Entry opens on Tuesday October 1, 2024

The Bull Run Occoquan Trail meanders through a sea of bluebells.

Mark VanDyke

Accommodations at the Start/Finish for Friday Night

These accommodations are not for everyone. But if you want an inexpensive place to sleep with no drive to the start on Saturday morning, this may be your place to stay. You are urged to make reservations in advance; email the race RDs to secure your spot in one of the bunkhouses.

There is free Friday night camping at the start (tents not provided).

Hemlock Overlook Regional Park is owned by the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority and managed by Horizons at Hemlock Overlook Regional Park. Horizons at Hemlock has sleeping facilities at the Bull Run Run host site. These will be available for you to stay on Friday night before the run. They are very reasonably priced, but are simple and rustic. These are not hotel rooms.

In order to reserve a bunk, please email the Bull Run Run race directors to get on the accommodations list.

2024 NOTE: for this year’s race, the fee to stay on Friday night in one of the bunkhouses is being waived. We still would like to have your reservation to ensure that we have enough space available for all who want to stay at Hemlock, but if you want to ask for a place when you arrive on Friday to pick up your bib, we will be happy to try to accommodate you if space remains available.

There is no charge and no reservations needed for tent camping on Friday night. There will be no accommodations for Saturday night at the host site.

General Considerations

Think summer camp. The following is true for all facilities:

  • There is no running water where you sleep. Running water, toilets, and showers are centrally located, but in a separate building.
  • You will not be able to park your car next to your sleeping place. You will have to carry your stuff as far as a couple of hundred yards, or even more.
  • You must provide your own bedding (sleeping bag or sheets), towels, etc. Mattresses, except for the camping option, are provided.
  • Not good for families or children. There are no co-rec accommodations (except for camping).
  • Pets are not permitted.
  • There are no TVs! This may be a good thing! (There is cell phone coverage.)
  • Bring a flashlight!
  • Late arrival on Friday night will be very inconvenient for you and for us. Plan to arrive no later than 7 PM. Check-in time is 4 PM.
  • Accommodations are not available for Saturday night.
  • You may leave your belongings in the building or tent while you run, but it will not be locked. It is best to pack your belongings back into your vehicle pre-race if you can. Do not leave valuables! You must collect your possessions after the run if you opt not to pack up prior to the start.
  • See other issues for specific options.
  • You may not sleep in your car at Hemlock.
Bunks in a bunk house at Hemlock.

Reserving

For 2024, there will be space for those who desire it. For this year, we will be waiving the fees for staying in the bunkhouse. You can take a chance on getting a spot in a bunkhouse without a reservation, but priority will go to those who email in to the RDs to reserve a bed. You must be on the entry list to make a reservation. The bunkhouse accommodations are not available to crew or family members not in the race.

Accommodation Types

Here is what is available: (To see where everything is, consult the above map of Hemlock Overlook.

  • Bunk Houses
    Each house has two rooms, and each room holds 12 people. The bunk houses are very close to the bathrooms/showers, and have electricity.

  • Your own tent pitched on the ground, in the field behind the bunk houses. There is no charge to camp. The camping area is a little further from the bathhouses than the bunks. Those of you planning to pitch a tent, please camp ONLY in the area that has been designated. Do NOT pitch your tent in the parking area. Our wonderful parking volunteers arrive before 4
    AM on Saturday, and they WILL get you up and your tent out of their way earlier than you likely would prefer to arise on race morning.

Last updated April 2, 2024