Best Campgrounds near Waterford, VA

Campgrounds near Waterford, Virginia range from established KOA facilities to primitive sites along the Potomac River. The area includes several developed campgrounds with cabin options, including Harpers Ferry/Civil War Battlefields KOA and Brunswick Family Campground, both located within 20 miles of Waterford. Many campgrounds in this region accommodate multiple camping styles, with sites supporting tent camping, RV hookups, and cabin rentals. The proximity to the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park provides additional camping opportunities along historic waterways and trails.

Seasonal considerations affect campground availability throughout the region, with many facilities operating from spring through fall. Harpers Ferry Campground typically operates from April through October, while some KOA locations remain open year-round. The area experiences hot, humid summers and mild to cold winters, making spring and fall the most comfortable camping seasons. Most developed campgrounds require reservations, particularly during summer weekends and holidays when sites fill quickly. Primitive camping areas along the C&O Canal have more limited facilities but offer greater solitude. One visitor noted, "Situated next to the river so half of the sites have river views. Nice boat loading ramp and dock for fishing. Half the campground are shaded with trees and half are in more of an open field."

Mixed-use campgrounds dominate the landscape near Waterford, with many facilities offering a combination of tent sites, RV hookups, and cabin rentals. Campers report high satisfaction with locations providing access to both natural and historical attractions. The C&O Canal towpath connects many camping areas and serves as a popular route for hikers and cyclists exploring the region. Several visitors mentioned the convenience of campgrounds that provide easy access to historic sites like Harpers Ferry National Historical Park and Antietam Battlefield. A camper described one location as "very convenient to many historic and recreational sites" with "river float and whitewater rapids trips on both the Shenandoah and Potomac Rivers." Bathroom facilities and amenities vary widely between developed campgrounds and more primitive sites, with most established locations offering showers, flush toilets, and electrical hookups.

Best Camping Sites Near Waterford, Virginia (156)

    1. Harpers Ferry / Civil War Battlefields KOA

    39 Reviews
    Harpers Ferry, WV
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (304) 535-6895

    $40 - $80 / night

    "We were able to walk or ride our bikes to the Harpers Ferry National Historical Park and access the C+O Canal Tow Path from there."

    "We set up camp at Harpers Ferry/Civil War Battlefields KOA Holiday as our launchpad to visit the historic sites in and around Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, and Frederick, Maryland. "

    2. Harpers Ferry Campground - River Riders

    24 Reviews
    Harpers Ferry, WV
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (304) 535-2663

    "Harper's Ferry is a little town in WV nestled right next to the Potomac River. It's also a convenient halfwayish point on the Appalachian Trail."

    "This hike takes you well above the town settled in West Virginia. While some points are pretty steep don’t let this deter you from completing it. The trail is well maintained, marked, and exciting."

    3. Brunswick Family Campground

    12 Reviews
    Brunswick, MD
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (301) 834-9950

    $10 - $90 / night

    "Picked this location because it is close to our home in Silver Spring, MD but far enough to make us feel like we were leaving town."

    "Great location right next the river. Easy to walk into the river or tube down it. Lots of different activities for kids and plenty of space at each site to make your home away from home."

    4. 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."

    5. Greenbrier State Park Campground - TEMPORARILY CLOSED

    41 Reviews
    Boonsboro, MD
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 432-2267

    $23 - $29 / night

    "Positives

    * Big, immaculately groomed tent pads

    * Mostly tent campers!"

    "Our site was private and kind of faced away from most other sites. There was a hiking trail behind us that led to the lake."

    6. Lake Fairfax Campground

    25 Reviews
    Reston, VA
    22 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."

    7. Gambrill State Park Campground

    14 Reviews
    Middletown, MD
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (888) 432-2267

    $18 - $50 / night

    "The site was very level, nicely shaded, and positioned a short distance from the bath house. There was also a water spigot located right at the entrance of the site."

    "There was a walking path to the bathhouse between 13 and 14. Sites 8-11 were on a nice open field, with some smaller trees."

    8. Bull Run Regional Park

    42 Reviews
    Iron Gate, VA
    28 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."

    9. Antietam Creek Campground — Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park

    11 Reviews
    Sharpsburg, MD
    18 miles
    Website

    $20 / night

    "All the sites are very open and run along the multi-use trail. People are constantly walking, running, and biking by."

    "Pretty standard campground—the perks are it’s location to nearby attractions and the river/creek. It depends on what you’re looking for—easy camping and proximity to Antietam and Harper’s? Golden."

    10. Brunswick City Campground

    1 Review
    Brunswick, MD
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (301) 695-5177

    "This location is very welcome with the friendly staff and large sites for tents or RVs. We had easy access to the electric and water. Plus enough room for a large tent."

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Recent Reviews near Waterford, VA

1178 Reviews of 156 Waterford Campgrounds


  • Marcandpatti B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 11, 2025

    Gettysburg Campground

    Good spot for Gettysburg, a bit spendy.

    We stayed here mid-week in September so it was very quiet. There was a bit of road noise as our site was close to the entrance. Host was super friendly. They have a bunch of things going on with groups that stay here; next group is quilters with vintage trailers, sorry to miss that. All of the utilities worked just fine. Sites re a bit close to each other, not a lot of foliage between sites.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 9, 2025

    Artillery Ridge Campground

    Great location and friendly staff

    We have a motorhome with no additional vehicle and two dogs, and this site couldn’t have been more perfect for us. A dog park, walking distance to most everything we wanted to see. The national park is mostly dog friendly. My husband caught a fish first day in the pond behind our site. The staff was super friendly and welcoming.

