Pet friendly camping near Waterford, Virginia offers outdoor accommodations within 40 miles of Washington D.C., positioned at the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains where elevations range from 400 to 1,000 feet. Summer temperatures typically reach the high 80s with moderate humidity, while spring and fall camping seasons experience temperature swings of 30+ degrees between day and night.
What to Do
Hiking the C&O Canal Trail: 4.5 miles from Brunswick Family Campground connects directly to the towpath. "You could walk or bike for miles in either direction for hours! Harpers Ferry is only 6 miles away on the trail," notes Susan K., who appreciated the trail's accessibility for day excursions.
Historical exploration: 30 minutes from most campgrounds to multiple Civil War sites. "Close to Harpers Ferry and tubing, and close to the Monocacy River (great for kayaking!)," says Sherri C. The area provides access to numerous battlefield sites within short driving distances.
Fishing: Direct access available from riverfront sites at multiple locations. At Brunswick City Campground, "You can walk down into the river or go up river some to go tubing!" according to Nicholas S., who found easy access for water activities just steps from campsites.
What Campers Like
River views and sounds: Soothing waters at Antietam Creek Campground create peaceful camping ambiance. "This is such a nice little spot right along the Potomac River... Site 11 had its own path down to the Potomac River," reports Michelle N., who found the riverside location perfect for relaxation despite the steep access path.
Wooded privacy: Heavily forested sites at Little Bennett Campground provide natural screening between campers. "The sites are quiet, very spacious, level, and heavily wooded with 50A service, water and sewer hookup," writes Ray & Terri F., appreciating the separation from other campers despite being in a developed campground.
Clean facilities: Regularly maintained restrooms and showers at most area campgrounds. "Bathroom and showers located nearby. You're not allowed to park at the tent sites but most of the tent sites allow you to drop all your camping gear off and then park in a designated area," explains Maggie A., describing the setup that balances convenience with vehicle-free camping areas.
What You Should Know
Train noise: Active rail yards near several campgrounds create intermittent sound disruptions. At Harpers Ferry Campground, "There is a train going through day and night. For me it's a minor inconvenience and my daughter, who even as a baby, slept through it. Do bring ear plugs if you're a light sleeper," advises Maggie A.
Weekend crowds: Significantly busier during peak summer months and holidays. "Between the tent sites being close together and the campground being part of zip lining/rafting courses there's not a ton of privacy (especially during the weekend)," notes one camper about the potential lack of solitude.
Varied site leveling: Challenging terrain at some campgrounds requires extra equipment. "Our Pull-thru FHU Patio site(#199) had a serious slope. It was impossible to level my 45' motorhome without elevating the front wheels dangerously in the air," shares Matt S., warning about site conditions at Harpers Ferry/Civil War Battlefields KOA.
Tips for Camping with Families
Water activities: Multiple options for families with children of all ages at Greenbrier State Park Campground. "A good, comfortable place with a lot to offer. The nearby trails are great and the lake is a good place to swim or laze on a warm day," recommends Andrew M., though he notes the lake gets crowded during peak times.
Playground accessibility: Several facilities offer play areas specifically designed for younger campers. "Five stars for the restroom facilities. Bright, large, clean and very well maintained. It's very convenient and plenty of activities for the kids," writes Tana S. about Lake Fairfax Campground, highlighting the family-friendly amenities.
Designated pet areas: Limited options for dogs at water features across the region. "The only downsides are how crowded it can get peak season, and they dont allow dogs in the lake at all. That's annoying when you camp in summer heay with your dog," explains Beth C. about restrictions that affect families camping with pets.
Tips from RVers
Site selection crucial: Request specific sites when booking at Bull Run Regional Park. "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," notes Roberta K., highlighting how site configuration affects camping experience.
Dump station locations: Plan accordingly as some campgrounds offer limited waste disposal options. "Our site was level and nicely spaced from other sites but many tent sites were not level at all. Many tents were on a full slant," observes Erin W., noting variations in site quality even within the same campground.
Power considerations: Inconsistent coverage under tree canopies affects solar capabilities. "There is no satellite coverage due to the heavy tree canopy. OTA TV was descent using an external omni antenna," explains an RVer, noting technology limitations in heavily wooded areas that might affect RV camping comfort.
