Dispersed camping opportunities near Gore, Virginia are concentrated in the George Washington National Forest and surrounding public lands. The region sits at the northern edge of the Shenandoah Valley with elevations ranging from 600 to 2,400 feet. Winter temperatures often drop below freezing at higher elevations while summer days can reach 90°F, creating varied camping conditions throughout the year.
What to do
Hiking nearby trails: Little Fort Campground connects to several hiking paths through the forest. "Nice flat camp site with picnic table and fire pit. Comes with tent pad but surface is too hard to use pegs. No requirements, just show up and claim your spot on the board. Long and winding road to get there with no service so be cautious," notes camper Zack B.
Fishing in local streams: Edwards Run Wildlife Management Area provides access to fishing opportunities. "I spent a night here. There's a lot by the road that looks like it's where they want you to camp but there are better sites on in. Just gotta hike to em. Fun place to teach the kids the basics of fishing, but the campground area leaves a little to be desired," shares Frank G.
River activities: South Fork Shenandoah River offers direct water access. "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. Seemed to be about a dozen spots to camp. Each site had its own fire pit. Quiet and peaceful," reports Sumner C.
What campers like
Established fire rings: Stultz Gap Dispersed Campsite provides basic camping with fire facilities. "The spot itself is right next to the road. The map seems to indicate trails connected but they appear very overgrown," notes Spencer W., who adds that some sites may have horse traffic.
Privacy at wilderness sites: Squirrel Hollow Road Camping offers secluded free camping near Gore, Virginia. "Large campsites and relatively quiet. We took two vehicles and found several suitable sites. Traffic was light with one pickup overnight and a small convoy of motorcycles the next morning," reports Jon D.
Self-registration system: Little Fort Campground uses an innovative site selection method. "Great established free campground! We got the last spot around 7pm. Site had a fire pit, table, parking spot, and tent platform. We used one of the sign in slips but many of the other campers did not. Bathrooms and beer proof trash was provided. Nice trails/creek behind site," explains Sawyer B.
What you should know
Cell service limitations: Connectivity is spotty throughout the region. Regarding Little Fort Campground, Lindsay C. reports: "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."
Toilet facilities vary: Some areas have basic facilities while others have none. At Wolf Gap Recreation Area, Kevin C. notes: "The campground has vaulted toilet and communal garbage receptacle. There is a large day use area. There are several trails that intersect with the campsite and day hikers are a common site."
Payment confusion: Fee structures aren't always clear. At Edwards Run, Jim M. explains: "As I pulled in there was a kiosk with a sign that said $10 camping fee but no info on how or where to pay. I tried to look at the WVDNR website but couldn't find it there either. However no one came by. Other than that the site was level and grassy. Nice camp site."
Tips for camping with families
Noise considerations: Some riverside locations can be noisy. At South Fork Shenandoah River, Zoey W. warns: "Don't disregard the warnings about noise like I did, constant speakers all the time until 4am. I think it's out of jurisdiction for park rangers so they won't do anything either."
OHV activity: Little Fort Campground experiences some vehicle traffic. SJ W. mentions: "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. The only thing is it is next to an off-road vehicle trail and there was a lot of action coming down until about 7 PM."
Seasonal considerations: Free dispersed camping locations near Gore can flood. At South Fork Shenandoah, Heather notes: "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."
Tips from RVers
Site accessibility: Squirrel Gap Rd Dispersed can accommodate some vehicles but has challenges. "Quite a few miles down Squirrel Gap Rd. There is another sunnier sight a little before this one. But this one is right off the road, entrance is steep. Decent sized area, stone fire ring, plenty of firewood," advises Dexter V.
Parking considerations: Wolf Gap Recreation Area offers prepared parking spots. "Most sites have a paved parking platform and then a second tier for the camp site. All sites are quite large and include picnic tables, fire rings and large tent platforms," writes Kevin C.
Road conditions: Access roads vary widely in quality. At South Fork Shenandoah River, Justine I. shares: "The road was a little rough, but our 92 ford camper made it, just go slow."
