Travis L.
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TravelerWalnut Flats
Closed nov to April.
Drove here to find it closed.
Dispersed Camping near Cana, VA
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Several free dispersed camping options exist near Cana, Virginia within Mount Rogers National Recreation Area and surrounding forests. These dispersed campsites near Cana offer fire rings and creek access with no facilities, making them ideal for self-sufficient campers. A visitor noted, "Free spot, right next to a gorgeous creek. It was totally empty in March - we didn't see a single soul." The sites along creeks provide natural white noise that helps mask nearby road sounds.
Walnut Flats offers five sites with fire rings, picnic tables, and basic amenities including pit toilets and a well pump for drinking water. This area accommodates both tents and RVs with level gravel pads and lantern poles at each site. The Appalachian Trail runs nearby, crossing the road adjacent to the campground. For more remote experiences, Scales Trailhead Basecamp requires high-clearance 4WD vehicles to navigate the rocky 45-minute access road. According to a camper, "The campground was well kept, well placed, not to mention the next morning part of the crew that maintains the area helped us fix our flat."
Best Dispersed Campgrounds near Cana (4)
1. Mount Rogers National Recreation Area
"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."
2. Walnut Flats
"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."
3. Scales Trailhead Basecamp
"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."
4. Hurricane Road Roadside Camp
"Most also back up to the creek. There is zero cell service. I was able to get spotty, but serviceable starlink. There was traffic on the gravel road from adventure motorcycles."
Drive Time
- 41 min from Winston-Salem, NC
- 1 hr 4 min from Greensboro, NC
- 1 hr 11 min from Blacksburg, VA
Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos near Cana, VA
8 Photos of 4 Cana Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Dispersed Camping Reviews near Cana, VA
19 Reviews of 4 Cana Campgrounds
Dennis R.TravelerWalnut Flats
Nice place
5 sites, stayed. In the double site. Quiet place with plenty of firewood on the ground. Occasional.peiole driving through but a great experience!
Alice S.
LegendWalnut Flats
Free Campground
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 sti clean and didnt smell. 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.
Mateo M.
GuideScales Trailhead Basecamp
Fun, adventure, friendship
My partner and I took our dog on a quick impromptu weekend trip, we drove about 2 hours. 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. The campground was well kept, well placed, not to mention the next morning part of the crew that maintains the area helped us fix our flat. Some of the other campers introduced themselves and were extremely friendly and helpful. Some had been camping there for 40yrs. The fire pits are well built and there is plenty of kindling and tinder to find right off the trails. If you’re comping at night time and want a fire bring a starter log. This time of year the wood was a little damp as we arrived late. Other than that bring plenty of water there are creeks and running water around but no running water at the sites, if you’re a must have shower person bring a shower bag. The sights were magical and the salt lick for the ponies wasn’t far so if you’re looking for a weekend getaway with great sites, a little adventure and a whole lot of beauty this campground is for you. This will definitely become a frequent for my partner and I
Jay N.
ScoutScales 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.
- SSomadNomad M.Guide
Walnut Flats
Free
nice little free campground with about 5 sites with grill fire rings level gravel drive with tent pad and lantern pole, restrooms but I didn't use them well water pump for drinking water but didn't use it, quiet, few people in and out 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. trail right through the campground and the Apalation trail just across the road
Jon M.ScoutScales 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.
Nathan G.ScoutWalnut Flats
Camping
Nice spot! Very quiet area
- JJordan B.Scout
Mount Rogers National Recreation Area
Incorrect listing, don’t come here!
This listing is for the main office for the forest. There are no camping sites near here. The sites are all located in the area listed as Washington and Jefferson camps sites down to the south west on HWY58, about a 45 minute drive toward Damascus VA.
Guide to Cana
Mount Rogers National Recreation Area provides free dispersed camping options near Cana, Virginia along creeks with established fire rings. Several visitors note the creek-side sites offer natural sound barriers from nearby roads. The area connects to multiple outdoor recreation opportunities including the Virginia Creeper Trail, Whitetop Laurel Creek, and the Appalachian Trail, making it popular for hikers, bikers, and anglers. A visitor commented, "Free spot, right next to a gorgeous creek. It was totally empty in March."
Walnut Flats offers five established free campsites with fire rings and picnic tables. Sites include tent pads, lantern poles, and level gravel drives suitable for both tents and RVs. Amenities include pit toilets and a well water pump for drinking water. The campground provides access to hiking trails, with the Appalachian Trail located across the road. According to one visitor, "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."
Scales Trailhead Basecamp requires high-clearance 4WD vehicles to navigate the rocky access road, which takes approximately 45 minutes from the main road. The campground connects directly to the Appalachian Trail and features well-built fire pits and pit toilets. Visitors should bring sufficient water supplies as no running water is available at the sites. A review mentioned, "The campground was well kept, well placed, not to mention the next morning part of the crew that maintains the area helped us fix our flat."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dispersed
campsite near Cana, VA?
Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Cana, VA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Cana, VA is Mount Rogers National Recreation Area with a 4-star rating from 11 reviews.
What is the best site to find
dispersed camping near
Cana, VA?
What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Cana, VA?
TheDyrt.com has all 4 dispersed camping locations near Cana, VA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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