DC Outdoors

Your guide to the great outdoors

Bull Run Regional Park

  7400 Bull Run Drive
Centreville, VA
  703-631-0550
  Open year round and fees are available here.
  http://nvrpa.org/park/bull_run/content/camping

Tent in MeadowThe Bull Run Regional Park campgrounds are located near Interstate 66 and not too far from Washington, D.C. The space allows tent camping, group camping, RV camping, and rustic cabins. Playgrounds, trails, and an outdoor pool are within walking distance of the campgrounds.

Distance from College Park: 53.6 miles

Shenandoah National Park

  3655 US Hwy 211 East
Luray, VA
  540-999-3500
  Open March/Mid-May through October/November and fees are available here
  http://www.nps.gov/shen/index.htm

Backcountry Camper in Shenandoah ValleyThere are four campgrounds in Shenandoah National Park and most of the park is also available for backcountry camping with a free permit. The campgrounds allow for tent camping and group camping.

Distance from College Park: 134.9 miles

Greenbelt Park

  6565 Greenbelt Road
Greenbelt, MD
  301-344-3944
  Open year-round for camping for a flat fee of $16.
  http://www.nps.gov/gree/index.htm

Hiking BoyKnown for its affordable and peaceful surroundings, Greenbelt is within 12 miles of Washington, D.C. There are 174 campground sites, hot showers, and bathroom facilities.

Distance from College Park: 3.6 miles

Little Bennett Campground

  23705 Frederick Road
Clarksburg, MD
  301-528-3430
  Open April 1st through October 31st and fees are available here.
  http://www.montgomeryparks.org/enterprise/park_facilities/little_bennett/little_bennett_campground.shtm

TrailLittle Bennett Regional Park offers more than 20 miles of trails and 91 wooded campsites. The campgrounds allow for tent camping, group camping, RV camping (without hookups), adirondack shelters, and camper-ready camping. Those who opt for camper-ready camping will use sites pre-set with a tent, camp chairs, a propane stove, and a lantern.

Distance from College Park: 34.7 miles

Catoctin Mountain Park

  6602 Foxville Road
Thurmont, MD
  301-663-9388
  Owens Creek is open for tent camping from May 2 through November 13. Misty Mount is open for cabin camping from April 27 through October 28. The Adirondack shelters are open year-round. Poplar Grove is closed for Youth Group camping from March 1 through April 15. Fees are available here.
  http://www.nps.gov/cato/index.htm

Catoctin parkDifferent parts of Catoctin Mountain Park provide spaces to camp in tents, RVs (without hookups), cabins, and 3-sided adirondack shelters. The available cabins vary in size with capacities to sleep from 3 to 8. While they share communal showers and restrooms other amenities include picnic table, grill, fire circle, cot, mattress, electric light, and one bucket of firewood.

Distance from College Park: 69.7 miles

Ramblin' Pines Campground

  801 Hoods Mill Road
Woodbine, MD
  410-795-5161
  Ramblin Pines Campground is open year-round. Fees are available here.
  http://ramblinpinescampground.com/

Pine TreesRamblin' Pines Campground has sites for tent, cabin, and RV storage. The surrounding area has hiking trails, a swimming pool, and a fishing pond This campground facilitates many family-oriented activities for guests.

Distance from College Park: 39 miles

Maple Tree Campground

  20716 Townsend Road
Rohrersville, MD
  301-432-5585
  Maple Tree Campground is open year-round. Fees are available here.
  http://www.thetreehousecamp.com/

TreehouseMaple Tree Campground has tent camping options in addition to fun options in the trees. The tree cottages are built on stilts with small porches and insulated for year-round use. The tree houses are built on stilts but more rustic with a small deck and only open spring-fall.

Distance from College Park: 64 miles

Pohick Bay Regional Park

  6501 Pohick Bay Drive
Lorton, VA
  703-339-6104
  Fees are available here.
  http://www.nvrpa.org/park/pohick_bay/content/camping

climbing mossPohick Bay is water oriented but also has camping adn hiking. The facility allows tent, cabin, RV, and group camping. A one-mile trail connects the family campground to Gunston Hall Plantation, the home of George Mason.

Distance from College Park: 34.6 miles

Little Fairfax Park

  1400 Lake Fairfax Drive
Reston, VA
  703-471-5415
  Certain sites are open year-round and fees are available here.
  http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/lakefairfax/fairfaxcamp/

Dirt RoadThe Little Fairfax Park campgrounds allow for tent and RV camping. Each site has a picnic table and fire ring while only some have electric hookups. The surrounding park features an 18-acre lake, an outdoor swimming pool with a lazy river, carousel, and playground.

Distance from College Park: 30.1 miles

Greenbrier State Park

  21843 National Pike
Boonsboro, MD
  301-791-4767
  Family camping is open from April to October while group camping is open from August to October..
  http://www.dnr.state.md.us/publiclands/western/greenbrier.asp

Climbing MossGreenbrier State Park facilitates family tent and group camping. The Appalachian Trail passes through the park and a 42-acre lake allows for swimming, canoeing and fishing.

Distance from College Park: 61.3 miles