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Dispersed Camping

Flagpole Knob

8 Reviews

Flagpole Knob, near the heart of Virginia, is a fantastic spot for those seeking solitude and stunning views. This location is perfect for campers who want to escape the hustle and bustle, with just a handful of campsites that offer a sense of privacy and connection to nature.

The area is known for its breathtaking sunsets and sunrises, making it a photographer's dream. Visitors have raved about the unbeatable views from the top, with one camper noting, “The sunset and sunrise views are insane.” Just keep in mind that getting there requires a vehicle with some ground clearance, as the roads can be a bit tricky.

While there are no amenities like drinking water or toilets, the freedom to have fires and the ability to bring your pets make it a laid-back experience. Campers have shared their adventures, with one mentioning the need to tie up trash to avoid raccoon encounters. It’s all part of the charm of camping in a more primitive setting.

If you're up for a little adventure, Flagpole Knob is a great base for exploring the surrounding wilderness. Whether you're hiking, enjoying a campfire, or simply soaking in the views, this spot is sure to leave a lasting impression. Just remember to pack your essentials and prepare for a true outdoor experience!

Description

US Forest Service

George Washington National Forest

Forest Road 85 travels 3.6 miles to the summit of Flagpole Knob, wobbling along the top of the Alleghany Mountains following the border between Virginia and West Virginia. This high elevation access route brings the wildlife watcher into habitats not encountered elsewhere on the North River Loop of the Virginia Bird & Wildlife Trail.

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Location

Flagpole Knob is located in Virginia

Directions

Location: Forest Rd 85A, Dayton, VA 22821 From Briery Branch Dam - travel west on Forest Road 924 for 4.5 miles to the top of the ridge, where FR 924 will intersect with Forest Rd. 85 and County Road 25. There will be three choices of roads: a hard left will take you south on FR 85 towards Reddish Knob,the middle road will take you west on West VA County Rd 25. To go to Flagpole Knob, take the right, unpaved road, which is north on Forest Rd 85. Continue 3.1 miles to a grassy opening on the right. Use caution on this road AT ALL TIMES OF THE YEAR; during winter months it may be impassable. THIS ROAD IS VERY ROUGH AND MAY NOT BE APPROPRIATE FOR LOW CLEARANCE VEHICLES. 4-wheel drive vehicle with high clearance is recommended.

Coordinates

38.51009637 N
79.18396418 W

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Access

Drive-In
Park next to your site
Walk-In
Park in a lot, walk to your site.

Stay Connected

WiFi
Good
Verizon
Good
AT&T
Unknown
T-Mobile
Good

Site Types

Dispersed

Features

For Campers

Alcohol
Pets
Fires

Enjoy dispersed camping on government land and leave no trace. Pack in and pack out. No (or limited) services at this camping area. Permit may be required.

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Contact

General Info

Drive Time

1 hr from Harrisonburg
1 hr 49 min from Charlottesville
1 hr 54 min from Winchester

Avory H.

Traveler

Reviewed Mar. 20, 2025

Overlanding trip

Beautiful area. I was the only one there, but came across a nice couple and their kids as they were exploring and couldn’t have beeen more friendly

Month of VisitMarch

(4) View All

Waseem H.

Guide

Reviewed Sep. 5, 2024

Enjoyed the drive and stay

I drove to Switzer Lake first and from there stayed on the trail all the way to Flag Pole. The drive took a few hours but was a ton of fun. There are a few good spots up there and it gets fairly busy.

Month of VisitMay

SomadNomad M.

Guide

Reviewed Jun. 26, 2024

They Said....

They said, no way, I chuckled. They Said , you need a high clearance vehicle, I cleared my throat. They said, you need 4 wheel drive, I SAID "ILL SEND YOU PICTURES!!!" what an Amazing view, don't use me as an example , you definitely should not drive your 2018 Ram ProMaster 2500 159 wb campervan up that road like I did. so now that that's clear how about some pics?.it's absolutely pouring down rain and hail. how about some security cam footage?

Siteon the top baby

Month of VisitJune

(5) View All

Sydney D.

Scout

Reviewed Aug. 4, 2022

Awesome

If you really wanna be alone this is the spot. Camped up there with just my dog and I doubt there was a single person for miles around. The sunset and sunrise views are insane. Made it up in a stock Subaru Outback. Not difficult but definitely need at least a little bit of clearance.

Month of VisitAugust

adrian F.

Guide

Reviewed Oct. 22, 2021

Perfect overlanding spot

We had some bad weather but still loved our trip. If you know it’s going to be windy don’t camp at the peak. There’s plenty of camp spots close by with some cover from trees. Very spaced out. Everyone you run into is nice and welcoming. Recommend vehicles with some ground clearance depending on which route you take up. Unbeatable views from the top.

Also there is raccoons. Tie up your trash and keep your shoes in your tent or vehicle. A few people lost shoes overnight while we were there and found them few hundred yards away.

Month of VisitOctober