Best Dispersed Camping near Elkwood, VA

Dispersed camping near Elkwood, Virginia centers primarily around Shenandoah National Park and George Washington National Forest, where backcountry sites require permits in some areas but remain free to access. Several primitive camping zones exist along forest service roads and trails, including Veach Gap, Little Fort Campground, and South Fork Shenandoah River areas. The Laurel Prong Trail and Crisman Hollow Road also feature dispersed sites for those seeking more remote experiences. Most locations maintain minimal infrastructure with no established facilities beyond occasional fire rings and primitive tent pads.

Access to many dispersed sites requires careful navigation of unpaved forest roads that may become challenging during wet weather or winter conditions. High-clearance vehicles are recommended for reaching remote areas like Crisman Hollow Road Camp and Little Fort Campground. Shenandoah National Park dispersed sites require backcountry permits, while George Washington National Forest generally allows camping for up to 14 days. Most areas prohibit camping within 200 feet of water sources and require proper food storage due to bear activity. "Be mindful of bears! If you're going to invest in a portable bear box for your food, check certified products," notes one camper. Fire restrictions vary seasonally, with complete bans common during dry periods.

The dispersed camping experience varies significantly across locations. Sites along South Fork Shenandoah River provide water access but limited privacy. "The site was wonderful! Not too many spaces so it can fill up quick," a visitor commented about the riverside camping. Little Fort Campground maintains a self-registration system where "you select a campsite by flipping a washer on a hook on the board from green to red." Cell service is extremely limited or non-existent in most areas, particularly in valleys and remote forest zones. Wildlife encounters are common, with multiple reviews mentioning bear and deer sightings. Backcountry sites in Shenandoah require proper food hanging techniques, as bears actively investigate campsites, especially after dark.

Best Dispersed Sites Near Elkwood, Virginia (9)

Show More
Showing results 1-9 of 9 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win


Dispersed Camping Reviews near Elkwood, VA

27 Reviews of 9 Elkwood Campgrounds


  • Jon N.The Dyrt PRO User
    Feb. 2, 2022

    Veach Gap - GWNF - Backpacking Site

    My favorite Hike in the area

    I've both day hiked this and backpacked here several times. You will want to drive in and park at the Veach Gap Trailhead which is listed on Google Maps, then follow the trail and make the left when it comes to the intersection. It is about 4 miles up, so not too bad, but there is no water after the first mile. I have seen a small trickle part way up the mountain, but don't count on it. Pack up all the water you will need for the day/evening/morning. Once you get to the top there are several sites with little fire rings, and since it is on the ridgeline, the views are breathtaking. I've had good luck finding wood from dead trees at the top, but just make sure you're being safe and treating nature kindly. Follow the Leave no Trace rules so the next campers can enjoy this spot too.

  • John R.
    Aug. 20, 2022

    Shenandoah National Park Dispersed Sites — Shenandoah National Park

    Love this National Forest!

    There are a lot of dispersed camping spots in VA, Especially in this region! I’ve camped all over the area and have seen many amazing sights! This pinned location doesn’t take you to a specific campground tho!

    You’ll have to do some digging (google free camping VA) and you’ll find plenty of spots! Many spots say they charge a fee but don’t as well so be on the look out!

    One of my favorite spots isn’t on The Dyrt but it’s free and in the Bath County area, It’s called Blowing Springs Campground, located near Covington VA. I also recommend seeing Falling Spring Falls almost a 100 Foot waterfall!

    Very hilly roads leading out to this part of the state but beautiful none the less! No cell service but plenty to see!

  • Jacqueline F.
    Jul. 9, 2021

    Shenandoah National Park Dispersed Sites — Shenandoah National Park

    Amazing drive and lots of wildlife

    We only stayed one night, but wish we could have stayed more! The campground offers so many different trails and breathtaking scenic overlooks of the Blue Ridge Mountains. As soon as we got there, we saw several deer. I’d almost say they were friendly :) No electric hookups, but the weather was beautiful! We hiked part of the Appalachian Trail which gets pretty steep. I didn’t use the bathrooms or the coin operated showers as we have them in our RV, but they had the services available. It is a drive through the mountains to get to the campsite, but very well worth it for us!

