8 campgrounds with availability this weekend
Pohick Bay Campground serves as the primary pet-friendly camping destination near Woodbridge, Virginia, with spacious sites that accommodate tents, RVs, and cabins. Leashed pets are welcome throughout the campground, with clean facilities and multiple comfort stations featuring hot water and dish washing areas. The campground maintains quiet hours which helps minimize disruptions for pets sensitive to noise. Bull Run Regional Park and Oak Ridge Campground also accommodate pets with similar policies requiring owners to maintain control of their animals at all times. Most sites include standard amenities like picnic tables and fire rings, with some offering electric and water hookups suitable for RV camping with dogs. The campground sites backing up to the playground have limited privacy buffer, something to consider when camping with easily excited dogs.
The trail network connecting Pohick Bay's camping areas provides excellent walking opportunities for dogs, with paths leading to the marina and waterfront areas. During summer months, temperatures can reach uncomfortable levels for pets, so shaded sites become particularly valuable. The campground's proximity to the Potomac River creates wildlife viewing opportunities, though pet owners should remain vigilant about potential encounters with local wildlife including snakes occasionally spotted near comfort stations. The campground entrance connects to Route 1 where pet owners can find supplies at nearby stores including Food Lion. Campers traveling with pets should note that after-hours rangers are available to assist with late arrivals and site selection. Weekdays typically offer a quieter experience for pets sensitive to crowds and noise compared to busier weekend periods.
"We enjoyed sitting around the campfire at night and walking the dogs down to the water. We were right next to a hiking trail that went down to the water and a beach area."
"This is a pet friendly campground. There's a lot to do out at the whole park, and its worth exploring (we just didn't have time). I'm sure its so pretty out near the water."
Available this weekend
from $150 / night
"Showers are in loop B, which is a 5-7 minute walk. During holiday weekends the sites closest to the shower facilities are fully booked and have less privacy."
"The Oak Ridge campgrounds at Prince William Forest Park are a lovely little campground just outside Washington DC. The sites were large, the facilities are clean and the staff friendly and helpful."
Available this weekend
from $26 / night
"Portable water and dumping station located at the camp store. We stayed at site 146 on the first caul-de-sac off the first loop just another site away from the bath house (which was pretty clean)."
"There's plenty of room around the camper, and although there are other campsites and cabins nearby, the trees provide a lot of separation."
Available this weekend
from $43 - $100 / night
"Restrooms/showers: very clean, spacious, centrally located."
"Adjacent to Prince William Forest, near shops and restaurants, and less than an hour away from Washington, DC. Good nature getaway from the city."
"We stayed Burke lake campground for one night last week. It was very peaceful place. The whole camp ground was very clean and well kept."
"This was my second time going Burke Lake and it was just as enjoyable as the first."
"The other campers were all respectful and observed pet policy and quiet hours. I have a reactive dog and he did well here! We’ll be back!"
"They are in short distance from the water. There is a playground, bathhouse, and historical buildings that are accessible to campers. There are hiking trials, but none are two extensive."
from $27 - $65 / night
"Super clean Very well maintained Pet friendly... kinda No veteran discounts smh Good for a day or two"
"Good site, secure location, decent facilities with solid WiFi. Pier within walking distance. Good location, tho our site wasn't fully level, so bring plenty of leveling blocks."
from $55 / night
"A lot to do: mountain bike trails (horses and walking, too); wooded hikes with water along the trails (great for dogs in the summer heat), skateboard park, BMX park, Water Park near the campground, fishing"
"If you are looking for camping in Fairfax County Virginia, this is it, because there are only a couple to choose from."
from $30 - $70 / night
"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."
"i’ve camped here too many times to count, love being surrounded by nature!"
"Though you are close to highways I don’t recall hearing and noise. I love that they have shuttles to DC., walking trails and a large dog park."
"Great location with access to all forms of transportation. Store fully stocked to include groceries. Two pools. Hot tub. Play areas to include a game room and miniature golf. "
Available this weekend
from $999 / night
TravelerClose to washington as we could get. Could also park our skoolie bus which was nice and had plenty of close by shower with bathrooms. Keep in mind only one shower per restroom house. We stayed at a pretty slow season so it wasn’t bad. Would recommend if visiting DC! They also have a dump station and water fill up.
