Dispersed camping near Deerfield, Virginia offers primitive outdoor experiences within the George Washington and Monongahela National Forests. Elevations range from 1,200 to 2,500 feet throughout the camping areas, creating distinct microclimates that affect camping conditions year-round. Most backcountry sites in this mountainous region lack cell service, with campers at Little River Dispersed Campsites reporting they "lost cell service an hour before reaching the area."
What to do
Paddling opportunities: At McClintic Point Primitive Campground, there's "access to the lake for canoes/kayaks" with two sites backing directly to the water. The campground stays "chillier than the surrounding area" due to its valley location.
Explore hiking trails: Near Poor Farm Dispersed Recreation Area, numerous trails wind through the wilderness. One camper noted, "I'm all about trails so this place was greaaat!" Another mentioned finding "a large clearing off of Hidden Valley Rd (38.14822,-79.76883) just past Poor Farm Camp A Rd" that's ideal for setting up base camp before hiking.
Mushroom farm tours: For a unique experience, tent campers can visit Hawk Nest Mushroom Farm where "we got a nice tour of the mushrooms currently growing at the farm." The camp area sits "under a canopy of cedar trees" and offers a distinctive alternative to forest camping.
What campers like
Privacy and seclusion: Tent sites around Deerfield provide exceptional solitude. At Little River Dispersed Campsites, campers appreciate the "utterly beautiful, pretty untouched wilderness. Very very quiet location." The sites are spread out with "a smallish gravel loop" at the group campsite area.
Swimming spots: Natural swimming areas are accessible from several campsites. One reviewer mentioned at Little River, "When you park and walk down to the river, if you turn right, there's a beach area about 50 yards down that offers a great spot to take a dip!"
Abundant firewood: Unlike some regions, firewood availability isn't an issue. At Hawk Nest Mushroom Farm, "the camp area is quiet and there is plenty of firewood for use," which is provided free to campers. The farm offers "a convenient location, nice setup with tables and chairs around 2 firepits."
What you should know
Road conditions: Access roads to many sites require careful driving. At Switzer Lake Dispersed Camping, "once you turn onto Switzer Lake Rd from U.S. 33 and find the parking area to the lake on your left, be prepared to drive another 2ish miles on a single lane and very bumpy dirt road. Go slow as several sharp corners with huge drops and inexperienced drives coming towards you."
Wildlife precautions: Bears are common throughout the region. One camper at Little River reported, "Not even 2 minutes from our dispersed camp site we were charged by an extremely aggressive black bear." They recommend keeping "ALL FOOD in the car's trunk those nights and not hanging in a tree just to be safe."
Water sources: Most sites require bringing your own water or filtering from streams. At Hog Camp Gap, "there is a spring but remember to boil or chemical treat the water before use is not tested for parasites another humble bacteria."
Tips for camping with families
Camp layout planning: When tent camping with children, consider site logistics. At Poor Farm, one camper noted the area "can easily accommodate multiple vehicles with 3 or 4 fire pits. In the spring, it is covered in wild hares," making wildlife viewing accessible for kids.
Bathroom solutions: Since most sites lack facilities, plan accordingly. A camper at Hog Camp Gap recommends "investing in a portable toilet. Walmart has a toilet seat that goes on 5 gallon bucket stink free bags that go on as well or you can always go do your business in the woods."
Weather considerations: Valley locations can be colder than surrounding areas. At McClintic Point, campers note it "seems to stay chillier than the surrounding area. It's in a valley," so pack extra layers for children, especially for spring and fall camping trips.
Tips from RVers
Size restrictions: Most dispersed sites near Deerfield can't accommodate large RVs. At Seven Mile Campground, smaller RVs might fit as the sites have "a nice gravel pull through," but the reviewer cautions that "larger campers may fit just fine, but you better feel comfortable backing long distances."
Road clearance requirements: Access roads often require higher clearance vehicles. One camper at Switzer Lake noted, "I drive a low vehicle so it probably wasn't the best idea to make my way in but i was exhausted and needed to rest a couple days. The road was the worst and really not worth the drive in."
Limited hookups: No dispersed sites offer water or electric hookups. At Poor Farm, a van camper reported, "Wasn't too hard to get there and park in our van. Peaceful for the most part (a few campers were there). No signal, so make sure you have a map or know which way you came."
