Several dispersed camping areas surround New Market, Virginia within the George Washington National Forest and Shenandoah National Park. Crisman Hollow Road Camp offers drive-in and walk-in sites for tents and RVs, with toilets and trash disposal available but no drinking water. South Fork Shenandoah River provides riverside camping with basic toilets and sanitary dump access. A camper wrote, "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."
Little Fort Campground provides more structured dispersed sites with picnic tables, fire rings, and vault toilets. The site uses a self-registration system where campers flip washers from green to red on a board to claim spots. "You select a campsite by flipping a washer on a hook on the board from green to red. Flip it back when you leave," explains one review. Flagpole Knob and Switzer Lake offer true primitive camping experiences with no facilities but allow fires and pets. Most dispersed sites in this region are free, though Shenandoah National Park requires entrance fees and backcountry permits for overnight stays.
"A bit dirty but awesome spot near a creek"
"There was one really nice hiking trail by the bridge. Cons: Some roads were closed. Some spots were full of trash."
"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."
"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!"
"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."
"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."
"Very nice spot, good tent setup pads and fire rings at all the sites, my one complaint is that it is right next to the road that while not frequently used, the occasional car can often take away from the"
"The road leading to the camp site from Wardensville was in excellent condition all the way to the camp site. There are e total of 9 campsites."
"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."
"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."
"Location is approximate. After the intersection, the road will turn into a trail (marked by a metal gate) and there is a campsite right there. Was very peaceful and clean."
TravelerAbout a half a mile down to gravel road to a very small boat launch and a loop where there are some fire pits but this is not really dispersed camping in the traditional sense. I saw a few fire pits on the other side of a guardrail where you could pitch a tent alongside the road. Noticeable highway noise in an otherwise scenic location
TravelerGreat place if you want to off road a little and have an amazing view to wake up and go to sleepp too. Would definitely do this again!
TravelerYou read that right. All the plans to arrive earlier went out the window and I pulled into the road well after sunset. Able to navigate well enough with recent rainfalls so road was pitted and rocky. Somewhat drove past lake and found pre-utilized spot. Nice ground for set up and plenty of room for vehicle in/egress. The 2:20am howl of the eastern coyote caught me off guard; definitely inside a mile. He traveled because at 2:40am he met his buddies and had a howl-fest in the far distance. By day light I was able to explore and see some great lake sites you would enjoy. Highly recommended. No cell service.
ScoutOvernight tent camping with my dog. Saw a raccoon in a tree. So private and peaceful. The water and wind at night made for a nice relaxing sleep. Plenty of trails to explore.
ScoutIt was a great spot for a little fire and outdoors camping. No permit needed and there are some places around where u can easily rent a kayak to go on the river. You can also park your car easily at this spot.
GuideAs we got through Shenandoah Nat’l Park, we learned that all the campgrounds were full. So we ended up getting a backcountry camping permit in the southern district between Ivy Creek and Loft Mountain along the Appalachian Trail. It was so difficult to find a good spot in this specific area. If you have a 1-2 person tent, it may be easier. We ended up “hiking” about a quarter mile from the Loft Mountain Camp Store on the Frazier Trail to the A.T. Set up right there at the corner on the flattest spot we could find. Ended up being a great night! It gets super windy up there and some of the trees creak deeply. Thankfully no downed trees!
TravelerVery nice spot, good tent setup pads and fire rings at all the sites, my one complaint is that it is right next to the road that while not frequently used, the occasional car can often take away from the remote experience. There are some sites a little further in but the diff is minimal. Overall very great, well maintained spot
TravelerThe road to drive down to the lake is really rocky and not paved, make sure you have a good car (we did not)! There are multiple campsites that are all beautiful, the forest is really fun to explore. You can see lots of stars if the night sky is clear, which to me is always such a plus! Overall a great low-key campsite with great nature and easy set up! Also if you go camping bring a trash bag from home and collect your trash littering is not okay. There was lots of litter around the campground but we had brought a trash bag and collected the litter that had been left there. Be kind to nature!!
TravelerGreat spots by the creek. Its nice to wake up by the water and relax with a cup of coffee. Good trails to walk also
Dispersed camping near New Market, Virginia offers primitive sites within the George Washington National Forest where elevations range from 1,200 to 4,000 feet. Weather conditions vary significantly by season, with summer temperatures typically 10-15°F cooler at higher elevations compared to the valley. Most primitive sites don't have cell service, with several requiring high-clearance vehicles to access.
