Planning a dispersed camping trip near Charlottesville? The Dyrt provides you with a diverse selection of places to camp, from dispersed backcountry camping to boondocking, and everything in-between. Search dispersed campsites you've visited before, or discover new spots and read camper reviews.
A free back country camping permit is required: https://www.nps.gov/shen/planyourvisit/bc-permit.htm
Shenandoah National Park has 196,000+ acres of backcountry and wilderness and over 500 miles of trails to explore. Backcountry camping is, by its very nature, a primitive experience that allows you to immerse yourself in the beauty and challenge of Shenandoah's wild side. Before you head out on your trip, however, be sure that you understand all of the information below so that you'll be prepared to safely discover a brand new world beyond the pavement!
Each year thousands of people spend a night or more in the Shenandoah’s backcountry. While visitors seek the backcountry for isolation, the cumulative actions of everyone in these areas can have dire effects on the resources we seek to enjoy. We can mitigate these effects by following Leave No Trace principles, as well as observing park backcountry regulations. The following regulations exist to keep Shenandoah's wilderness wild and untrammeled for you and for future generations of hikers and campers.
The best way to find out what areas are open to dispersed camping is to contact the nearest District Office to the area you wish to visit. Dispersed camping is not allowed in the vicinity of developed recreation areas such as campgrounds, picnic areas, or trailheads. Many people drive out on Forest Service roads and look for a clearing or a spot with a view. Do not drive on meadows to access your camping site. Drive on existing roads to prevent resource damage. Dispersed camping is allowed in a one-mile perimeter away from campgrounds and 200 feet from any stream. To prevent resource damage please keep your campsite within 150 feet from a roadway.
Guide
Went in August and it was very buggy, also had someone park pretty close which when I drive down a really long dirt road that is questionable for my van, i want it to be private and this was about 5 miles of dirt road to get to it.
Guide
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.
GuideThey 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?
ScoutNice camping spots on the pedlar river in Amherst county. Multiple spots along reservoir rd.
Ranger
This campsite is another one we found on a list provided by Shenandoah’s park rangers and was listed as moderate hike and easy camping. I think, just like some other on the list, the easy camping might be a slight exaggeration. It was not particularly easy to find and we couldn’t find a super great spot. Good views on the hike.
Guide
Sites had plenty of space with fire rings built out of rocks. Loved exploring the area and pond. Pond had a lot of trash along the shoreline and vault toilet was rather full. Otherwise, a great place for a night of camping.
TravelerWe took our conversion van and had no problems parking and pulling through to turn around when we left. Plenty of places to park or set up a tent along the road or at the end near the bathrooms and information center. A few nice hikes, and plenty of privacy. We did have to clean up after the last campers in our spot though, but other than that it was well taken care of
ScoutIf 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.
Traveler
The James River WMA is primarily used by hunters and fishermen throughout the year. However, one of the benefits of this place is that it is also open to dispersed campers! You simply need to purchase either a daily or annual access pass from the DWR website and then report which days you will be staying at the WMA--it's currently $23 for the annual pass.
After turning onto Midway Mills Lane from the northern end (route 626), there is a gravel access road about .5 miles down the road that is well-maintained. It almost immediately opens up into an open field where large rigs of any size can fit. There is another site further down the road, but it is smaller and primarily used for truck campers and tents.
This is where we stay any time I need to work in-office down in Lynchburg, VA. It is 20 minutes from the closest grocery store (Food Lion), liquor store, gas station, and propane supplier (Foster Fuels).
I had great T-Mobile service, but no ATT service--even with a powerful LTE antenna. I do not have Verizon so I cannot comment on their service.
This isn't a campsite for the best "scenery" or anything (though it is pretty in the morning), but it is quiet (you might sometimes hear dogs or gunshots from hunters who are near the water-fowl impoundment at the very end of the road by the river), secluded, and convenient. If you need a place in central Virginia to camp for (almost) free, this is it.
GuideWe 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.
Ranger
I camped here 3 times, the hike up is brutal but the top is absolutely worth it. This most recent time camping we discovered that apparently TECHNICALLY camping isn’t allowed anymore, but the fire pit and tent areas still seem in use and I really doubt someone would hike up there to tell you to leave. The trailhead is tricky to find if you don’t already know where it is, and there’s no service until you get up to the top. It’s literally just the top of a mountain, nothing but what you carry up with you.
ScoutI was the only one here on a Saturday night. Very quiet and it was great to have the place to myself. I took advantage of the trails in the morning. It was pretty muddy even though it was in the low 30s so wear applicable footwear. The stars were amazing! There was plenty of wood scattered about to use as firewood.
Only stayed one night due to complications with my cooking stove, but I'll be back.
