Best Tent Camping near Craigsville, VA
The George Washington National Forest offers multiple primitive tent camping options surrounding Craigsville, Virginia, with several dispersed camping areas providing a true wilderness experience. Poor Farm Dispersed Recreation Area features multiple tent sites along a river in a mountain valley setting, while Switzer Lake Dispersed Camping provides lakefront sites and more secluded options deeper in the forest. Hog Camp Gap offers tent-only sites in an open area described as "roughly the size of three football fields" with access to hiking trails and mountain views.
Tent campers should be self-sufficient when visiting these primitive areas, as amenities are minimal. The access roads to many sites, particularly at Switzer Lake, can become challenging during wet conditions and may require high-clearance vehicles. A visitor noted, "The road is a mix of gravel but also dirt so it can become muddy during rain." Most dispersed camping areas offer free tent sites with established fire rings but lack drinking water, showers, and modern restrooms. While Poor Farm has a toilet house, most sites require campers to follow Leave No Trace principles for waste disposal. Wildlife precautions are necessary, as bears are present throughout the region.
These tent camping areas provide excellent opportunities for solitude and natural immersion. At Switzer Lake, campers can choose from "huge spots right on the lake to more secluded, smaller spots deeper in the woods along the creek." Reviews indicate these areas are particularly quiet on weeknights, though weekend use increases. The natural surroundings offer activities from fishing to hiking, with some sites providing direct trail access. Most tent sites feature flat areas for setup with varying amounts of shade. As one camper reported about Poor Farm, "There is a large clearing that can easily accommodate multiple vehicles with 3 or 4 fire pits." Visitors seeking tent-only camping experiences will find these areas provide the perfect balance of accessibility and wilderness immersion.
