Camping areas near Casanova, Virginia range from 300 to 850 feet in elevation across gently rolling Piedmont terrain. Most campgrounds in this region remain open year-round, with overnight temperatures dropping into the 30s during winter months. Several locations offer river access points for fishing and paddling, with the Rappahannock River serving as a popular spot for water activities during summer when humidity levels regularly exceed 70%.
What to do
River exploration: Rappahannock River Campground provides direct river access for campers. "The river access is fantastic!" notes one visitor. "We'll be back with this as a destination for kayaking," another camper explains about this Rappahannock River Campground.
Hiking network: The northern section of Prince William Forest Park contains an extensive trail system connecting to the campground. "Plenty of hiking and biking trails nearby to keep the family busy," reports one camper about Pohick Bay Campground. Sites connect directly to multiple trail options.
Disc golf: Several campgrounds include disc golf facilities on property. One camper recommends "taking in a game of disc golf on their 18 hole course" at Pohick Bay, making it a popular activity for afternoon recreation.
Historical exploration: Many campsites serve as bases for Civil War history tours. "We spent 5 days camping and exploring the civil war battle areas and other things. Definitely worth exploring," explains a visitor to Oak Ridge Campground.
What campers like
Site separation: Campers appreciate locations with adequate space between sites. "Sites are large but many are lined up right next to each other. I recommend staying away from A72 to the end of A," advises a guest at Mathews Arm Campground, noting that sites A56-A61 offer better privacy.
Bathroom quality: Clean, well-maintained facilities receive consistent praise. "The showers were hot, water pressure and shower heads good. Shower stalls offered more privacy than most, each having a locking door and small dressing area with a bench," explains a visitor to Mathews Arm Campground.
Wildlife viewing: Multiple campgrounds offer reliable wildlife sightings. "We saw lots of wildlife but had no issues with trash or food (raccoons left everything alone)," reports a camper at Oak Ridge Campground, where deer are commonly spotted.
Off-grid feeling: Despite proximity to urban areas, several campgrounds maintain a remote atmosphere. "The area of the campground is deep in the woods with the only audible intrusion coming from the infrequent airplane or helicopter passing by," notes a camper at Rappahannock River Campground.
What you should know
Bear activity: Bears are active throughout this region, particularly in Shenandoah. "There are no bear boxes at this campground, but there are indeed bears, so keep all food in your car," warns a camper at Mathews Arm Campground, noting bears recognize coolers.
Weather patterns: Summer conditions can be challenging without proper preparation. "Summer temperatures regularly reach the 90s, making water access valuable," confirms a visitor to Bull Run Regional Park, noting its waterpark amenities.
Noise factors: Some campgrounds experience consistent noise issues. "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," reports a Bull Run Regional Park visitor.
Site selection: Campground layout varies significantly across the region. "Sites were oddly shaped and very close," mentions a camper about certain sites, while another notes that "the campsites are built right on top of one another with very little space separating them."
Tips for camping with families
Activity planning: Parks with diverse recreational offerings reduce travel needs. "There is a pool/water park in the park as well as a nice network of trails. There is plenty of things to do here to keep a family occupied," explains a visitor to Pohick Bay Regional Park.
Educational programs: Several campgrounds offer structured activities for children. "We took my daughter for her first campout, at her request. We had a great time. Bill, the host on duty was wonderfully hospitable," notes a visitor about A World Away Farm, where children can interact with farm animals.
Wildlife experiences: Animal encounters create memorable experiences for children. "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," shares a family who visited A World Away Farm.
Weekend programming: Look for scheduled activities at campgrounds. "They informed us that 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," reports a parent who visited Pohick Bay.
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Electric and water connections vary by campground and loop. "We got a site on the inner loop and it backed to the playground and the bathhouse. The site was spacious. We are tent campers but almost all our neighbors were in an RV or trailer," notes a visitor to Pohick Bay about the camping configuration.
Level sites: Some campgrounds present leveling challenges. "Sites are nicely spread out. My site had a slight slope, but was easily overcome using additional blocks on the low side to get the trailer level," explains an RVer at Bull Run Regional Park.
Dump station access: Several campgrounds offer dump facilities. "Propane and 2 easy dump stations. Nice pool and bath house," reports a visitor to Prince William Forest RV Campground about the convenient sanitation options.
Generator restrictions: Noise regulations affect power options. "Generator-free area: No generators are allowed in parts of the A and B sections," notes a Mathews Arm Campground visitor, which creates quieter camping experiences but requires proper battery preparation.
