Burke Lake Park offers tent and RV camping within a suburban setting near Fairfax Station, Virginia. The campground provides primitive sites without hookups in a wooded setting along the lake. Additional developed campgrounds in the area include Bull Run Regional Park in Centreville and Pohick Bay Regional Park in Lorton, both offering more amenities including electric hookups, water access, and cabin accommodations. Most campgrounds in this region are within regional or state parks, situated within 10-20 miles of Washington D.C., making them convenient base camps for exploring the capital area.
The camping season generally runs from March through October, with some facilities like Bull Run and Pohick Bay remaining open year-round. Most sites require advance reservations, particularly during summer weekends and holidays when availability becomes limited. A visitor commented, "This place is right near my house yet it still feels like you're out in the open." Facilities vary significantly between parks, with Burke Lake offering more primitive experiences while others like Cherry Hill Park in nearby College Park, Maryland provide full hookups and extensive amenities. Bathhouses with showers are available at most developed campgrounds, though the quality and cleanliness can vary by location.
Campers particularly appreciate the recreational opportunities available at these parks. Burke Lake features a 5-mile trail around the lake, fishing opportunities, boat rentals, disc golf, and family activities. A review mentioned that it's "a great primitive sites with upgraded bath houses" and that the "park offers a lake for fishing and kayaking, 5 mile trail around the lake, disc golf, mini golf, carousel, and a cool little train." While sites at Burke Lake and other regional campgrounds can be relatively close together, they typically provide enough privacy for a comfortable experience. Many campers note that despite being in suburban settings, these campgrounds still provide a sense of being in nature while offering convenient access to nearby attractions and services.
$34 - $90 / night
"We have lived in northern Virginia for over 30 years and never been to this campground until this month! Very nice campground with friendly staff and friendly campground hosts."
"History buffs will like to explore the park surrounding the campground. Fun little water park within walking distance of all campsites that was great for kids."
$33 - $150 / night
"We have been camping here for nearly 20 years. Each military tour brought us back to this area so Pohick became our second home. Our kids kayak now older but used to walk the trails as little kids."
"Pohick Bay Campground in Virginia offers a peaceful escape with beautiful views and a variety of outdoor activities like hiking and fishing. It's an ideal spot for families and nature lovers."
$26 / night
"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."
"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."
$30 - $70 / night
"If you are looking for camping in Fairfax County Virginia, this is it, because there are only a couple to choose from."
"We set up our tent in the far side of the campground close to the lake ( site 27). It is slightly slant but still comfortable in the tent. Bathrooms are close by and kept clean."
"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."
"Adjacent to Prince William Forest, near shops and restaurants, and less than an hour away from Washington, DC. Good nature getaway from the city."
"Restrooms/showers: very clean, spacious, centrally located."
$999 / night
"Great camping amenities, soft cushioned sites, with power and water close by. DO NOT GET BASIC TENT SITES AS THEY ARE NEXT TO HIGHWAYS AND VERY NOISY!!! Premium tent sites would be a better choice."
"That being said, I’m sure there were a few campers who didn’t like being right next to the walkway to the bathrooms and showers. The park is broken down in to various sections and slightly tiered."
"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!"
$15 - $18 / night
"Close to me so theres nothing new"
"Good for a day use, parking is full most of the time but have a lot of space to park you may have to walk but you will find one spot..."
$55 / night
"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."
"It is very clean and there are many amenities close by. The base outdoor recreation center has equipment to rent such as kayaks and canoes to explore the Potomac river."
TravelerNew owners just bought this place. There are upgrades and cleaning needed, but owner was friendly and helpful. Creek and trail is gorgeous. Highway can be loud at times. Surrounding town gorgeous and dog friendly.
ScoutThis is a lovely campground that I recommend and would stay again. We have been twice: once as a family and once with a Scout troop. The RV sites are fairly large and clean. The tent-only sites are smaller and have a metal fire ring with a grate (nice!). The RV sites have mostly brick rings without grates. The bathrooms are fairly small (two showers on the female and one on the male) which might be an issue on busy weekends. The only real water entrance is the boat ramp, but you can climb down a cliff in other places. A, D, and E are sunnier. B and C and Nottingham are mostly wooded with mature trees. We used the site as a base for a bike trip along the C&O to go to Harper’s Ferry (14mi round trip along a gravel path). The staff were friendly and there is a small camp store.
