Camping near Lorton, Virginia provides access to both the Potomac River watershed and Northern Virginia's hardwood forests at elevations ranging from near sea level to about 400 feet. Summer temperatures typically reach the mid-80s with high humidity, while spring and fall offer milder camping conditions with daytime temperatures in the 60s-70s. Regional campsites often require reservations 2-3 months in advance for summer weekends.
What to do
Disc golf courses: Pohick Bay Regional Park offers an 18-hole disc golf course within walking distance of campsites. "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 one Pohick Bay Campground visitor.
Trails and running paths: Burke Lake features a 5-mile gravel loop trail that circles the entire lake, suitable for walking, running, and biking. A visitor explains, "Located close to George Mason University, host to many high school cross country meets, this park has a beautiful lake with a 5-mile gravel walking/running/biking trail around the lake's perimeter. You are not supposed to swim in the lake but you can take out boats (there is a boat launch)."
Historical exploration: Prince William Forest Park offers access to Civil War battlefields and historical 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 a camper at Oak Ridge Campground.
Fishing and boating: Smallwood State Park provides direct access to Mattawoman Creek for kayaking and fishing. "Mattawoman Creek is right there and great for kayaking. We'll definitely be back!!" mentions a repeat visitor.
What campers like
Wildlife viewing: Eagle sightings are common along the Potomac River at certain campgrounds. One visitor noted, "Beautiful campground located near the National Harbor. Eagles everywhere! Large clean sites. Great staff!"
Proximity to DC: Many campers appreciate how quickly they can reach Washington DC attractions. "Stayed here for 2w while visiting friends in Alexandria. Took me 25-30m to get there so you are far away from bustle of city but not so far that going in to enjoy breakfast or the sights is a feat," shares a visitor to Pohick Bay Campground.
Wooded privacy: Bull Run Regional Park offers sites that face the woods, creating a sense of seclusion. "The sites are all pull-through off the roads through the campground. So your camper faces the woods and you feel like you're all alone. Bath houses are clean and well maintained," explains a camper.
Organized activities: Many parks offer scheduled events for campers. "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. This park has too many amenities to list. They had a campfire complete with s'mores followed by hayrides," reports a family who stayed at Bull Run.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds in the area require advance booking, especially during peak season. "Only was able to stay a night here I wish I could have stayed more. Beautiful park and campground many of nice camp sites!" comments a visitor to Oak Ridge Campground.
Site levelness varies: Campsite terrain can be uneven at some locations, requiring leveling equipment. A camper at Prince William Forest RV Campground noted, "Sites were mostly level," while another mentioned, "Our site was in the back row and I didn't mind the walk."
Noise considerations: Some campgrounds experience noise from nearby roads, military installations, or airport flight paths. "There is a shooting range in the park. It is on a flight path for DCA. And, I66 is not that far away," explains a Bull Run Regional Park visitor.
Ticks and insects: Some wooded areas have significant tick populations, especially in spring and early summer. A camper reported, "Ticks were really bad. We killed dozens and ended up taking at least one with us when we left. Only because of the ticks, we would not stay here again."
Tips for camping with families
Playgrounds and recreational amenities: Lake Fairfax Campground offers extensive family activities. "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)," says one visitor.
Water features: Several parks include water parks or swimming facilities for children. "Pirate's Cove waterpark is definitely a highlight in summer. Boating in summer from kayaks to motorboats," notes a camper about Pohick Bay.
Structured activities: Some campgrounds provide organized programming for children. "We had a great time here over a long weekend in August. They gave us a great intro to the park as we were first timers. 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."
Site selection: For families with young children, consider proximity to bathrooms and playgrounds. "We got a site on the inner loop and it backed to the playground and the bathhouse. The site was spacious. The bathhouse is standard but also has laundry and an outdoor dish washing station."
Tips from RVers
Dump stations: Quality and accessibility of dump stations vary significantly between parks. "Plenty of playgrounds and trails nearby to keep the family busy. Amenities and such are what you'd expect - clean but not new," shares a camper at Cherry Hill Park.
Site spacing and privacy: RV sites range from spacious to tightly packed depending on the campground. "The 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," notes an RVer at Bull Run Regional Park.
Hookup availability: Electric amperage and hookup options differ across campgrounds. "I had a 30amp hookup with no issues. They also have up to 50amp full hookups. All of them looked well maintained," reports a visitor to Prince William Forest RV Campground.
Accessibility: Some campgrounds have challenging access for larger rigs. "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)," advises an RV camper.
