Best Dispersed Camping near Bland, VA

Dispersed camping near Bland, Virginia primarily centers around the Washington and Jefferson National Forest lands, with several free primitive sites available without reservations. Walnut Flats stands as a developed dispersed area with five established sites featuring fire rings and picnic tables. Additional options include Mount Rogers National Recreation Area, Little Tumbling Creek, Scales Trailhead Basecamp, and roadside sites along creeks in the broader region. These areas typically allow tent and small RV camping with minimal to no facilities.

Road access varies significantly between locations, with some sites requiring high-clearance vehicles or four-wheel drive, particularly for reaching Scales Trailhead and Whitetop Mountain. The approach to Scales involves a rocky, 45-minute drive on unpaved roads. Most dispersed areas provide vault toilets, though Whitetop and some Jefferson National Forest sites lack restroom facilities entirely. Water sources consist primarily of natural creeks requiring filtration, and campers must pack out all trash. Fire regulations permit campfires at most locations except Hurricane Road, where they are prohibited.

These primitive camping areas feature creekside settings, mountain views, and connectivity to trail systems including the Appalachian Trail. The natural environment provides notable wildlife viewing and stargazing opportunities. Proximity to water enhances many camping experiences, particularly at creek-adjacent sites. "Beautiful spot right by a babbling creek that will lull you to sleep," noted one visitor to Mount Rogers. Whitetop Mountain sites receive particular praise for scenic vistas, with one camper describing "Absolutely stunning views" and "gorgeous sunsets." Cell service varies dramatically by location, with most areas offering limited connectivity. "Absolutely no Verizon service at the site," reported a camper at Little Tumbling Creek.

Best Dispersed Sites Near Bland, Virginia (7)

    1. Walnut Flats

    4 Reviews
    Staffordsville, VA
    14 miles

    "Quiet place with plenty of firewood on the ground. Occasional.peiole driving through but a great experience!"

    "There is no internet access but there is enough signal you can get text sometimes. You need to drive about ten minutes to the gas station to get dependable coverage."

    2. Mount Rogers National Recreation Area

    11 Reviews
    Sugar Grove, VA
    26 miles
    Website

    "Located in the Mount Rogers Recreation Area, there are multiple free national forest camping spots along the creek, just off Hwy 58. The sound of the creek seemed to drowned out all road noise."

    "It is a little close to the main road, as others have mentioned, but it was still removed enough for me to feel remote. The creek is loud and the trees offered privacy."

    3. Little Tumbling Creek

    3 Reviews
    Saltville, VA
    33 miles
    Website

    "There are two private properties on the road, and you basically just follow it back until you get to this clearing. Pretty large clearing to set up a tent or tents."

    "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. Several spots by creek for van or tent camping."

    4. Scales Trailhead Basecamp

    3 Reviews
    Troutdale, VA
    36 miles

    "Yes, the road in is rocky (& not short...probly 45 mins from the road to the campground), but anything with Subaru Outback ground clearance will be fine. The campground itself is great! "

    "Once reaching the off road trail my partner got nervous, feeling as if our Forrester wouldn’t make it up. My advice… come prepared. I got. Flat on the way up and was able to make it to my campsite."

    5. Whitetop

    6 Reviews
    Whitetop, VA
    42 miles

    "Nice spot to pitch a tent or for car camping. Whitetop mountain has some of the best views in VA and is very popular for watching sunsets."

    "Great view but the drive in is a bumpy rock terrain so some clearance is a must . Signal at the hill top T-mobile 2 bars LTE"

    6. Washington & Jefferson National Forest Dispersed Sites

    7 Reviews
    Damascus, VA
    45 miles
    Website
    +1 (540) 265-5100

    "At the intersection of the North Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia state lines, sits this national forest which offers multiple dispersed camping areas along Bear Creek."

    "Coordinates take you right to the site and there’s a small gravel road you can pull into. The campsite is directly off the forest road, maybe 20 feet."

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Dispersed Camping Reviews near Bland, VA

34 Reviews of 7 Bland Campgrounds


  • Shari  G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 24, 2018

    Mount Rogers National Recreation Area

    FREE roadside camping!

    Located in the Mount Rogers Recreation Area, there are multiple free national forest camping spots along the creek, just off Hwy 58. The sound of the creek seemed to drowned out all road noise.

    Sites are first come, first served, have no picnic table or toilet, but all seem to have an established fire ring and access to the creek for water. Bring your water filter and portable potty!

    Within 3 miles of these spots along the creek, you will find the famous and gorgeous Virginia Creeper Trail, the Whitetop Laurel Creek, and the Appalachian Trail. So bring your bikes, fishing poles, kayaks, and hiking boots for a full week of adventure. We couldn’t get enough of this gorgeous area and hit the early spring weather spot on for some fun in the sun!

