One of the best parts about D.C. is how accessible the outdoors is. Seriously, some of these spots you can get to via Metro. Whether you’re a full-kitchen glamper or a “I dig my own toilet” camper, these are our best tried-and-true spots — all within two hours of D.C.
Mathews Arm Campground (Shenandoah National Park)
1 hour and 50 minute drive
The closest of the four campgrounds in Shenandoah, Mathews Arm provides an ideal spot to explore the park from. It’s a large campground with full facilities (a.k.a. flushable toilets!) but it books up quickly during peak season. Its namesake is a beautiful waterfall hike next door.
Wolf Gap Recreation Area (Wardensville, West Virginia)
2 hour drive
A bit of a hidden gem, this small campground is first-come first-serve, so get there early. I love this site because it is nestled between two great day hikes: Big Schloss and Tibbet Knob. Heads up, there are outhouses but no potable water and no electricity.
Greenbelt Park Campground (Riverdale, Maryland)
30-45 minute drive
You can literally Metro to this campground, which is located in the beautiful Greenbelt Park. With so much hiking and wildlife around, you would never know you were so close to the city. But beware, this is also a favorite among local scout groups and youth programs so can get busy on weekends.
Camping at Wolf Gap Recreation Area with all the essentials. (Kaela Cote-Stemmermann/City Cast DC)
Green Ridge State Forest (Flintstone, Maryland)
2 hours
This is more what I would call “primitive camping.” No bathrooms (bring your shovel!), no water, and no electricity. But in return, you get absolutely stunning quiet outdoor space and a lot of privacy. For your first time, I recommend going when the park office is open to ask the ranger about the best open sites and how far they are. It’s easy to get lost.
Oak Ridge Campground (Prince William Forest Park)
40-50 minute drive
A shockingly nice campground considering how close it is to the city. They have bathrooms, showers, and grills, plus the sites are spaced far enough apart to be private. There are campfire talks by rangers on summer weekends, and lots of easy hikes around. It’s accessible without a car via the 971 bus and a 20-minute Uber.
Antietam Creek Campground (Washington County, Maryland)
1 hour and 30 minute drive
A quaint and quiet campground on the banks of the Potomac, just north of Harpers Ferry. It is popular among bikepackers traveling the C&O Canal but you can also drive, just know some sites are a bit of a walk from the parking lot. Also, load up on bug spray; the gnats in spring are no joke.
Faraway Camp (Luray, Virginia)
1 hour and 50 minute drive
For those who don’t really want to camp but do want to get some stellar mountain views, this spot offers glamping geodomes with a kitchen and air-conditioning. I guess it's technically still a tent … right?
