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Best Campgrounds near Mount Vernon, VA

591 Reviews

Camping options around Mount Vernon, Virginia include several established campgrounds within a 30-minute drive of DC. Pohick Bay Regional Park provides tent, RV, cabin and glamping accommodations with amenities like electric hookups and hot showers. Fort Belvoir Travel and RV Camp offers military personnel access to riverside camping with full hookups. Bull Run Regional Park and Burke Lake Park provide additional developed camping areas with varying amenities and natural settings. The region features a mix of county, regional, and federal recreation areas, most offering reservable sites.

Many campgrounds in the Mount Vernon area operate year-round, though some facilities like Oak Ridge Campground at Prince William Forest Park are seasonal, typically open March through October. Water access is a common feature, with several campgrounds situated near the Potomac River or other water bodies. Most established campgrounds require reservations, especially during summer months and holiday weekends when sites fill quickly. Electric and non-electric sites are available throughout the area, with varying levels of privacy between campsites. A reviewer noted, "We stay here at least 6 trips a year. Nice layout, not all sites are level (half). Staff are always nice and go out of their way to help."

Campgrounds near Mount Vernon tend to be family-oriented with numerous recreational activities. Pohick Bay provides access to hiking trails, disc golf, and water activities, making it popular for families. Some campers praise the proximity to DC while still feeling removed from urban areas. "This was a great place to stay! Close to everything D.C. has to offer while being far enough away to be in the woods," wrote one camper. Privacy varies significantly between campgrounds and individual sites. At some locations, particularly in non-electric tent areas, sites can be quite close together with limited separation. Wildlife sightings, particularly eagles, are mentioned in reviews of riverside campgrounds. For those seeking more privacy, site selection is important, with outer loop and corner sites generally offering more seclusion.

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Best Camping Sites Near Mount Vernon, Virginia (85)

    1. Pohick Bay Campground

    39 Reviews
    Lorton, VA
    5 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."

    2. Oak Ridge Campground — Prince William Forest Park

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

    $26 / night

    "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."

    "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."

    3. Burke Lake Park Campground

    15 Reviews
    Burke, VA
    11 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. Bull Run Regional Park

    42 Reviews
    Iron Gate, VA
    21 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."

    5. 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."

    6. Cedarville State Forest

    17 Reviews
    Brandywine, MD
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (301) 888-1410

    $30 / night

    "We picked up the camping registration outside the office at the entrance, no need to speak with anyone. Then we just drove down to our campsite in the family camping loop."

    "Forested campground with fairly lengthy but level (and thus beginner friendly) hiking just a short distance away from Washington, DC."

    7. Prince William Forest RV Campground — Prince William Forest Park

    17 Reviews
    Dumfries, VA
    15 miles
    +1 (703) 221-2474

    "Adjacent to Prince William Forest, near shops and restaurants, and less than an hour away from Washington, DC. Good nature getaway from the city."

    "Restrooms/showers: very clean, spacious, centrally located."

    8. Greenbelt Park Campground — Greenbelt Park

    32 Reviews
    Greenbelt, MD
    22 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"

    9. Smallwood State Park Campground - TEMPORARILY CLOSED THROUGH JULY 2023

    9 Reviews
    Marbury, MD
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 432-2267

    $27 - $65 / night

    "They are in short distance from the water. There is a playground, bathhouse, and historical buildings that are accessible to campers. There are hiking trials, but none are two extensive."

    "Nice trails, water sports available, and historic landmarks"

    10. Fort Belvoir Travel and RV Camp

    4 Reviews
    Fort Belvoir, VA
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (703) 805-3081

    $55 / night

    "Good site, secure location, decent facilities with solid WiFi. Pier within walking distance. Good location, tho our site wasn't fully level, so bring plenty of leveling blocks."

    "It is very clean and there are many amenities close by. The base outdoor recreation center has equipment to rent such as kayaks and canoes to explore the Potomac river."

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Recent Camping Photos near Mount Vernon, VA

224 Photos of 85 Mount Vernon Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Mount Vernon, VA

591 Reviews of 85 Mount Vernon Campgrounds

  • 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.

  • AThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 27, 2025

    Pax River Hog Point Campgrounds — Naval Airstation (Nas) Patuxent River

    Left Early, Won’t Be Back

    When we saw a review of this campground on Rec.gov complaining about the amount of bugs we thought they were being ridiculous, they were not. In addition to an insane amount of bugs making the experience here uniquely miserable — it is not quiet or peaceful. A (clearly quite drunk) group nearby was singing at the top of their lungs until at least 11pm when we made the decision to bail seeing as we weren’t going to be getting any sleep between being eaten alive and serenaded.

  • 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!

  • 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.

  • Jennifer H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 2, 2025

    Cherry Hill Park

    Can’t beat it

    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. We rode in all 4 days this way. Personalized, comfortable. Door to door. We saw tons of stuff. No one can say they saw everything. We took the train from Union station to Penn station. Saw the nationals, the orioles. So fun. The park itself has more than most. Mini golf, two pools, arcade, 24 hour laundry, a store and office open early!! And late!!! Wow! Just can’t be beat. Great sites. So many other things in the park. Splash pad, paved roads for scootering. Just awesome!

  • Caleb S.
    Jul. 31, 2025

    Patapsco Valley State Park-Hilton Area

    Tabolt island state park

    We had a nice stay overlooking the marsh. The small crabs were skittering around the campsite and birds perched in the marsh. The beach was nice and clean.

