Campgrounds near Sterling, Virginia range from primitive tent sites to full-service RV facilities within a 30-mile radius. The region sits at approximately 300 feet above sea level in the Piedmont physiographic province. Most camping areas experience high humidity from June through August with nighttime temperatures rarely dropping below 65°F, while spring and fall camping seasons offer more moderate conditions with temperatures between 50-75°F.
What to do
Hiking trails with water features: Lake Fairfax Campground offers wooded hiking trails with streams that provide relief during summer heat. "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)," notes Amy B., who appreciated the shaded environment for summer camping at Lake Fairfax Campground.
Disc golf courses: Several campgrounds feature disc golf facilities as part of their recreation options. Oak Ridge Campground at Prince William Forest Park provides access to disc golf. As one camper mentioned, "State run park with many amenities. Park has golf frisbe course, decent water park for kids, hiking trails, small creek/river you can explore, playgrounds."
Boating opportunities: Pohick Bay Campground offers water access with boat rentals available. "Boat rental a short walk down the trail from the campgrounds and the pool and disc golf course are another short trail walk away," reported Ben G., who found plenty to keep his family occupied during their stay.
What campers like
Clean, modern bathroom facilities: Bull Run Regional Park receives high marks for their shower facilities. "Five stars for the restroom facilities. Bright, large, clean and very well maintained," says Tana S. Another camper, Yvonne B., enthused, "I'll go again just for the showers... Locking doors, individual stalls. Hot dog. Best camping showers I've ever had."
Urban accessibility with natural settings: Greenbelt Park Campground offers a unique balance of urban proximity and natural surroundings. Crystal C. explains, "The camp host came by and welcomed me before I was fully set up for the evening and was great! After staying here for a week I was so pleased by the quiet nature of the campground, the overall feeling of the outdoor space (every morning birds and squirrels) and the proximity to the METRO (only about 10 minutes with traffic)."
Spacious, private campsites: Little Bennett Campground provides well-separated sites within wooded areas. "We stayed at site D72 for 4 days. The sites are quiet, very spacious, level, and heavily wooded with 50A service, water and sewer hookup," reports Ray & Terri F., who found the dense tree canopy created a sense of seclusion despite being in a developed campground.
What you should know
Limited WiFi and cell coverage: Despite proximity to urban areas, connectivity varies significantly between campgrounds. At Little Bennett Campground, one camper noted, "AT&T 5 MB/s w/o booster(1 bar), 8 MB/s with it(2 bars). There is no satellite coverage due to the heavy tree canopy. OTA TV was descent using an external omni antenna. There is no WiFi."
Noise considerations: Several campgrounds experience noise from nearby transportation. At Bull Run Regional Park, Drew M. observed, "The only drawback is that it is 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." Similarly, Oak Ridge Campground visitors report hearing activity from nearby Quantico Military Base and air traffic.
Reservation requirements: Many campgrounds have shifted to reservation-only systems. At Greenbelt Park Campground, campers should note the park is "a NO CASH facility which means you CANNOT pay upon arrival so you will have to do so online," as Crystal C. learned during her stay.
Tips for camping with families
Water activities for children: Cherry Hill Park offers multiple water features suitable for families. "This campground has so much to offer. We loved it... Swimming Pool, Hot tub, Splash pad," Beth R. details. Another camper, Jennifer H., added, "The park itself has more than most. Mini golf, two pools, arcade, 24 hour laundry, a store and office open early!! And late!!"
Educational nature programs: Button Farm provides learning opportunities tied to the outdoors. While primitive in facilities, the farm setting allows children to observe farm animals up close. As Phinon W. described, "There are nearby chickens, geese and pigs... Nice hiking trails with varying lengths, easy to hike even for a 3 year old."
Seasonal activities: Many campgrounds offer structured programs during peak seasons. Bull Run Regional Park features organized activities as Bridget H. experienced: "The campground had a climbing wall on one afternoon. There are miles of trails and my gkids enjoyed the nature scavenger hunt. You even get a prize when you finish... They had a campfire complete with s'mores followed by hayrides."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Many campsites require additional equipment for proper leveling. At Oak Ridge Campground, Tracy R. observed, "Sites varied greatly in size. Some seemed entirely too close, others spread apart. At times, sites seemed backwards - I kept saying they should reverse the one way direction so back in sites were easier."
Electrical service variations: Campgrounds offer different levels of electrical service. At Little Bennett Campground, Loop D provides full hookups suitable for larger rigs, while other loops are tent-only. One RVer suggested checking for 30-amp versus 50-amp service before booking, as some loops only offer one option.
Limited dump station access: Some campgrounds restrict dump station hours or have limited facilities. At Lake Fairfax Campground, a camper noted, "Water fill & Dump Station on the beach side of the bathhouse," requiring navigation through the campground to access these services.
