Best Dispersed Camping near Purcellville, VA
Shenandoah National Park offers several dispersed camping options near Purcellville, Virginia, primarily along trails within the park's backcountry. A backcountry permit is required for overnight stays, and camping is only allowed in designated areas. Most sites lack facilities—no toilets, trash service, or drinking water—and fires are prohibited in many backcountry locations. According to one visitor, "These sites are backcountry meaning they are not established sites. You just wander down the trail and pick your favorite spot with consideration to not disturbing as much nature as possible."
For those seeking more accessible dispersed camping, Little Fort Campground provides primitive sites with fire rings and picnic tables. The campground uses a simple self-registration system where campers flip a washer from green to red to claim a site. One camper noted, "The campsites have a fire ring, a picnic table, and a flat area to pitch a tent. They have parking spots next to them." Access roads to many sites can be challenging, with several reviews mentioning poor cell service and rough driving conditions, especially after rain. Most dispersed areas enforce a pack-it-in, pack-it-out policy for trash, and camping limits typically apply during peak seasons.
