Best Dispersed Camping near Radford, VA

Dispersed camping options near Radford, Virginia include Walnut Flats and Johns Spring Shelter along the Appalachian Trail. Walnut Flats offers five established sites with fire rings, picnic tables, and tent pads with lantern poles. The campground features level gravel drives suitable for both tent and RV camping. A pit toilet is available and generally well-maintained. According to campers, the area remains quiet with minimal traffic, making it suitable for extended stays. The Appalachian Trail runs nearby, accessible just across the road from the campground.

Johns Spring Shelter provides basic accommodations for hikers along the Appalachian National Scenic Trail. The shelter includes flat tent sites and a wooden structure maintained by the Appalachian Trail Conservancy. Water access is limited; the nearest water source is approximately three miles north of the shelter. Several campers noted this shelter serves as a convenient stopover when hiking the popular McAfee Knob section, one of the most photographed locations on the entire Appalachian Trail.

Both camping areas are free to use and do not require permits. Walnut Flats includes drinking water from a well pump, though visitors should verify its operational status upon arrival. Cell service is limited at both locations. Walnut Flats receives enough signal for occasional text messages, but reliable coverage requires driving approximately ten minutes to the nearest gas station. Firewood can be gathered from fallen branches at Walnut Flats, though visitors should follow Leave No Trace principles by using only dead and downed wood. The region experiences typical Virginia mountain weather patterns with potential for rapid changes, particularly along the higher elevation sections of the Appalachian Trail.