Lorton, which is located not far from Washington, D.C., and the Maryland border, is not actually a town or city but is instead a census-designated place. The area is typically referred to as a city, however, as it has a population of about 18,600 people. Located in Fairfax County, the area was named by Joseph Plaskett, who moved from England to Virginia and opened a general store and post office in what would become Lorton in 1875. The city takes its name from a village in Cumbria, England.
Lorton and the surrounding area offer gorgeous, picturesque scenery, many outdoor activities, and a range of cultural and historical sites. Visitors who want to enjoy the area’s beautiful spring, summer, or fall weather can enjoy a game at the Laurel Hill Golf Club or walk or bike in Occoquan Regional Park. Pohick Bay Regional Park is another fantastic option for hiking, biking, fishing, or taking in the area’s views. Anyone who enjoys horseback riding can also take a trail ride at Tamarack Stables. The Workhouse Arts Center, meanwhile, offers art exhibits, galleries, classes, and talks. The area also offers plenty of fine dining, and visitors can enjoy lunch or dinner at one of the city’s many local brewing companies.
Lorton sees relatively mild weather throughout the year. Summer temperatures are usually in the mid to high 80s, while winter temperatures hover in the 40s or 30s. Freezing temperatures do occur, and the area occasionally sees snow. Rain is most common during April, May, and June.
Pohick Bay Regional Park Campground is located right in Lorton, making it a convenient, excellent option for nearby RV camping. The campground features 100 sites, and full hookups are available. The staff is known to be friendly and helpful, and the campground provides a beautiful setting. Showers and restrooms are also available at this location.
Burke Lake Park in Fairfax Station is another great nearby camping option. The park sits on 888 acres, so the campground is quiet, peaceful, and secluded. There are 100 back-in sites available. Full hookups are not available, but the park features flush toilets, showers, grills, picnic tables, and covered pavilions. It’s also pet-friendly.
Bull Run Regional Park in Centreville is also a large, natural space, so camping feels private and peaceful. The park offers 150 back-in or pull-through sites. There are several nearby hiking trails, and visitors can also enjoy the park’s fire rings, grills, and picnic tables. Most of the sites are shaded.
Picturesque at any time of year, Smallwood State Park is located on the Potomac River in Maryland but is less than 45 minutes from Lorton. The gorgeous park is more than 600 acres in size and offers many activity options, both on and off the river. Visitors can boat, swim, or fish along the Potomac. There are also many hiking trails and several nearby locations for camping. Because of its historic location, the park also frequently hosts military exhibitions, lectures, arts and crafts demonstrations, and other events.
Also located in Maryland, Patapsco Valley State Park is situated along the Patapsco River. Visitors can enjoy everything the river and the surrounding area offer by taking in some of the park’s hiking or biking trails, horseback riding, fishing, or swimming. The park, which is about an hour from Lorton, also features several historic sites and buildings. Visitors can view examples of early mills and the world’s first submerged hydroelectric plant. Informational signs in these areas also help visitors learn more about the area’s history.
For a truly gorgeous setting, head to Gambrill State Park in Maryland. The park stretches for more than 1,200 acres and encompasses Catoctin Mountain. Thanks to the elevation, the park provides incredible views and photography opportunities. During the spring and summer, the area is lush and green, and wildlife sightings are common. The park is also known for its spectacular fall foliage. A convenient campground with 16 RV sites can be found right in the park. Gambrill State Park is located about an hour from Lorton.
One of the newer sites near Lorton, the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail has not yet been completed, but explorers can enjoy the parts of the trail that have already been blazed. Hiking and mountain biking are popular on the trail, but there are also plenty of places to paddle, kayak, or canoe along the path as well. Wildlife is abundant, and there are also several places where visitors can learn more about the history of the trail and the surrounding area. When it’s finished, the scenic trail will stretch for 710 miles.
