Best Campgrounds near Triangle, VA

Triangle, Virginia provides camping access to both Prince William Forest Park and nearby regional parks, with mixed-use campgrounds accommodating tent camping, RVs, and cabin stays. The area includes Oak Ridge Campground within Prince William Forest Park, which offers drive-in and walk-in access for tent and RV campers from March through October. Several specialized campgrounds like Pohick Bay Regional Park provide full-service amenities including water hookups and electric sites alongside more rustic options, creating a spectrum of camping experiences within a 30-mile radius of Washington, DC.

Most developed campgrounds in the Triangle area require reservations, particularly during the peak summer season when sites fill quickly. Prince William Forest Park campgrounds typically operate seasonally, closing during winter months, while some regional parks like Bull Run and Pohick Bay remain open year-round. Campsites are generally well-maintained with amenities ranging from basic tent pads to full hookup RV sites with sewer connections. Cell service is reliable throughout most campgrounds given their proximity to urban areas, though Prince William Forest sites may have spotty coverage. As one camper noted, "Snug campground with nice, clean bathroom and pool. Adjacent to Prince William Forest, near shops and restaurants, and less than an hour away from Washington, DC. Good nature getaway from the city."

Proximity to water features significantly enhances camping experiences in the region. Pohick Bay Campground sits on the Potomac River, offering water-based recreation opportunities that receive consistently positive reviews. Prince William Forest Park provides a more wooded, secluded experience despite being relatively close to urban amenities. Reviews highlight that while some sites are peaceful and private, others may experience noise from nearby roads or neighboring campgrounds. Campers at Pohick Bay appreciate the balance of natural surroundings with convenient access to Washington DC attractions. According to feedback on The Dyrt, "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." Most campgrounds in the area feature picnic tables, fire rings, and access to toilets, with many offering shower facilities.

Best Camping Sites Near Triangle, Virginia (83)

    1. Oak Ridge Campground — Prince William Forest Park

    31 Reviews
    Dumfries, VA
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (703) 221-7181

    $26 / night

    "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."

    "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."

    2. Pohick Bay Campground

    39 Reviews
    Lorton, VA
    12 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."

    "Pohick Bay Campground in Virginia offers a peaceful escape with beautiful views and a variety of outdoor activities like hiking and fishing. It's an ideal spot for families and nature lovers."

    3. Prince William Forest RV Campground — Prince William Forest Park

    17 Reviews
    Dumfries, VA
    4 miles
    +1 (703) 221-2474

    "Adjacent to Prince William Forest, near shops and restaurants, and less than an hour away from Washington, DC. Good nature getaway from the city."

    "Restrooms/showers: very clean, spacious, centrally located."

    4. Bull Run Regional Park

    42 Reviews
    Iron Gate, VA
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (703) 631-0550

    $43 - $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."

    5. Smallwood State Park Campground - TEMPORARILY CLOSED THROUGH JULY 2023

    9 Reviews
    Marbury, MD
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 432-2267

    $27 - $65 / night

    "They are in short distance from the water. There is a playground, bathhouse, and historical buildings that are accessible to campers. There are hiking trials, but none are two extensive."

    "Nice trails, water sports available, and historic landmarks"

    6. Leesylvania State Park Campground

    6 Reviews
    Dumfries, VA
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (703) 730-8205

    $15 - $18 / night

    "Close to me so theres nothing new"

    "Good for a day use, parking is full most of the time but have a lot of space to park you may have to walk but you will find one spot..."

    7. Burke Lake Park Campground

    15 Reviews
    Burke, VA
    15 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."

    8. Aquia Pines Campground

    5 Reviews
    Stafford, VA
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (540) 659-3447

    "And the host are very kind and very friendly, event near Rt. 95, not very loud noise with big tall trees, happy stay!"

    9. Goodwill Cabin — Prince William Forest Park

    1 Review
    Dumfries, VA
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (703) 221-5843

    $70 / night

    "Sites have extras like fire rings with seating, swimming ponds, hiking trails, grassy playing fields, etc. but I’m not sure they all have all of these. They’re all among the trees and shady."

    10. Cabin Camp 3 — Prince William Forest Park

    1 Review
    Dumfries, VA
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (703) 221-5843

    $50 - $70 / night

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Recent Reviews near Triangle, VA

561 Reviews of 83 Triangle Campgrounds


  • j
    Sep. 8, 2025

    Lake Anna State Park Campground

    Nice space

    Great space for rvs and tents. Cabins and yurts available, bath house clean, but toilet paper is thinner than dry onion skin. Beach area is 1/2 mile paved walk. Beach very crowded on weekends.

