Via Bella: 80+ Awesome Camps in the DMV Area (That Scouts Love)

So this post was inspired by another scout family/friend of mine who asked me for a list of camping sites for a friend of theirs-- both scout and non-scout related. So I have listed here some great places to camp if you live in the Washington DC, Maryland or Virginia area. This by no means is a full list but just the start of one! If you see some, please email or comment below and I will add.

This list was created by a collab of research but also a testament from other scout leaders on where they camp. Now, some are not in the Washington DC, Maryland or Virginia area but they are drivable. Note: This is the one thing I absolutely love about living here. Unlike California where you can drive for days non stop and not leave the state, you can get to multiple states within hours here. Even with traffic (which is saying something).

I have been to some on this list, which is marked off with a ✨ and was during a scouting event. The importance of that is significant because travelling and camping in groups come with a new set of challenges. So this list can be camped at individually OR with a group.

All the sites are linked up for the different camps so you can take the guesswork out of where to go to get information! Trust me, that took a lot more time that I am willing to admit. But it is done now and beneficial to us all. That being said, know that you will, of course, want to ask important questions that are important to you or your group when reserving a site and you may or may not have a different experience than leaders/groups/other families.

State, NPS, and other Places to camp:
I will check mark the ones I have been to and like as well!

Washington DC:
Well, if you live, work, or have ever been to Washington DC, you will know that there is nowhere to camp. However, come visit and go the National Mall for all the museums or even to Rock Creek Park where you can find a lot of cool paths to hike or bike. And picnic shelters as well. But no camping. So you can venture in Maryland or Virginia for some cool camping!

Maryland:
✨Elk Neck State Park
✨Cunningham Falls State Park
✨Point Lookout State Park
✨Patapsco Valley State Park
✨Washington Monument State Park
✨Tuckahoe State Park
✨Watkins Regional State Park
✨ Assateague Island National National Seashore (Berlin, Maryland)
Rocky Gap State Park
Greenbelt Park
Pocomoke River State Park

New Germany State Park

Treehouse Camp at Maple Tree Campground (Rohrersville, MD). along AT.
Rohrbach Campground located at Antietam. Group only camping in season (March to Nov).
Ed Garvey Shelter on AP (Weaverton, MD)- Advise from another leader: shelter on the Appalachian Trail. Super popular with scout troops practicing backpacking. Get there early!

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Virginia:
Camp Highroad (Middleburg, VA)
Yogi Bear (Luray, VA)
KOA Spotslvania/Fredricksburg ( great place to stay if doing Kings Dominion or interested in doing the National Parks.)
Prince William Forest Park (National Forest Service)
Skyline Ranch Resort in Front Royal VA
Natural Bridge / Lexington KOA Holiday
Sherando Lake in VA
Lake Anna (VA)
Westermoreland State Park (VA)
Elizabeth Furnace Group Camp (Starsburg, VA) in George Washington National Forest, just outside Front Royal, Virginia with easy access to the wonders of Shenandoah
✨Shenandoah National Park (VA)- Big Meadows, Loft Mountain, and Dundo Group Campgrounds all offer group camping. To be honest, I was not as impressed with this campground and the sites are very squeezed together.

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80+ Awesome Camps in the DMV Area (That Scouts Love)!!
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— Via Bella (@Via__Bella) February 14, 2018