Another amazing way to learn more about the history of the area and the country is to drive along the George Washington Memorial Parkway. The parkway itself is quite scenic, but it also provides easy access to nine historical sites, including Mount Vernon and Arlington, situated along the route. The parkway was created to allow visitors to move easily from one site to the next, getting a better feel for the historical locations and the role they played in the founding and continued running of the country.
To learn even more about the area’s significant history and the role it played during the Civil War, visitors can head to the Arlington House and Robert E. Lee Memorial. The memorial details the life of the famed Confederate general, but it also covers other historical topics. Information about the Civil War, the military, and the history of enslaved people in America is offered. The nearby Mount Vernon Hiking Trail provides scenic views for RVers.
Spanning 1.8 million acres, the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests offer incredible exploration, recreational activity, and nature observation opportunities second to none in the country. The area is home to thousands of plant and tree species, as well as hundreds of fish, bird, reptile, amphibian, and mammal species. Visitors can hike, mountain bike, kayak, paddle, swim, fish, or hunt in these forests, which stretch from Virginia into parts of West Virginia and Kentucky. There are also abundant camping opportunities in and around the forests.
Although the Monongahela National Forest is mostly made up of dense woods, it also features several streams, ponds, rivers, and wetland areas, all of which come together to create diverse ecosystems inhabited by a range of plants and animals. The forest, which is about 919,000 acres, also includes a large multi-use trail system. RVers can hike, mountain bike, or horseback ride to their hearts’ content. There are also plenty of areas for fishing, swimming, kayaking, canoeing, or hunting. The area sees plenty of rain, particularly along the western side of mountains and hills such as Spruce Knob, so pack and plan accordingly.
Located in Pennsylvania, the Allegheny National Forest covers about 517,000 acres and is tucked into the Appalachian Mountains foothills. Visitors can explore old-growth forests, wander through peaceful meadows, or climb up to an elevation of about 2,300 for spectacular views and a challenging hiking experience. There are also hundreds of miles of trails throughout the park, so visitors can choose a trail difficulty that suits them. During the winter, the area sees plenty of snow, so cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are popular.
Although Shenandoah National Park is only about an hour and a half from Lorton and other major cities, it feels remote and offers a fantastic nature experience. The park is about 300 square miles in size and spans parts of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Visitors can spot a diverse array of plants and animals as they hike, bike, canoe, kayak, or drive through the park. Parts of the Appalachian Trail also run through the park and make it an excellent hiking destination. The area is also home to an abundance of wildlife and, paired with the amazing views, makes for a fantastic photography location.
New River Gorge National Park is often compared to the Grand Canyon, as it’s a large, steep gorge cut from the countryside over hundreds of years by the New River that flows through it. The park, which is just less than five hours from Lorton, spans 70,000 acres. Visitors will have many opportunities to hike, swim, fish, mountain bike, kayak, paddle, horseback ride, or rock climb. Summer temperatures in the park are usually mild, but winters can be quite cold and offer some excellent snow activity options.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is about seven hours and 20 minutes from Lorton. The park is about 500,000 acres in size and offers a little of something for everyone. Hikers and mountain bikers will enjoy the park’s many trails, while photographers and nature enthusiasts can spot a range of wildlife. The park’s many streams and rivers also create diverse ecosystems and make for many great fishing and swimming options.
Motorhomes are divided into Class A, B, and C vehicles. On average expect to pay $185 per night for Class A, $149 per night for Class B and $179 per night for Class C. Towable RVs include 5th Wheel, Travel Trailers, Popups, and Toy Hauler. On average, in Lorton, VA, the 5th Wheel trailer starts at $70 per night. Pricing for the Travel Trailer begins at $60 per night, and the Popup Trailer starts at $65 per night.
Do you need to be a certain age to rent an RV in Lorton?Yes. The minimum age is 25 to be eligible to get an RV Rental in Lorton from RVshare.
Does RVshare have emergency roadside assistance?Yes. Every RV rental booked through RVshare receives 24/7 emergency roadside assistance.
Does RVshare offer one way RV rentals in Lorton?Yes. Prior to renting any RV, check with the owner since not all will offer this particular option.