Hiking at Veach Gap: Access the Veach Gap Trailhead for a moderate 4-mile hike with 1,200 feet of elevation gain to reach secluded camping spots. "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," notes one Veach Gap camper.
Off-roading to remote sites: Travel forest roads to reach isolated camping areas like Flagpole Knob, which requires appropriate vehicles. One visitor explains, "We had some bad weather but still loved our trip. If you know it's going to be windy don't camp at the peak. There's plenty of camp spots close by with some cover from trees."
Fishing opportunities: Several riverside camping locations offer access to the Shenandoah River system. Sites near Switzer Lake provide both lake and stream fishing. A camper reports, "The fishing is decent, and we have caught some trout there in the past. There is a boat ramp at the lake, but only electric motors and paddle boats are allowed."
Quiet weeknight camping: Many dispersed sites see significantly reduced traffic midweek. "I've camped here probably 12 times over the past 2 years and I seem to always find another awesome spot every time I go... It's also empty on weeknights," shares a visitor at Switzer Lake.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The area offers chances to see native wildlife in their natural habitat. "2 deers came to visit us at night... Saw Momma and two baby black bears," writes one camper about their experience camping near the Shenandoah River.
Camp selection system: The Little Fort Campground uses a simple method for claiming sites. As a visitor explains, "You select a campsite by flipping a washer on a hook on the board from green to red. Flip it back when you leave." The area includes individual fire rings, picnic tables, and tent platforms.
Varying road conditions: Access to many dispersed sites requires traveling unpaved roads of varying quality. At South Fork Shenandoah River, campers note: "The bathrooms had no TP so bring your own, and please remember to pack out your trash! 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."
Bear safety requirements: Black bears are active throughout the region. "There are bears here, so lock up your food in the car. We have encountered a bear at or around the campsite 3 times," warns a Switzer Lake camper.
Cell service limitations: Most dispersed camping areas have minimal to no cell reception. "Just a heads up, there is no cellphone signal for any carrier from what I could tell," reports one visitor, while another notes, "Verizon gets no service whatsoever not even the hotspot."
Accessible vault toilets: Little Fort Campground offers more developed facilities suitable for family camping. "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," says a camper.
River access for swimming: Several sites along the South Fork of the Shenandoah offer safe water access for supervised water play. "Our site was amazing! The very last car camping site on the road. We were right on the river, we swam and fished," a family reports.
Noise considerations: Some riverside camping areas can experience sound from neighboring properties. A camper 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."
Site selection for larger vehicles: Wolf Gap Recreation Area offers designated sites for varied vehicle sizes. "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," explains a visitor, though notes "not all the sites are large. Some are on the small side."
Road clearance requirements: Carefully research access roads before attempting to reach remote sites with RVs. "If you follow the road, there is a river crossing that will take you to additional camp spots. The road beyond the river can get more tricky for low clearance vehicles," cautions a regular Switzer Lake visitor.
Leveling challenges: Prepare for uneven parking at many primitive sites. A camper notes, "Many of the car parking pads are not level. But the tent pads appear to be."
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the regulations for dispersed camping in New Market?
Dispersed camping near New Market follows typical National Forest Service regulations. At Dolly Sods Backcountry, camping is permitted throughout the wilderness area with no designated sites or facilities – this is strictly backcountry camping with no cell service or amenities. Sites operate on a first-come, first-served basis with no permits required for short stays. Veach Gap - GWNF - Backpacking Site requires a 4-mile hike in to reach camping areas. Most dispersed sites require visitors to follow Leave No Trace principles, pack out all trash, and maintain adequate distance from water sources.
Is there free dispersed camping available year-round in New Market?
Yes, free dispersed camping is available year-round near New Market, though accessibility varies by season. Flagpole Knob offers free dispersed camping with spectacular views, but requires high-clearance 4WD vehicles, especially in winter months. Brushy Ridge Road Dispersed provides several pull-off sites along Forest Service Road 75, with larger primitive campsites available before reaching Bear Flats Plateau. Winter camping is possible but challenging due to snow and ice conditions that can make roads impassable. Always check weather forecasts and road conditions before heading out during winter months.
Where can I find dispersed camping near New Market?
Several dispersed camping options exist near New Market. Switzer Lake Dispersed Camping offers primitive spots with privacy and lakefront sites that are popular but fill quickly. The area has both walk-in lakefront sites and drive-in spots further from the water. Another option is Braley Pond Dispersed Camping & Day Use Area, which provides primitive camping near a creek with some walking trails and basic facilities like vault toilets. Both areas are accessible by vehicle, though some sections of Switzer Lake may require 4x4 capabilities.
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