Primitive camping near Atkins, Virginia centers around the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area and Washington & Jefferson National Forest at elevations between 2,500-5,500 feet. The region experiences frequent fog in valleys and severe weather on mountaintops, particularly during spring and fall seasons. Sites near creeks offer natural water sources but require filtration for drinking, with periods of low water levels common during late summer.
What to do
Hiking on Appalachian Trail: Access the AT from Walnut Flats, where it crosses directly through the camping area. One camper notes, "Trail right through the campground and the Appalachian trail just across the road" with five established sites featuring fire rings and picnic tables.
Mountain biking: The Virginia Creeper Trail provides 17 miles of downhill riding from Whitetop Mountain. "Bring your bikes, fishing poles, kayaks, and hiking boots for a full week of adventure" suggests one reviewer of Washington & Jefferson National Forest Dispersed Sites.
Wildlife viewing: Visit Mount Rogers National Recreation Area to spot wild ponies on higher elevations. "Amazing sights and wild ponies! The AT provides some great hiking," reports one visitor who stayed at the recreation area.
Stargazing: Clear mountain nights offer exceptional astronomy opportunities. One camper who visited Mount Rogers during an AT section hike shared, "The night sky was one of the most memorable moments from our trip. I've never seen so many stars!"
What campers like
Creek-side sites: Many dispersed areas feature spots alongside running water. A camper at Whitetop mentioned, "Laurel bed lake at top is beautiful. Waterfalls on way up and good fishing along the way in tumbling creek. Flat field area for camping on way."
Mountaintop views: Higher elevation camps provide panoramic vistas. "We got to the top of the mountain and decided to camp near a crop of trees... all of a sudden the sun came out and we were ABOVE THE CLOUDS. It was absolutely stunning," reports one Whitetop visitor.
Free designated sites: Walnut Flats offers no-cost camping with basic amenities. "This is a wonderful spot. It has five established camp sites with fire rings and picnic tables. The bathroom is a pit style but it was still clean and didnt smell," notes a recent camper.
Solitude: Many areas provide isolation from crowds. At Little Tumbling Creek, a camper found "a small campsite that I believe is on hunting land... Pretty large clearing to set up a tent or tents. It is very secluded from people."
What you should know
Road conditions: Many sites require high-clearance vehicles. At Scales Trailhead Basecamp, a camper warns, "The road in is....rocky. High clearance 4wd needed. Not ADV friendly, unless you're very adventurous."
Cell service limitations: Communication options are extremely restricted. A Little Tumbling Creek visitor stated, "Absolutely no verizon service at the site," while another camper reported driving "about ten minutes to the gas station to get dependable coverage."
Weather variability: Mountain conditions change rapidly, particularly at higher elevations. A Whitetop camper experienced challenging 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."
Permit requirements: Some areas require registration. For Hidden Valley WMA, "Camping is free, technically. (you need to purchase an Access pass from Virginia Wildlife for 4 dollars online, and add a camping authorisation to your account)."
Tips for camping with families
Water accessibility: Choose sites with reliable creek access for both recreation and filtered drinking water. At Washington & Jefferson National Forest Dispersed Sites, "Our site had a good fire ring, and was on the edge of a creek that we could filter water from with ease."
Safety concerns: Exercise caution in remote areas and be aware of possible encounters. One camper reported, "We were able to find another dispersed campground down the road about 15-20 mins alongside the road. We also saw more people car-camping and doing the same: so overall we felt better about the situation."
Educational opportunities: Teach children about nature and wildlife in this biodiversity hotspot. "We had a great time at this park. The views are amazing," shares a Mount Rogers National Recreation Area visitor who explored the park with family.
Toilet facilities: Most dispersed sites lack bathroom amenities. At Walnut Flats, "The bathroom is a pit style but it was still clean and didnt smell," while Hidden Valley WMA has a "porta-loo" according to a recent visitor.
Tips from RVers
Camping duration limits: RVers should note permit restrictions at some locations. At Hidden Valley WMA, dispersed camping permits are valid "up to 14 days" according to a recent visitor.
Level parking areas: Find sites with flat, stable surfaces. One RVer at Walnut Flats mentioned, "level gravel drive with tent pad and lantern pole... I stayed just shy of 2 weeks and 1 other came in a few days after me and stayed the whole time."
Road grade challenges: Be aware of steep approaches to some sites. An RVer at Hidden Valley WMA warned, "Only downside is that the road up is a pretty harsh grade for 4 miles. Our short bus Skoolie had some troubles with it."
Maintenance opportunities: Some remote sites allow for extended stays with privacy. The Walnut Flats RVer appreciated that "both of us worked on our rv without any disturbances."
