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Best Campgrounds near Gainesville, VA

997 Reviews

Camping options near Gainesville, Virginia range from developed campgrounds to full-service RV parks, with several notable facilities within a 30-mile radius. Bull Run Regional Park serves as a popular destination featuring tent sites, RV hookups, cabins, and glamping opportunities, while Hillwood Camping Park provides year-round RV accommodations directly in Gainesville. Most campgrounds in this Northern Virginia region maintain facilities designed for both tent and RV camping, with several parks offering additional cabin rentals or glamping alternatives.

Road access to camping areas remains consistent throughout most of the year, though some facilities like Oak Ridge Campground at Prince William Forest Park operate seasonally from March through October. Many campgrounds require advance reservations, especially during peak summer months and fall foliage season. The regional parks provide varying levels of amenities, from basic tent sites to full-hookup RV spaces with electric, water, and sewer connections. Elevation changes are minimal in this part of Virginia, making most camping areas accessible without specialized vehicles. According to one visitor, "This campground is tucked deep within Bull Run Park, so you barely hear any road noise. We would definitely stay here again."

Campers report mixed experiences regarding noise levels at popular sites, particularly at Bull Run Regional Park where several reviewers mention sounds from a nearby shooting range. A review noted, "The park is a beautiful one to visit and the sites are huge. It's super close to breweries, wineries, and historical battlegrounds." The area's developed campgrounds typically feature clean restrooms, showers, and often include laundry facilities. Proximity to historical sites represents a significant draw for many visitors, with several campgrounds positioned near Civil War battlefields and within reasonable driving distance to Washington DC. Summer visitors appreciate access to water-based recreation, with Lake Fairfax Campground and Pohick Bay Campground offering water activities as additional attractions to traditional camping experiences.

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Best Camping Sites Near Gainesville, Virginia (126)

    1. Bull Run Regional Park

    42 Reviews
    Iron Gate, VA
    8 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. Oak Ridge Campground — Prince William Forest Park

    31 Reviews
    Dumfries, VA
    17 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. Lake Fairfax Campground

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

    $30 - $70 / night

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

    "We set up our tent in the far side of the campground close to the lake ( site 27). It is slightly slant but still comfortable in the tent. Bathrooms are close by and kept clean."

    4. Burke Lake Park Campground

    15 Reviews
    Burke, VA
    18 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."

    5. Pohick Bay Campground

    39 Reviews
    Lorton, VA
    26 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. Prince William Forest RV Campground — Prince William Forest Park

    17 Reviews
    Dumfries, VA
    20 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."

    7. Greenville Farm Family Campground

    2 Reviews
    Catharpin, VA
    6 miles
    +1 (703) 754-7944

    $60 / night

    "Trails, creek, pool, fishing ponds (back end), batheooms, etc, great rates. No firewood- need to bring your own."

    8. Hillwood Camping Park

    2 Reviews
    Gainesville, VA
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (703) 754-6105

    9. Big Meadows Campground — Shenandoah National Park

    120 Reviews
    Stanley, VA
    47 miles
    Website
    +1 (540) 999-3500

    $30 - $75 / night

    "While the campground is very nice, with clean conveniently located bathrooms, the site itself is probably not suited for a large group of people."

    "Our site had the AT running right behind it. The was plenty of access to trails, and pretty central to the park. The campground is near showers, laundry, campstore, and visitor center."

    10. Andy Guest/Shenandoah River State Park Campground

    56 Reviews
    Bentonville, VA
    37 miles
    Website
    +1 (540) 622-6840

    $30 - $40 / night

    "Virginia has the best state park campgrounds. Water and electric. Large sites. The bathrooms are clean with separate shower rooms. Nice hiking in the park. Near SNP. Responsive and friendly rangers."

    "In my opinion it has the best location of the 3 Turks they have. It’s it the woods close to a boat landing you can see a bit of the river. In the fall or spring I’m sure the view is amazing."

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Recent Camping Photos near Gainesville, VA

385 Photos of 126 Gainesville Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Gainesville, VA

997 Reviews of 126 Gainesville Campgrounds

  • Zoey W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 13, 2025

    South Fork Shenandoah River

    Horrie Neighbors

    dont disregard the warnings about noise like i did, constant speakers all the time until 4am. i think its out of jurisdiction for park rangers so they wont do anything either

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 12, 2025

    South Fork Shenandoah River

    Riverside site

    The site at the end of the road is beautiful. We stayed right at the end of the road, since we have a 30 foot RV, but there are sites you can walk to all the way down the river. I saw one other site before ours. So limited, but we saw very few people. Got buggy at night, but that happens. Also wish people picked up their trash, but we helped. Absolutely recommend

  • j
    Sep. 8, 2025

    Lake Anna State Park Campground

    Nice space

    Great space for rvs and tents. Cabins and yurts available, bath house clean, but toilet paper is thinner than dry onion skin. Beach area is 1/2 mile paved walk. Beach very crowded on weekends.

  • 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

  • Joel R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 2, 2025

    Big Meadows Campground — Shenandoah National Park

    Quiet, lots of room

    This is a National Park campground so there are no hookups! Generators are allowed during designated hours. (Please don’t bring one.) Hot shower, bathrooms and laundry are available. Camp store with basics. The sites are large, some are not level but are workable. Lots of wildlife. Near trails.

  • 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.

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

    KOA Luray RV Resort

    Just turned into a KOA?

    Wright next to the Luray caves and near the starting point of the Skyline drive. Nice, quietly located camping, surrounded by fields. You have all the necessary amenities that you would expect on a KOA camping. (I think they just now became KOA, last month it was still the big skies camping). There is a small but nice swimmingpool. Fun; lots of fireflies (in the right seasons?)

