Best Campgrounds near Hartwood, VA

Camping near Hartwood, Virginia encompasses a mix of established campgrounds, RV parks, and water-adjacent sites within a short drive of Washington DC. The area sits between the Rappahannock River and Prince William Forest Park, providing both riverside camping experiences and forested retreats. Notable options include Oak Ridge Campground in Prince William Forest Park, Rappahannock River Campground with boat-in access, and the year-round Fredericksburg-Washington DC KOA. As one camper noted, Prince William Forest RV Campground serves as a "good nature getaway from the city" while being "less than an hour away from Washington, DC."

Most campgrounds in the Hartwood area operate seasonally, with peak availability from March through October. Oak Ridge Campground specifically operates from March 1 to October 31, while some private facilities like the Fredericksburg KOA remain open year-round. Summer humidity can be significant, with temperatures regularly exceeding 90°F in July and August. Mosquitoes are common near water sources, particularly after rainfall. Cell service is generally reliable throughout the region, though coverage may be spotty in more remote sections of Prince William Forest. Reservation requirements vary by location, with most public campgrounds requiring advance booking during peak season.

The camping options near Hartwood cater to different preferences and needs. Wilderness Presidential Resort in Spotsylvania offers amenities like swimming pools, a beach area, and fishing lakes, making it suitable for families. Bull Run Regional Park provides both tent and RV sites with electric hookups, while Lake Anna State Park Campground accommodates RVs, tents, and even offers yurts. Visitors seeking more seclusion might prefer the primitive sites at Prince William Forest, while those wanting convenience can choose from several campgrounds with full hookups along the I-95 corridor. Pohick Bay Campground provides boat-in access and is popular with water recreation enthusiasts.

Best Camping Sites Near Hartwood, Virginia (93)

    1. Oak Ridge Campground — Prince William Forest Park

    31 Reviews
    Dumfries, VA
    16 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."

    2. Rappahannock River Campground

    11 Reviews
    Sumerduck, VA
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (540) 212-0343

    "Great for a weekend away from all the hustle and bustle. Very relaxing"

    "We paid our fee, which was only around $15, and then another $5 for a bunch of firewood. The Firewood was a bit wet and didn't work out, but hey, beggars can't be choosers."

    3. Fredericksburg-Washington DC KOA

    13 Reviews
    Woodford, VA
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (540) 898-7252

    "Once here it's tucked away nicely away from everything, sites feel spacious enough and mostly level on their own.

    Pool facility looks clean and good size for all to enjoy."

    "We were planning to arrive late after 12 hours of driving. The admin called us when they were closing to make sure we knew they had our reservation and the paperwork would be in the night drop."

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

    17 Reviews
    Dumfries, VA
    18 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."

    5. Wilderness Presidential Resort

    4 Reviews
    Hartwood, VA
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (540) 972-7433

    $80 - $200 / night

    "There are indoor and outdoor pools, a lakeside beach, a well stocked campground store and two fishing lakes and a fishing pond to choose from."

    "It's a good place to bring your family to play some Frisbee golf, The RV spots are like being in the woods, indoor pool,lake to swim or fish.you can rent paddle boats and Jon boats.the camping store as"

    6. Aquia Pines Campground

    5 Reviews
    Stafford, VA
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (540) 659-3447

    "And the host are very kind and very friendly, event near Rt. 95, not very loud noise with big tall trees, happy stay!"

    7. Bull Run Regional Park

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

    $43 - $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."

    8. Pohick Bay Campground

    39 Reviews
    Lorton, VA
    28 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."

    9. Lake Anna State Park Campground

    21 Reviews
    Mineral, VA
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (540) 854-5503

    "Great walking trails surrounding the campground. Well maintained."

    "Love having the access to the lake. Great areas for dog walking. Family next door was really loud, but not the campgrounds fault."

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Recent Reviews near Hartwood, VA

747 Reviews of 93 Hartwood Campgrounds


  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Joel R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 31, 2025

    Shenandoah Crossing, a Bluegreen Vacations Resort

    Not really camping

    This is a very developed campground…mayme over developed for me. Concrete pads, paved roads, street lights. Lots of amenities, like pool, playground, very nice showers, There is a gate house do you need the code to get in.

  • Joel R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 29, 2025

    Christopher Run Campground

    Very big, a little rough- no internet

    This is a big campground that caters to boaters on Lake Anna. We probably made a mistake coming on a holiday weekend. Many “holiday” campers with extra vehicles, boats and people! The sites are good size, but not very level. We did finally get ours squared away. Mostly wooded, with shade. Our site D9, backed up to a small wooded section. Some full hookups. Tent sites, numerous semi-permanent people. Showers and bathrooms are clean, hot water, but it’s timed, so you have to keep pushing their buttons to continue a shower. They have everyone sign a waiver to release them of liabilities. Never had anyone do that before. Playground, beach, mini golf, canoe rental, boat slips, laundry, convenience store. NO INTERNET

  • 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.

  • AThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 22, 2025

    Laurel Prong Trail Dispersed

    Bears

    About as flat as you’ll get, the hike here was nice. It’s a decently private spot with the trail close by, bugs weren’t bad only gripe was bears were constantly checking out our tent during night, we had one beef stick (trash thrown in our hang bag of course) but after one bear sniffed that sucker out 15 minutes later while we were in our tent we heard the first one full sprint and slobbering to check it out 😂 overall it was a fun night, 100% do not have food scents near your tent

  • HThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 20, 2025

    Big Meadows Campground — Shenandoah National Park

    Great for large NP campground

    Nice large NP campground right off Skyline Drive. Spaces were large, some more private than others - clean bathroom - you can also pay $5 for 10 min shower. A little noisy with large families but that’s also why these campgrounds are so fun for families! A good loop hike and then a few more strenuous hikes from campground. Friendly hosts.


Guide to Hartwood

Camping near Hartwood, Virginia, offers a mix of nature, fun activities, and family-friendly spots. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventure-filled getaway, there are several campgrounds to check out.

What to do:

  • Explore Nature Trails: Many campgrounds have great trails for hiking. At Bull Run Regional Park, one visitor mentioned, "We stayed in site 20 which is an easy pull through and had a direct trail to the water park and the full network of trails in the park."
  • Visit Water Parks: If you're camping with kids, check out the water park nearby. A family at Pohick Bay Campground enjoyed it, saying, "Campers get a discount at the water park which was a very reasonable 5 dollars per person."
  • Fishing and Kayaking: Many campgrounds, like Christopher Run Campground, offer access to lakes for fishing and kayaking. One reviewer noted, "A great place to relax, swim and fish."

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms. A visitor at Lake Anna State Park Campground said, "The bathrooms were cleaner than any other campground we have stayed in."
  • Spacious Sites: Many campgrounds provide roomy sites. A camper at Oak Ridge Campground mentioned, "This is a pretty good place to be if you’re going to visit DC. Overall Rating: 4.5."
  • Family-Friendly Atmosphere: Campgrounds like Burke Lake Park Campground are great for families. One reviewer said, "Great primitive sites with upgrades bath houses."

What you should know:

  • Noise Levels: Some campgrounds can be noisy. A camper at Pohick Bay Campground complained, "This place is so noisy with these helicopters that fly 24/7."
  • Limited Amenities: Not all campgrounds have full amenities. A visitor at Prince William Forest RV Campground noted, "Most sites do not have sewer access or decent access to Wi-Fi."
  • Reservations Recommended: Many campgrounds fill up quickly, especially during peak seasons. A camper at Lake Anna State Park Campground advised, "We weren’t excited about being so close to so many people."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Campgrounds with Playgrounds: Look for campgrounds that have playgrounds for kids. One family at Bull Run Regional Park said, "My son loved the giant playground and full water park at the campground."
  • Plan for Activities: Bring bikes or kayaks for extra fun. A long-time visitor at Pohick Bay Campground suggested, "Bring bikes. Long bike trail along road."
  • Pack Snacks and Drinks: Having snacks on hand can keep everyone happy. A camper at Fredericksburg-Washington DC KOA mentioned, "The camp store has a little bit of everything."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A visitor at Prince William Forest RV Campground noted, "The sites are very small (short, so you will have to unhook)."
  • Look for Full Hookups: If you need full hookups, check ahead. A camper at Lake Anna State Park Campground mentioned, "The campground was fair, nice flat sites, semi wooded."
  • Be Prepared for Limited Wi-Fi: Many campgrounds have spotty Wi-Fi. A visitor at Prince William Forest RV Campground said, "Promised wi-fi does not even appear as an available signal."

Camping near Hartwood, Virginia, has something for everyone, from families to RV enthusiasts. Just remember to plan ahead and enjoy the great outdoors!

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Hartwood, VA?

According to TheDyrt.com, Hartwood, VA offers a wide range of camping options, with 93 campgrounds and RV parks near Hartwood, VA and 4 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Hartwood, VA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Hartwood, VA is Oak Ridge Campground — Prince William Forest Park with a 4.6-star rating from 31 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Hartwood, VA?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 4 free dispersed camping spots near Hartwood, VA.

What parks are near Hartwood, VA?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 17 parks near Hartwood, VA that allow camping, notably Prince William Forest Park and George Washington Memorial Parkway.