Best Dispersed Camping near Monroe, VA
Searching for a dispersed campsite near Monroe? Dispersed camping is an excellent way to get away from it all and to disconnect. You're sure to find the perfect dispersed campsite for your Virginia excursion.
Best Dispersed Sites Near Monroe, VA (5)
1. George Washington National Forest off 812
Glasgow, Virginia8 Reviews•33 Photos•251 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Dispersed
- Alcohol
3. Dispersed Camping Site off FR 812
Glasgow, Virginia2 Reviews•3 Photos•131 SavesThe best way to find out what areas are open to dispersed camping is to contact the nearest District Office to the area you wish to visit. Dispersed camping is not allowed in the vicinity of developed recreation areas such as campgrounds, picnic areas, or trailheads. Many people drive out on Forest Service roads and look for a clearing or a spot with a view. Do not drive on meadows to access your camping site. Drive on existing roads to prevent resource damage. Dispersed camping is allowed in a one-mile perimeter away from campgrounds and 200 feet from any stream. To prevent resource damage please keep your campsite within 150 feet from a roadway.
- Pets
- Fires
- Tents
- Group
- Dispersed
- Alcohol
4. Reservoir Road Dispersed Campsite
Buena Vista, Virginia2 Reviews•2 Photos•39 SavesThe best way to find out what areas are open to dispersed camping is to contact the nearest District Office to the area you wish to visit. Dispersed camping is not allowed in the vicinity of developed recreation areas such as campgrounds, picnic areas, or trailheads. Many people drive out on Forest Service roads and look for a clearing or a spot with a view. Do not drive on meadows to access your camping site. Drive on existing roads to prevent resource damage. Dispersed camping is allowed in a one-mile perimeter away from campgrounds and 200 feet from any stream. To prevent resource damage please keep your campsite within 150 feet from a roadway.
- Pets
- Fires
- RVs
- Tents
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Dispersed
5. James River Wildlife Management Area - Dispersed Camping
Wingina, Virginia1 Review•4 Photos•63 SavesA camping authorization is required to camp on WMA’s. Authorization can be obtained at any license agent or at GOOUTDOORSVIRGINIA.COM. Primitive camping is allowed for up to 14 consecutive nights when occupants are engaged in authorized activities (no more than 14 nights in any 28-day period). Camping is prohibited on or within 300 feet of any boat ramp, fishing lake or at other specific sites as posted or marked on WMA maps. All campers are required to store food in such a manner that it is not accessible by wildlife. Detailed camping regulations are found in 4VAC-15-20-155. It is unlawful to leave a campfire unattended. From February 15 to April 30 campfires are allowed only between the hours of 4:00PM and midnight. The James River WMA runs for just over a mile along the north shore of the James River, and encompasses more than a thousand acres of prolific habitat. Along the entry road, check the numerous dead snags for perched raptors along with the more numerous American crows. Red-tailed and red-shouldered hawks regularly occur, as do sharp-shinned hawks and American kestrels. Ospreys prefer the area next to the river. Just upstream from the boat landing parking area, lies a freshwater marsh managed for waterfowl. Anytime during the fall and winter, visitors can encounter northern pintail, blue-winged and green-winged teal and northern shovelers here, and during the summer wood ducks. Check the vegetation nearby for common yellowthroats, which can be very numerous during migration. The river itself is worth checking for waterfowl with diving ducks, especially mergansers, joining the resident wood ducks. The river also supports monstrous eastern river cooters, which are often seen sunning along the banks. Another reptile to be on the lookout for is the rough-green snake, which can be found almost anywhere in the area. Spring and summer are the best times to search for butterflies, with monarchs passing through on their way south in the fall. The colorful American rubyspots can be seen dancing along the river, while Halloween pennants play in the fields.
- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- ADA Access
- Dispersed
Recent Dispersed Reviews in Monroe
18 Reviews of 5 Monroe Campgrounds
- K
Kenlei B.
Traveler
George Washington National Forest off 812
Anniversary Trip!
We had the absolute best time. It was so peaceful being by the creek and just relaxing. You are off the road of the national forest so cars come by but nobody bothers you and it stays quiet. Will definitely be back soon!
SJ W.
Guide
Reservoir Road Dispersed Campsite
Very long road to get there
Went in August and it was very buggy, also had someone park pretty close which when I drive down a really long dirt road that is questionable for my van, i want it to be private and this was about 5 miles of dirt road to get to it.
- SJ W.Guide
George Washington National Forest off 812
Mostly quiet spot, need some clearance in some spots.
