Several free dispersed camping areas surround George Washington & Jefferson National Forest. Walnut Flats provides five established sites with fire rings, picnic tables, and a pit toilet. The gravel area accommodates both tents and RVs with level tent pads and lantern poles. A drinking water pump is available, though some visitors choose not to use it. The Appalachian Trail runs nearby, crossing the road adjacent to the campground.
Army Camp in New River Gorge National Park offers free riverside camping with ten drive-up sites and six walk-in sites on a small loop. Each site includes a fire ring, grill, picnic table, and access to pit toilets. The single-lane access road can be challenging for larger vehicles, though small RVs manage the drive. A review noted, "You can't beat an established campground in a national park that's also free." The area lacks cell service and has no drinking water. Johns Spring Shelter on the Appalachian Trail provides basic backcountry camping with a wooden shelter and flat tent sites, though the nearest water source is approximately three miles north.
"We came late and all of the sites were occupied, but when you are in a camper van the large day use parking area was perfect! Pit toilets are clean! Not that we used them. No hookups of any kind."
"Spots are shaded. Easy access to river, able to hear it from campsite. Very clean pit toilet bathroom. Road to access is single lane paved/gravel."
"Quiet place with plenty of firewood on the ground. Occasional.peiole driving through but a great experience!"
"There is no internet access but there is enough signal you can get text sometimes. You need to drive about ten minutes to the gas station to get dependable coverage."
"I stayed at this AT shelter when I was doing a section hike with some friends. It's not bad as far as shelters on the AT go. There is not a water source too close to the shelter."
"We found 11 dispersed campsites along this road in the Monongahela National Forest. They are mostly on the right where Meadow Creek follows the road."
"Around a dozen sites with Rick fire rings, some are RV sized others are tent only. These are located along the road to Lake Sherwood in Neola WV off Rt. 92. First come first serve."
"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 was a quaint place to reset. Relaxing!
We came late and all of the sites were occupied, but when you are in a camper van the large day use parking area was perfect!
Pit toilets are clean! Not that we used them. No hookups of any kind.
Short walk to the river and some well maintained picnic benches.
GuideFCFS. Spots are large enough to fit 2 vehicles. Sites are gravel with fire pit, charcoal grill, and picnic table. Spots are shaded. Easy access to river, able to hear it from campsite. Very clean pit toilet bathroom. Road to access is single lane paved/gravel. Best for cars/vans, but did see some small pull behinds.
LegendWe found 11 dispersed campsites along this road in the Monongahela National Forest. They are mostly on the right where Meadow Creek follows the road. There where a few other roads that look like they go to a camp site but we were not able to pull into those with the truck camper. All the GPS locations are in the below video.
https://youtu.be/6UxAGG9ROHQ
LegendWe spent a night here on our way to Ohio. It has a small loop of campsites near the river. It is a one lane road to get to the campground and can get tight when other vehicles pass, but we got down there with our F250 truck and camper when a big grater and the park ranger came by. It's very doable. Campsites were mowed and it was a short walk to a really nice spot on the river. No electric/water, so plan to be ready to be off grid. Hard to complain about free!
TravelerAround a dozen sites with Rick fire rings, some are RV sized others are tent only. These are located along the road to Lake Sherwood in Neola WV off Rt. 92. First come first serve. Lake Sherwood Day use recreation area with seasonal pay sites is located at the end of the road. All within Monongahela National Forest
RangerAs far as AT shelters go this is pretty basic, except for the lack of a good water source. However, it's a decent spot to stay the night especially if it's not crowded! There's a few other shelters and stealth sites in the area that are also great options though.
LegendThis is another of the free national park campgrounds in the New River Gorge, with sites that are more developed than many of the others. These are in a small open loop, largely level gravel parking and tent pads. They have picnic tables, fire rings, and lantern poles. No drinking water, so bring your own. No hookups. The river is nearby, but none of the sites are on the river. There’s an accessible site and also accessible trail to a bench along the river. There are latrines.
If you enjoy fishing, the New River Gorge website offers a lot of specific information about species, bait, and lures.
If you can't find a site at one of the other campgrounds or you have a slightly larger rig, ths may be a better option for you. No cell service, so download your maps. The New River Gorge also offers rafting, and hiking options. Check out some of the mining history at the Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine, abuut 30 minutes away, and get up early to catch the sunrise from Grandview Point.