ScoutWe stayed in site #133 with our 34'10" travel trailer/toy hauler. Overall, we really like the site. It's spacious, fairly level, heavily wooded, and feels surprisingly private. There's plenty of room around the camper, and although there are other campsites and cabins nearby, the trees provide a lot of separation. We had a nice large area for our chairs, fire pit, picnic table, and dogs. The biggest thing to know about #133 is the approach. We were instructed to pass the site, go around the loop, and then make a left turn into it. With our nearly 35' trailer, that would have required an extremely tight, almost 90-degree turn between the trees, and we did not feel we could safely make it. There is actually visible damage on one of the trees at the entrance, so it appears others may have had difficulty with the turn as well. Instead, we approached from the opposite direction and positioned the camper with our doors facing the main campsite area. That put the water and electric hookups on the opposite side, but our hoses and cord were long enough to run underneath the camper and reach without a problem. Once we figured that out, the site worked very well for us. I initially thought we probably wouldn't choose #133 again because of the awkward setup, but after spending the weekend here, I would. Now that we know how to approach and position our trailer, it really is a nice site. If you're bringing a longer travel trailer, just be prepared to do a little maneuvering and make sure your water hose and electrical cord have enough length if you decide to orient your camper the way we did.
ScoutSimple and friendly check in process. Clean and well-maintained site.
GuideSpent two nights while we saw the Avett Brothers play at Wolf Trap. Nice flat site with power. Campground was quiet and clean. The only negative is communication and signage. It took us a couple wrong turns to find our site and when we came back, after the concert around 11, the entrance gate was closed and we had to sneak in through the exit gate. Asked the next day and they said that is what campers do to access the park after 11pm.
RangerWe stayed at Little Bennett starting on Labor Day Monday and left before the weekend, so it is hard to say how this looks when the campground is full of life. They had quite a few activities for families and a pavilion capable of concerts and such, but there was minimal activity during our stay. My biggest complaint is that the gate code changed and we didn't get any notice--so after a long day and a dinner out near Baltimore (nearly an hour away), I had to call the police to get back to my camper. Otherwise, the campsite was relatively spacious and quiet. The bugs were a little rough. Lots of whitetail running around.
ScoutIt was a well maintained campsite. Clean bathrooms and great hikes to fossil beach.
GuideIf you want to be near Annapolis, right on the Severn River...this is it. About 15 RV spots nestled in the woods...with full hook ups. A couple of primitive spots as well. Just a quick 5 min walk to the river...right across from the Academy. NEX, gas within 10 min walk, and 15 min drive to downtown Annapolis. Staff is always great here, and the park is clean....for a park on the woods.
TravelerBased on my stay 3 nights and what I read of Greenbelt Park (the other closeby to Washington campground) I would say this has to be much better and I will stay here again on a future visit. Campground sits inside of a much larger park with great trails, amenities and well maintained. Campground is quiet, lots of trees, forest and yet each space is very large with good spacing and privacy to adjacent sites. High tree canopy at your site so lots of room to spread out. Sites themselves are a little rustic - a mix of grass, gravel and dirt, but not muddy (it rained a good bit prior to my stay) - but in good condition. Shower/toilet block is clean and good hot water and good water pressure. Most sites are flat or near flat and the ones that aren't need minimal levelling blocks. Campground apparently is never full and there was only 1 other when I was there - really hard to believe. There is a neighborhood road up by the sites near the shower block but it is low speed and lightly travelled and I had no disturbance from it. Nice surrounding neighborhood. No signs of vagrants. Park police patrolled multiple times per day and report very little non-camper entry to ther facilities. I felt very safe.Easy access to Eashington - bus stop outside the campground to metro or just drive to the metro (free parking weekend, $6 midweek) and then train (about 8 per hour) into the sites - an hour or less total to get there. For more local people, this seems like a good escape "to the woods" without travelling forever.
TravelerGood spot to get away and pitch a tent. Never anyone else there too! Make sure to get a daily ($4) or annual (~$22 I forget) Access Permit on Virginia DWR, as well as special WMA camping license (free)
Camping options near Woodbridge, Virginia span numerous parks and regional forests within a 30-mile radius. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 90°F with high humidity from June through August, while spring and fall provide milder conditions with temperatures between 60-75°F. Campgrounds in this region feature varying levels of tree cover and proximity to the Potomac River watershed, with most locations offering seasonal camping from March through October.