  • Josey F.
    Jun. 30, 2025

    Greenville Farm Family Campground

    Wonderful!

    We are repeat customers and come here with our troops. Nice mix of RV and tent campers. Quiet. Trails, creek, pool, fishing ponds (back end), batheooms, etc, great rates. No firewood- need to bring your own.

Guide to Mount Vernon

Camping near Mount Vernon, VA, offers a great mix of outdoor fun and easy access to historical sites. Whether you're looking for a family-friendly spot or a peaceful retreat, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.

What to do:

  • Explore Washington, D.C.: Many campgrounds are just a short drive from the city. For instance, staying at Cherry Hill Park gives you easy access to public transit into D.C. One camper mentioned, "We didn't drive to DC at all - just used public transit," making it a breeze to visit the sights.
  • Visit local parks: Bull Run Regional Park offers trails and playgrounds. A visitor shared, "The playground and trails were nice; kids really enjoyed the chance to take in nature."
  • Enjoy water activities: At Pohick Bay Campground, you can kayak or fish. One reviewer noted, "The lake is great for fishing," highlighting the fun you can have on the water.

What campers like:

  • Clean facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained bathrooms and showers. A visitor at Greenbelt Park Campground said, "The bathrooms/showers are very clean and modern."
  • Community feel: Many campgrounds have a friendly atmosphere. A camper at Cherry Hill Park mentioned, "There is a generally good sense of community," making it a welcoming place to stay.
  • Convenient locations: Campgrounds like Lake Fairfax Park are close to amenities. One camper remarked, "The campground is nice, beautiful, shaded, but not private," indicating its proximity to the city while still offering a natural setting.

What you should know:

  • Noise levels: Some campgrounds can be noisy due to nearby highways or airports. A camper at Bull Run Regional Park complained, "This place is absolutely the most horrific noisy place," so be prepared for some background noise.
  • Site spacing: Campsites can be close together, especially at places like Cedarville State Forest. One visitor noted, "You’re really on top of your neighbors at this place!" so if privacy is a concern, check the layout before booking.
  • Limited amenities: Some campgrounds, like Prince William Forest RV Campground, may lack certain amenities. A camper mentioned, "Most sites do not have sewer access or decent access to Wi-Fi," so plan accordingly.

Tips for camping with families:

  • Activities for kids: Look for campgrounds with playgrounds and fun activities. At Burke Lake Park Campground, one camper said, "The park offers a lake for fishing and kayaking, 5-mile trail around the lake," which is perfect for family adventures.
  • Plan for meals: Some campgrounds have stores for essentials. A visitor at Cherry Hill Park mentioned, "The camp store is very well stocked with camping stuff, food, and beer," making it easy to grab what you need.
  • Safety first: Always keep an eye on younger kids, especially near water. A parent at Pohick Bay Campground advised, "Careful low bridge on Route 1 exit ramp," highlighting the importance of being aware of your surroundings.

Tips from RVers:

  • Check site sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A camper at Prince William Forest RV Campground noted, "Sites are paved and mostly level and pull through," but also mentioned they were "very small."
  • Be prepared for limited hookups: Some campgrounds, like Oak Ridge Campground, do not offer electric hookups. A visitor shared, "No water or electricity!" so plan your power needs accordingly.
  • Use local resources: Campers often find nearby stores for supplies. One RV traveler at Lake Fairfax Park mentioned, "You can buy firewood but is pretty expensive," so consider bringing your own.

Camping near Mount Vernon, VA, has something for everyone, from families to solo adventurers. Just remember to check the specifics of each campground to make the most of your trip!

Frequently Asked Questions

What campgrounds are available near Mount Vernon?

Several campgrounds are available within a reasonable drive from Mount Vernon. Pohick Bay Campground is one of the closest options, offering waterfront camping in a family-friendly environment with trails and a waterpark. Burke Lake Park Campground provides another nearby option with a beautiful 5-mile trail around the lake, fishing opportunities, and recreational facilities including a carousel and miniature train. Other options in the broader area include Fairfax County Burke Lake Park, Greenbelt Park Campground, and Cedarville State Forest, each offering different amenities and natural settings for campers looking to explore the Mount Vernon region.

Are there RV parks or RV-friendly camping options in Mount Vernon?

Yes, there are several RV-friendly options near Mount Vernon. Prince William Forest RV Campground offers a well-maintained facility with clean bathrooms and a pool, located less than an hour from Washington DC. The campground is adjacent to Prince William Forest and provides convenient access to shops and restaurants. Fort Belvoir Travel and RV Camp is another option specifically designed for RVs, featuring full hookups and big-rig-friendly sites. While more basic in amenities, many campers also use Pohick Bay for RV camping, as it offers suitable sites with electrical hookups in a scenic waterfront setting.

How far are the closest camping sites from Mount Vernon historic area?

Fairfax County Burke Lake Park is approximately 15-20 minutes from Mount Vernon, making it one of the closest camping options to the historic area. This park features a large lake for fishing and boat rentals, a paved 5-mile walking path, and excellent facilities including a playground, carousel, and kiddy train. Greenbelt Park Campground is another option about 25-30 minutes away, offering a more rustic camping experience while still being relatively close to Mount Vernon. While helicopters and urban sounds are occasionally audible, the campground provides a convenient base for exploring both Mount Vernon and Washington DC attractions.

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