The Dyrt – find campgrounds for tents, RVs, cabins, glamping and more.
Open in App
Map showing campgrounds near Sterling, VirginiaExplore the Map

Best Campgrounds near Sterling, VA

945 Reviews

Camping near Sterling, Virginia includes a mix of established campgrounds and recreational areas within a 30-mile radius of the Northern Virginia suburbs. Lake Fairfax Campground in nearby Reston provides tent and RV sites with hookups from March through September, while Bull Run Regional Park in Centreville offers year-round camping with cabins and glamping options. These public campgrounds serve as convenient basecamps for exploring the Washington DC metropolitan area while still providing access to wooded settings and recreational facilities.

Most campgrounds in the Sterling area require reservations, particularly during the peak summer season when facilities fill quickly with both locals and tourists visiting the nation's capital. The climate features hot, humid summers with temperatures regularly exceeding 90°F, while spring and fall offer milder conditions ideal for camping. Thunderstorms are common in summer months, and campfire restrictions may apply during dry periods. Cell service is generally reliable throughout the region, though some campgrounds like Burke Lake Park have limited or no hookups despite being close to urban areas.

Family-friendly amenities distinguish many Sterling-area campgrounds. Burke Lake Park features a 5-mile trail around its namesake lake with fishing and boat rentals, though swimming is prohibited. As one camper noted, "The park has a carousel and kiddy train, frisbee golf, a regular golf course - all a short drive from DC." Pohick Bay Campground in Lorton provides water access with kayaking opportunities and hiking trails. Many campgrounds in the region balance natural settings with proximity to urban conveniences, making them popular for weekend getaways. Campers should be prepared for relatively close quarters at most sites, as another visitor observed, "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."

Best Camping Sites Near Sterling, Virginia (125)

    1. Lake Fairfax Campground

    25 Reviews
    Reston, VA
    5 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."

    2. Bull Run Regional Park

    43 Reviews
    Iron Gate, VA
    15 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."

    3. Little Bennett Campground

    23 Reviews
    Clarksburg, MD
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (301) 528-3430

    "We prefer hiking as a family and staying away from crowds and this camp site wasn’t crowded or felt busy. It’s a quick drive from NOVA but just far enough where you feel away from it all."

    "We live in Montgomery County and this is a nice camping get away close to home."

    4. Cherry Hill Park

    42 Reviews
    Beltsville, MD
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (301) 937-7116

    $999 / night

    "Great camping amenities, soft cushioned sites, with power and water close by. DO NOT GET BASIC TENT SITES AS THEY ARE NEXT TO HIGHWAYS AND VERY NOISY!!! Premium tent sites would be a better choice."

    "That being said, I’m sure there were a few campers who didn’t like being right next to the walkway to the bathrooms and showers. The park is broken down in to various sections and slightly tiered."

    5. Burke Lake Park Campground

    15 Reviews
    Burke, VA
    17 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."

    6. Pohick Bay Campground

    37 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."

    "We enjoyed sitting around the campfire at night and walking the dogs down to the water. We were right next to a hiking trail that went down to the water and a beach area."

    7. Button Farm

    1 Review
    Poolesville, MD
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (240) 579-5112

    $30 / night

    "You are able to drive right up to the camp area and we kept our car right next to our tent. There are nearby chickens, geese and pigs. "

    8. Oak Ridge Campground — Prince William Forest Park

    32 Reviews
    Dumfries, VA
    28 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."

    9. Greenbelt Park Campground — Greenbelt Park

    32 Reviews
    Greenbelt, MD
    27 miles
    Website
    +1 (301) 344-3948

    $20 / night

    "If you are really looking for somewhere to feel far away from civilization and see some beautiful scenery, this probably isn't it."

    "The campsite is superb with walking trails, wildlife and the occasional overflying US Presidential Helicopter. Easily accessible from close by freeways, and charmingly peaceful"

    10. Camping by the Creek in Woods

    2 Reviews
    Great Falls, VA
    7 miles
    +1 (240) 595-5000

    $45 - $55 / night

    "Awesome site tucked away in mature woods. Quiet. Easy paved access. Near C&O Canal, biking, hiking across street in Block House Park. Lovely attentive host."

Show More
Showing results 1-10 of 125 campgrounds

2026 Explorer Giveaway

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win

Sterling Contest

Enter to Win

Recent Camping Photos near Sterling, VA

347 Photos of 125 Sterling Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Sterling, VA

945 Reviews of 125 Sterling Campgrounds

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    May. 3, 2026

    Cornerstone

    Great spot for relax

    I have a great spot right by the river. It is away from all noise but the flow of water. Right on the river

  • LThe Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 30, 2026

    Skyline Ranch Resort

    Good

    This camp ground is very nice with a rustic vibe

  • D
    Apr. 28, 2026

    Harpers Ferry / Civil War Battlefields KOA

    Not as advertised on website. Loose dogs. Sites not as advertised.

    Less amenities than advertised. We usually camp in more rustic locations and planned this trip simply for the fun of the amenities. Their website claims that the pool is seasonal but doesn't list anything else as seasonal. There was supposed to be mini golf, a giant bounce pillow, indoor basketball, an arcade with air hockey and a pool table. Mini golf was fine. The bounce pillow was deflated and full of water. The arcade/pool table/air hockey building was locked and the maintenance guy(who locks it up) was outside smoking before leaving early for the day. The employee at the camp store said it was supposed to be open until the store closed but that he probably just closed it early.

     The rules state that dogs need to be on a leash at all times and, in the two hours we actually stayed, we saw four that weren't. One was staying near us and started chasing us when we rode our bikes by. One was wandering about 4 campsites down from it's owner. We mentioned it to the person at the camp store before we were chased and she just shrugged it off. 

