Best Dispersed Camping near Harrisonburg, VA

Several dispersed camping areas exist within driving distance of Harrisonburg, Virginia. Shenandoah National Park allows backcountry camping, with one established site just above the creek along the Jeremy Run Trail. Campers looking for less crowded options might check out Blowing Springs Campground near Covington, which has undeveloped sites with minimal traffic. Since these are primitive sites, you'll need to bring everything you need - there are no restrooms, water sources, or trash cans. All camping in these areas requires following Leave No Trace practices and packing out everything you pack in. Keep your campsite at least 200 feet from any water sources to protect the watershed. The roads to most dispersed sites around Harrisonburg can get rough, and you'll likely need a vehicle with decent clearance, especially after rain. The closest grocery stores and gas stations are back in Harrisonburg, about 30-45 minutes from most sites. Most land managers limit stays to 14 days before you need to move on.

Best Dispersed Sites Near Harrisonburg, Virginia (23)

    1. Switzer Lake Dispersed Camping

    10 Reviews
    Brandywine, VA
    17 miles
    Website

    "Once you turn onto Switzer Lake Rd from U.S. 33 and find the parking area to the lake on your left, be prepared to drive another 2ish miles on a single lane and very bumpy dirt road."

    "Some things to note- the lake front campsites fill up quickly and they are not drive in. Since I sleep in my Jeep, I needed a drive in spot."

    2. Flagpole Knob

    8 Reviews
    Brandywine, VA
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (540) 432-0187

    "They Said , you need a high clearance vehicle, I cleared my throat. They said, you need 4 wheel drive, I SAID "ILL SEND YOU PICTURES!!!""

    "This site requires a 4x4 vehicle with clearance.  The trail leading to and from camp can be a bit tricky for some."

    3. Braley Pond Dispersed Camping & Day Use Area

    13 Reviews
    West Augusta, VA
    26 miles
    Website
    +1 (540) 432-0187

    "This a US Forest Service site. Campsite is primitive: no facilities aside from vault toilets. Bring water treatment system."

    "Car could be parked right next to us on site 2. Next to a creek, so good sounds and cool environment 3. Some walking trails 4."

    4. Switzer Lake

    1 Review
    Brandywine, VA
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (540) 432-0187

    "Good little spot, used to go here a lot in college, the drive in can be done by a sedan but I’d definitely recommend AWD/4WD."

    5. Laurel Prong Trail Dispersed

    2 Reviews
    Shenandoah National Park, VA
    23 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."

    6. Crisman Hollow Road Camp

    1 Review
    Mount Jackson, VA
    23 miles

    "There was one really nice hiking trail by the bridge. Cons: Some roads were closed. Some spots were full of trash."

    7. Shenandoah National Park Dispersed Sites — Shenandoah National Park

    15 Reviews
    Bentonville, VA
    39 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!"

    8. Gandy Creek Dispersed Camping

    16 Reviews
    Whitmer, WV
    44 miles
    Website

    "You get to them by a dirt road, park, and then the campsites are a little ways in. No amenities other than cleared level ground and a spot for the campfire."

    "A couple of friends and I traveled to the Monongahela National Forest in search of some free camping."

    9. South Fork Shenandoah River

    5 Reviews
    Rileyville, VA
    34 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."

    10. Little Fort Campground

    6 Reviews
    Woodstock, VA
    37 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."

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Dispersed Camping Reviews near Harrisonburg, VA

96 Reviews of 23 Harrisonburg Campgrounds


  • Mike C.
    Oct. 18, 2020

    Switzer Lake Dispersed Camping

    Primitive Fall Fun

    Duration of Stay: Oct 16-18, 2020 Average Daily Temp: 61 Average Evening Temp: 30 On Site Parking: ✅ Potable Water: 🚱 Restrooms: 🚫 Firewood: 🚫 Cell Service: 📵 4x4: ✅ Wildlife and Fishing: ✅

    Amazing place with tons of very primitive spots and privacy. Directions on website are pretty accurate.

    Once you turn onto Switzer Lake Rd from U.S. 33 and find the parking area to the lake on your left, be prepared to drive another 2ish miles on a single lane and very bumpy dirt road. Go slow as several sharp corners with huge drops and inexperienced drives coming towards you.

    Down the road you will find many spots on your left and your right to tuck back in and call it "home" for a couple days.

    If you travel back to U.S. 33 and drive 9.1 miles West you will find the Brandywine General Store on your left. They have kiln dried firewood, ice, bait, and supplies you may have forgot at home.

    This first come first served location is ideal for off road adventures. Make sure your rig is equipped, this ain't for rookies!

    Would have given this spot a 5 Star if some of the locals understood quiet hours after 10pm and slept past 5am. Be advised, it can get loud at some of the larger sites. Go deeper into the woods if you have the equipment.