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 31, 2025

    Spacious Skies Shenandoah Views

    Very clean and Nice Views

    Very clean campground with super friendly staff. I really enjoyed my time here.

  • Lindsay C.
    Aug. 28, 2025

    Little Fort Campground

    Nice secluded campsite

    There are 9 campsites, each with at least one fire ring, a tent pad and a picnic table, and there is a vault toilet in the middle. I arrive at 7:30pm on a Saturday in late August and thought I might be too late to get a spot but there were only two other groups there so I had my pick of most of the sites. 

    Overall it's a nice secluded spot, although I had a couple of complaints. The picnic tables at most of the sites had seen better days and I'm not sure if I would have wanted to sit at them if I had stayed at the site for any meals. Also, I could hear some cars drive by and some dogs barking while I was trying to sleep, which was a bit disruptive. Otherwise, I would recommend this campsite. 

    Note: this page says that Verizon has limited service but I have a Verizon prepaid plan and I had no service at all starting from about 20 minutes away from the site, so I wouldn't count on having any reception.

Guide to Gainesville

Camping near Gainesville, Virginia, offers a mix of beautiful nature and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventurous getaway, there are several campgrounds nearby that cater to different needs.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Explore the trails right from your campsite. At Big Meadows Campground, one reviewer mentioned, "We went and did several hikes, including Dark Hollow Falls," making it clear that there are great hiking options nearby.
  • Fishing: Many campgrounds have access to rivers or lakes. A visitor at Andy Guest/Shenandoah River State Park Campground noted, "Hiking, fishing, breathtaking views, tons to do in the area!"
  • Stargazing: Enjoy the night sky away from city lights. One camper at Mathews Arm Campground shared, "The view of the stars might have been spectacular if it hadn’t been so overcast that night."

What campers like:

  • Clean facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and showers. A review for Greenbrier State Park Campground stated, "The bath houses & sites are always clean, camp hosts are friendly and park rangers are present and helpful."
  • Privacy: Many campers enjoy spacious sites. At Lewis Mountain Campground, one visitor said, "We liked this campground so much, smallness and setting, we almost cancelled our next reservation to stay here."
  • Proximity to attractions: Campgrounds like Cherry Hill Park are close to Washington, D.C., making it easy to explore the city. A reviewer mentioned, "We didn't drive to DC at all - just used public transit."

What you should know:

  • Noise levels: Some campgrounds can be noisy. A camper at Pohick Bay Campground warned, "This place is so noisy with these helicopters that fly 24/7."
  • First-come, first-served sites: Many campgrounds operate on a first-come, first-served basis. A visitor at Lewis Mountain Campground advised, "Arrive early enough in the day to snag a better site."
  • Limited amenities: Some campgrounds, like Mathews Arm Campground, lack certain amenities like showers and electric hookups, so plan accordingly.

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose family-friendly sites: Look for campgrounds with playgrounds and activities for kids. At Westmoreland State Park Campground, one parent noted, "Great playground with plenty of other kids."
  • Pack snacks and drinks: Having food on hand can make family outings easier. A camper at Greenbrier State Park Campground mentioned, "The camp store is well stocked and had decent hours."
  • Plan short hikes: Keep hikes manageable for little ones. A visitor at Lewis Mountain Campground said, "Nice short hike to the summit."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check site sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A reviewer at Harpers Ferry / Civil War Battlefields KOA mentioned, "The roads are crumbling and too small for most RV's."
  • Look for full hookups: Campgrounds like Pohick Bay Campground offer full hookups, which can make your stay more comfortable. One camper said, "The bathrooms are clean and very well kept."
  • Be mindful of noise: Some campgrounds can be loud, especially on weekends. A visitor at Harpers Ferry / Civil War Battlefields KOA warned, "Partiers with foul mouths throughout the campground."

Camping around Gainesville, Virginia, has something for everyone, from families to RV enthusiasts. With a little planning, you can enjoy the great outdoors and make lasting memories.

Frequently Asked Questions

What campgrounds are available near Gainesville, VA?

The Gainesville area offers several excellent camping options within easy driving distance. Bull Run Regional Park in nearby Centreville is a popular choice with reservable sites, water hookups, restroom facilities, and accommodations for large RVs. For those seeking a more nature-immersive experience, Prince William Forest RV Campground offers a clean, well-maintained facility with a pool, situated in a beautiful forest setting less than an hour from Washington DC. This campground provides a convenient nature getaway while still being close to shops and restaurants in the Gainesville area.

Are there good tent camping options near Gainesville?

Tent campers near Gainesville have several excellent options. Oak Ridge Campground in Prince William Forest Park offers peaceful, wooded sites ideal for tent camping with drive-in and walk-in access. For a more rustic experience, Mathews Arm Campground in Shenandoah National Park provides beautiful surroundings in the northern part of the park with well-maintained facilities. This large campground is tucked away in nature and offers access to trails and essential supplies at nearby Elkwallow. Both locations provide tent campers with immersive natural settings within reasonable driving distance from Gainesville.

How is Hillwood Camping Park in the Gainesville area?

Hillwood Camping Park is a convenient camping option located right in the Gainesville area. The campground features toilet facilities and is big-rig friendly, making it suitable for RV campers of various sizes. Its proximity to Interstate 66 makes it easily accessible for travelers. For those looking for alternatives with more amenities, Greenville Farm Family Campground is another nearby option with drive-in access, reservable sites, water hookups, and facilities that accommodate large RVs. Hillwood's primary advantage is its convenient location for exploring both Gainesville and the surrounding Northern Virginia region.

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