But the trains! THE TRAINS!!! Every review will mention them for a reason. The site is adjacent to a rail yard that runs all day. Not just a passing train, but clanging car and engine changes. It’s LOUD. I slept with earplugs, but could still hear the noise. The yard really starts going around 5am and goes all day. It slows down after 8/9pm, but never stops entirely. The trains are the only reason for the removed star and it’s not the campground’s fault. But almost all of the real complaints are about the noise. If you want an extra quiet campground with only birds and running water, this is not the place for you. But if you don’t mind the loud bangs and low rumbles, this place is fine!
The entrance is beyond the train yard and about a mile down a widened part of the C&O. It is possible to be trapped inside or outside if a train is stopped at the crossing (30min for us, once).
In short, it’s a great campground if you bring ear plugs!
TravelerWhen we first arrived it was late (we are either late or not coming as always!) the cut down tobacco fields and long dark woods surrounded the entrance into this campground and marina… to be honest I was scared and cried and my husband thought I was ridiculous and reminded me I will love it tomorrow… welp he knows me! All the boat storage and walking around it so fun looking at all the boat names… they are remodeling the bathhouses now they look nice so far on the inside. Everyone is working really hard a staying busy tending to the boats or landscaping or docks… Vicki is super friendly she works practically everyday… but hopefully one day she will trust someone enough to delegate her duties to…
ScoutI am writing this review because what happened to me at Bull Run Regional Park Campground was not just inconvenient—it was humiliating, unprofessional, and completely avoidable.
I camp in my Tesla. I have already stayed at this exact campground before with no issue. Their online reservation system allowed me to book again—no warnings, no restrictions, nothing to indicate a problem. So I drove all the way from North Carolina to Virginia trusting that everything was fine.
When I arrived to check in, the office staff was literally handing me the paperwork. Out of nowhere, a ranger barged in and bluntly told me: “You cannot camp in a Tesla. You need a separate rig.”
His tone was rude, dismissive, and made me feel like I was doing something dirty or cheap. There was zero respect, zero empathy—just instant judgment. I felt like I was being treated as if I was trying to sneak in or break rules, even though they allowed the booking and accepted my reservation.
If they have such a rule, why wasn’t I notified during booking? Why was I allowed to stay the first time? Why let me drive for hours only to embarrass me at the check-in counter?
The office employee even tried to defend me, but he couldn’t convince the ranger. Instead, they told me I could not stay and promised an immediate refund.
After a long drive, being spoken to like that was extremely disappointing. I’ve camped all over North Carolina and never been treated with such disrespect. Camping in a Tesla is clean, quiet, zero-emission, and safe, yet I was made to feel like I didn’t belong.
To make matters worse, it has now been seven days and not a single dollar of the refund has appeared. When I called, the office representative didn’t even ask for my reservation details and seemed completely clueless. She first said she couldn’t do anything, then suddenly changed her story and said she would “leave a note.” When I asked to speak with someone who could actually help, she put me on hold and suddenly claimed the manager had “just refunded” me and that I would see the money in two business days.
After everything that happened, it felt like another layer of indifference and incompetence.
This entire experience—from the rude ranger to the unprofessional refund handling—left me feeling disrespected and upset. For a campground that charges over $75 a night after fees and taxes, the treatment I received was unacceptable.
Guests deserve honesty, clear communication, and basic respect.
ScoutThe host was extremely accommodating, even coming in last minute and late at night. Good to find a safe spot while solo traveling. I will absolutely be back
ScoutThe campground is well maintained. The facilities were clean, and the other campers were friendly. There was plenty of firewood (fallen tree limbs and branches on the ground to use. Overall we had a great time!
ScoutCame in to tent camp 1 night to break up a long drive south, and it happened to be trick or treat night. There were several events during the day for the kiddos that were here. Staff was friendly, Our site was clean, fire ring was empty and our neighbors were playing 90’s hits! Perfect vibe.
Scoutcaution though, the back row is steep. We were unable to get our Super C level. The rain created red clay mud so the dogs were a mess - actually became sort of comical. All in all it was a beautiful and clean location. Try and reserve row E if you need full hook up
ScoutStayed in cabin 202 for a Fri- Sun and on our last morning we found a bed bug on our clothing. While they gave a refund it does not come close to cover the time and energy of remediating all of our clothing, sheets, and blankets. We also had to throw out items that could not be cleaned properly and now have to replace them(pillows, shoes, etc). My husband has 23 bites over the course of 2 nights. They burn and itch very badly. I truly hope this was a hiccup for them and they go through correct methods of having the cabin treated properly.
