Virginia Campgrounds Close to Metro

[MR AIRSTREAM]

We are planning a trip to Washington DC and would like to camp close to a Metro Station preferably west of DC.

Any information about good campgrounds in that area would be much appreciated.

Thanks.

[Silver Goose]

Two that come to mind are Pohick Bay Regional Park near Lorton, VA and Greenbelt National Park near Greenbelt, MD. We've stayed at Pohick Bay and they had sites with full hookups. These are SE and NE of the city and I'm not aware of their proximity to public transportation. There might not be many choices. Maybe someone else here has better knowledge of the area.

[Goal15]

We camped, years ago, in our pop up at a campground out near the Manasass Battleground, and if memory serves me correctly you can catch the Orange Line at Falls Church which is only a few miles from the campground. It was a nice campground with plenty of trees... can't remember if it was a state park or not.

[Skater]

Originally Posted by Goal15

We camped, years ago, in our pop up at a campground out near the Manasass Battleground, and if memory serves me correctly you can catch the Orange Line at Falls Church which is only a few miles from the campground. It was a nice campground with plenty of trees... can't remember if it was a state park or not.

My guess is that you mean Bull Run Regional Park (it's a county campground). The orange line isn't too far but it's definitely not within walking distance or anything like that. There's another county park in Northern VA which has some (possibly full) hookups...the name escapes me at the moment. Again, it's a drive to Metro from there.

The only campground I know with direct access to Metro is Cherry Hill Park in College Park, Maryland (there's a bus that goes to the campground). Greenbelt National Park is near a couple Metro stops, but it's dry camping only.

[Goal15]

Originally Posted by Skater

My guess is that you mean Bull Run Regional Park (it's a county campground). The orange line isn't too far but it's definitely not within walking distance or anything like that. There's another county park in Northern VA which has some (possibly full) hookups...the name escapes me at the moment. Again, it's a drive to Metro from there.

The only campground I know with direct access to Metro is Cherry Hill Park in College Park, Maryland (there's a bus that goes to the campground). Greenbelt National Park is near a couple Metro stops, but it's dry camping only.

You are right about it being Bull Run... i knew it was one of those battles. It appears that the Northern Virginia Park in Fairfax that you may be thinking about will have one of their campgrounds closed beginning in July for the better part of a year for construction of new bathroom facilities.

[Skater]

Originally Posted by Goal15

You are right about it being Bull Run... i knew it was one of those battles. It appears that the Northern Virginia Park in Fairfax that you may be thinking about will have one of their campgrounds closed beginning in July for the better part of a year for construction of new bathroom facilities.

That's right. I remember thinking that seemed rather drastic for a bathroom renovation.

[chaimemet]

We stayed there 2 years ago. They were filled when we tried to reserve on the way up we tried again and got one of the few full hookups. Very treeee was wet underbrush but we were gone all day. there is a train to the capital a couple of exits up. Pohick is the most convenient place if you can get in.

[fireflyinva]

There are three campgrounds west of DC. Bull Run Regional Park (fwiw, it's a regional, not county park) has a number of full hookup sites, as well as electric/water (with dumping). It's located off Rt. 66 about 20 minutes from Vienna Metro station. There is also Lake Fairfax County Park in Reston. It has partial hookups--electric/water with dumping. I think it's a little more complicated getting to the Metro, since driving will take you through local roads, though so long as you avoid Tyson's Corner at rush hour, you're probably ok getting to Vienna Metro. Kids may prefer that campground--in the summer, there's a water park there. Burke Lake Campground is another Fairfax County campground--no electric or water, but there is a dump station. It's about 30 minutes from Metro.

Cherry Hill is North of the city--it's expensive, but it's got the aforementioned bus and it's quite nice. Greenbelt park is also due North, it's cheap, but there are no hookups.

Also, rumor has it that the Fairfax and Fair Lakes Walmarts will permit overnight stays upon request, but I don't know anyone who has tried it.

[KrazyKelleys]

We stayed at Duncan's family campground in eastern Maryland 2 weeks ago. 15 min from the Metro station. Nice setup and great bathhouse. Family owned. They offer van service to the Largo Metro Station.

[Jackstincan]

Here are 2 links to campgrounds in NOVA.

If you are here in the summer metro parking should not be too bad except for the 4th of July. The Vienna metro has a rather large parking lot so it is usually a good bet. I would bring a role of qtrs in the car so if the lot is full you can just load up the meter in front of the entrance. BullRun is right on 66 about 10 miles to Vienna.

Other option is further down on 66 you can try the Ballston Common Mall parking lot. It is walking distance to the metro stop via some sky bridges. 66 has what they call HOV times which drive a lot of traffic on the road on the road right before HOV goes into effect if you have more than 2 in the car wait till HOV is in effect then travel on 66.

Don’t forget to review Metro - Getting Around- Visitor Info

When I go down town to the Smithsonian, depending on how many people are in may party and other considerations I drive and park on the mall. I usually try to get down town on the mall about 20min before the parking is allowed on the mall and park the car and sit with it till 9am (check time). Then we have a great home base for the day. If I can’t park I end up using Union Station as a backup parking location.


Good luck

Campgrounds: Convenient to Washington, D.C.*- Fairfax County, Virginia

http://www.nvrpa.org/park/main_site/...ch_by_activity

[pmclemore]

Another choice is Prince William Forest Park at Dumfries, south of DC. Frorm there, you can drive one exit farther north to catch the Metro. It is a concession-run camoground in the national park. There are CCC exhibits there as well.

Pat