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Pohick Bay Regional Park family camping
Quick answer
Pohick Bay Regional Park Camping is a park or outdoor outing in Lorton, VA for babies through age 10. Current cost is $37+ campsites · cabins extra. Details were checked on July 24, 2026 using the official source from NOVA Parks.
Shaded tent, electric, water, and full-hookup camping with trails and selected camper programs. Pirate's Cove, boating, and mini golf cost extra.
- Hours
- Campground open at all hours to registered campers, Non-electric section closed November through March
- Admission
- Peak tent sites $37, Peak electric sites $48 or $53, Water and full hookups cost more, Non-electric campground closed Nov-Mar
- Bathrooms
- Yes, Bathhouses with hot showers, toilets, sinks, and laundry
- Parking
- Two vehicles plus the camping vehicle at each site, About 30 to 50 visible overflow spaces estimated, Estimated capacity: 30–50 spaces (overflow parking only)
- Reservations
- Reservation required, Same day booking closes after 8 PM, $6.50 transaction fee
- Stroller friendly
- No
- Good for
- Family camping · Lorton, VA
- Address
- 6501 Pohick Bay Drive, Lorton, VA 22079
- Phone
- 703-339-6104
- Planning note
- The park is open sunrise to sunset. Registered campers follow campground access and check in rules.
What works by age
- 0 to 1 years Flexible energy
Cabins avoid tent setup and keep the family close to campground facilities, but parents still need to plan around outdoor heat and sleep routines.
- 1 to 3 years High energy
The playground, open field, and short campground walks provide movement without depending on a scheduled program.
- 4 to 6 years High energy
Holiday campground weekends can add wagon rides, crafts, games, movies, and nature activities for registered campers.
- 7 to 10 years High energy
Older kids can combine campground programs with boating, disc golf, fishing, or Pirate's Cove when those activities are open.
Will this work for your family?
- Best for
- A family that wants scheduled campground fun on selected holiday or summer weekends instead of planning every activity alone.
- Choose something else when
- Choose a quieter campground when movies, games, and a busy holiday schedule would make sleep or downtime harder.
- Arrival plan
- Reserve the exact site and confirm its service level. Same day reservations close after 8 PM, and the non-electric campground is closed from November through March.
- Sibling fit
- The mix of playground time, water activities, boating, and scheduled campground programs works across several ages.
Do this: Campground Weekend Start
Estimated duration: First 90 minutes
- Set up the sleep space first so it is ready before the children get tired.
- Walk to the playground or open field and let each child choose one activity.
- Check the posted camper schedule, then choose only one program for the first evening.
Bring: Reservation confirmation, Bedding, Water, Bug protection, Flashlights, Pet supplies only for a campsite, Swim gear only for separately ticketed Pirate's Cove
Easy exit: Skip the first evening program and settle in at the campsite if travel and setup take longer than expected.
Quick parent answers
Does Pohick Bay run activities for campers?
Yes, on selected weekends. The 2026 Memorial Day schedule included campfires, wagon rides, games, movies, crafts, and a naturalist program for registered campers.
What kind of campsites are available?
The family campground has 150 shaded sites. One hundred have 50 or 30 amp electric hookups, and 50 are non-electric tent sites that close from November through March.
How many people and vehicles fit at one site?
A campsite allows seven people including children and two vehicles in addition to the camping vehicle. Extra vehicles use nearby overflow lots.
Are pets allowed?
Pets are allowed at campsites under leash and cleanup rules, but cabins and cabin sites prohibit pets.
Before you go
100 electric sites and 50 seasonal tent sites
Pohick Bay has 150 shaded family campsites. 100 have 50 or 30 amp electric hookups, and 50 are non-electric tent sites. Most are back-in sites with a grill, fire ring, and picnic table. The non-electric campground closes from November through March, so winter families must choose an electric, water-and-electric, or full-hookup site.
Current campsite prices by service and day
From April through October, non-electric tent sites cost $37. Sunday through Thursday rates are $48 for electric, $55 for water and electric, and $73 for full hookup. Friday, Saturday, holidays, and Sundays before a holiday cost $53, $60, and $75 for those same service levels. From November through March, electric sites cost $44, water and electric sites cost $51, and full hookups cost $67 or $68 depending on the day band.
Booking fees and reservation rule
NOVA Parks requires reservations, and same day reservations close after 8 PM. A $6.50 transaction fee applies to online and Reserve America call-center bookings. Guests who live outside NOVA Parks member jurisdictions also pay a one time $8 charge per reservation. Full payment is due when booking.
Bathhouses, dump station, and trail connections
Campground bathhouses have hot showers, sinks, toilets, and laundry. A dump station is available to registered campers. Trails connect the campground to the waterfront, mini golf, and separately ticketed Pirate's Cove Waterpark, while a one mile trail reaches Gunston Hall. The camp store sells groceries, ice, charcoal, lighter fluid, firewood, and camping supplies.
Occupancy, vehicles, parking estimate, and pets
A campsite allows up to seven people including children. Each site has room for two vehicles in addition to the camping vehicle, with nearby overflow lots for extras. A July 2026 Google Maps review estimated roughly 30 to 50 visible overflow spaces, but that is not an official count and excludes the vehicles allowed at each campsite. Pets are allowed at campsites under Fairfax County leash and cleanup rules, but cabins and cabin sites do not allow pets.
Cancellation and adult registration
At least 14 days before arrival, a cancellation receives a refund minus a $10 fee. From 13 days until more than 48 hours before arrival, the refund loses one night, or two nights on a holiday weekend. No refunds or changes are accepted within 48 hours. A campsite registrant must be at least 18 and stay onsite; a cabin registrant must be at least 21 and stay in the cabin. Minors cannot be left unattended.
What parents are saying
Pohick Bay works when the campground should be the main event, with shaded sites, bathhouses, trails, and selected camper programs. Non-electric tent camping closes in winter, and Pirate's Cove, boating, and mini golf cost extra.
Parent questions
How much is camping at Pohick Bay?
Peak tent sites cost $37. Peak electric sites cost $48 on Sunday through Thursday or $53 on weekends and holidays. Water and full-hookup sites cost more.
Can families tent camp in winter?
Not in the non-electric campground. NOVA Parks says that section closes from November through March.
Are reservations required?
Yes. Same day reservations cannot be made after 8 PM, and booking through the website or call center adds a $6.50 transaction fee.
How many people and vehicles can use one site?
A campsite allows seven people including children and two vehicles in addition to the camping vehicle.
Does Pohick Bay campground have showers?
Yes. The bathhouses have hot showers, sinks, toilets, and laundry.
Can families bring pets?
Pets are allowed at campsites under leash and cleanup rules, but cabins and cabin sites prohibit pets.
What activities cost extra?
Mini golf, boating, and Pirate's Cove Waterpark use separate tickets or rentals. Campground event fees can also vary by program.