Campsites near Annandale, Virginia offer proximity to Washington DC while providing forest settings with varying degrees of seclusion. The region experiences humid summers with average temperatures reaching 87°F in July and August, while spring and fall months provide milder camping conditions. Most campgrounds in the area maintain wooded environments despite their suburban locations, with many sites situated among mature oak and pine trees.
What to do
Disc golf adventures: Pohick Bay Campground features an 18-hole course popular with weekend campers. "Pohick Bay is my go-to weekend camping spot. Just a few miles outside DC, Pohick Bay is a hidden gem in the area. I'd recommend taking in a game of disc golf on their 18 hole course," notes Rachel L.
Water recreation options: Lake Fairfax Campground offers multiple water activities despite swimming restrictions. "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, & canoeing)," reports Amy B.
Historical explorations: The area surrounding camping locations contains significant Civil War history sites. "There is lots and lots of history around the area. We spent 5 days camping and exploring the civil war battle areas and other things. Definitely worth exploring," shares Daniel S. about Oak Ridge Campground.
Playground access: Multiple campgrounds maintain playgrounds for children. "There are plenty of playgrounds and trails nearby to keep the family busy," writes Kristen M. about the facilities at Pohick Bay Campground.
What campers like
Washington DC proximity: Cherry Hill Park serves as an ideal base for exploring the nation's capital. "This was a great stop to take the kids to visit the city. Easy access and well laid out sites. They have a bus stop for metro service to the city, but we took the 20 minute drive," explains Joe R.
Trail systems: Many campgrounds feature extensive walking paths. "The park is nice, but if youre looking for fishing don't go here, but you can in fact kayak down the creek," notes Jonny D. about Bull Run Regional Park's water access.
Bird watching opportunities: Wildlife viewing is a significant draw for some campers. "Beautiful campground located near the National Harbor. Eagles everywhere! Large clean sites. Great staff!" shares Kathie M. about her experience at Pohick Bay Campground.
Clean facilities: Oak Ridge Campground receives consistent praise for maintenance. "This campground has great space and super clean bathrooms with marble tile," reports Chad about the Prince William Forest Park facility.
What you should know
Noise considerations: Urban sounds are unavoidable at most area campgrounds. "Prince William Forest RV Campground is close (ish) to the DC area. It is easy and convenient to get to. Almost all sites are pull through and are close together. Most have some tree cover (and some of the trees could use a trim along the roads)," explains Kristen M.
Site leveling challenges: Prepare for uneven terrain at many locations. "My site had a slight slope, but was easily overcome using additional blocks on the low side to get the trailer level," advises Drew M. about Bull Run Regional Park.
Seasonal attendance patterns: Greenbelt Park Campground experiences fluctuations in visitor numbers. "Weekdays are pretty quiet in this campground. Living nearby but storing my popup camper elsewhere, I often park my camper here for a few days while I pack it for a trip," shares Becky.
Tree rules: Some parks restrict attaching items to trees. "Sites were well-maintained, including lavatories. Plenty of tree cover. NOTE: park service forbade tying lines or straps to the trees at the time of our visit (Autumn 2024), so if you favor hammock camping or deploying tarps/ridgelines, plan accordingly," warns Timothy C. about Greenbelt Park.
Tips for camping with families
Water park access: Bull Run Regional Park offers water recreation specifically designed for children. "Our family stayed here in a cabin on a long weekend trip to DC. This campground was full of stuff to do and we didn't even get to do a lot of it. The campground had a climbing wall on one afternoon. There are miles of trails and my gkids enjoyed the nature scavenger hunt," reports Bridget H.
Organized activities: Several campgrounds schedule regular family programs. "We had a great time here over a long weekend in August. 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," Ben G. shares about Pohick Bay Campground.
Bathroom proximity considerations: Some family campers prioritize bathroom access when selecting sites. "The sites were oddly shaped - our grill was on the edge of the site, closer to the neighbor's picnic table. Our neighbors were all nice and respectful, but the quarters were very close," notes Alexis about Burke Lake Park.
Summer heat management: Shaded sites provide relief during hot months. "Best quality: totally in the woods so summer sun doesn't affect you," recommends Amy B. about Lake Fairfax Campground.
Tips from RVers
Leveling preparation: Fort Belvoir Travel and RV Camp requires additional equipment for some sites. "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," advises Thomas.
Electric hookup variations: Check specific site amenities before booking. "I had a 30amp hookup with no issues. They also have up to 50amp full hookups. All of them looked well maintained," reports Megan K. about Prince William Forest RV Campground.
Site spacing considerations: RV sites have varying degrees of privacy. "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," explains Megan K.
Wi-Fi reliability issues: Internet access varies significantly between campgrounds. "Not happy about: Promised wi-fi does not even appear as an available signal," warns Robert G. about Prince William Forest RV Campground, while Thomas reports "solid WiFi" at Fort Belvoir.