    The closest town is Damascus which are filled with companies that will load your bikes on a trailer and haul you and your bike to Whitetop Mountain where you can hop on the Virginia Creeper Trail for 17 miles of easy downhill coasting (or 34 miles if you choose to go all the way to Abingdon). Or, for more of a workout, you can hop on the trail at various access points and ride uphill and coast down. For whitewater fun, consult the American Whitewater website for the runnable area/range of the Whitetop Laurel Creek.

  • Shari  G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Dec. 30, 2020

    Washington & Jefferson National Forest Dispersed Sites

    Creekside Camping

    At the intersection of the North Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia state lines, sits this national forest which offers multiple dispersed camping areas along Bear Creek. Opportunities for hiking, cycling, fishing, and paddling are abundant.  The Appalachian Trail and Virginia Creeper Trail are just minutes away, as well as some easy whitewater paddling fun on the White Top Laurel Creek.

    Most of campsites are large, very shaded, along a beautiful treelined road, and surrounded by mountains. There is no drinking water, picnic tables, or even pit toilet, so come prepared. The only major problem is that folks tend to leave a ton of trash around, so we often spend about 20-30 minutes cleaning these sites upon arrival. Please Leave No Trace! 

    Our site had a good fire ring, and was on the edge of a creek that we could filter water from with ease. 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. 

    The closest town is Damascus, VA, about 12 miles away. The town is small, but draws thousands of tourists each year who are either hiking the Appalachian Trail or cycling the famous Virginia Creeper bike path. It is equipped with a decent sized grocery store, gas, and couple of restaurants, and a cute downtown area. There is absolutely no cell service at this camp, you have to go into town or hike a local mountain to get service up high.

  • Glennie V.
    Apr. 1, 2024

    Washington & Jefferson National Forest Dispersed Sites

    Be Aware Of Your Surroundings

    First time trying dispersed-camping and was super excited originally! We followed the coordinations and pulled into an off-road spot. Initially we felt pretty comfortable riding through the national park. However when we arrived to the site there was someone already there. We didn't think much at first, until we realized what they were doing in their car: It was a man and female. They appeared to be smoking meth and had a distinctive smell coming from their truck. They were making incoherent noises and could barely hold their heads up. They then pulled out a gun and started shooting at the signs near the road. Needless to say we quickly packed our gear and left. It was definitely scary and not the best encounter for first time dispersed camping. Thankfully I was with my partner and felt safe with him. If I was alone, I'm unsure how safe I would've felt, as a traveling/camping solo-female. 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. However, I'm not sure if I'd recommend this spot or go back again: Be aware of your surroundings and always carry something on you to protect yourself!

  • Jon M.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 31, 2024

    Scales Trailhead Basecamp

    Serious off road capability needed

    The road in is...."rocky". High clearance 4wd needed. Not ADV friendly, unless you're very adventurous. Access by horseback would be my #1 pick.

  • s
    Apr. 27, 2025

    Little Tumbling Creek

    Secluded campsite by creek

    This is a small campsite that I believe is on hunting land. You pass a sign going in toward it that states as much. There are two private properties on the road, and you basically just follow it back until you get to this clearing. Pretty large clearing to set up a tent or tents. It is very secluded from people, but no tree line or anything to camp in. All in all it’s a nice site. Absolutely no verizon service a the site.

  • s
    Apr. 27, 2025

    Washington & Jefferson National Forest Dispersed Sites

    Small site right by road and creek

    Coordinates take you right to the site and there’s a small gravel road you can pull into. The campsite is directly off the forest road, maybe 20 feet. It’s a nice spot with some flat areas to put a tent if you don’t mind being close to the road.

    Right across the road there’s actually a second road that goes into the forest on the opposite site. Buddy and I actually set up our tent over there instead, as it was more in the tree line, a bit more protected, and farther back from the road. Had a nice night and no one bothered us. Absolutely no verizon service.

  • Jay N.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 28, 2024

    Scales Trailhead Basecamp

    Isolated & wonderful!

    We've been going to Scales for several years now, & it's one of the few places we keep revisiting! Yes, the road in is rocky (& not short...probly 45 mins from the road to the campground), but anything with Subaru Outback ground clearance will be fine.

    The campground itself is great! It's right on the AT, so there are lots of through hikers that you'll see stop in for a night. That also means that there's lots of great hiking options! Our favorite parts are the beautiful views, wild ponies, & it's (usually) relatively quiet!

    Additionally, there are a lot of fire pits& there are pit toilets.

  • Clayton S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 28, 2021

    Whitetop

    Whitetop Mountain

    Nice spot to pitch a tent or for car camping. Whitetop mountain has some of the best views in VA and is very popular for watching sunsets.

  • Betsy W.
    Sep. 2, 2024

    Little Tumbling Creek

    Beautiful and peaceful

    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. Several spots by creek for van or tent camping.


Guide to Bland

Dispersed camping options near Bland, Virginia exist primarily on the edges of Jefferson National Forest, with elevation ranging from 2,000 to 5,500 feet across various sites. Winter temperatures often drop below freezing at higher elevations, while summer brings moderate 70-80°F days with cooler nights. Seasonal road closures affect access to several remote sites during winter months, particularly after snowfall.

