Campgrounds and RV parks near County Center, VA

County Center is a census-designated place in Prince William County, Virginia, roughly 28 miles south of Washington, D.C., sitting off Prince William Parkway near the McCoart Government Center. It is located in southeastern Prince William County and neighbors Lake Ridge to the east and Dale City to the south. For RV travelers, the location works as a base for the D.C. metro, Quantico, and Fredericksburg-area battlefields. The biggest draw for campers is Prince William Forest Park just to the south. The park preserves approximately 15,000 acres including a major portion of the Quantico Creek watershed, is the largest example of a piedmont forest ecosystem, and is the National Park Service's third largest unit in Virginia. Prince William Forest RV Campground and Oak Ridge Campground both sit inside the park boundary. Across the Potomac in Charles County, Maryland, Smallwood State Park adds a waterfront option on Mattawoman Creek. Aquia Pines Campground in Stafford and Hillwood Camping Park in the Gainesville area round out the private RV parks used by travelers working the I-95 and I-66 corridors.

National park sites are booked through the federal reservation system at recreation.gov. Recreation.gov usually releases campsite reservations six months in advance on a rolling window, and new dates open daily. Sites at Oak Ridge and Prince William Forest RV Campground can be reserved through that system, and reservations are strongly recommended for weekends. Smallwood State Park uses the Maryland state system. Reservations at Smallwood State Park can be made up to 365 days in advance by calling 1-888-432-CAMP or online at parkreservations.maryland.gov, and same-day reservations may be made during park office hours. Private parks such as Aquia Pines Campground and Hillwood Camping Park take direct bookings by phone or through their operator websites. Holiday weekends at private parks in the corridor typically require a multi-night minimum, so book well ahead.