Braley Pond Dispersed Camping & Day Use Area provides free dispersed camping options in a primitive setting near Deerfield, Virginia. Located within George Washington National Forest, this area offers vault toilets but no drinking water, electricity, or other amenities. The pond is stocked with trout seasonally, and there are hiking trails around the water and along nearby streams. Campsites feature informal fire rings made of rocks, and camping is permitted year-round with no reservations required.
Access to Braley Pond requires navigating forest roads that can become muddy after heavy rainfall. The area sits in a relatively low elevation zone where flooding may occur during wet periods. Sites are first-come, first-served with no designated campsite markers. "This area is fairly low, and the road and sites can easily be soaked, if not underwater after really heavy rains," notes one visitor. Cell phone coverage is generally unavailable, with no Verizon service reported in the area. Visitors should plan accordingly by bringing water purification systems, firewood, and all necessary supplies.
North River Campground represents another primitive camping option in the region, offering nine sites situated along streams with vault toilets but no potable water or electric hookups. The small campground layout provides river access for fishing, particularly during trout stocking season. Nearby Todd Lake Recreation Area offers additional camping with swimming opportunities and hiking trails. Both areas fill quickly during summer weekends. Many campers appreciate the solitude available at these sites, with one noting, "Small, quiet, directly on two streams, one of which is trout-stocked." For those seeking more amenities, Walnut Hills Campground near Staunton provides full hookups, showers, and year-round availability approximately 30 minutes from Deerfield.
"Car could be parked right next to us on site 2. Next to a creek, so good sounds and cool environment 3. Some walking trails 4."
"the pond has a great little trail you can walk around and at night the stars are gorgeous. the water is also stocked with fish!"
$45 - $99 / night
"You can fish in the lake though we didn't catch anything. Wifi is free and open so no password and therefore, not secure. Trash picked up each day."
"Good location close to I81 but little road noise. I did hear a train."
$36 - $132 / night
"We spent 2 weeks at SVC while our trunk was in the shop(our travel trailer got towed there- highly recommend Good Sam Roadside policy). Everyone on staff was accomodating, helpful and friendly."
"It was clean, but had a trail of ants get into my belongings. Sites are close to one another and the cabins are not near the water. They are near the bath house though."
$5 / night
"The roads are paved up to the last mile, which turns to a well maintained gravel road, so no need for an off roading vehicle."
"Lots of bmx bikers, tucked far back in the woods so decent for privacy except that sites are basically in an open field."
$25 - $47 / night
"Sherando Lake is a well-maintained, popular campground located in the George Washington National Forest near Lyndhurst, VA."
"The lakeside is wonderful for sitting, reading and swimming. The "upper lake" is great for fishing. "
$37 / night
"Kid and pet friendly, this park has a nice lake for Kayaking/canoeing, multiple hiking trails with views, excellent opportunities for wildlife watching, and great biking trails."
"General: There are four campgrounds in Douthat State Park - White Oak, Whispering Pines, Lakeside, and Beaver Dam (equestrian), each in a separate location. This review is for White Oak."
$23 - $44 / night
"If you're lucky enough there might be some neat events nearby."
"Natural Chimmneys is on a river and has hiking trails."
"Maybe 5-10 min off of highway 220. There are maybe 5 ish spots to camp next to a river in this mountain valley."
"I pulled in while passing through the area, it was a short ride off the highway and the road in was nice."
"Small campground with Hot Showers, lake to swim in. Many miles of some incredible Mountain Biking or Gravel Riding. Camp sites on a whole are nicely separated, with water and flush bathrooms."
ScoutI loved this camp spot, easily accessible with any vehicle (no need for 4 wheel drive). There are a couple trails near the campground that you could take and do an early morning sunrise hike which was beautiful. I tent camped, there was plenty of flat space to set up the tent. Quiet area overall with a nice creek running nearby.
LegendThis is the first site after you leave Douthat State Park. It is on the left and large enough for a small to medium camper or a few tents. Good flat area between Wilson Creek and Douthat State Park Road. There may been an area in the woods for this site but I wasn't able to explore to check it out.
TravelerThis place charges $100 a night after fees and taxes. Decent enough place but definitely not worth the money. Not one working toilet or shower and if you want some firewood it costs $1 per piece. You can do so much better than this place.
TravelerThe road to drive down to the lake is really rocky and not paved, make sure you have a good car (we did not)! There are multiple campsites that are all beautiful, the forest is really fun to explore. You can see lots of stars if the night sky is clear, which to me is always such a plus! Overall a great low-key campsite with great nature and easy set up! Also if you go camping bring a trash bag from home and collect your trash littering is not okay. There was lots of litter around the campground but we had brought a trash bag and collected the litter that had been left there. Be kind to nature!!
LegendThis is the first of 10 sites on Hercules Road, Route 812. This Forest Service Road #36 runs along Rocky Row Run Creek and is open all year long. This site is on the right and sits along the creek. There is a fire ring behind the barrier rocks and flat areas for tents both inside and outside of the rocks. There is also two more fire rings and tent areas as you walk along the creek.
Check out site 1 and all the others on this road in our video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QjBE-ASivns&t=36s
LegendThis is the largest site on the road. Plenty of room for a large group to spread out. There are even three walk in sites around the main site if you want a little more privacy.
Check out site 5 and all the others in our video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QjBE-ASivns&t=640s
ScoutI haven't stayed a night here but have walked the entire camping area and camped near here many times. Most people access by water but there is also a trail that provides access to this location. It runs through Bolar Mountain Campground #2 & #3 and connects up to the beach area.
In the summer when the grass is high there can be a lot of ticks. Can get crowded on weekends. I've noticed it's a popular group spot - I mainly see groups of 6+ there at a minimum with multiple boats. Can get kind of trashy (littered) too. Beautiful setting though.
LegendWe have camped here a couple times when it was empty and had a really peaceful experience. It’s a simple, no-frills national forest campground with a nice open grassy area and a small creek running next to it. Plenty of room to spread out.
We didn’t have any issues during our stay. It was quiet, clean, and easy to access. I can see how it might feel different depending on timing, though, during the hunting season there are usually a lot more people around. Most of the time when we’re in the area, we actually camp about 2 miles up the road where there are 5 dispersed campsites that offer a bit more separation.
LegendThere are 15 great campsites along Alhambra Road. My family and I have been camping here for over 20 years. We have camped at this site a few times. It sits right between Alhambra Road and the South Fork Piney River. Not a lot of room but we where able to get a couple of truck campers and a tent here.
Check out this site and the rest of this road with GPS locations for all in our video.
https://youtu.be/Q94pfKvZ2so
Camping near Deerfield, Virginia, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and outdoor fun. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventure-filled getaway, there are several campgrounds to explore.
Camping around Deerfield, VA, offers a variety of experiences, from serene lakes to family-friendly activities. Whether you're in a tent or an RV, there's something for everyone to enjoy!
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Deerfield, VA?
According to TheDyrt.com, Deerfield, VA offers a wide range of camping options, with 164 campgrounds and RV parks near Deerfield, VA and 29 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Deerfield, VA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Deerfield, VA is Braley Pond Dispersed Camping & Day Use Area with a 5-star rating from 14 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Deerfield, VA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 29 free dispersed camping spots near Deerfield, VA.
What parks are near Deerfield, VA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 24 parks near Deerfield, VA that allow camping, notably George Washington & Jefferson National Forests and Monongahela National Forest.
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