When I was a kid we would go twice a year from Fredricksburg to a camping area in What I was told was the Blue Ridge Mountains, wasn't too god awful long of a drive as I remember it 30+ years ago. But the area had a large creek or river running through it that was covered in small spiky snails, cold as all get out from the snow melt, and there were hot springs just down from the camp sites.

Again, this was 30+ years ago and I don't remember many details at all, but I'm looking to take the family camping with the weather turning cooler and I wanted to show them this place.

Any other recommendations you might have within 2-3 hours of DC/BWI area would be welcomed also.

The Cove has been my go to since I was a kid. Just got to tell them if you're there to party or have quiet family time and they will put you in an area suited to your needs.

Fishing, ATV trails, primitive camping/RV, gun range, family owned.

Sounds like Silver Lake and the warm springs at Mole Hill.

There aren’t many springs that haven’t been developed into destination bath houses.

Can't help with the site in VA but we have been to Otter Creek Campground in PA and couple times and have always enjoyed it. Same goes for Rocky Gap SP and Deep Creek Lake in western MD. Tent camping, that is.