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 18, 2025

    South Fork Shenandoah River

    Beautiful spot!

    Our site was amazing! The very last car camping site on the road. We were right on the river, we swam and fished. There were plenty of walk in sites beyond ours. Unfortunately there was a decent bit of trash we cleaned up. The road was a little rough, but our 92 ford camper made it, just go slow

  • Amanda D.
    May. 9, 2019

    Shenandoah National Park Dispersed Sites — Shenandoah National Park

    Beautiful views, well-maintained trails, variety of amenities

    I recently led a large group of Scouts to the Mathews Arm Campground in SNP. We spread out over 4 RV/camper/tent sites as our base camp. There was definitely a lot less privacy/space between sites here at SNP than I’ve noted at other parks across Virginia. I suppose it’s because it’s a national park, with a big draw and higher volume of visitors. The roads were well-marked and paved nicely. The bathrooms were okay, I’ve been in better-maintained/cleaned ones and worse ones, so I’m not going to complain. They were quite prevalent though. The staff that circulate around the park were quite friendly! We had a lovely hike to a nearby waterfall that was gorgeous. We even took a group out hiking across the AT and did some backcountry camping. I was impressed by how well-maintained the trails were! We had a really nice time and I look forward to returning again soon. I will note that our original reservation was for the Southern Section, but because of the winter storms, there was a lot of storm damage which caused them to close down quite a bit of Skyline Drive and they automatically shifted our reservation (with the option to cancel) to the Northern Section of the SNP. So, we didn’t hike what we expected to, but we still had a nice time, regardless. Plus, a couple days before our trip they did open the Southern Section, but we left our reservations and plans alone.

  • TJ W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 5, 2023

    Veach Gap - GWNF - Backpacking Site

    Amazing Campsite

    Breathtaking views of the Shenandoah River and surrounding mountains. Very much worth the 4 mile hike up to the site. 1,200ft elevation difference from the trailhead to the site. Cell service at the top (not during the hike or on the road to the trailhead so prepare directions). Went up in November with beautiful weather, fall leaves changing and great company. Couldn’t have had a better experience.

  • M
    May. 17, 2018

    Shenandoah National Park Dispersed Sites — Shenandoah National Park

    Great backpacking

    There are so many trails to hike throughout the park and with a backcountry permit, you can find countless campsites. I stayed in the area of overall run falls. Make sure to hang your food. There are plenty of black bears in the area.


Guide to Elkwood

Dispersed camping near Elkwood, Virginia offers numerous backcountry experiences in elevations ranging from 600 to 4,000 feet across Shenandoah National Park and George Washington National Forest. Winter temperatures can drop below freezing at higher elevations, while summer brings temperatures in the 80s and frequent afternoon thunderstorms. Primitive camping options include both roadside sites and multi-mile backpacking destinations requiring various levels of hiking experience.

What to do

Hike to mountain viewpoints: The Veach Gap trail in George Washington National Forest provides excellent ridge hiking with minimal crowds. "Breathtaking views of the Shenandoah River and surrounding mountains. Very much worth the 4 mile hike up to the site. 1,200ft elevation difference from the trailhead to the site," notes a Veach Gap camper.

Explore waterfalls: Several trails lead to seasonal waterfalls, particularly during spring months. "I stayed in the area of overall run falls. Make sure to hang your food. There are plenty of black bears in the area," reports a backpacker at Shenandoah National Park Dispersed Sites.

Fish in mountain streams: South Fork Shenandoah River offers fishing opportunities with convenient access points. "The road to get to the campsite was well maintained and easy to get to. Campsites themselves were a tad overgrown but it was the beginning of the season," notes a spring visitor to the river area.

