Fairfax County camping options extend beyond the immediate county lines into surrounding areas with varying terrain and facilities. Most campgrounds sit at elevations between 200-400 feet above sea level within the Piedmont region, creating moderate hiking conditions. Sites typically remain open from April through October, with some year-round facilities requiring advanced booking during peak summer months.
What to do
Disc golf courses: Pohick Bay Regional Park offers an 18-hole course nearby. "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 camper Rachel L.
Historic exploration: Camp at Oak Ridge Campground for access to Civil War battlefields. "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," according to Daniel S.
Water activities: Multiple parks offer water recreation within 30 minutes of Fairfax. One visitor at Greenbelt Park Campground noted, "The other great thing about it that you can spend entire days at the always-free Smithsonian museums and still fall asleep in the woods. Can't beat the close proximity to DC."
Wildlife viewing: Look for eagles and deer at various campgrounds. "Beautiful campground located near the National Harbor. Eagles everywhere! Large clean sites. Great staff!" reports Kathie M. about Fort Belvoir Travel Camp.
What campers like
Off-peak solitude: During weekdays and shoulder seasons, campgrounds remain less crowded. "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," explains Becky at Greenbelt Park.
Metro accessibility: Cherry Hill Park offers transport options to Washington DC. "The park is close to Washington DC and offers a conceirge service for tours and things to do. On site are pools, splash pad, rv supplies and repair parts, a snack bar and lots more," notes Scott C.
Family programming: Several campgrounds schedule regular activities for children. At Bull Run Regional Park, "They had a campfire complete with s'mores followed by hayrides. Great family friendly campground," according to Bridget H.
Clean facilities: Most campgrounds maintain well-kept bathhouses. "Best review I can give us of the bathrooms. They're with staying again alone. Locking doors, individual stalls. Hot dog. Best camping showers I've ever had," reports Yvonne B. about Bull Run Regional Park.
What you should know
Site leveling challenges: Many tent sites require adjustment. At Lake Fairfax Campground, "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," explains Erin W.
Transaction fees: Some parks charge additional fees beyond the base rate. "Bull Run manages to goose you even more. There are occupancy AND transaction fees that really add up if you're only there a few nights. But the real kicker is a 2-night minimum stay. Even mid-week," notes Stuart O.
Noise considerations: Several campgrounds experience noise from nearby infrastructure. "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," explains Drew M. about Bull Run.
Tree rules: Hammock restrictions exist at some parks. Timothy C. at Greenbelt Park notes, "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."
Tips for camping with families
Water park access: Several camping sites near Fairfax, Virginia include splash areas for children. At Pohick Bay, "Pirate's Cove waterpark is definitely a highlight in summer," mentions Anne K.
Playground proximity: Consider site location relative to play areas. Ben G. shares about Pohick Bay, "We got a site on the inner loop and it backed to the playground and the bathhouse. The site was spacious."
Scheduled activities: Prince William Forest RV Campground offers regular programming. "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," shares Ben G.
Additional attractions: Many parks offer mini-golf, carousel rides, and trains. Jason F. at Lake Fairfax notes, "The staff and campers were great and we even got to see the cub scouts doing a relay course. The trails were nice and clean and despite the weather, the overall grounds were beautiful."
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Request outer loop locations for more level sites. Corey B. advises, "The outer loop campsites are easily more level than the center loop. If leveling perfectly is a concern you may want to call ahead and ask before commiting to the inner loop."
Extension considerations: Some campgrounds limit RV length. Laura M. explains about Greenbelt Park, "Loop B is for tents and RVs under 30 ft, Loop C is for tents, and Loop D is for tents and RVs under 35 ft. No hookups at any of the sites."
Water connections: Fill stations may require adaptations. "The water fill was a little annoying in that there's a handle you have to hold down the whole time, but we used a rock to prop the handle down," notes Laura M.
Satellite reception: Tree cover impacts signal access. According to Laura at Greenbelt Park, "Most have too much tree cover for solar or starlink, but some sites are more open and you might be able to make it work."
