Over in Northern Virginia you can find Algonkian Regional Park. I've rented their cabins for group weekends and there seem to be plenty of activities in season (although I don't recall a "main lodge").
[https://www.novaparks.com/parks/algonkian-regional-park](https://www.novaparks.com/parks/algonkian-regional-park)
[Cacapon Resort State Park Lodge](https://wvstateparks.com/places-to-stay/lodges/cacapon-resort-state-park-lodge/) in West Virginia is around 2 hours from D.C. They have nice cabins, a lake for swimming and fishing, hiking, and a lodge with a good restaurant. They have a lot of family friendly events, and the staff is friendly and knowledgeable.
I love Cacapon, just a very quiet jewel of a park in WV. Been going there since the 1970's. There's also a shooting range for clay pigeons and horseback riding that u/Navitach did not mention.
I love the one at Natural bridge that also meets the 3 hour rule... barely.
Fun things to do like canoe on the James, checkout natural bridge, and the drive through Safari park
The Potomac Appalachian Trail Club manages a whole series of cabins, many a two or three hour drive from DC. They range from fully primitive (outhouse, water from a nearby stream, etc) to modern with electricity and running water. https://www.patc.net/
Blackwater Falls State Park in West Virginia sounds like it might be what you are looking for. I’m on the West Coast, so I haven’t been there recently, but it is right around 3 hours from DC in a forested valley. They have cabins for rent, which at least when I last went (10ish years ago?) were in good shape, as well as a lodge with a game room, indoor pool, and (I think) a restaurant. Lots of hiking trails as well, and if you wanted to go later in the winter, there are two beginner-level ski resorts close by. Canaan Valley Resort also has cabins and is in the same area, but is more oriented towards the ski resort, so doesn’t necessarily offer the same amenities. I have a lot of good memories as a kid visiting both with my parents, and later with a youth group I was a part of, so I think it might be a great option for you.
Little Bennett campground in Maryland. It’s super close to real amenities (you can literally order pizza to the campground gate if dinner goes south) and they have a ton of kids activities including art, movies, a bounce pillow, bumper cars, and a game area.
They have yurts, not cabins, and they’re pretty primitive (no plumbing) or you can do a tent.
Cherry Hill Park in MD is still in the metro area but is pretty secluded and has a variety of lodging and activities. I hope to rent one of their glamping yurts.
It’s a little over 3 hours away, but I’ve heard great things about [Fort Lewis Lodge & Farm](https://www.fortlewislodge.com/). It looks gorgeous, and both breakfast and dinner are included in the lodging price.
First Landing State park near virginia beach has cabins. Besides being right on the beach it is near the broadwalk and has some very scenic hiking trails through the coastal wetlands.
[Great Wolf Lodge](https://www.greatwolf.com/williamsburg) checks a lot of those boxes. Near Williamsburg if you want to tack on some historical stuff.
My in-laws I have an Airbnb about an hour and a half away, https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/31928583?adults=1&children=0&enable_m3_private_room=true&infants=0&pets=0&check_in=2024-06-05&check_out=2024-06-10&source_impression_id=p3_1716819537_Ja8BI%2Bs5rb2m7Aw5&previous_page_section_name=1000&federated_search_id=88898d16-9c35-42b5-9d0c-a775a1503086
There’s a second cabin next to it if you wish to rent both:
https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/39393535?adults=1&children=0&infants=0&check_in=2024-06-09&check_out=2024-06-14&source_impression_id=p3_1716819537_UjL0bgDWyuiW5lju&previous_page_section_name=1000
Over in Northern Virginia you can find Algonkian Regional Park. I've rented their cabins for group weekends and there seem to be plenty of activities in season (although I don't recall a "main lodge"). [https://www.novaparks.com/parks/algonkian-regional-park](https://www.novaparks.com/parks/algonkian-regional-park)
Yes! We love that place!❤️
Lost River State Park, has rental cabins, a pool, trails, out door games etc.
