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Best Dispersed Camping near Rural Retreat, VA

38 Reviews

The mountainous terrain surrounding Rural Retreat, Virginia features predominantly dispersed camping options within the Washington and Jefferson National Forest and Mount Rogers National Recreation Area. Campers will find free roadside sites along creeks, high-elevation spots with panoramic views at Whitetop Mountain, and established dispersed areas like Scales Trailhead Basecamp. Most locations offer primitive camping with few amenities beyond fire rings. The Appalachian Trail passes through the region, providing backpacking opportunities and access to sites like Walnut Flats, which includes five established campsites with picnic tables and pit toilets. Hidden Valley Wildlife Management Area offers lakeside camping with basic facilities including porta-potties and trash receptacles.

Road conditions vary significantly across camping areas, with several requiring high-clearance vehicles. As one camper noted about Scales Trailhead, "The road in is rocky and not short, probably 45 minutes from the road to the campground, but anything with Subaru Outback ground clearance will be fine." Cell service is virtually nonexistent at most sites, with campers reporting "absolutely no Verizon service" at multiple locations. Many dispersed sites lack drinking water, requiring filtration from nearby creeks. The closest services are typically found in Damascus, approximately 12 miles from many sites, where visitors can find groceries, gas, and restaurants. Weather conditions can be extreme at higher elevations, with one Whitetop Mountain visitor warning about "killer winds" and noting that "if there's any clouds in the sky, you're literally just in a cloud of condensation."

Creekside camping receives consistently positive reviews, with visitors appreciating the natural sound barriers. "The sound of the creek seemed to drown out all road noise," noted one camper at Mount Rogers Recreation Area. Wildlife viewing opportunities include wild ponies near Scales Trailhead, while stargazing is exceptional at higher elevations. The Virginia Creeper Trail and Appalachian Trail provide recreational opportunities within minutes of many camping areas. Safety considerations should not be overlooked, as some visitors have reported concerning encounters at more remote sites. Most dispersed sites operate on a first-come, first-served basis with no reservations accepted. Campers should practice Leave No Trace principles, as several reviewers mentioned trash issues at otherwise beautiful locations.

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Best Dispersed Sites Near Rural Retreat, Virginia (8)

    1. Mount Rogers National Recreation Area

    11 Reviews
    Sugar Grove, VA
    10 miles
    Website

    "Located in the Mount Rogers Recreation Area, there are multiple free national forest camping spots along the creek, just off Hwy 58. The sound of the creek seemed to drowned out all road noise."

    "It is a little close to the main road, as others have mentioned, but it was still removed enough for me to feel remote. The creek is loud and the trees offered privacy."

    2. Scales Trailhead Basecamp

    3 Reviews
    Troutdale, VA
    20 miles

    "Yes, the road in is rocky (& not short...probly 45 mins from the road to the campground), but anything with Subaru Outback ground clearance will be fine. The campground itself is great! "

    "Once reaching the off road trail my partner got nervous, feeling as if our Forrester wouldn’t make it up. My advice… come prepared. I got. Flat on the way up and was able to make it to my campsite."

    3. Whitetop

    6 Reviews
    Whitetop, VA
    26 miles

    "Nice spot to pitch a tent or for car camping. Whitetop mountain has some of the best views in VA and is very popular for watching sunsets."

    "Great view but the drive in is a bumpy rock terrain so some clearance is a must . Signal at the hill top T-mobile 2 bars LTE"

    4. Little Tumbling Creek

    3 Reviews
    Saltville, VA
    23 miles
    Website

    "There are two private properties on the road, and you basically just follow it back until you get to this clearing. Pretty large clearing to set up a tent or tents."

    "Laurel bed lake at top is beautiful. Waterfalls on way up and good fishing along the way in tumbling creek. Flat field area for camping on way. Several spots by creek for van or tent camping."

    5. Washington & Jefferson National Forest Dispersed Sites

    7 Reviews
    Damascus, VA
    29 miles
    Website
    +1 (540) 265-5100

    "At the intersection of the North Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia state lines, sits this national forest which offers multiple dispersed camping areas along Bear Creek."

    "Coordinates take you right to the site and there’s a small gravel road you can pull into. The campsite is directly off the forest road, maybe 20 feet."

    6. Walnut Flats

    4 Reviews
    Staffordsville, VA
    30 miles

    "Quiet place with plenty of firewood on the ground. Occasional.peiole driving through but a great experience!"

    "There is no internet access but there is enough signal you can get text sometimes. You need to drive about ten minutes to the gas station to get dependable coverage."