Multiple road sites that fit my van with room to spare - 80% were full on a beautiful fall Friday evening around 6pm but still snagged one
Katrina L.
ScoutGeorge Washington National Forest off 812
Labor day weekend
August 31, 2024, Labor Day weekend camping trip. Spent a night here camping with my younger sister. She could only do one night, as she lives up north and had to be back up by Monday to go back to work on Tuesday. We arrived around 10:30am, we got everything set up before we ventured out. Very nice spot we found, very quiet except for nature. Best sounds ever. We visited the Natural bridge, which was about 20 minutes or so from the camp site. It did some light rain from around 8p til sometime after midnight, but stayed comfy and dry.
Kelly K.ScoutGeorge Washington National Forest off 812
More Spots Available!
We came for this site specifically but it was already occupied so we kept going down the road. Luckily there were 4-5 additional site & we got one for 3 nights. They are all lovely & creekside with fire pits & there is a hike at the end of the road that takes you to a gorgeous summit & links to AT!
Derek D.ScoutReservoir Road Dispersed Campsite
Primitive spot
Nice camping spots on the pedlar river in Amherst county. Multiple spots along reservoir rd.
- DDavid B.Scout
Dispersed Camping Site off FR 812
Great Option
Large open space with several flat areas for tents. There are several spots on this road, maybe 6 but this is the furthest off the road. There are hiking trails and easy access to the stream.
Wild Berries B.GuideGeorge Washington National Forest off 812
Perfect for one night stay
Went with our little teardrop trailer (13ft), no issues with the road and enough space at the spot for both car and the trailer. Quiet place with a creek and fire ring. Previous folks left us some firewood, thank you! No bear encounter.
Ryan L.GuideGeorge Washington National Forest off 812
Secluded
I stopped here for a night while traveling across the country. It is a hilly drive down back roads off of 81. You loose cell service a couple miles from the site. The site itself is nice, perfect for car camping. Fire ring and river are right there, no toilets. I didn’t see anyone else near this site when I stayed.
- Zach K.Traveler
James River Wildlife Management Area - Dispersed Camping
Great, secluded location
The James River WMA is primarily used by hunters and fishermen throughout the year. However, one of the benefits of this place is that it is also open to dispersed campers! You simply need to purchase either a daily or annual access pass from the DWR website and then report which days you will be staying at the WMA--it's currently $23 for the annual pass.
After turning onto Midway Mills Lane from the northern end (route 626), there is a gravel access road about .5 miles down the road that is well-maintained. It almost immediately opens up into an open field where large rigs of any size can fit. There is another site further down the road, but it is smaller and primarily used for truck campers and tents.
This is where we stay any time I need to work in-office down in Lynchburg, VA. It is 20 minutes from the closest grocery store (Food Lion), liquor store, gas station, and propane supplier (Foster Fuels).
I had great T-Mobile service, but no ATT service--even with a powerful LTE antenna. I do not have Verizon so I cannot comment on their service.
This isn't a campsite for the best "scenery" or anything (though it is pretty in the morning), but it is quiet (you might sometimes hear dogs or gunshots from hunters who are near the water-fowl impoundment at the very end of the road by the river), secluded, and convenient. If you need a place in central Virginia to camp for (almost) free, this is it.
Jon N.GuideDispersed Camping Site off FR 812
A wonderful group site tucked back a couple miles from 501
I was originally looking for a different camp site earlier on the road when I stumbled upon this one. It is a very rocky path, about 50 feet long, to get into the campground, but then it is smooth and well laid out. There is a giant fire circle in the middle and enough room to fit about 10 vehicles/groups if people don't mind being next to each other.
No cell service(T-Mobile), but if I drove towards the main road, Route 501, I could get some service.
- jjackieTraveler
George Washington National Forest off 812
Nice & quiet
Nice and peaceful. First time camping there and had a nice time. Nice trials.
Emily T.
Ranger
Spy Rock
Not easy but well worth it
I camped here 3 times, the hike up is brutal but the top is absolutely worth it. This most recent time camping we discovered that apparently TECHNICALLY camping isn’t allowed anymore, but the fire pit and tent areas still seem in use and I really doubt someone would hike up there to tell you to leave. The trailhead is tricky to find if you don’t already know where it is, and there’s no service until you get up to the top. It’s literally just the top of a mountain, nothing but what you carry up with you.
