Campers near Woodbridge, Virginia can access multiple camping areas all within a day's drive of Washington DC. The area sits along the Potomac River watershed at elevations ranging from 10-250 feet above sea level. For waterfront sites, Fort Belvoir Travel Camp offers direct Potomac River access with fishing piers and boat rentals, while inland campgrounds provide forest settings with moderate terrain.
What to do
Outdoor recreation at Prince William Forest Park: The 15,000-acre Oak Ridge Campground provides extensive hiking trails through native Virginia forest. "New restrooms and close to the town but far enough to be dark and quiet like the outdoors!" notes Joanne H. The park has historical significance beyond just outdoor recreation. "We spent 5 days camping and exploring the civil war battle areas and other things. Definitely worth exploring," says Daniel S.
Water activities at Lake Fairfax: The 20-acre lake at Lake Fairfax Campground offers paddle boat rentals and fishing opportunities. The campground connects to multiple activities. "There's a water park, paddle boats, playgrounds, trails, skate park, sports fields, and the bathrooms are the nicest I've ever seen," according to Brittany V. For families with diverse interests, the multi-use facility accommodates various recreation styles. "We enjoyed the water park immensely. Ten of us in total with kids ranging from 18 months old to 13 years old," reports Corey B.
Wildlife observation near Fort Belvoir: Military credential holders can access Fort Belvoir Travel Camp for unique Potomac River wildlife viewing. "Eagle's nest were interesting," notes Mike H. The outdoor recreation center provides equipment rentals for water exploration. "The base outdoor recreation center has equipment to rent such as kayaks and canoes to explore the Potomac river. There is a pier out into the river to fish on," adds Jack R.
What campers like
Proximity to DC with natural surroundings: Campers appreciate that Bull Run Regional Park provides a wooded retreat near urban centers. "We camped at Bull Run Regional Campground on our visit to Washington DC. It was fall and the colors were gorgeous," says Roberta K. The campground design creates a sense of seclusion. "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," she adds.
Clean, modern facilities: The campgrounds maintain well-kept bathhouses and amenities. "Five stars for the restroom facilities. Bright, large, clean and very well maintained," writes Tana S. about Lake Fairfax. At Bull Run, the individual shower setups receive high marks. "Locking doors, individual stalls. Best camping showers I've ever had," says Yvonne B.
Family-oriented activities: Most campgrounds cater to families with dedicated play areas and recreational opportunities. "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," reports Bridget H. about her stay at Bull Run Regional Park.
What you should know
Noise considerations: Several campgrounds experience noise from nearby transportation corridors or facilities. "Camp ground is nice. Check in was a breeze. 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 Regional Park. During busy periods, campground noise increases. "Saturday was the noisiest day with all the group camping activities," notes Tracy R. from Oak Ridge Campground.
Booking requirements: Most campgrounds enforce reservation policies. "There is a 2-night minimum stay. Even mid-week. In APRIL for gosh sakes!" reports Stuart O. about Bull Run Regional Park. During peak season (April-October), availability becomes limited, particularly at smaller campgrounds like Smallwood State Park which only has 15 total sites.
Site variations: Campsite quality varies considerably within each campground. "Sites varied greatly in size. Some seemed entirely too close, others spread apart. At times, sites seemed backwards," observes Tracy R. about Oak Ridge Campground. For tent campers, levelness presents challenges at some locations. "Many tent sites were not level at all. Many tents were on a full slant," reports Erin W. about Lake Fairfax Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Water park access: Families appreciate the water recreation options available seasonally. "Pirate's Cove waterpark is definitely a highlight in summer," notes Anne K. about Pohick Bay. At Burke Lake Park, families can enjoy multiple water-based activities. "BLP has a great lake for fishing and boat rentals, a paved path to walk around the lake (about 5 miles) and a fantastic playground. There is a carousel and a kiddy train," explains Alexis.
Scheduled activities: Several campgrounds offer organized events for children. "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. about his experience at Pohick Bay Campground.
Playground proximity: Consider campsite location relative to play areas. "We got a site on the inner loop and it backed to the playground and the bathhouse. The site was spacious," notes Ben G. about Pohick Bay Campground. Some campers prefer sites further from high-traffic areas. "If you're looking for something close with some amenities this is it," explains adrian F. about Lake Fairfax.
Tips from RVers
Leveling challenges: Many RV sites require leveling equipment. "Some sites were a little unlevel, front to rear, but definitely manageable," notes Mike H. about Fort Belvoir Travel Camp. At Bull Run Regional Park, "My site had a slight slope, but was easily overcome using additional blocks on the low side to get the trailer level," shares Drew M.
Hook-up availability: Full-service sites may be limited at certain campgrounds. At Prince William Forest RV Campground, "I had a 30amp hookup with no issues. They also have up to 50amp full hookups. All of them looked well maintained," reports Megan K. Dumping facilities vary in quality and accessibility. "The dump station was the strangest I've ever seen. Very run down but it worked," notes Laure D. about Smallwood State Park.
Winter accessibility: Year-round camping options exist for RVers. "Stayed here for 2w while visiting friends in Alexandria. Nice and quiet here during winter more so during week than weekends," shares Josh J. about his winter experience at Pohick Bay. For RVers seeking year-round accessibility, Bull Run Regional Park remains open throughout winter months with electrical hookups for heating needs.
