Top Free Dispersed Camping near Penhook, VA

If you're looking for a place to dispersed camp near Penhook, look no further. The Dyrt provides you with a diverse selection of places to camp, from dispersed backcountry camping to boondocking, and everything in-between. You're sure to find the perfect dispersed campsite for your Virginia excursion.

Best Dispersed Sites Near Penhook, VA (1)


Recent Dispersed Reviews In Penhook

10 Reviews of 1 Penhook Campgrounds


  • K
    Camper-submitted photo from George Washington National Forest off 812
    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!

  • Katrina L.
    Camper-submitted photo from George Washington National Forest off 812
    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.

  • Kelly K.
    Camper-submitted photo from George Washington National Forest off 812
    Sep. 4, 2024

    George 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!

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Dispersed Camping Site off FR 812
    Mar. 14, 2024

    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.
    Camper-submitted photo from George Washington National Forest off 812
    Sep. 9, 2023

    George 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.
    Camper-submitted photo from George Washington National Forest off 812
    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.

  • Jon N.
    Camper-submitted photo from Dispersed Camping Site off FR 812
    Jan. 18, 2022

    Dispersed 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.

  • Mark M.
    Camper-submitted photo from George Washington National Forest off 812
    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.

  • Sam M.
    Camper-submitted photo from Johns Spring Shelter
    Oct. 29, 2018

    Johns Spring Shelter

    nice little AT shelter

    I stayed at this AT shelter when I was doing a section hike with some friends. It's not bad as far as shelters on the AT go. There is not a water source too close to the shelter. The closest one is about 3 miles North. The sites aren't bad though, pretty flat. There is also a wooden shelter maintained by the AT, but those aren't my favorite to sleep in. Seemed nice as far as they go though.

    I was hiking a little section that includes Mcafee Knob, one of the most photographed spots on the AT. This spot is really awesome. It can also just be done as a day hike, so I recommend it to anyone who doesn't mind a 8ish mile hike. Another cool thing about this area is that there's some fairly nice bouldering to be found near the top. Some of the routes are a little under maintained and mossy, but there are some fun ones. Lugging a crash pad all the way to the top isn't the most fun, but worth it if you want to get some cool bouldering in.



Guide to Penhook

Camping near Penhook, Virginia, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and outdoor activities. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventure-filled getaway, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.

What to do

  • Hiking: Explore the trails at Hanging Rock State Park Campground. One reviewer mentioned, "The park has 5 waterfalls... almost all the hikes involve a steep hill climb of stairs." This makes it a great spot for those who love a good workout while enjoying nature.
  • Fishing and Swimming: At Smith Mountain Lake State Park Campground, you can enjoy fishing and swimming. A camper shared, "The lake beach area is particularly nice and staffed by lifeguards."
  • Star Gazing: Visit Staunton River State Park Campground for a chance to see amazing night skies. One visitor noted, "This is part of the International Dark Sky Association. We brought stargazing folding chairs... and binoculars."

What campers like

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate the cleanliness at Natural Bridge-Lexington KOA. A reviewer said, "Park is fantastic, best I’ve ever seen for cleanliness and friendly staff."
  • Spacious Campsites: Many enjoy the spacious sites at Goose Point Campground. One family mentioned, "The well-maintained, spacious campsites provided privacy and convenient water & electric hookups."
  • Friendly Staff: Campers often highlight the helpful staff at Otter Creek Campground. A visitor remarked, "The park ranger was super nice and helpful."

What you should know

  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds, like Rocky Knob Campground, have limited facilities. A camper noted, "Facilities are limited, with hot water and flush toilets, but no showers or hookups."
  • Bear Awareness: At Cave Mountain Lake Group Camp, there are bear warnings. One camper shared, "There are signs warning everyone with instructions on how to avoid a bear visit."
  • Crowded During Peak Season: Campgrounds like Claytor Lake State Park Campground can get busy. A visitor mentioned, "The campground is kind of tiny. This park would probably appeal to equestrians, boaters, and RVers over tent campers."

Tips for camping with families

  • Family-Friendly Activities: Many campgrounds offer activities for kids. At Staunton River State Park Campground, a family enjoyed, "They had smores around the fire... and an outdoor movie afterwards."
  • Safety First: Choose campgrounds with good safety measures. One camper at Natural Bridge-Lexington KOA felt, "I stayed by myself and felt very safe in the beautiful, wooded campgrounds."
  • Plan for Quiet Time: Some sites can be noisy. A visitor at Staunton River State Park Campground mentioned, "The proximity of other campers was stressful this weekend because of the screaming family right next to us."

Tips from RVers

  • Check Site Size: Make sure your RV fits the site. A camper at Hanging Rock State Park Campground said, "Most of the sites are small and very close together."
  • Look for Full Hookups: Campgrounds like Claytor Lake State Park Campground offer full hookups, which can be a big plus. One reviewer noted, "The majority of the power/water sites are pull through making life easy."
  • Be Prepared for Limited Cell Service: Many campgrounds have spotty cell service. A visitor at Rocky Knob Campground mentioned, "Cell service is poor."

Camping near Penhook, Virginia, has something for everyone, from families to solo adventurers. Just be sure to plan ahead and know what to expect!

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Penhook, VA?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Penhook, VA is Johns Spring Shelter with a 3.5-star rating from 2 reviews.