TravelerAs others have reported, the 11 sites here are well maintained and spaced apart nicely. The road in is narrow and has a lot of low hanging limbs, so no big rigs here. It’s quiet apart from the sounds of the river and the bugs. Generators are allowed except for between 10p-6a. Verizon has no service here. Half the sites get decent exposure to charge the solar, the other half are mostly shade. The protected river bottom meant no breeze for the 5 nights we were here, so it remained hot and buggy. But overall it’s a great spot away from the madness. Most of the spots got filled every night during the week at the end of August with a lot of daily turnover, so arrive early.
TravelerPit toilets, but was nice to have something ++ FREE. Super cool river near by, great scenery.
Dispersed camping near George Washington & Jefferson National Forest provides access to over a million acres of forested terrain spanning across Virginia and West Virginia. Elevation in this region ranges from approximately 1,000 to 4,000 feet, creating varied microclimates throughout the seasons. Most primitive camping sites lack cell service, so downloading offline maps before arrival is recommended.
River activities: Army Camp in New River Gorge offers easy water access for swimming and fishing. "The view of the river is absolutely beautiful!!" notes Corda B., who adds that "water access is not problem if you have a good filtration system" for campers planning extended stays.
Hiking trails: The Appalachian Trail crosses through multiple camping areas in the region. At Walnut Flats, "trail right through the campground and the Apalation trail just across the road," according to camper SomadNomad M. This makes it convenient for section hikers or day-trippers.
Bouldering: Near Johns Spring Shelter on the AT, climbers can find interesting challenges. Sam M. reports, "there's some fairly nice bouldering to be found near the top. Some of the routes are a little under maintained and mossy, but there are some fun ones."
Budget-friendly options: The national forest area offers multiple no-cost camping opportunities. Rachel S. states about Army Camp, "You can't beat an established campground (picnic tables, fire pits, bathrooms) in a national park that's also free!"
Privacy between sites: Many dispersed camping areas provide adequate separation between neighbors. At Army Camp, Caroline F. notes, "Spots are large enough to fit 2 vehicles. Sites are gravel with fire pit, charcoal grill, and picnic table. Spots are shaded."
Peaceful atmosphere: Despite being free, these camping areas typically maintain a quiet environment. Billy C. reports that Army Camp "has always been quiet with good people camping while I was here," making it ideal for those seeking a calm outdoor experience.
Limited amenities: Bring all necessary supplies as services are minimal. At Sherwood Lake WV, campers find "around a dozen sites with Rick fire rings, some are RV sized others are tent only," according to TangoRomeo 8., but no additional services.
Water access considerations: Always verify water availability before arrival. Alice S. mentions at Walnut Flats there is a "well water pump for drinking water but didn't use it," reflecting a common sentiment among campers who prefer bringing their own supply.
Road conditions: Access roads to many sites can be challenging. Kristi D. explains about Army Camp, "It is a one lane road to get to the campground and can get tight when other vehicles pass, but we got down there with our F250 truck and camper when a big grater and the park ranger came by."
Site selection strategy: Choose established sites with reliable facilities when camping with children. At Johns Spring Shelter, Lucy P. notes it's "a decent spot to stay the night especially if it's not crowded," but warns about "the lack of a good water source," which could be problematic for families.
Wildlife awareness: Teach children about local fauna and proper food storage. Rachel S. reports at Army Camp, "Good amount of spiders and ants but didn't notice any mosquitoes in mid May," information particularly useful for parents concerned about insect encounters.
Activity planning: Consider nearby water features for family entertainment. At Army Camp, Billy C. mentions there's an "Area for people to swim in the river or fish," providing natural recreation options for children of different ages.
Size limitations: Most dispersed camping areas accommodate smaller rigs better than large ones. Jean C. advises about Army Camp, "If you can't find a site at one of the other campgrounds or you have a slightly larger rig, this may be a better option for you," though still best for modest-sized vehicles.
Self-contained setups: Bring all necessary supplies as hookups are unavailable. SomadNomad M. stayed at Walnut Flats for "just shy of 2 weeks" and appreciated being able to work "on our rv without any disturbances," indicating the site's suitability for self-sufficient campers.
Communication preparedness: Download offline maps before arrival as connectivity is limited. Tucker B. reports at Army Camp there was "No AT&T service so I only stayed two nights (gotta work during the week!)," highlighting the connectivity challenges for digital nomads.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near George Washington & Jefferson National Forest?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near George Washington & Jefferson National Forest is Army Camp — New River Gorge National Park and Preserve with a 4.5-star rating from 17 reviews.
What is the best site to find dispersed camping near George Washington & Jefferson National Forest?
TheDyrt.com has all 6 dispersed camping locations near George Washington & Jefferson National Forest, with real photos and reviews from campers.
Keep Exploring
