitors, especially during summer months. "This place gets crowded. I shouldn't be surprised since it's in the middle of the city but driving through the masses picnicking on the weekends takes you out of it," warns Tana S. about Lake Fairfax.
Activity planning: Take advantage of organized campground activities. "The campground had a climbing wall on one afternoon... They had a campfire complete with s'mores followed by hayrides," reports Bridget H. about her family's experience at Bull Run Regional Park.
Shower timing: Plan shower use around peak times. "The best review I can give us of the bathrooms. They're with staying again alone. Locking doors, individual stalls... Best camping showers I've ever had," shares Yvonne B. about Cherry Hill Park.
Pet-specific trails: Some trails are more suitable for pet-friendly camping near Reston, Virginia than others. "There is a very nice network of trails, most if not all were leashed dog friendly," mentions Ray & Terri F. about Little Bennett Campground.
Cell service considerations: Connectivity varies widely between campgrounds in the region. "AT&T 5 MB/s w/o booster(1 bar), 8 MB/s with it(2 bars). There is no satellite coverage due to the heavy tree canopy. OTA TV was descent using an external omni antenna," explains Ray & Terri F. at Little Bennett.
Site selection for solar: Choose sites carefully if using solar power. "Sites vary in levelness, some are fairly level and some are on a mini hill. Driveways are all very narrow. Most have too much tree cover for solar or starlink, but some sites are more open," advises Laura M. about Greenbelt Park.
Navigating tight spaces: Many campgrounds have narrow access roads. "Our site 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 the layout at Lake Fairfax Campground.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Reston, VA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Reston, VA is Bull Run Regional Park with a 3.9-star rating from 43 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Reston, VA?
TheDyrt.com has all 90 dog-friendly camping locations near Reston, VA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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