  • Dave V.
    Oct. 31, 2019

    Dolly Sods Backcountry

    Shoulder season solitude...flora and fauna delight

    Dolly Sods Wilderness Area, part of the Monongahela National Forest, offers something for every hiker, backpacker, camper.

    Having visited Dolly Sods numerous times at the Red Creek Campground, using that as the base camp to launch off to explore the myriad of trails. We decided to use the backcountry as a primer for the following year's longer westerly  backbacking trip. 

    Know that it will likely rain on you in Dolly Sods, so always bring rain gear. Also realize, that with climate and conditions similar to the Canadian Tundra, temperatures and winds vary and fluctuate often, any time of year. Those two conditions often dissuade less hearty souls...but they are also exactly what creates and sustains a very beautiful environment.

    During our excursion, we spent three nights and four days on what I will term the perimeter trails...camping at Raven Ridge, Big Stonecoal Run creek, and at Reds Creek at the forks. Numerous websites offer insight and directions and all are beneficial to study. We chose to travel counter-clockwise from Bear Rocks, parking in the grass across from the trailhead. Note: leaving valuables in or on your vehicle while you traipse about in the Sods is always iffy, just like anywhere else, so use wisdom. I've read of thefts...but the vehicle parked to us had two high end full-suspension mountain bikes on a roof rack for days without issue.

    If you are unfamiliar with Dolly Sods Wilderness trails...choose footwear that either dries fast or is waterproof...has a robust sole to fend off bruises from the brutal amount of sharp, ankle buster rocks on the trail...and won't pull off and be lost in the countless bogs and areas of shoe sucking mud. We wanted to rename one particular trail "pointed rock trail." Our expensive boots were actually a fail for this trip...which was a valuable education.

    We saw people run this trail in a day...but there's no way you can enjoy the sights, sounds, and smells moving that quickly. I felt we should've taken more time and explored much more...although soggy weather became a deterrent. The amount of brightly colored fungi, snakes, crayfish and salamanders were astonishing. So if you move too quickly, you miss them.

    Do practice "leave no trace." The heavy summer and weekend use by careless and selfish hikers or backcountry partiers...has left the woods adjacent to Reds Creek camping sites littered with toilet paper...dig your cat hole and bury your "goods!"

    The rocks on the trail may be a pain, but the formations and views from Raven's Ridge, Lion's Head and Bear Rocks rival the best.

    Do your homework, choose your camping gear and wardrobe wisely and launch off into the Dolly Sods Wilderness Area...you'll be glad you did!

  • Amber A.
    Aug. 1, 2016

    Braley Pond Dispersed Camping & Day Use Area

    FREE dispersed camping near wilderness

    This a US Forest Service site. Campsite is primitive: no facilities aside from vault toilets. Bring water treatment system. Site itself is mostly good for fishing but tons of other good hiking in the area.

  • 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.

  • LThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 18, 2023

    Switzer Lake Dispersed Camping

    Beautiful area!

    I made a spontaneous trip this past weekend. Easy to find and a beautiful area. Some things to note- the lake front campsites fill up quickly and they are not drive in. Since I sleep in my Jeep, I needed a drive in spot. I drove past the lakefront sites and there are a few really nice spots right past the paved bridge on the dirt road, some next to the creek and some out further. I drove down a path that would not be accessible with a car, however there are spots closer to the dirt road that you don’t need a vehicle with high clearance. I’ll definitely be going back!

  • Lucille W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 13, 2020

    Dolly Sods Backcountry

    Allegheny mountain wilderness

    Dolly Sods is a wilderness area within the great Monongahela National Forest. I backpacked here in early March a few years ago. Definitely be prepared for high winds and rain. We hiked in in warm weather and once we reached the top of a long entrance road (where one trailhead was) we found snow. A lot of the snow had melted making the ground very soggy and oversaturated in some areas. Despite this, our short Dolly Sods backpacking trip was an amazing first trek for myself and a fiend. Dolly Sods is absolutely gorgeous and is a completely different and unique ecosystem than the surrounding area. I also have friends who have camped here later in the year - mid to late summer - and have highly, highly, recommended that I go back during that time.

  • Sean M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 2, 2020

    Dolly Sods Backcountry

    Wilderness of the West in the East

    The sods are a truly wild and remote place in an increasingly crowded East coast. For years Dolly Sods has been my go-to backcountry destination, even for chilly winter stays. Many places carry the “wilderness” moniker in the East, but this place lives up to it. No cell service, no car camping, no trail markers, no toilets, and no running water. It’s the real deal. During the off season you can hike for days and not see another person. There are some opportunities to camp closer to the trailhead for those only looking to dip a toe into wilderness travel, but you could hike for miles to a remote site as well. Be advised, a good physical map and compass, the skills needed to use them, are vital here. There are no trail marks and the path can be confusing. Come prepared and have a great adventure.