  • Werner S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 1, 2025

    Aquia Pines Campground

    Good stopover near the highway but hidden between the trees

    We where forced land-inwards because of tropical storm Erin (potential hurricane hitting the Outer Banks). So we decided to visit Washington DC and had a stopover here. It was conveniently located. Terrain is not flat but our spot was well levelled. There is a big dog (and an older gentleman) in the office to welcome you. Full hook up was oké and our spot was nicly secluded between the trees.

  • Joel R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 29, 2025

    Christopher Run Campground

    Very big, a little rough- no internet

    This is a big campground that caters to boaters on Lake Anna. We probably made a mistake coming on a holiday weekend. Many “holiday” campers with extra vehicles, boats and people! The sites are good size, but not very level. We did finally get ours squared away. Mostly wooded, with shade. Our site D9, backed up to a small wooded section. Some full hookups. Tent sites, numerous semi-permanent people. Showers and bathrooms are clean, hot water, but it’s timed, so you have to keep pushing their buttons to continue a shower. They have everyone sign a waiver to release them of liabilities. Never had anyone do that before. Playground, beach, mini golf, canoe rental, boat slips, laundry, convenience store. NO INTERNET

  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 8, 2025

    A World Away Farm LLC

    Great folks. Inexpensive for full hookup.

    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. Wonderful people ❤️. We will be back next year.

  • Erin W.
    Aug. 3, 2025

    Lake Fairfax Campground

    Nice for a quick weekend

    This campground is nice for a quick weekend and does have pretty trails next to the campground. The sites are largely in more of a meadow and not many are very wooded. Our site, 41, was level and nicely spaced from other sites but many tent sites were not level at all. Many tents were on a full slant. There is a waterpark that is an extra cost which is fun for kids. Bathrooms are well maintained and huge.

  • Jennifer H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 2, 2025

    Cherry Hill Park

    Can’t beat it

    Proximity to DC and surrounding areas can’t be beat. Uber, Lyft, bus, shuttle. It takes about a half hour to get downtown to the monuments. Our uber rides ranged from 20-45$ for a family of 5. So $4-9 per person. We rode in all 4 days this way. Personalized, comfortable. Door to door. We saw tons of stuff. No one can say they saw everything. We took the train from Union station to Penn station. Saw the nationals, the orioles. So fun. The park itself has more than most. Mini golf, two pools, arcade, 24 hour laundry, a store and office open early!! And late!!! Wow! Just can’t be beat. Great sites. So many other things in the park. Splash pad, paved roads for scootering. Just awesome!

  • Josey F.
    Jun. 30, 2025

    Greenville Farm Family Campground

    Wonderful!

    We are repeat customers and come here with our troops. Nice mix of RV and tent campers. Quiet. Trails, creek, pool, fishing ponds (back end), batheooms, etc, great rates. No firewood- need to bring your own.

  • L
    Jun. 22, 2025

    Greenbelt Park Campground — Greenbelt Park

    Nice Little Campground

    Decent little campground! It was quiet aside from occasional air traffic noise, and while there wasn't much spacing between some camp sites everyone was respectful. My spot was a little difficult to find because the online park map was incorrect, and the spot was basically an extended shoulder of the road. Checking in was a breeze, though!

  • Edward S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 22, 2025

    Fredericksburg-Washington DC KOA

    Small and quiet

    We stayed here for one night for our travel home. Not far off i95, plenty of signage telling you where to go.

    Once here it's tucked away nicely away from everything, sites feel spacious enough and mostly level on their own.

    Pool facility looks clean and good size for all to enjoy. With a playground right next to it and a small mining operation for the kiddos.

    Will likely be back to explore the area more!


Guide to Triangle

Camping near Triangle, Virginia, offers a mix of beautiful nature and convenient access to outdoor activities. Whether you're looking to pitch a tent or park your RV, there are several campgrounds nearby that cater to different needs and preferences.

What to do

  • Hiking: Explore the trails in Shenandoah National Park. One camper mentioned, “Hiking trails leave right from the campground,” highlighting the easy access to nature right from your site at Big Meadows Campground — Shenandoah National Park.
  • Fishing: Enjoy fishing opportunities at Andy Guest/Shenandoah River State Park Campground. A visitor shared, “Great State Park with the perfect little tent camping loop,” emphasizing the park's charm and fishing spots.
  • Fossil Hunting: Visit Fossil Beach at Westmoreland State Park Campground. One reviewer noted, “I found the tiniest shark tooth… it was a beautiful and private campsite with a great park to explore.”

