Dispersed camping near Ennice, North Carolina offers opportunities throughout the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests, with many sites along creek beds at elevations between 1,800 and 5,700 feet. The region experiences distinct seasons with fall colors peaking in mid-October and summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F during daytime. Free camping sites can be found within a 30-minute drive of Ennice, primarily scattered across neighboring areas of Virginia.
What to do
Hike to mountain peaks: Access the Appalachian Trail near Mount Rogers National Recreation Area for day hikes with wildlife viewing. "Variety of types of campsites. Amazing sights and wild ponies! The AT provides some great hiking," notes Katie B.
Mountain biking access: The Virginia Creeper Trail provides 34 miles of cycling routes with shuttle services available from Damascus. "Bring your bikes, fishing poles, kayaks, and hiking boots for a full week of adventure. We couldn't get enough of this gorgeous area," says a visitor.
Fishing in nearby streams: Little Tumbling Creek offers good fishing spots and scenic water features. "Laurel bed lake at top is beautiful. Waterfalls on way up and good fishing along the way in tumbling creek," reports Betsy W.
What campers like
Creekside camping spots: The sound of running water provides natural white noise at many dispersed sites. "Free spot, right next to a gorgeous creek. It was totally empty in March - we didn't see a single soul," shares Alexandra T. about her experience at Washington & Jefferson National Forest Dispersed Sites.
Star gazing opportunities: Clear mountain skies provide excellent night viewing. "The night sky was one of the most memorable moments from our trip. I've never seen so many stars!" shares Lindsay S. from her Mount Rogers camping experience.
Wildlife encounters: Scales Trailhead Basecamp offers opportunities to see wild ponies and other mountain animals. "Our favorite parts are the beautiful views, wild ponies, & it's (usually) relatively quiet!" reports Jay N.
What you should know
Road conditions vary dramatically: Many sites require high-clearance vehicles. "The road in is....'rocky'. High clearance 4wd needed. Not ADV friendly, unless you're very adventurous," warns Jon M. about Scales Trailhead.
Cell service limitations: Expect no connectivity at most sites. "Absolutely no verizon service at the site," notes sean from Little Tumbling Creek, while another camper mentioned needing to "drive about ten minutes to the gas station to get dependable coverage."
Weather extremes: Whitetop camping areas experience intense conditions. "THE WIND IS KILLER. We ended up moving our tent to the other side of the car park at the top. There's a nice little piney forest which provided a little shelter from the wind," shares Whitney B.
Tips for camping with families
Bring multiple water sources: No running water means preparation is essential. One camper advises: "No drinking water, picnic tables, or even pit toilet, so come prepared."
Consider Walnut Flats for amenities: Walnut Flats offers more developed facilities for families. "It has five established camp sites with fire rings and picnic tables. The bathroom is a pit style but it was still clean and didn't smell," reports Alice S.
Pack extra layers year-round: Mountain temperatures fluctuate dramatically between day and night. "We stayed at this camp for 3 weeks during the pandemic shutdown and it was a perfect place to ride out this crazy storm and decompress from some anxiety," shares a camper about adapting to changing conditions.
Tips from RVers
Limited dedicated RV spots: Most dispersed sites near Ennice work better for tents or small vehicles. "Nice little free campground with about 5 sites with grill fire rings level gravel drive with tent pad and lantern pole," notes SomadNomad M. about Walnut Flats.
Bring leveling blocks: Many forest sites have uneven terrain. One camper notes that dispersed sites are "all in all a nice site" but "pretty large clearing to set up a tent or tents" with variable ground conditions.
Consider RV length restrictions: Forest roads often have tight turns and low-hanging branches. "It is a pull-thru so it would be convenient for trailers, too," mentions Charles about a Mount Rogers site, indicating some spots can accommodate smaller trailers.
