Best Dispersed Camping near Knoxville, MD

Dispersed camping options near Knoxville, Maryland include several primitive sites within an hour's drive. Edwards Run Wildlife Management Area in West Virginia offers free camping with basic amenities including toilets and trash disposal. The area features both roadside sites and more secluded spots accessible by hiking further in. Veach Gap in George Washington National Forest provides backcountry camping with outstanding ridgeline views of the Shenandoah River and surrounding mountains, though it requires a 4-mile hike with 1,200 feet of elevation gain.

Water availability varies significantly between sites. At Veach Gap, campers should pack all necessary water as reliable sources are scarce beyond the first mile of trail. According to experienced hikers, "there is no water after the first mile" with only occasional "small trickles" that shouldn't be counted on. Gravel Springs Hut in Shenandoah National Park features a nearby spring for water collection, along with a three-sided shelter, privy, and bear storage facilities.

Permits are required for backcountry camping in Shenandoah National Park, including at Compton Gap and Gravel Springs Hut. Most sites allow fires in established rings, but visitors must follow Leave No Trace principles. Edwards Run may have a $10 camping fee, though payment procedures are not clearly marked at the kiosk. Cell service is generally unreliable in these areas except at certain high points like the Veach Gap ridgeline. Weather conditions vary seasonally, with fall offering colorful foliage but requiring appropriate cold-weather gear, especially at higher elevations.