Primitive camping near Chester Gap, Virginia offers several established sites in George Washington National Forest and Shenandoah National Park. Situated in the northern section of the Blue Ridge Mountains, this area ranges from 1,500 to 3,000 feet in elevation with temperature variations of 10-15 degrees compared to surrounding lowlands. Most backcountry sites require carrying water or filtering from streams during wet seasons, as reliable water sources diminish in summer months.
What to do
Hiking to waterfalls: The area around Little Fort Campground includes access to several small forest trails and creeks. A camper noted, "There is a nice hiking trail by the bridge" that provides access to water features.
Overnight backpacking: At Veach Gap - GWNF - Backpacking Site, visitors can experience ridge hiking with valley views. "Amazing Campsite. Breathtaking views of the Shenandoah River and surrounding mountains. Very much worth the 4 mile hike up to the site," notes a reviewer who hiked the 1,200-foot elevation trail.
River activities: The South Fork Shenandoah River provides boat access via a launch area at the campground. "The road to get to the campsite was well maintained and easy to get to... Each site had its own fire pit. Quiet and peaceful," reports one camper about this accessible primitive site.
What campers like
Wildlife encounters: At Laurel Prong Trail Dispersed, bear activity is common during nighttime hours. One camper shared their experience: "Overall it was a fun night, 100% do not have food scents near your tent."
Solitude on weekdays: Primitive camping at Squirrel Hollow Road Camping offers quiet weekday options. "We camped during the week and had nobody else camping on weekdays," noted one visitor who found this area less than a mile from paved highways.
Established fire rings: Many dispersed sites feature existing fire rings from previous campers. At Wolf Gap Recreation Area, a reviewer commented, "All sites are quite large and include picnic tables, fire rings and large tent platforms."
What you should know
Permit requirements: Shenandoah National Park Dispersed Sites require backcountry permits and have specific regulations. "There are so many trails to hike throughout the park and with a backcountry permit, you can find countless campsites," reports one experienced backpacker.
Road conditions: Access to primitive sites varies seasonally. Squirrel Hollow Road provides "sites located less than a mile from the paved highway" with "5 spots just off the road" accessible by car or small trailer.
Site availability: Competition for dispersed sites increases on weekends and holidays. At Little Fort Campground, one camper arrived at "7:30pm on a Saturday in late August and thought I might be too late to get a spot but there were only two other groups there."
Tips for camping with families
Site selection process: Little Fort Campground uses a unique system for claiming sites. "You select a campsite by flipping a washer on a hook on the board from green to red. Flip it back when you leave," explains a camper who appreciated the organized approach.
Weather preparation: Temperature fluctuations in the mountains require packing for variable conditions. A Shenandoah National Park backpacker advised, "We needed every layer we brought, including winter hats, puffy jackets, and gloves."
Tent platforms: Some dispersed sites feature built platforms for tents. At Wolf Gap Recreation Area, sites include "large tent platforms" that provide flat sleeping surfaces, helpful for families setting up multiple tents.
Tips from RVers
Road width limitations: Most primitive camping access roads near Chester Gap restrict larger RVs. At Crisman Hollow Road Camp, while listed as "big-rig friendly," a visitor noted "some roads were closed" which could impact larger vehicle access.
Dumping facilities: South Fork Shenandoah River provides sanitary dump access, making it suitable for small RVs needing to empty tanks after camping.
Parking pad levelness: Many forest sites have uneven parking areas. A visitor to Wolf Gap Recreation Area observed, "Many of the car parking pads are not level. But the tent pads appear to be," suggesting smaller RVs should bring leveling blocks.