What to do

Hiking connections: Walnut Flats provides direct access to the Appalachian Trail just across the road. "Trail right through the campground and the Apalation trail just across the road," notes one camper who stayed nearly two weeks.

Whitewater paddling: Located within 20 miles of several campsites, Whitetop Laurel Creek offers Class I-III rapids depending on water levels. "Within 3 miles of these spots along the creek, you will find the famous and gorgeous Virginia Creeper Trail, the Whitetop Laurel Creek, and the Appalachian Trail. So bring your bikes, fishing poles, kayaks, and hiking boots," explains a reviewer from Washington & Jefferson National Forest Dispersed Sites.

Stargazing opportunities: Higher elevation sites away from light pollution provide exceptional night sky viewing. "The night sky was one of the most memorable moments from our trip. I've never seen so many stars!" reports a visitor to Mount Rogers after reaching the summit.

Mountain biking: The Virginia Creeper Trail offers 34 miles of rail-trail riding with shuttle services available in Damascus. "You can hop on the Virginia Creeper Trail for 17 miles of easy downhill coasting (or 34 miles if you choose to go all the way to Abingdon)," shares a Washington & Jefferson camper.

What campers like

Creek sounds: Many dispersed sites feature natural water noise that masks road sounds. "The sound of the creek was lovely all night," writes an Erik C. who camped at Washington & Jefferson. Another camper at Little Tumbling Creek described it as "a quiet bumbling creek with beautiful scenery."

Established sites: Some dispersed areas provide more amenities than others. "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," explains Alice S. about Walnut Flats.

Off-grid seclusion: Campers value the disconnect from technology and crowds. "Loved this spot - we got lucky and parked right next to a swimming hole, had a gorgeous swim and enjoyed our time. No service, off-grid, really lovely," says Alexandra about her Washington & Jefferson camping experience.

Morning views: Higher elevation sites provide memorable sunrise experiences. "We mainly wanted a quiet place to sleep and gorgeous morning views, and we got both!" shares a Whitetop camper who braved the rough road to the summit.

What you should know

Road conditions vary dramatically: Many sites require high-clearance vehicles. "The road to this site is WILD, but doable! I'll leave photos of the worst spots to help you decide whether or not you should drive up to the top," writes Emerald M. about Whitetop access.

Cell service limitations: Most free camping sites near Bland have minimal connectivity. "There is no internet access but there is enough signal you can get text sometimes. You need to drive about ten minutes to the gas station to get dependable coverage," reports a Walnut Flats visitor.

Water sources require filtration: Creeks provide the primary water source at most sites. "Our site had a good fire ring, and was on the edge of a creek that we could filter water from with ease," notes a Washington & Jefferson camper who stayed three weeks.

Fire regulations: Not all sites allow fires. Hurricane Road specifically prohibits fires, while most other areas permit them in established rings only.

Weather preparation: Scales Trailhead Basecamp and other high-elevation areas experience significant wind. "The wind is killer. We ended up moving our tent to the other side of the car park at the top," warns a Whitetop camper who faced challenging conditions.

Tips for camping with families

Site security: Choose locations with visibility if camping with children. "Right next to the road, so first time campers would feel safe. The creek's sound is pleasant," recommends a Washington & Jefferson camper.

Flat terrain options: Look for level sites for easier tent setup with kids. "Nice little free campground with about 5 sites with grill fire rings level gravel drive with tent pad and lantern pole," describes a Walnut Flats visitor who noted the well-designed layout.

Wildlife viewing: Mount Rogers National Recreation Area offers unique wildlife encounters. "Variety of types of campsites. Amazing sights and wild ponies! The AT provides some great hiking," shares Katie B.

Fishing access: Several sites provide creek-side fishing opportunities. "Laurel bed lake at top is beautiful. Waterfalls on way up and good fishing along the way in tumbling creek," mentions a Little Tumbling Creek visitor.

Tips from RVers

Size limitations: Most dispersed sites accommodate smaller RVs only. "Not ADV friendly, unless you're very adventurous. Access by horseback would be my #1 pick," cautions a visitor to Scales Trailhead about the challenging access road.

Double sites available: Some areas offer larger shared spaces. "Stayed in the double site. Quiet place with plenty of firewood on the ground," reports Dennis R. about Walnut Flats.

Leveling requirements: Bring leveling blocks for uneven terrain. "Nice spot! Very quiet area," notes Nathan G. about Walnut Flats, though many reviewers mention the importance of leveling equipment for the gravel sites.

RV maintenance access: Some sites provide space to work on rigs. "I stayed just shy of 2 weeks and 1 other came in a few days after me and stayed the whole time I was there and both of us worked on our rv without any disturbances," shares a Walnut Flats camper.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Bland, VA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Bland, VA is Walnut Flats with a 5-star rating from 4 reviews.

What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Bland, VA?

TheDyrt.com has all 7 dispersed camping locations near Bland, VA, with real photos and reviews from campers.