George Washington & Jefferson National Forests spans over 1.8 million acres across Virginia, with elevations ranging from 600 to 5,729 feet at Mount Rogers. Dispersed camping areas throughout the forest often sit near trout streams and provide more solitude than developed campgrounds. Winter camping is available at select sites, though many forest roads close after significant snowfall.
What to do
Hiking to waterfalls: Crabtree Falls Campground offers easy access to one of Virginia's most impressive cascades. "Crabtree Falls is a mile up the road and very easy to get to the trail head. The AT is also close by and easily accessed," notes Britt S., who enjoyed staying at sites just 10 feet from the Tye River.
Fishing opportunities: Stocked waters provide excellent angling at Braley Pond Dispersed Camping & Day Use Area. "The pond is stocked with trout in season, check DGIF site for dates," advises Paul P. Another camper mentions, "The pond has a great little trail you can walk around and at night the stars are gorgeous."
Mountain biking: The trail system at Douthat State Park Campground offers various difficulty levels for cyclists. "We did a decent amount of biking here, the main road is nice for road biking, we rode out about 15 miles and back, saw a black bear. Beautiful country roads. And the trails are great for mountain biking. Bring your legs, lots of climbing!" explains Robyn S.
Brewery visits: Camp near craft beverage destinations at Devils Backbone Camp. "You are a quick walk to the brewery and café, where you can grab breakfast, lunch or dinner. You are also a stone's throw away from a ton of other really great breweries and wineries. I highly recommend visiting Blue Mountain Brewery and Bold Rock cidery during tour stay," suggests Erika S.
What campers like
Private sites with water features: Many campers appreciate sites near streams or lakes. "The tent sites we stayed in were 10 ft away from the Tye river, we literally fell asleep to the sound of the water every night," shares Britt S. from Crabtree Falls Campground.
Clean facilities: Well-maintained bathhouses are frequently mentioned in positive reviews. At Sherando Lake Campground, "The bathrooms are well-lit, the road is paved, and the sites are so well-maintained," according to Stephanie J., who adds it's where they "typically chose to take friends if they were new to camping."
Proximity to activities: Campers value locations that minimize driving. "This campground is a unique outdoor retreat that includes a campground at a large brewery complex. This was the best of both worlds, because we are beer enthusiast and avid campers," writes Steve V. about Devils Backbone Camp.
Lake swimming: Family-friendly water access ranks high with campers. "The sites are equipped with bear boxes, a picnic table, a tall prep table, and a fire ring. The lake is beautiful! It's a decent walk from the campground but we usually walk down in the morning and spend all day there," says Katie M. about Sherando Lake.
What you should know
Bear activity: Take proper precautions with food storage. "Bears actually frequent the area. A young bear was repeatedly visiting site A9 up the road from me and I had to chase him off when he came near my site!" warns Lisa M. from Sherando Lake Campground.
Site differences: Campground loops often have distinct characteristics. "Both of the RV loops are very flat and open, with little shade or privacy between sites. The tent loop is the oldest loop in this campground, and is heavily wooded, with sites along both meadow and backing up to the mountain," explains Stephanie J. about Walnut Hills Campground & RV Park.
Seasonal access limitations: Weather affects availability. "Camp Oronoco is free boondocking that's rare east of the Mississippi," notes Michael, though he cautions that the site "does seem to attract a wide range of people, including some regulars whose rigs more or less stay all summer."
Reservation timing: Plan ahead for popular sites. "The only drawback is that many people love this park and it is difficult to get reservations. The window opens six months out and are usually booked for the high season summer months," advises Linda C. about Douthat State Park.
Tips for camping with families
Look for swimming beaches: Some lakes offer designated swimming areas. "We love the hiking here! The trails around the Upper Lake and Lower Lake are favorites. Lookout Rock and Torry Ridge Trails are fun too! The kids enjoyed playing on the playground, skipping rocks, and fishing as well," reports Katie M. from Sherando Lake.
Consider education opportunities: Some parks offer programs for kids. "This campground gets five stars because of the awesome volunteer hosts. They have activities during the summer like outdoor movies and live music," explains Katie M. about her family trips to Sherando Lake.
Choose sites near bathrooms: Convenience matters with children. "We always get campsite A13, which is right across from the bathrooms. Very convenient with kids. The site is pretty secluded with trees, so you can't see your neighbors," notes another Katie M. review about Sherando Lake Campground.
Free camping options: Budget-friendly spots exist for families. Amy S. recommends Braley Pond: "I brought my boys out to camp this past weekend, and this place was perfect for our first dispersed campsite experience. The day use area is close enough to use the bathroom. Though you can't swim in the lake, we did wade the stream, which was cold and clear and beautiful."
Tips from RVers
Site location considerations: RV sites vary significantly across campgrounds. "Short-term sites are in the very front but you do have to take a circuitous route through the campground to get back to that area after checking in. Many long-term sites around the lake and up in the hilly area," advises Mary W. about Walnut Hills Campground.
Hookup arrangements: Some setups require extra equipment. "Before using ANY quote in your guide, verify it does NOT appear in the existing description. If you're on an odd number site, you will need an extra long sewer hose to reach the connection. For example, we have a small travel trailer and we needed a 30 foot hose," notes Erika S. about Devils Backbone Camp.
Level site availability: Some campgrounds are better for larger rigs. "Whispering Pines is a few miles away along the entry road and has a different character. It's a very flat and wide-open campground perfect for big RVs with much larger sites," explains Jeremy W. about one section of Douthat State Park.
Bridge clearance: Watch for access challenges. "Caution should be used with large rigs as the low-water bridge to White Oak has steep approach and departure angles," warns Jeremy W. about certain areas of Douthat State Park.