GuideThis place is amazing for primitive camping. Good trails to hike and overland
GuideThis site requires a 4x4 vehicle with clearance. The trail leading to and from camp can be a bit tricky for some.
GuideSo to get a great view you need to go all the way up to the knob. There are primitive campsites all along the trails
ScoutFirst come first served, no host, no plumbing, no electricity, no cell or data signal. No fees, no check-in. Great place to leave behind civilization. Pond is stocked with trout in season, check DGIF site for dates.
Scoutabout 5 or so campsites, pretty private. good for a night
TravelerStayed here during the week and we were alone. Picnic/ pit toilet area separate from the camping area. Two things to note: this area is fairly low, and the road snd sites can easily be soaked, if not underwater after really heavy rains; there is no cell signal here (at least with Verizon as of 3/2020). Perfect for hammock camping. No fire rings just rocks others have arranged, plenty of hiking trails around as well.
RangerSlept at this camping spot passing through on the AT. Site just below the summit. Plenty of soft and level ground to set up your tent. Wish I was able to see the view at sunrise but it was cloudy all morning.
LegendSo I wouldn't even necessarily call this place a campground, more like a spot to camp. Spy Rock is this awesome hike about an hour away from Charlottesville, Va. It is a great hike with a small rock scramble at the top for an extra bit of fun. Not only that, but the top has almost 360 degree views of the Shenandoah Valley.
Basically, at the top before you do the rock scramble, there is a little clearing meant for camping. Sure you have to cart all of your crap to the top with you, but TOTALLY worth it once you catch that sunrise from the top of the mountain. Plus the clearing is an awesome spot to camp. Flat, open, space for a fire. What more could you ask for?
This is one of my favorite hikes in the Shenandoah Valley.
Also, as long as you're close, might as well hit up Charlottesville. I went to college at the university of virginia, so I know the area well. There is no better city than cville. Amazing food, concerts, great hiking, sports, history, and beautiful scenery. If you're looking for something to do in the area, go visit Monticello (TJ's house), go to a winery, see UVA's campus and take a historical tour. There are so many options. Not to mention the Sky Line Drive which is only a short drive away.
Do this hike, stay on the mountain, and go visit cville. I promise you won't regret it.
ScoutI brought my boys out to camp this past weekend, and this place was perfect for our first dispersed campsite experience. The day use area is close enough to use the bathroom (just an open pit toilet, nothing fancy). The pond is stocked with trout, so small groups of fisherpeople came and went. In spite of it being a weekend, we were one of two occupied sites. There are fire rings, firewood, and enough room to pull in, pitch a large tent, (ours was a 10-person) and hang hammocks. There are also trails along the pond’s edge. we didn’t explore too in depth, so there may be more hiking available. Though you can’t swim in the lake, we did wade the stream, which was cold and clear and beautiful. We’ll be back!
GuideThe views from atop Spy Rock are some of the best in Virginia, and the campsite is one of my favorites. You hike in and there is a decent sized area to set up tents. There are few amenities, but a few fire pits, etc. I've heard it can get pretty crowded, but it was not when I was there in October of 2015. Scramble up to the top for amazing sunsets and sunrises.
A little research ahead of time can help, as well. You can hike from Crabtree Falls, which is longer, but alternatively, you can park at the Fish Hatchery in Montebello and make a much shorter hike to Spy Rock, a quick (though admittedly steep) 1.5 miles. There seems to be an occasional debate about whether the trail that connects the fish hatchery road to the Spy Rock trail is open, as it passes through private property, but last I check it WAS.
Travelerthe pond has a great little trail you can walk around and at night the stars are gorgeous. the water is also stocked with fish!
Travelerwe went on a Tuesday night and we were the only people there and got the best spot right next to the creek. it’s free and you are allowed to camp unknown. they already had large logs for fire prepared and the site was clean, we love this spot and will definitely be coming back. there’s bathrooms in the picnic area and it’s easy to access.
GuideThis place makes it seem as if youre alone
RangerIn terms of free sites, i havent had trouble dealing with the grounds being busy like i have in WV. I've only visited here twice. We had an issue with a tick or two, but otherwise it was comfortable and well placed primitive spot.
RangerThis a US Forest Service site. Campsite is primitive: no facilities aside from vault toilets. Bring water treatment system. Site itself is mostly good for fishing but tons of other good hiking in the area.
Camping near Charlottesville, Virginia, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and outdoor activities. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventure-filled getaway, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.
Camping around Charlottesville, Virginia, has something for everyone, from families to RV enthusiasts. With a variety of campgrounds to choose from, you can find the perfect spot to enjoy the great outdoors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Charlottesville, VA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Charlottesville, VA is Spy Rock with a 4.6-star rating from 5 reviews.
What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Charlottesville, VA?
TheDyrt.com has all 5 dispersed camping locations near Charlottesville, VA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
