Northern Virginia offers upscale glamping close to West Mclean, Virginia, with several campgrounds within a 30-mile radius. The region sits at the intersection of the Potomac River watershed and Piedmont plateau, creating diverse camping terrain with seasonal temperature variations that range from the low 30s in winter to high 80s in summer. Several campgrounds remain accessible year-round, though amenities may be limited during colder months.
What to do
Explore hiking trails: Bull Run Regional Park contains miles of trails through wooded areas. "Beautiful and quiet...Very spacious sites and awesome views of the forest," notes Charyssa G. about the natural surroundings.
Tour DC monuments by rideshare: From Cherry Hill Park, visitors can reach DC attractions without driving. "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," shares Jennifer H.
Fishing opportunities: Multiple water access points exist at area campgrounds. "The park is nice, but if youre looking for fishing don't go here, but you can in fact kayak down the creek," explains Jonny D. about Leesylvania State Park, highlighting the importance of selecting the right location for specific activities.
What campers like
Premium camp sites: Some parks offer upgraded camping spots. "We had a premium site for seven nights. The site was perfectly level with a fire ring, grill, picnic table and table with three chairs," reports Jonathan B. about his stay at Cherry Hill Park.
Bathroom facilities: Campground bathroom quality varies significantly. "I'll go again just for the showers... They're with staying again alone. Locking doors, individual stalls. Hot dog. Best camping showers I've ever had," raves Yvonne B. about Bull Run Regional Park.
Secluded settings: Some sites offer privacy despite urban proximity. "Our site backed to the playground and the bathhouse. The site was spacious. We are tent campers but almost all our neighbors were in an RV or trailer," shares Ben G. about his experience at Pohick Bay Campground.
What you should know
Variable pricing structures: Expect additional fees beyond base rates. "Out-of-state campers pay higher camping fee than Maryland residents, $66/night. No senior or veteran discount," notes a reviewer at Little Bennett Campground.
Site conditions: Many campgrounds have uneven terrain. "Site#D69 level side-to-side but we were forced to greatly elevate front of trailer to level front-to-back. Site#D69 gravel parking pad," explains a camper at Little Bennett.
Noise considerations: Despite natural settings, urban sounds persist. "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," warns Drew M. about Bull Run Regional Park.
Reservation requirements: Some parks enforce minimum stays. "But the real kicker is a 2-night minimum stay. Even mid-week. In APRIL for gosh sakes!" points out Stuart O. regarding Bull Run's policies.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly amenities: Seek campgrounds with dedicated play areas. "This campground was full of stuff to do and we didn't even get to do a lot of it... 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," shares Bridget H. about Washington DC / Capitol KOA.
Pool restrictions: Check swimming regulations before booking. "I didnt like that non potty trained kids are not allowed to swim in their pool. Luckily we only have a 9 month old currently that isn't potty trained so she didn't care if she was in the pool or not but I could see where it would be a problem trying to explain to a 2-3 year old," advises Stephanie H. about the Washington DC / Capitol KOA.
Weather preparedness: Spring rainfall can affect site conditions. "While we were here, there was a fairly heavy day of rain. Couple inches, I suppose, but nothing Biblical. The mouths of the metal culverts in our loop were bent downward from campers driving over them, which obstructed the flow. Result was lots of standing water at our campsite," reports Stuart O. about Bull Run Regional Park.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Research specific site numbers before booking. "If you get an area to back into it'll be more secluded, but the pull through spots offer no privacy," advises Elise M. about Capitol KOA.
Hookup quality: Electric service varies between campgrounds. "50 amp hook-up, Water, Sewer," lists Beth R. as pros at Cherry Hill Park, which offers full-service options for larger rigs.
Access limitations: Some parks have entrance constraints. "Entrance gate required entry code Instructed by staff via gate phone to proceed to campsite as check-in at camp store is at dead end with insufficient turning space for pickup towing 28ft bumper pull; complete check-in after camper was unhooked at site," explains a reviewer at Little Bennett Campground.
