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.
