Best Dispersed Camping near Monroe, VA

Dispersed camping near Monroe, Virginia centers primarily around George Washington National Forest, where several primitive sites are available along Forest Road 812. These free sites feature no amenities beyond existing fire rings and access to small creeks. The James River Wildlife Management Area also permits dispersed camping with purchase of a daily or annual access permit from the Department of Wildlife Resources.

Many dispersed sites in George Washington National Forest require travel on unpaved, rocky forest roads. Multiple reviews note that some access points need moderate clearance vehicles, though not necessarily four-wheel drive. Sites along FR 812 typically have established stone fire rings and creek access for those with water filters. No restrooms, trash service, or drinking water are available at any locations. James River WMA requires an access permit ($23 for annual pass) and reporting which days you plan to stay.

The primitive camping experiences near Monroe offer varying levels of seclusion and natural beauty. "There are 6-8 different sites, all are beautiful and most are right next to the creek," reported one camper about the FR 812 area. Multiple sites feature creekside access, though campers should arrive early, especially during peak seasons, as a review noted: "Definitely get there early to get a prime spot." The Spy Rock area, accessed via hiking trails, provides tent camping with panoramic mountain views after a challenging uphill hike. Cell service is limited or non-existent in most areas, with one camper reporting: "You lose cell service a couple miles from the site."

Best Dispersed Sites Near Monroe, Virginia (6)

    1. George Washington National Forest off 812

    12 Reviews
    Glasgow, VA
    16 miles
    Website

    "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."

    "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!"

    2. Dispersed Camping Site off FR 812

    2 Reviews
    Glasgow, VA
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (540) 291-2188

    "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."

    "It is a very rocky path, about 50 feet long, to get into the campground, but then it is smooth and well laid out."

    3. Reservoir Road Dispersed Campsite

    2 Reviews
    Buena Vista, VA
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (540) 291-2188

    "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"

    4. Spy Rock

    5 Reviews
    Montebello, VA
    22 miles
    Website

    "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."

    "This place is amazing for primitive camping. Good trails to hike and overland"

    5. James River Wildlife Management Area - Dispersed Camping

    1 Review
    Wingina, VA
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (434) 525-7522

    "However, one of the benefits of this place is that it is also open to dispersed campers!"

    6. James River Wildlife Management Area

    1 Review
    Wingina, VA
    25 miles

    "I opted to park it in a field/parking area at the entrance. I was the only one here all day."

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Dispersed Camping Reviews near Monroe, VA

22 Reviews of 6 Monroe Campgrounds


  • Rob U.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 6, 2018

    Spy 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.

  • Zach K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Feb. 22, 2022

    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.

  • Mark M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 31, 2021

    George 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.

  • KThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 29, 2024

    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.
    Oct. 29, 2024

    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.

  • Jason L.
    Nov. 25, 2020

    Spy Rock

    Amazing!

    This place is amazing for primitive camping. Good trails to hike and overland

  • Ryan L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Dec. 24, 2022

    George 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.

  • Katrina L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 16, 2024

    George 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.

  • Emily T.
    Aug. 12, 2021

    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.


Guide to Monroe

Dispersed camping opportunities in the George Washington National Forest region near Monroe, Virginia typically require preparation for primitive conditions and self-sufficiency. Forest Road 812 provides access to several natural sites ranging from roadside pull-offs to walk-in areas with established fire rings. Reservoir Road offers additional camping options along the Pedlar River, while more adventurous campers can find sites on Spy Rock after a challenging uphill hike. The camping season extends year-round though summer weekends see significantly higher usage, and winter camping requires additional cold-weather preparation.

What to do

Hiking to panoramic views: The area surrounding Spy Rock offers challenging trails with significant elevation gain. "This 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," noted one visitor who frequently camps at the summit before sunrise.

Stream fishing: Multiple campsites along Forest Road 812 provide creek access suitable for small-stream fishing. "There was a fire ring and man made stone oven at the site we chose," reported a camper at George Washington National Forest off 812 who stayed at one of the creek-adjacent spots. Bring appropriate tackle for small mountain streams.

Wildlife viewing: James River Wildlife Management Area offers opportunities for wildlife observation, particularly waterfowl. "I never saw another person camping," reported one visitor, noting the solitude available even during active management periods when "people were using brush hogs to mow."

What campers like

Solitude and seclusion: Many sites in this region offer significant privacy despite their relatively easy access. At Dispersed Camping Site off FR 812, one camper appreciated that "it is a very rocky path, about 50 feet long, to get into the campground, but then it is smooth and well laid out."

Water access: Creek-side camping is widely available and highly valued. A visitor noted, "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."

Natural camping areas: Rather than developed sites, campers appreciate the natural setting of these dispersed areas. At Reservoir Road Dispersed Campsite, a visitor found "nice camping spots on the Pedlar River in Amherst county" with "multiple spots along reservoir rd."

What you should know

Permit requirements: Wildlife Management Areas require specific permits. At James River Wildlife Management Area - Dispersed Camping, campers must "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."

Road conditions: Access to many sites requires navigating unmaintained forest roads. Regarding Reservoir Road Dispersed Campsite, one camper warned about "5 miles of dirt road to get to it" and noted it was "questionable for my van."

Site availability: During peak seasons, arriving early is essential. A camper at George Washington National Forest off 812 observed "80% were full on a beautiful fall Friday evening around 6pm but still snagged one."

Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies significantly by carrier. At Dispersed Camping Site off FR 812, a camper reported "No cell service (T-Mobile), but if I drove towards the main road, Route 501, I could get some service."

Tips for camping with families

Flat camping areas: Look for sites with adequate space for multiple tents. At Dispersed Camping Site off FR 812, one visitor found 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."

Stream access for children: Creek-adjacent sites provide natural entertainment. A visitor noted, "Stayed 5-5-25. It was clean, creek for water if you have filter. Nice fire ring and wood. Did not see another person."

Pack extra water: No potable water exists at any sites. A camper at Spy Rock emphasized, "It's literally just the top of a mountain, nothing but what you carry up with you."

Tips from RVers

Field parking at WMAs: James River Wildlife Management Area offers suitable parking for larger vehicles. One RV camper with a "29 foot classy" reported, "I opted to park it in a field/parking area at the entrance. I was the only one here all day."

Clearance considerations: Several camping areas require adequate vehicle clearance. A van camper noted that some spots need "moderate clearance" and found that "multiple road sites that fit my van with room to spare."

Proximity to services: Serious boondocking requires planning for no amenities. A camper at James River WMA explained it's "20 minutes from the closest grocery store (Food Lion), liquor store, gas station, and propane supplier (Foster Fuels)."

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 12 reviews.

What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Monroe, VA?

TheDyrt.com has all 6 dispersed camping locations near Monroe, VA, with real photos and reviews from campers.