Washington D.C. area campground recommendations

[Jabba]

Hi,

We are thinking of doing a trip to D.C. this summer. We went last Easter for 2 days and it was not enough time, so want to make a return trip and camp. Does anyone have recommendations on campgrounds in the area? I've seen Cherry Hill recommended several times. Any suggestions for other destinations within a couple hours drive of D.C.?

Thanks!

[Steve & Susan]

Cherry Hill is the best you'll find IMHO.
I work in DC and live in Cleveland. When the weather is good and I need to be in DC, I drive an RV to Cherry Hill and commute from there on the Metro system - shuttle from Cherry Hill to the Green Line to downtown DC.

[air.rog]

Little Bennett campground,
Montgomery Parks: Facilities - Little Bennett Campground
Has some RV sites with electrical hookups. There is a dump station and some water availability (it appears that some sites are near spigots and one may fill tanks but they are "not for full-time hookup"). It's a county park authority facility.

I stayed at this camp some years ago - it is woodsy and was quiet. It's in Montgomery Co. just off of route I-270 near Clarksburg and about 35 mi NW of downtown DC. A nice way to get downtown is to go to the METRO stop at the end of the line, Shady Grove, near Gaithersburg. There's a parking lot there but it might fill-up early and you must have a metro-card (electronic) to use the lot. (Check on-line for where to buy in advance: wmata.com.

Further out, to the NW and within your 2 hr circle, there's a KOA in Harper's Ferry - an historic town.

If you are military, don't forget RV facilities at places like Andrew's AFG and the Solomon's Island Naval Rec. Center.

If you have questions and want to contact me directly, linux dot rog at gmail dot com

/Roger

[cooperhawk]

Harper's Ferry KOA is very nice. There are civil war battlements right in the campgrounds.

Within a couple hours of DC, I would certainly visit Shenndoah National Park. We used to love to stay up there at the Big Meadow Campground.

On the Eastern Shore of the Chespeake we liked to go to Chincotique Island. It is a part of Assateaque National Seashore. Very nice right on the Atlantic.

Sadly I moved too far away now. Can only get there once in a while.

[rseagle]

You might try Prince William Forest National Park in Triangle, VA just off I-95 about 35-45 minutes South of DC (depending of traffic). They have a vendor run campground and a no hook-up campground.

[rideair]

When you come out to Washington DC, give us a call. We provide "Hot Air Balloon Rides" over the Shenandoah Valley here in Virginia about 1:20 minutes west of DC in the Front Royal/Winchester Virginia area. Here's a link to our website. We also have parking here at our house (water/elec) if you need a place to hang.

www.rideair.com

[pilgrim]

Last summer, not knowing anything about the area, we stayed at a campground called Aquia Pines, south of D.C. It took us about a half hour to drive north on Rte. 1 to get to Mt. Vernon. It was close to Fredericksb'g. We also visited the Lee mansion from there - took about a half hour to 45 min. to get there. Lots to do in the Fredericksb'g area - shoppes, etc.. The campground had a nice selection of library books and a good sized playground if you need one. It has two major areas of camping - one is on top of the hill in the sunlight and the second is down the hill in deep shade - whichever you prefer. Full hook ups, nice showers and toilets, wifi but you need to get the password daily from the office (no charge). Lots of malls in the area if shopping is something of interest to you. We drove over from Charlottesville - easy drive. We plan to return this fall or next and this time will stay at Cherry Hill for ease of transportation into the city. Nothing wrong with Aquia Pines, however. Very quiet - very few other campers (probably due to time of year - mid-September.

[Deb55]

There is a KOA near Annapolis, MD on 97 which is nice, it has open as well as woodsy sites. We have camped at Tuckahoe State Park for many years, just across the Bay Bridge on the Eastern Shore.

[swinginping]

I live about about 20 miles west of charlottesville, if you list some of the things are you interested in doing I'm sure there is something within a few hours of D.C. As a lot of people have mentioned there are a lot of civil war battlefields and presidents homes close to you. Willamsburg/Jamestown is with a couple of hours as well which if you are into golf, has Kings Mill and quite a few other respectable courses.

[Jim Foster]

I vote for Cherry Hill. It is located at the end of the bus line. The bus takes you straight to the train for a buck or two. You can buy a train pass, I don't remember just how many days you may buy. Upon returning, before you get on the train, you can get a transfer and that will put you on the return bus for 25 cents. You must get the transfer before you get on in DC, not when you get off in College Park.

Important note....this tip was given to us by a good friend, and we did it.

Contact your congress person's office and ask for "Congressional tours". They will invite you to their DC office to pick up the tickets, and give you an escorted tour of the Capitol, at least that's the way it was in 2003. These tickets get you "in the side door" so to speak. You bypass long lines and really get the royal treatment. It's all free.

Worked very well for us. Enjoy your trip.

[shermantic]

I am currently at Fairfax Lake (In DC) Very Nice! Cheap too. I hear cherry hill is nice also! I will be here for the next week

[Skater]

Originally Posted by Jim Foster

I vote for Cherry Hill. It is located at the end of the bus line. The bus takes you straight to the train for a buck or two. You can buy a train pass, I don't remember just how many days you may buy. Upon returning, before you get on the train, you can get a transfer and that will put you on the return bus for 25 cents. You must get the transfer before you get on in DC, not when you get off in College Park.

Important note....this tip was given to us by a good friend, and we did it.

I believe they no longer issue bus transfers. You have to use a SmarTrip card ($5, plus whatever fare). It shouldn't charge you for the transfer though. But it might be cheaper just to pay the bus fare if you're never going to use the SmarTrip again.