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Best Dispersed Camping near Gainesville, VA

27 Reviews

Shenandoah National Park offers several dispersed camping options near Gainesville, Virginia, with backcountry permits required for most sites. The park's dispersed areas provide primitive camping along numerous trails, including the Appalachian Trail and connecting paths. Campfires are generally prohibited in backcountry areas, and proper food storage is essential due to active black bear populations. Most sites require hiking in, with distances ranging from one to several miles from trailheads.

Specific areas include Gravel Springs Hut along the Appalachian Trail, which features a three-sided shelter with a picnic table, privy, and bear storage options. Veach Gap in George Washington National Forest provides ridge-top camping with impressive views after a 4-mile hike with 1,200 feet of elevation gain. One camper noted that Veach Gap has "breathtaking views of the Shenandoah River and surrounding mountains," though water sources are limited after the first mile. South Fork Shenandoah River offers drive-in dispersed camping with riverside sites, though recent visitors report noise issues from neighboring properties and occasional flooding after heavy rains.

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Best Dispersed Sites Near Gainesville, Virginia (7)

    1. Shenandoah National Park Dispersed Sites — Shenandoah National Park

    15 Reviews
    Bentonville, VA
    35 miles
    Website
    +1 (540) 999-3500

    "Night 1: Overall Run Camp: This is the third established site along the trail downhill from Overall Run Falls, near the junction of the Overall Run Trail and the Tuscarosa Trail."

    "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!"

    2. South Fork Shenandoah River

    6 Reviews
    Rileyville, VA
    41 miles

    "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."

    "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."

    3. Compton Gap Backcountry camping — Shenandoah National Park

    1 Review
    Huntly, VA
    30 miles
    Website
    +1 (540) 999-3500

    4. Little Fort Campground

    6 Reviews
    Woodstock, VA
    44 miles

    "The campsites have a fire ring, a picnic table, and a flat area to pitch a tent. They have parking spots next to them. There are permanent structure Vault toilets/ out houses."

    "Love staying here for just a night couple small trails around the area not any great views but it is very peaceful in the woods."

    5. Gravel Springs Hut — Shenandoah National Park

    1 Review
    Washington, VA
    33 miles
    Website
    +1 (304) 535-6331

    6. Veach Gap - GWNF - Backpacking Site

    2 Reviews
    Bentonville, VA
    38 miles
    Website

    "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."

    "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."

    7. Laurel Prong Trail Dispersed

    2 Reviews
    Shenandoah National Park, VA
    49 miles
    Website

    "About as flat as you’ll get, the hike here was nice."

    "This campsite is another one we found on a list provided by Shenandoah’s park rangers and was listed as moderate hike and easy camping."

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Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos near Gainesville, VA

35 Photos of 7 Gainesville Campgrounds

Dispersed Camping Reviews near Gainesville, VA

27 Reviews of 7 Gainesville 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

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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 Gainesville

Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Gainesville, Virginia, where nature enthusiasts can enjoy a more secluded and immersive outdoor experience. With a variety of locations to choose from, campers can find the perfect spot to unwind and connect with nature.

Top Activities While Free Camping Near Gainesville

  • Hiking enthusiasts will appreciate the trails leading to Compton Gap Backcountry camping, which offers a chance to explore the scenic beauty of Shenandoah National Park.
  • Wildlife watchers can enjoy sightings of deer and other animals at Shenandoah National Park Dispersed Sites, where the diverse ecosystem provides ample opportunities for observation.
  • For those who love water activities, the South Fork Shenandoah River offers a great spot for fishing and kayaking, making it a perfect destination for water lovers.

Tips for Free and Dispersed Camping Near Gainesville, Virginia

  • Always check for permit requirements before heading to Gravel Springs Hut, as some areas may require permits for overnight stays.
  • Be prepared for limited amenities at sites like Little Fort Campground, which do not offer drinking water or electric hookups, so pack accordingly.
  • Keep an eye out for wildlife and practice Leave No Trace principles to ensure that places like Veach Gap - GWNF - Backpacking Site remain pristine for future visitors.

Scenic Attractions for Dispersed Campers

Frequently Asked Questions

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

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Gainesville, 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 Gainesville, VA?

TheDyrt.com has all 7 dispersed camping locations near Gainesville, VA, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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