Washington, D.C. may be one of the most accessible cities in the country in terms of public transportation. If you can take the Metro or the bus to Dupont Circle, the Capitol, Georgetown, the (National) Mall, or even (Mazza Gallerie shopping) mall, why can’t you take public transportation to a campsite?

Turns out you can. The Washington Post had a great article this weekend about “car-free camping” - campsites that you can ride your bike or take public transportation to.

photo credit: tukanuk

Here are the five campsites they list and some of the details (for more information such as why to go and local activities read the full Washington Post article):

Greenbelt Park

6565 Greenbelt Rd., Greenbelt

How far is it from Washington? About 12 miles from downtown.

How do I get there? Ride Metro’s Green Line to Greenbelt, then hop on the C2 Metrobus. The bus will stop at the park entrance.

Cost?$16 per night.

What else do I need to know? The campground includes showers and bathrooms. Reservations recommended during the summer. Call 301-344-3944 or visit http://www.nps.gov/gree.

Lake Fairfax Park

1400 Lake Fairfax Dr., Reston

How far is it from Washington? About 20 miles.

How do I get there? Take Metro’s Blue or Orange line to Rosslyn, then transfer to the 5A Metrobus toward Dulles Airport. At Tysons Westpark Transit Station, transfer to Fairfax Connector Bus 574 toward Reston Town Center. Get off at Baron Cameron Avenue and Lake Fairfax Drive, about three blocks from the park entrance.

Cost?$25 to $42 per site per night.

What else do I need to know? The campground is about a mile from the entrance, so if you are coming by bus, the first thing you will see is the water park. The sites fill up early, so try to register two to three weeks in advance. Call 703-471-5415 (general information) or 703-757-9242 (campsite reservations), or visit http://www.fairfaxcounty.g ov/parks/lakefairfax.

Little Bennett Regional Park

23701 Frederick Rd., Clarksburg

How far is it from Washington? About 30 miles.

How do I get there? Take Metro’s Red Line to Medical Center, and transfer to Ride On Bus 70 toward Milestone Center. At the Milestone Center Park and Ride, take Ride On Bus 75 toward the Urbana Park and Ride. Get off at Frederick and Camping Ridge roads, about a third of a mile from the park entrance.

Cost?$21 per night for tent sites. $25 for gear rental.

What else do I need to know? Call 301-972-9222 or visit http://www.mcparkandplanning.org/parks.

Watkins Regional Park

301 Watkins Park Dr., Upper Marlboro

How far is it from Washington? About 15 miles.

How do I get there? Take Metro’s Blue Line to Largo Town Center, then transfer to the C26 Metrobus toward East Kettering. The bus stops at Keverton and Watkins Park drives near the park entrance.

Cost?$15, residents of Montgomery or Prince George’s counties $12.

What else do I need to know? Reservations a few weeks in advance are recommended. Call 301-218-6700 (for general information) or 301-218-6870 (campground permits), or visit http://www.pgparks.com/places/parks/watkins.html.

So, if this summer you have that “must get out of the city now” feeling, throw your tent on your back, strap on your bike helmet, and pedal to the nearest campground.

(Or if you’re just visiting D.C. for a weekend this would be a great way to stay in area for extremely cheap.)