  • p
    Sep. 8, 2025

    Artillery Ridge Campground

    Rv stay

    Site and bathrooms clean. Activities provided free each day. Food trucks in park. Close to museum and battleground sites.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 7, 2025

    Round Top Campground

    Better than OK

    Stayed for 2 days while passing through from FL to NH. Off-season so not crowded. Pool was clean and quite good sized, had it to ourselves due to season. Did laundry while here, ample laundry room. On-site extras include food-truck restaurant and small country goods vendor during our stay. Office staff did ok. Sites have reasonable spacing with gravel pads, mostly level. Trees between sites with sloping hills , not just a big open field. It’s a corporate site so automated web-based reservation system was finicky so we had to verify reservation went through. Tried to book 2 nights but system only set us up for 1. Phone call to help line easily resolved the issue. Quiet and no spotlights on all night.

  • EThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 6, 2025

    Harpers Ferry Campground - River Riders

    Awesome views on the Potomac

    Very cool spot. Amazing sites right on the Potomac. There is a Ale House above the office that delivers for free to your site (2.5 miles away), just tip the driver

  • Lindsay C.
    Aug. 28, 2025

    Little Fort Campground

    Nice secluded campsite

    There are 9 campsites, each with at least one fire ring, a tent pad and a picnic table, and there is a vault toilet in the middle. I arrive at 7:30pm on a Saturday in late August and thought I might be too late to get a spot but there were only two other groups there so I had my pick of most of the sites. 

    Overall it's a nice secluded spot, although I had a couple of complaints. The picnic tables at most of the sites had seen better days and I'm not sure if I would have wanted to sit at them if I had stayed at the site for any meals. Also, I could hear some cars drive by and some dogs barking while I was trying to sleep, which was a bit disruptive. Otherwise, I would recommend this campsite. 

    Note: this page says that Verizon has limited service but I have a Verizon prepaid plan and I had no service at all starting from about 20 minutes away from the site, so I wouldn't count on having any reception.

  • eThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 21, 2025

    Round Top Campground

    I camped and worked here.

    I’m a shamanic energy healer and health enthusiast exploring a new life and hunting for healthy. While this campground has some nice features. This certainly is not a health conscious facility. Lots of smoking, drinking and unhealthy food. There was also evidence of mice in the main store and definitely issues with the water.

  • 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!


Guide to Waterford

Camping near Waterford, Virginia, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventure-filled weekend, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Explore the trails around Greenbrier State Park Campground. One camper mentioned, "Great hiking to Annapolis Rocks or the Washington Monument right from the park, no need to drive!"
  • Swimming: Enjoy a refreshing swim at Cunningham Falls State Park. A reviewer noted, "My kids also LOVED the swimming lake -- especially great for small kids."
  • Fishing: Cast a line at Lake Fairfax Campground. One visitor shared, "The lake is great for fishing."

What campers like:

  • Clean facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained bathrooms and campsites. A review for Hagerstown / Antietam Battlefield KOA said, "Sites, amenities, and bathrooms/showers were all clean and well kept."
  • Friendly staff: Many campgrounds have helpful staff. A camper at Bull Run Regional Park mentioned, "The Rangers were helpful."
  • Scenic views: Campers love the beautiful surroundings. One review for Harpers Ferry Campground said, "The view was pretty."

What you should know:

  • Crowded on weekends: Many campgrounds can get busy, especially during peak seasons. A visitor at Cunningham Falls State Park noted, "It was crowded but the campground is very wooded so I did not feel a lack of privacy."
  • Limited amenities: Some campgrounds may not have all the amenities you expect. A review for Owens Creek Campground mentioned, "Only basic amenities, but dump station."
  • Noise from nearby roads or trains: Be prepared for some noise. A camper at Harpers Ferry Campground said, "The trains run all night."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose kid-friendly campgrounds: Look for places with playgrounds and swimming areas. A parent at Lake Fairfax Campground mentioned, "Great bathrooms all singles w showers. Lots of fun things to do."
  • Plan activities: Make sure to have a list of activities to keep the kids entertained. A reviewer at Greenbrier State Park Campground said, "The kids loved the man-made beach and park."
  • Pack snacks and drinks: Having food on hand can make things easier. One camper at Hagerstown / Antietam Battlefield KOA noted, "Staff were great, bathrooms clean and nice food amenities."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check site levels: Make sure your site is level enough for your RV. A review for Cunningham Falls State Park warned, "Beware: The sites on the lower side of the road (mostly even numbered) are pretty level."
  • Be aware of space: Some sites can be tight. A camper at Harpers Ferry Campground mentioned, "Very small camp sites, we were just a few feet from the campsite next to us."
  • Know your hookups: Check what utilities are available at your site. A review for Bull Run Regional Park stated, "Came to stay for a volleyball tournament and got way more."

Camping near Waterford, Virginia, has something for everyone, whether you're a family looking for fun or an RVer seeking adventure.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Waterford, VA?

According to TheDyrt.com, Waterford, VA offers a wide range of camping options, with 156 campgrounds and RV parks near Waterford, VA and 6 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Waterford, VA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Waterford, VA is Harpers Ferry / Civil War Battlefields KOA with a 3.7-star rating from 39 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Waterford, VA?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 6 free dispersed camping spots near Waterford, VA.

What parks are near Waterford, VA?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 18 parks near Waterford, VA that allow camping, notably Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park and Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park.