Washington DC Area

[Reed K]

Hey gang I got a PM from a new member (gtansley ) today, Let's see if we can help them out!!

"Hello, I am kind of new at this form of communication and just retired and bought a class A.  I would like to know if anyone can help me with information on where to camp at for a month or two near Washington DC.  My wife and I would like to spend a few weeks touring the DC area in summer of 2011.  I don't think we will spend much time in the RV (except for our 7 lb pup) so I really would like an inexpensive safe location that may not be too far from a rail, etc.  Do you have any suggestions.  All of the state parks seem to be a couple of hours away.  Thanks for any info you can share with me."

I believe there is a KOA around the DC area.  Check it out here http://koa.com/where/va/46105/

Thanks

[confused trucker]

Millersville Md. has a very nice KOA that is about 10 minutes from the Metro and has shuttles to and from DC itself .

[wefrogy]

here are two close to DC and they both have transportation into DC.   I have not been to either so I cannot give any type of personal opinion of them

www.cherryhillpark.com

www.capitolkoa.com

[transplants]

Hi  I tent camp at a campground called Aquia pines in Dumfrees Va. But they have some full hook up
sites. All so over in maryland look at cherry hill campground in collage park. Also i think there is camping at a place called Greenbelt Reg. Park Hope this helps.

[marlbank]

My in-laws have a class A and always stay at Cherry Hill when they are in the area.
They have a metro bus that comes into the park and takes you directly to the metro.
They highly recommend this campground.  Good luck and welcome to the forum.

[NONI]

You may want to chek out the following two;  Pohick Bay and Bull Run Park.  We camped at both and strongly recommend, price, clean, accessible, secure, have amenities, etc.

[potstech]

The only thing to remember is that many of the government run campgrounds only allow a 14 day or so stay.  then you have to leave and come back.  would be pretty inconvinient in a class A to have to break down and leave just ot come back.  I have heard Cherry Hill is large but nice and convenient.

[ju-di]

Don't know if you have any military affiliation but wanted to add that if you do, check out military campgrounds in the DC area.  I know that Andrews AFB has a FamCamp and some of the other military installations may have camping facilities as well.

Just a thought!

Judy

[Almo5]

I second Bull Run Park. They have full hook up sites now. Another one to check is Travel Trailer Village in Dumfries. Travel Trailer has maximum size limitations of 35'. Lake Fairfax in Fairfax county is also pretty nice. If government affiliated, Fort Meade, MD also has a campground.

Good Luck!
Lou

[classv]

thanks did not know about these places.......in Northern Va...

[twstdpear]

Another option is Prince William Forest Park, they have a "Travel Trailer Village" which has full hookups:
http://www.nps.gov/prwi/planyourvisit/ttv.htm
It's reasonably close to DC, but not too close.  Max stay is 2 weeks, and they do seem to take reservations, although the normal part of the park doesn't. 

[edit: looks like Almo5 and I are talking about the same thing]

There's also Little Bennett Regional Park in MD.  It's a little further away, but depending on exactly what you're after, it might be an option.  I've never been there, but I've heard it's nice.

We typically purposely try not to stay too close to home (Fairfax area), preferring to be at least an hour or two away.

Here's my Google map, which includes a number of the campgrounds that have been mentioned, so you can get a good idea of where they are in relation to DC.  You'll pretty much just find government parks (county, regional, state and national parks) on it since we typically don't stay at private campgrounds.
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?t=h&ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=117600968655983058496.00046967fad29c99467fe&ll=39.633192,-76.58844&spn=1.548358,3.922119&z=9

[skwrly]

Jeff and Marcy--I know you guys don't like to camp around your neighborhood (we don't either), but Bull Run looks like a GREAT place for us to camp when our state parks shut down in December!  You will definitely be seeing us this winter!  Thanks for the information!