Woodbridge, Virginia sits along the tidal Potomac River with elevations ranging from near sea level to about 200 feet. The camping area experiences hot, humid summers with temperatures regularly exceeding 90°F and mild winters, making spring and fall optimal for outdoor stays. Campgrounds near Woodbridge provide direct access to both river recreation and forest exploration, with many sites offering year-round availability despite seasonal weather variations.
What to do
Disc golf course access: Pohick Bay Campground features an 18-hole disc golf course popular with weekend visitors. "Pohick Bay is my go-to weekend camping spot. Just a few miles outside DC, Pohick Bay is a hidden gem in the area. I'd recommend taking in a game of disc golf on their 18 hole course," notes Rachel L.
Fossil hunting expeditions: Westmoreland State Park Campground offers unique beach access for finding shark teeth along the Potomac shoreline. A visitor explains, "I love the sharks' teeth display in the shop and when I was there they were working on putting bones together of a whale that was found!"
Riverside activities: Fishing, kayaking, and paddleboarding are available at multiple riverside campgrounds. Rappahannock River Campground provides excellent river access. "This campground is off the beaten path and QUIET! The sites are well-spaced and lovely. We stayed overnight passing thru. We'll be back with this as a destination for kayaking. The river access is fantastic!" shares Jen T.
What campers like
Proximity to Washington DC: Cherry Hill Park offers convenient access to national monuments and museums. "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," reports Jennifer H.
Year-round camping options: Several campgrounds remain open during winter months for off-season stays. A winter visitor to Bull Run Regional Park noted, "Stayed here for 2w while visiting friends in Alexandria. Took me 25-30m to get there so you are far away from bustle of city but not so far that going in to enjoy breakfast or the sights is a feat. Nice and quiet here during winter more so during week than weekends."
Clean facilities: Campers consistently highlight well-maintained bathrooms and showers at area campgrounds. At Westmoreland State Park Campground, a reviewer noted, "Bathhouses are always SO clean and heated in the winter. So appreciate the recycling bins."
What you should know
Seasonal considerations: Water activities may face restrictions during certain months. At Westmoreland State Park, a camper warned, "At the time of my visit a couple of weeks ago there was a bit of algae in the water that could cause irritation to stomach and skin, so just be mindful of this."
Campground noise levels: Some parks experience higher noise levels during peak season. A review of Pohick Bay Campground noted, "This place is packed full of people who like to stay up late and make lots of noise. Park rules aren't very well enforced."
Amenities vary between parks: While some campgrounds offer extensive facilities, others remain primitive. At Rappahannock River Campground, a visitor explained, "Showers are hot. Toilets are a porta potty type. Great for a weekend away from all the hustle and bustle."
Tips for camping with families
Plan for scheduled activities: Bull Run Regional Park offers family-friendly programming throughout the week. "Our family stayed here in a cabin on a long weekend trip to DC. 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," writes Bridget H.
Consider cabin options: Westmoreland State Park provides family-friendly cabin accommodations as alternatives to tent camping. A visitor described, "Cabin 24 is a 2BR/1BA cinderblock cabin with waterfront views and large yard space. One room has two bunk beds, dresser, shelving, a lamp, and two night stands. Other room has a queen bed, shelving, a lamp, night stand, and dresser."
Look for playground access: Several campgrounds feature play areas for children. At Pohick Bay Campground, one camper shared, "We had a great time here over a long weekend in August. The check in is a breeze and the staff is super nice and helpful. 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."
Tips for RVers
Site leveling requirements: Louise F. Cosca Regional Park has variable site terrain. "Check out your site before booking, some sites are steep but spacious. Close to town but far enough to enjoy yourself. Bathrooms are clean and have decent showers," advises ben S.
Limited campground access: Some parks have restrictive roads for larger vehicles. One visitor noted, "This is not big rig friendly but there are pull through sites but the roads are very narrow and there is only 1 way in and 1 way out (same entrance) there is a dump station at the beginning of the campground with access to water as well."
Electric hookup availability: Only certain sites at each campground offer power connections. A camper at Cosca Regional Park explained, "This campground is about 25 sites. Only 5 sites have electric (2, 5, 18, 24, 25) but all 25 sites have water hookup."