  • Kelly G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 29, 2021

    Brushy Ridge Road Dispersed

    Great location near Dolly Sods Wilderness

    Brushy Ridge Road is Forest Service Road 75 and is in decent condition. There are several pull off campsites along this road on the way up to Dolly Sods wilderness but this primitive group of three large unmarked campsites with stone fire rings is before you get to the Bear Flats Plateau and the Red Creek camp grounds. It is a 2.5 mile, 2000’ climb to get to the trailhead for Bear Rocks Trail in Bear Rocks Preserve which is about a half mile past the entrance to this unmarked group site. I camped in the middle of these three large campsites that are each about 100 feet away from each other. Firewood was available on a self serve honor system (put $5 cash in the box for each bundle you take) at the farmhouse across from the turn on to Brushy Creek.

  • S
    Jun. 26, 2024

    Flagpole Knob

    They Said....

    They said, no way, I chuckled. They Said , you need a high clearance vehicle, I cleared my throat. They said, you need 4 wheel drive, I SAID "ILL SEND YOU PICTURES!!!" what an Amazing view, don't use me as an example , you definitely should not drive your 2018 Ram ProMaster 2500 159 wb campervan up that road like I did. so now that that's clear how about some pics?.it's absolutely pouring down rain and hail. how about some security cam footage?


Guide to Harrisonburg

Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Harrisonburg, Virginia, where nature lovers can find secluded spots to unwind and explore. With stunning landscapes and a variety of outdoor activities, these areas offer a perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

Dispersed campers should check out Switzer Lake Dispersed Camping

  • This location provides a peaceful atmosphere, ideal for those looking to relax and enjoy nature without the distractions of modern life.
  • The drive to the lake is scenic, but be prepared for some rough roads; a vehicle with good clearance is recommended.
  • Fishing enthusiasts will appreciate the opportunity to catch trout, making it a great spot for both camping and fishing.

Stunning views at Flagpole Knob for dispersed campers

  • Known for its breathtaking sunset and sunrise views, this area is perfect for those seeking solitude and natural beauty.
  • The access road requires a high-clearance vehicle, ensuring a more adventurous journey to your camping spot.
  • With plenty of space between sites, you can enjoy a sense of privacy while soaking in the stunning surroundings.

Top activities while free camping near Harrisonburg at Crisman Hollow Road Camp

  • This area features numerous quiet spots right by the water, making it an excellent choice for fishing and relaxing by the shore.
  • A nearby hiking trail offers a great way to explore the natural beauty of the region, providing a perfect blend of adventure and tranquility.
  • While some areas may have trash, the overall experience is enhanced by the serene environment and the opportunity to connect with nature.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Harrisonburg, VA?

The George Washington National Forest offers several free dispersed camping options near Harrisonburg. Switzer Lake Dispersed Camping provides primitive sites with privacy and beautiful lakefront options, though these fill up quickly. For those seeking a more adventurous experience, Flagpole Knob offers spectacular views and requires a high clearance vehicle with 4WD. Both are first-come, first-served with no reservations needed. Other options include Crisman Hollow Road Camp and Little Fort Campground, which offer basic dispersed camping within the national forest. Remember to follow Leave No Trace principles, pack out all trash, and check forest service websites for seasonal road closures or fire restrictions before heading out.

What amenities are available at primitive camping sites near Harrisonburg?

Primitive camping sites near Harrisonburg typically offer minimal amenities. Braley Pond Dispersed Camping & Day Use Area provides vault toilets but requires visitors to bring their own water treatment systems. The site offers fishing opportunities and access to hiking trails. At Brushy Ridge Road Dispersed, you'll find unmarked campsites with stone fire rings and sufficient space for parking nearby, but no water or toilet facilities. Most primitive sites in the region lack potable water, electricity, and shower facilities. Cell service is typically limited or non-existent. Campers should be prepared to be fully self-sufficient with water, food, and waste disposal. Some sites feature natural amenities like creeks, ponds, or scenic views that enhance the camping experience.

Where can I get firewood for camping in Harrisonburg?

When camping near Harrisonburg, you can purchase firewood from several local sources. Most gas stations, grocery stores, and convenience stores in Harrisonburg sell bundled firewood. Hardware stores like Lowe's, Home Depot, and local establishments often carry firewood as well. For those camping at Dolly Sods Backcountry or Gandy Creek Dispersed Camping, consider purchasing firewood from nearby towns before heading to your site, as these remote areas don't provide firewood. To prevent the spread of invasive insects, always buy firewood locally (within 30 miles of your campsite) and never transport it from home. Many campgrounds prohibit collecting downed wood, so purchasing is typically your best option.