Dispersed camping around Round Hill, Virginia offers accessible wilderness locations within George Washington National Forest and Shenandoah National Park. The area sits at the northern edge of the Blue Ridge Mountains with elevations ranging from 500 to 3,000 feet. Weather patterns can change rapidly, with fog common in morning hours even during summer months, affecting visibility on forest roads.
What to do
Creek fishing opportunities: Little Fort Campground provides access to small streams where you can catch native brook trout. "Nice flat camp site with picnic table and fire pit. Comes with tent pad but surface is too hard to use pegs. No requirements, just show up and claim your spot on the board," reports Zack B.
Wildlife viewing: Shenandoah National Park Dispersed Sites offers exceptional opportunities to see black bears, white-tailed deer, and numerous bird species. "I got to sleep listening to a river all night. It is also convenient since most places are not far from the trails," says Stephanie R. about the backcountry experience.
Hiking trails: Multiple trail systems connect throughout the area, ranging from easy 1-mile loops to challenging 8+ mile routes. "I've both day hiked this and backpacked here several times. You will want to drive in and park at the Veach Gap Trailhead which is listed on Google Maps, then follow the trail and make the left when it comes to the intersection," explains Jon N.
What campers like
Riverside camping: South Fork Shenandoah River offers direct water access with swimming and fishing opportunities. "The site at the end of the road is beautiful. We stayed right at the end of the road, since we have a 30 foot RV, but there are sites you can walk to all the way down the river," shares Justine I.
Solitude during weekdays: Free camping near Round Hill, Virginia tends to be much quieter Monday through Thursday. "Went up in November with beautiful weather, fall leaves changing and great company. Couldn't have had a better experience," notes TJ W. about camping at Veach Gap.
Self-registration system: Several sites use a simple check-in process. "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 A Dan about Little Fort Campground.
What you should know
Cell service limitations: Most camping areas have limited or no connectivity. "Note: this page says that Verizon has limited service but I have a Verizon prepaid plan and I had no service at all starting from about 20 minutes away from the site, so I wouldn't count on having any reception," warns Lindsay C.
Bear safety requirements: The region has active black bear populations requiring proper food storage. "There are so many trails to hike throughout the park and with a backcountry permit, you can find countless campsites. I stayed in the area of overall run falls. Make sure to hang your food. There are plenty of black bears in the area," advises Matt P.
Road conditions: Squirrel Hollow Road Camping and other areas may have challenging access. "Sites are located less than a mile from the paved highway. We found 5 spots just off the road. All were easily accessible by car or with a small teardrop trailer," reports Kevin C.
Water availability: Prepare to carry what you need at certain sites. "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. Pack up all the water you will need for the day/evening/morning," advises Jon N.
Tips for camping with families
Beginner-friendly options: Edwards Run Wildlife Management Area offers accessible fishing for kids. "Fun place to teach the kids the basics of fishing, but the campground area leaves a little to be desired," shares Frank G.
Bathroom considerations: Facilities vary widely between sites. "There are two toilets that are pretty gross and I don't think I'm tall enough to squat over that composting toilet," notes Ashley F., so bring portable options for young children.
Weekend crowds: Arrive early on Friday for better site selection at no-reservation areas. "Got the last site at 6PM on the Friday of Memorial Day weekend. Very respectful neighbors so it was very quiet," reports Matthew M.
Tips from RVers
Site limitations: Most dispersed sites accommodate smaller rigs only. "We camped during the week and had nobody else camping on weekdays," notes Kevin C., making weekdays ideal for finding suitable spots.
Leveling challenges: Bring adequate leveling blocks as many sites have uneven terrain. "The site was level and grassy. Nice camp site," reports Jim M. about one of the more RV-friendly options at Edwards Run.
Limited hookups: No-cost camping near Round Hill means no electric, water or sewer connections. "Our site was amazing! 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," shares Justine I.