UPDATE: A recount of the bites- my husband has 31 bites so far. The remediation of all of our items is exhausting. All the blankets, clothing, suit cases, all the other items we used in the cabin needs to be cleaned. We had to throw out our shoes because they shrunk in the dryer. Spent$$$ replacing shoes for a family for 4. Pillows are not cheap to replace either. I bought a new corset at the renfest this weekend that I'm hoping doesn't get ruined when it goes through the dryer. That too was expensive. So if you're looking to have to spend a bunch of extra money to replace items you didn't want to replace in the first place- I recommend staying here.
Campgrounds near Fairfax Station, Virginia offer varied terrain and access points throughout the year. The region sits at elevations between 200-400 feet in the Piedmont region, characterized by rolling hills and mixed hardwood forests. Winter camping remains available at several locations with temperatures typically ranging from 25-45°F from December through February.
Hiking trails beyond Burke Lake: The area offers multiple trail systems for different skill levels. At Oak Ridge Campground — Prince William Forest Park, you can explore extensive trail networks. One camper noted: "We spent 5 days camping and exploring the civil war battle areas and other things. Definitely worth exploring."
Disc golf courses: Fairfax County parks feature multiple disc golf options. "BR park is absolutely beautiful. So much to do and centered around many historical sites. It's a gem," mentions one visitor to Bull Run Regional Park.
Water recreation: Boating opportunities exist throughout the region. At Pohick Bay, "Boating in summer from kayaks to motorboats" is available according to a regular visitor. Lake Fairfax Park provides additional water activities with various rental options available seasonally.
Proximity to DC with natural setting: Many campgrounds serve as convenient basestations for capital visits. A camper at Pohick Bay Campground shared: "Spent several nights here while visiting Washington DC. You need military credentials. Handy to the DC Metro Transit system. Nice views of river."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The watershed areas attract diverse wildlife. "Beautiful campground located near the National Harbor. Eagles everywhere! Large clean sites. Great staff!" reported a visitor to Pohick Bay.
Seasonal activities: Different parks offer rotating scheduled events. One family at Bull Run Regional Park reported: "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."
Varying site privacy levels: Site spacing differs significantly between locations. A camper noted about Lake Fairfax Campground: "Campsites are close together. If you like being around people and don't mind seeing 3-4 other sites around you, then this place is a really nice and easy campsite."
Seasonal crowds and noise: Some parks experience significant seasonal crowding. According to one visitor: "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."
Terrain challenges: Not all sites offer level ground. A recent visitor observed: "Not all sites are level at all. Many tents were on a full slant." At Burke Lake, sites in the outer loop tend to be more level than inner loop locations.
Educational programming: Several parks offer structured learning activities. At Bull Run Regional Park, a family reported: "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. They had a campfire complete with s'mores followed by hayrides."
Water parks for summer visits: Multiple parks feature water recreation areas. A visitor noted: "Pirate's Cove waterpark is definitely a highlight in summer." These water features generally operate from Memorial Day through Labor Day with daily admission fees.
Playground accessibility: Consider proximity to play areas when booking. One family at Oak Ridge Campground shared: "We had a great time here over a long weekend in August. We got a site on the inner loop and it backed to the playground and the bathhouse. The site was spacious."
Bathroom facility quality: Shower and restroom conditions vary significantly. An RVer highlighted: "I'll go again just for the showers. They're with staying again alone. Locking doors, individual stalls. Hot dog. Best camping showers I've ever had."
Site leveling requirements: Many campgrounds require significant leveling. One RVer at Prince William Forest RV Campground cautioned: "The back row is steep. We were unable to get our Super C level. The rain created red clay mud so the dogs were a mess."
Winter accessibility: Several campgrounds maintain year-round operations. A winter visitor at Cherry Hill Park remarked: "Stayed here for 2 weeks while visiting friends in Alexandria. Nice and quiet here during winter more so during week than weekends."
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Fairfax Station, VA?
According to TheDyrt.com, Fairfax Station, VA offers a wide range of camping options, with 102 campgrounds and RV parks near Fairfax Station, VA and 2 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Fairfax Station, VA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Fairfax Station, VA is Bull Run Regional Park with a 3.9-star rating from 43 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Fairfax Station, VA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 2 free dispersed camping spots near Fairfax Station, VA.
What parks are near Fairfax Station, VA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 17 parks near Fairfax Station, VA that allow camping, notably Prince William Forest Park and George Washington Memorial Parkway.
Keep Exploring