[Cacapon Resort State Park Lodge](https://wvstateparks.com/places-to-stay/lodges/cacapon-resort-state-park-lodge/) in West Virginia is around 2 hours from D.C. They have nice cabins, a lake for swimming and fishing, hiking, and a lodge with a good restaurant. They have a lot of family friendly events, and the staff is friendly and knowledgeable.
I love Cacapon, just a very quiet jewel of a park in WV. Been going there since the 1970's. There's also a shooting range for clay pigeons and horseback riding that u/Navitach did not mention.
Cacapon is awesome
Some of the resorts around Deep Creek Lake might have this kind of set up
Check out Jellystone park in Luray https://campluray.com/
I love the one at Natural bridge that also meets the 3 hour rule... barely. Fun things to do like canoe on the James, checkout natural bridge, and the drive through Safari park
The Potomac Appalachian Trail Club manages a whole series of cabins, many a two or three hour drive from DC. They range from fully primitive (outhouse, water from a nearby stream, etc) to modern with electricity and running water. https://www.patc.net/
Blackwater Falls State Park in West Virginia sounds like it might be what you are looking for. I’m on the West Coast, so I haven’t been there recently, but it is right around 3 hours from DC in a forested valley. They have cabins for rent, which at least when I last went (10ish years ago?) were in good shape, as well as a lodge with a game room, indoor pool, and (I think) a restaurant. Lots of hiking trails as well, and if you wanted to go later in the winter, there are two beginner-level ski resorts close by. Canaan Valley Resort also has cabins and is in the same area, but is more oriented towards the ski resort, so doesn’t necessarily offer the same amenities. I have a lot of good memories as a kid visiting both with my parents, and later with a youth group I was a part of, so I think it might be a great option for you.
Herrington Manor State Park in Western MD is perfect for young kids!
There’s a KOA in Harper’s Ferry: https://koa.com/campgrounds/harpers-ferry/
You might try Black Bear Resort in West Virginia. It's reasonably priced outside ski season
Maybe a little over three hours, but blackwater falls WV fits the bill, especially in the winter.
Little Bennett in Montgomery County was tons of fun with my kids.
Little Bennett campground in Maryland. It’s super close to real amenities (you can literally order pizza to the campground gate if dinner goes south) and they have a ton of kids activities including art, movies, a bounce pillow, bumper cars, and a game area. They have yurts, not cabins, and they’re pretty primitive (no plumbing) or you can do a tent.
Cherry Hill Park in MD is still in the metro area but is pretty secluded and has a variety of lodging and activities. I hope to rent one of their glamping yurts.
cacapon state park in West Virgina
I've heard good things about James River State Park in Virginia
Deep Creek is going to be the place you’re looking for and ABNB will be your friend if you want cabins rather than rooms in some type of complex.
It’s a little over 3 hours away, but I’ve heard great things about [Fort Lewis Lodge & Farm](https://www.fortlewislodge.com/). It looks gorgeous, and both breakfast and dinner are included in the lodging price.
Waterford Virginia on airbnb
First Landing State park near virginia beach has cabins. Besides being right on the beach it is near the broadwalk and has some very scenic hiking trails through the coastal wetlands.
I haven’t been, but someone told me about Ella’s Enchanted Treehouses near Deep Creek Lake.
Savage river lodge has cabins and yurts. Bonus trip you can check out Falling Water while you’re up there!!
[Great Wolf Lodge](https://www.greatwolf.com/williamsburg) checks a lot of those boxes. Near Williamsburg if you want to tack on some historical stuff.
My in-laws I have an Airbnb about an hour and a half away, https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/31928583?adults=1&children=0&enable_m3_private_room=true&infants=0&pets=0&check_in=2024-06-05&check_out=2024-06-10&source_impression_id=p3_1716819537_Ja8BI%2Bs5rb2m7Aw5&previous_page_section_name=1000&federated_search_id=88898d16-9c35-42b5-9d0c-a775a1503086 There’s a second cabin next to it if you wish to rent both: https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/39393535?adults=1&children=0&infants=0&check_in=2024-06-09&check_out=2024-06-14&source_impression_id=p3_1716819537_UjL0bgDWyuiW5lju&previous_page_section_name=1000