Mark M.GuideGeorge Washington National Forest off 812
Peaceful remote camping
Unexpectedly found this site after planning on doing some primitive camping off the road. There's 2 sites that I saw on the road with pits.
There's access to the App Trail on the road so you might see some hikers but it was real quiet otherwise. Pretty nice scenery (you're smack in the middle of the forest) so if you want to get out and away from people this is a great site.
Jason L.GuideSpy Rock
Amazing!
This place is amazing for primitive camping. Good trails to hike and overland
Jon C.RangerSpy Rock
tent in the clouds
Slept at this camping spot passing through on the AT. Site just below the summit. Plenty of soft and level ground to set up your tent. Wish I was able to see the view at sunrise but it was cloudy all morning.
Sam M.
LegendSpy Rock
fun times in the cold
So I wouldn't even necessarily call this place a campground, more like a spot to camp. Spy Rock is this awesome hike about an hour away from Charlottesville, Va. It is a great hike with a small rock scramble at the top for an extra bit of fun. Not only that, but the top has almost 360 degree views of the Shenandoah Valley.
Basically, at the top before you do the rock scramble, there is a little clearing meant for camping. Sure you have to cart all of your crap to the top with you, but TOTALLY worth it once you catch that sunrise from the top of the mountain. Plus the clearing is an awesome spot to camp. Flat, open, space for a fire. What more could you ask for?
This is one of my favorite hikes in the Shenandoah Valley.
Also, as long as you're close, might as well hit up Charlottesville. I went to college at the university of virginia, so I know the area well. There is no better city than cville. Amazing food, concerts, great hiking, sports, history, and beautiful scenery. If you're looking for something to do in the area, go visit Monticello (TJ's house), go to a winery, see UVA's campus and take a historical tour. There are so many options. Not to mention the Sky Line Drive which is only a short drive away.
Do this hike, stay on the mountain, and go visit cville. I promise you won't regret it.
Rob U.GuideSpy Rock
Beautiful Hike and Amazing Views
The views from atop Spy Rock are some of the best in Virginia, and the campsite is one of my favorites. You hike in and there is a decent sized area to set up tents. There are few amenities, but a few fire pits, etc. I've heard it can get pretty crowded, but it was not when I was there in October of 2015. Scramble up to the top for amazing sunsets and sunrises.
A little research ahead of time can help, as well. You can hike from Crabtree Falls, which is longer, but alternatively, you can park at the Fish Hatchery in Montebello and make a much shorter hike to Spy Rock, a quick (though admittedly steep) 1.5 miles. There seems to be an occasional debate about whether the trail that connects the fish hatchery road to the Spy Rock trail is open, as it passes through private property, but last I check it WAS.
Guide to Monroe
Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Monroe, Virginia, where nature's tranquility awaits. With a variety of options, you can find the perfect spot to unwind and enjoy the great outdoors.
Tips for free and dispersed camping near Monroe, Virginia
- When seeking a peaceful retreat, consider the George Washington National Forest off 812, which offers a serene atmosphere by the creek, perfect for relaxation.
- For those traveling in smaller vehicles, the Reservoir Road Dispersed Campsite provides multiple spots along the Pedlar River, allowing for a primitive camping experience amidst nature.
- If you're looking for a more secluded option, the Dispersed Camping Site off FR 812 features large open spaces and easy access to hiking trails, making it an ideal choice for outdoor enthusiasts.
Scenic hikes while free camping near Monroe
- The Spy Rock area is known for its challenging hike that rewards campers with breathtaking views from the summit, making the effort worthwhile.
- For a unique experience, the James River Wildlife Management Area - Dispersed Camping offers access to trails that are popular among hunters and fishermen, providing a chance to connect with nature.
- Enjoy the tranquility of the George Washington National Forest off 812, where you can explore nearby trails and soak in the peaceful surroundings.
Dispersed campers should check out the James River area
- The James River Wildlife Management Area - Dispersed Camping is a great spot for those looking to camp near water, with ample space for larger rigs and a quiet atmosphere.
- If you prefer a more rugged experience, the Reservoir Road Dispersed Campsite offers a long dirt road leading to primitive sites, perfect for those seeking solitude.
- The Dispersed Camping Site off FR 812 is tucked away from the main road, providing a peaceful environment with easy access to hiking trails and a nearby stream.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Monroe, VA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Monroe, VA is George Washington National Forest off 812 with a 4.8-star rating from 8 reviews.
What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Monroe, VA?
TheDyrt.com has all 5 dispersed camping locations near Monroe, VA, with real photos and reviews from campers.