Disc golf adventure: Pohick Bay Regional Park features an 18-hole disc golf course popular with regular campers. "I'd recommend taking in a game of disc golf on their 18 hole course," notes Rachel L., who calls this park her "go-to weekend camping spot."
Horseback riding: Miles of equestrian trails run through the forested areas of Cedarville State Forest, connecting with deeper woodland paths. According to Ben J., "Equestrian trails go deep into the woods if you want a longer trail," making it ideal for longer excursions with sufficient water supplies.
Water activities: Multiple campgrounds offer water-based recreation, from boat rentals to swimming. Anne K. highlights that at Pohick Bay, "Boating in summer from kayaks to motorboats" provides options for different skill levels, while the "Pirate's Cove waterpark is definitely a highlight in summer" for families seeking more structured water fun.
Wildlife viewing: Oak Ridge Campground in Prince William Forest Park offers abundant wildlife encounters. "Saw a snake, alligator snapping turtle, and rabbits, before we even reached the gates," reports Ben J., highlighting the diverse ecosystem within easy driving distance from DC.
Clean facilities: Many campers appreciate the well-maintained bathroom facilities throughout the area. At Lake Fairfax Park, one reviewer awarded "Five stars for the restroom facilities. Bright, large, clean and very well maintained," noting they are significantly better than typical campground bathrooms.
Fishing opportunities: Smallwood State Park provides excellent fishing access with multiple docks. "Mattawoman Creek is right there and great for kayaking," writes Lorraine P., who has camped there multiple times specifically for the water access.
Tick prevention: Several campgrounds report significant tick presence, particularly in warmer months. At Cedarville State Forest, one camper noted, "LOTS and LOTS of ticks. I got one, but my wife and dog got about a dozen each. Just bring tweezers." Permethrin-treated clothing and regular tick checks are essential.
Noise factors: Bull Run Regional Park has several noise sources campers should be aware of. "There is a shooting range in the park. It is on a flight path for DCA. And, I66 is not that far away," reports Drew M., though he still recommends the campground overall.
Reservation requirements: Many campgrounds in the region implement two-night minimum stays, especially during peak season. One reviewer noted at Bull Run that 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."
Drainage considerations: After rainfall, water management can be an issue at certain campgrounds. One camper at Bull Run observed during a moderate rain that "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."
Playground proximity: When booking a campsite with children, consider proximity to play areas. At Lake Fairfax Campground, "There is plenty of things to do here to keep a family occupied," according to campers, with "playgrounds and trails nearby to keep the family busy."
Educational programs: Several parks offer structured activities for children. At Bull Run, one family noted, "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."
Bathroom convenience: For families with young children, bathroom location matters. One parent camping at Smallwood State Park mentioned, "The site was large, almost perfectly level, and wooded. It was also right next to the bath house, which was great for the kids. There were several paved walking paths leading to the bath house, so no one cut through our site to get to it."
Transportation options: When visiting DC from campgrounds, public transit can save parking hassles. One camper at Oak Ridge Campground reported, "We spent 5 days camping and exploring the civil war battle areas and other things," while another noted they "camped each evening" while seeing DC during the day.
Leveling challenges: Burke Lake Park Campground and several other campgrounds have sites with variable leveling needs. "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 committing to the inner loop," advises one experienced RVer.
Hookup limitations: Most campgrounds in the region offer limited hookup options. "Electric hookup only. Bathhouse was very clean and the staff friendly. Water fill & Dump Station on the beach side of the bathhouse," notes a camper at Lake Fairfax, representing the typical arrangement at many parks in the area.
Site selection for pet owners: When traveling with dogs to pet friendly camping near Woodbridge, Virginia, choosing sites away from high-traffic areas helps manage pet anxiety. Sites backing up to woods rather than playgrounds or common areas provide better buffer zones for reactive dogs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Woodbridge, VA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Woodbridge, VA is Pohick Bay Campground with a 4.1-star rating from 37 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Woodbridge, VA?
TheDyrt.com has all 76 dog-friendly camping locations near Woodbridge, VA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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