    The map is incorrect. It lists site numbers that don't exist and doesn't list some sites that supposedly do. We spent a fifteen minutes trying to find a non-existent site before going back to the camp office and getting assigned a new site. They acted like it was a new thing caused by maintenance but we just looked and saw a review from ten months ago saying the map was messed up then. 

    The description of the site we paid for was non electric tent with a sand tent pad. The site we got was on a hill(no actual flat spot) overgrown with weeds, no tent pad, a slanted picnic table, and no actual parking spot. You had to drive over a drainage ditch and park on the hill. If our car didn't have high clearance we wouldn't have made it. There was also a hole in the middle of the site. And the map showed that number site on the corner where another unmarked site was. Our originally assigned site was supposedly in the same group of sites, so it would've been similar. Also don't believe the claim that they're"large sites." Most of them are crammed together. There are a few that look decent sized and flat, but they want you to pay an extra$30 to pick your own site. 

    We didn't even look in the bathrooms. 

    We left after two hours. Definitely a waste of$60+ dollars. 

    Next time we'll go over to the Brunswick Family campground. Their owners are lovely people who care about their customers.

  • Adam and Suzanne B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 18, 2026

    Greenbrier State Park Campground - TEMPORARILY CLOSED

    Beautiful setting

    It is NOT closed for 2026! Spent the weekend here as it is only an hour from home. There are 4 large camping loops. Only loop C- cedar has electric. None of the loops have water hookups but all have spigots to fill your rig. There are also 3 fill stations at check in (which we missed). The campground is on a hill and the loop roads are narrow, hilly, and winding. We had no trouble with our 23 ft TT and saw some bigger rigs. There are some tight angles to get into a few sites. But, once you are in, the sites are spacious and mostly private. It is wooded without feeling overgrown. Loop D has some sites that are good buddy campsites. There are many hiking trails and a lovely lake. The only bad thing are the dated bathhouses. Mostly clean but there are only 2 showers for each fenced for each loop and they were yucky enough that we showered at our rig. It was busy but pretty quiet. It’s close to I-70

  • Beth B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 12, 2026

    Prince William Forest RV Campground — Prince William Forest Park

    Nice clean Campground

    Stayed here for a week while working nearby. Easy to get to and set up. Office was closed when we arrived but arrival paperwork was posted outside office door. Even with busy road nearby, park was quiet and felt private. Sites were level and paved making setup easy. Sites had 1/2 site extra paved for vehicle with extra parking nearby. There was no litter in park, we observed a staff member daily making the rounds to keep everything clean. There was walking access into the park on wide private roads without traffic. With park access you are able to walk into national forest park from RV camp. National Forest visitor center close by, 1 exit away going south I95. Amenities in RV park included swimming pool, chess board with extra large pieces, playground and clean bath house. Firewood and ice on site.

  • C
    Apr. 12, 2026

    Oak Ridge Campground — Prince William Forest Park

    Great Campground

    Our family loved this campground. It was entirely wooded with plenty of shade, sites were close but separated enough to feel like you were in your own site. Our kids and others rode their bikes around the loop all weekend long. Bathrooms could have been a little cleaner and all the entrances except one were closed, but that’s what happens when you cut budgets for public lands.

  • M
    Apr. 5, 2026

    Jellystone Park™ Williamsport

    Easter Trailer Trash

    We chose this campground expecting a family-friendly environment for Easter weekend, but unfortunately our experience was significantly impacted by repeated disturbances from a group of adults in nearby campsites. There was excessive screaming, loud music, and disruptive behavior that continued well past midnight, making it extremely difficult for families and young children to enjoy the holiday weekend. Even more concerning was the apparent lack of response to enforce quiet hours or address the ongoing noise issue. This does not reflect the family atmosphere many guests would reasonably expect during a holiday weekend. I strongly encourage management to take these complaints seriously and enforce campground rules consistently to ensure all guests can enjoy their stay. Families considering visiting during Easter weekend should be aware that this has been an ongoing issue.

Guide to Sterling

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

What tent camping options are available near Sterling?

Tent campers near Sterling have several quality options. Greenbelt Park Campground offers a basic but convenient NPS camping experience with accessible sites, though you'll still hear occasional urban sounds. For a more rustic experience, Swains Lock Hiker-biker Overnight Campsite along the C&O Canal provides convenient parking (approximately 8 spaces) with a manageable walk to the campsites, offering a nice balance between accessibility and backcountry feel. Both locations are tent-friendly with basic amenities and provide different experiences depending on whether you prefer a more established campground or a simpler site closer to nature.

Where are the best campgrounds near Sterling, VA?

Sterling has several excellent campgrounds within driving distance. Prince William Forest RV Campground offers a clean facility with bathrooms and a pool, located less than an hour from DC, making it perfect for nature getaways while staying close to urban amenities. For water enthusiasts, Brunswick Family Campground provides mesmerizing river views and welcoming staff. Both campgrounds offer convenient locations with varying amenities. Prince William Forest is closer to shops and restaurants, while Brunswick provides a more immersive natural setting along the river, despite being near railroad tracks.

Are there affordable camping grounds near Sterling for weekend getaways?

Yes, Sterling has several affordable weekend camping options nearby. Fairfax County Burke Lake Park offers budget-friendly camping with bonus amenities including a 5-mile paved path around the lake, fishing opportunities, boat rentals, playgrounds, and even a carousel and kiddy train—perfect for families seeking affordable recreation. Cedarville State Forest provides economical sites in their family camping loop with basic amenities including fire rings and mostly clean facilities. Both locations offer good value with self-registration options available, making them ideal for spontaneous weekend trips without breaking the bank.

Keep Exploring

  4. View all Virginia cities for camping