What campers like

Rustic camping infrastructure: Some dispersed sites include basic amenities. "You select a campsite by flipping a washer on a hook on the board from green to red. Flip it back when you leave. The campsites have a fire ring, a picnic table, and a flat area to pitch a tent," explains a camper at Little Fort Campground.

Wildlife viewing opportunities: Animal sightings are common throughout the camping areas. "About as flat as you'll get, the hike here was nice. It's a decently private spot with the trail close by, bugs weren't bad only gripe was bears were constantly checking out our tent during night," reports a visitor to Laurel Prong Trail.

Trail connectivity: Many dispersed sites connect to longer trail networks. "I've both day hiked this and backpacked here several times. You will want to drive in and park at the Veach Gap Trailhead which is listed on Google Maps, then follow the trail and make the left when it comes to the intersection," explains an experienced Veach Gap camper.

What you should know

Limited facilities: Most sites have minimal or no amenities. "There are 9 campsites, each with at least one fire ring, a tent pad and a picnic table, and there is a vault toilet in the middle," notes a Little Fort Campground reviewer, which is more developed than most options.

Cell service gaps: Connectivity is extremely spotty throughout the region. "Note: this page says that Verizon has limited service but I have a Verizon prepaid plan and I had no service at all starting from about 20 minutes away from the site, so I wouldn't count on having any reception," warns a Little Fort visitor.

Seasonal road closures: Many forest roads close during winter or after heavy precipitation. "Some roads were closed. Some spots were full of trash," reports a visitor to Crisman Hollow Road Camp, highlighting the importance of checking road conditions.

Water availability: Streams may dry up during summer months. "It is about 4 miles up, so not too bad, but there is no water after the first mile. I have seen a small trickle part way up the mountain, but don't count on it. Pack up all the water you will need for the day/evening/morning," advises a Veach Gap camper.

Tips for camping with families

Choose established sites: For families with younger children, campgrounds with basic facilities work best. "This is a nice little spot. You select a campsite by flipping a washer on a hook on the board from green to red. Flip it back when you leave. The campsites have a fire ring, a picnic table, and a flat area to pitch a tent," notes a Little Fort visitor.

Plan for wildlife encounters: Bears are active throughout the region. "We not only saw bear scat all around, we saw an adorable black bear cub run off into the woods along the Piney Branch Trail. Never saw mama bear, but hoped that she was where the little one was heading," reports a Shenandoah National Park backpacker.

Consider seasonal timing: Spring and fall provide milder temperatures. "Went up in November with beautiful weather, fall leaves changing and great company. Couldn't have had a better experience," shares a Veach Gap camper about their autumn trip.

Tips from RVers

Access limitations: Most dispersed camping areas have narrow, rough roads unsuitable for larger vehicles. "The site was wonderful! Not too many spaces so it can fill up quick. There is a launch in the middle, so there is a bit of come and go," explains a visitor to South Fork Shenandoah River, one of the few areas accessible to smaller RVs.

Prepare for limited hook-ups: No dispersed camping areas offer electricity or water connections. "Bathrooms had no TP so bring your own, and please remember to pack out your trash! Plenty of firewood from downed trees, sites are dirt which makes staking down easy, but I can imagine it would be muddy if it rains," notes a South Fork Shenandoah River camper.

Weather considerations: Seasonal flooding can affect river sites. "I went back early October to possibly camp again, shortly after the hurricane rains had passed. The sites were underwater or filled with river mud, making them completely un-campable. Just keep this in mind when you go out," warns a South Fork Shenandoah River visitor.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Elkwood, VA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Elkwood, VA is Shenandoah National Park Dispersed Sites — Shenandoah National Park with a 4.4-star rating from 15 reviews.

What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Elkwood, VA?

TheDyrt.com has all 9 dispersed camping locations near Elkwood, VA, with real photos and reviews from campers.