What campers like

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate the cleanliness of the campgrounds. A visitor at Pohick Bay Campground said, “The bathrooms were cleaner than any other campground we have stayed in.”
  • Spacious Sites: Many enjoy the spaciousness of sites at Mathews Arm Campground — Shenandoah National Park. One camper remarked, “Large sites. Great weather!”
  • Friendly Staff: Campers often mention the helpfulness of the staff. A reviewer at Cherry Hill Park stated, “Staff very helpful and really explained the Metro system very well.”

What you should know

  • Noise Levels: Some campgrounds can be noisy. A camper at Bull Run Regional Park complained, “This place is absolutely the most horrific noisy place… like sleeping on the side of the highway.”
  • Limited Amenities: Not all campgrounds have full amenities. A visitor at Matthews Arm Campground noted, “No electricity or hookups at Matthews Arm, and no cell service.”
  • Reservations Recommended: Many campgrounds fill up quickly, especially during peak seasons. A camper at Greenbelt Park Campground advised, “Reservations are required.”

Tips for camping with families

  • Choose Campgrounds with Playgrounds: Look for campgrounds that have playgrounds for kids. A family at Pohick Bay Campground mentioned, “The playground butts up against the inner circle which are the only sewer sites.”
  • Plan for Activities: Make sure to plan activities that everyone can enjoy. One reviewer at Westmoreland State Park Campground said, “The camp store is well stocked and had decent hours.”
  • Pack Snacks: Having snacks on hand can keep the kids happy. A camper at Cherry Hill Park noted, “Nicely stocked store, great cafe onsite.”

Tips from RVers

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure to check the size of the sites before booking. A reviewer at Harpers Ferry / Civil War Battlefields KOA mentioned, “The sites were so unlevel, close together, and the whole infrastructure in need of repair.”
  • Use Local Dump Stations: If your campground doesn’t have a dump station, plan to use one nearby. A camper at Andy Guest/Shenandoah River State Park Campground appreciated the “dump site on premise.”
  • Be Mindful of Noise: Some campgrounds have noise restrictions. A visitor at Pohick Bay Campground warned about the “noisy helicopters that fly 24/7.”

Camping near Triangle, Virginia, offers a variety of experiences for families and RVers alike. With beautiful parks and campgrounds, there’s something for everyone to enjoy!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Triangle method in camping or outdoor activities?

The Triangle method in camping refers to an efficient campsite organization system where three key activity areas are arranged in a triangle pattern: cooking, sleeping, and food storage. This layout minimizes bear encounters by keeping cooking and food storage at least 100 feet from your sleeping area. It's especially important in wilderness settings like those near Cedarville State Forest, where wildlife interactions are possible. The triangle method also applies to backpacking trips along routes such as those accessible from Horsepen Branch Hiker-biker Overnight Campsite, helping hikers maintain organization and safety while traveling light. This approach balances convenience with safety, keeping food smells away from sleeping areas while maintaining reasonable distances between activity zones.

How do you set up a triangle campsite layout for maximum safety?

To set up a triangle campsite layout for maximum safety, position your sleeping area, cooking station, and food storage at three separate points 100+ feet apart. Place your tent upwind from your cooking area to prevent food odors from attracting wildlife. At campgrounds like Burke Lake Park Campground, this configuration helps maintain safety even in developed settings. For food storage, use bear-resistant containers or hang food from trees at sites like Pohick Bay Campground where wildlife encounters are possible. This triangle setup creates a buffer zone that minimizes the risk of wildlife entering your sleeping area while maintaining convenient access to your camp amenities. Always keep a clean camp by properly disposing of cooking water and food scraps.

What is the Triangle wilderness area and what camping options are available there?

The Triangle area in Virginia offers several camping options in and around Prince William Forest Park. Prince William Forest RV Campground provides clean facilities, a pool, and proximity to Washington DC (less than an hour away), making it ideal for RV campers seeking convenience while still enjoying nature. For more rustic experiences, Oak Ridge Campground in the same forest offers drive-in and walk-in sites with basic amenities like water and toilets. The Triangle region balances wilderness experiences with accessibility to urban amenities, making it popular for weekend getaways. Campgrounds in this area typically feature wooded sites, access to hiking trails, and are often available year-round with reservations recommended during peak seasons.