    7. Hurrican Road Roadside Camp

    Be the first to review!
    Troutdale, VA
    18 miles

    8. Hidden Valley WMA

    4 Reviews
    Willis, VA
    45 miles
    Website

    "Dispersed camping free permit with Va wildlife, fishing, or use permit up to 14 days. Porta Jon available at campground and boat dock. Plenty of dead wood for fires. Trash cans available."

    "This spot is very nice, close to the water’s edge (although no camping allowed lakeside). There’s quite a few rings, bear bins, and a porta-loo. We had the place to ourselves which was really great."

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Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos near Rural Retreat, VA

22 Photos of 8 Rural Retreat Campgrounds

Dispersed Camping Reviews near Rural Retreat, VA

38 Reviews of 8 Rural Retreat Campgrounds

  • Shari G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 24, 2018

    Mount Rogers National Recreation Area

    FREE roadside camping!

    Located in the Mount Rogers Recreation Area, there are multiple free national forest camping spots along the creek, just off Hwy 58. The sound of the creek seemed to drowned out all road noise.

    Sites are first come, first served, have no picnic table or toilet, but all seem to have an established fire ring and access to the creek for water. Bring your water filter and portable potty!

    Within 3 miles of these spots along the creek, you will find the famous and gorgeous Virginia Creeper Trail, the Whitetop Laurel Creek, and the Appalachian Trail. So bring your bikes, fishing poles, kayaks, and hiking boots for a full week of adventure. We couldn’t get enough of this gorgeous area and hit the early spring weather spot on for some fun in the sun!

    The closest town is Damascus which are filled with companies that will load your bikes on a trailer and haul you and your bike to Whitetop Mountain where you can hop on the Virginia Creeper Trail for 17 miles of easy downhill coasting (or 34 miles if you choose to go all the way to Abingdon). Or, for more of a workout, you can hop on the trail at various access points and ride uphill and coast down. For whitewater fun, consult the American Whitewater website for the runnable area/range of the Whitetop Laurel Creek.

  • Shari G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Dec. 30, 2020

    Washington & Jefferson National Forest Dispersed Sites

    Creekside Camping

    At the intersection of the North Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia state lines, sits this national forest which offers multiple dispersed camping areas along Bear Creek. Opportunities for hiking, cycling, fishing, and paddling are abundant.  The Appalachian Trail and Virginia Creeper Trail are just minutes away, as well as some easy whitewater paddling fun on the White Top Laurel Creek.

    Most of campsites are large, very shaded, along a beautiful treelined road, and surrounded by mountains. There is no drinking water, picnic tables, or even pit toilet, so come prepared. The only major problem is that folks tend to leave a ton of trash around, so we often spend about 20-30 minutes cleaning these sites upon arrival. Please Leave No Trace! 

    Our site had a good fire ring, and was on the edge of a creek that we could filter water from with ease. We stayed at this camp for 3 weeks during the pandemic shutdown and it was a perfect place to ride out this crazy storm and decompress from some anxiety. 

    The closest town is Damascus, VA, about 12 miles away. The town is small, but draws thousands of tourists each year who are either hiking the Appalachian Trail or cycling the famous Virginia Creeper bike path. It is equipped with a decent sized grocery store, gas, and couple of restaurants, and a cute downtown area. There is absolutely no cell service at this camp, you have to go into town or hike a local mountain to get service up high.

  • Glennie V.
    Apr. 1, 2024

    Washington & Jefferson National Forest Dispersed Sites

    Be Aware Of Your Surroundings

    First time trying dispersed-camping and was super excited originally! We followed the coordinations and pulled into an off-road spot. Initially we felt pretty comfortable riding through the national park. However when we arrived to the site there was someone already there. We didn't think much at first, until we realized what they were doing in their car: It was a man and female. They appeared to be smoking meth and had a distinctive smell coming from their truck. They were making incoherent noises and could barely hold their heads up. They then pulled out a gun and started shooting at the signs near the road. Needless to say we quickly packed our gear and left. It was definitely scary and not the best encounter for first time dispersed camping. Thankfully I was with my partner and felt safe with him. If I was alone, I'm unsure how safe I would've felt, as a traveling/camping solo-female. We were able to find another dispersed campground down the road about 15-20 mins alongside the road. We also saw more people car-camping and doing the same: so overall we felt better about the situation. However, I'm not sure if I'd recommend this spot or go back again: Be aware of your surroundings and always carry something on you to protect yourself!

  • Jon M.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 31, 2024

    Scales Trailhead Basecamp

    Serious off road capability needed

    The road in is...."rocky". High clearance 4wd needed. Not ADV friendly, unless you're very adventurous. Access by horseback would be my #1 pick.

  • Betsy W.
    Sep. 2, 2024

    Hidden Valley WMA

    Great peaceful place

    Dispersed camping free permit with Va wildlife, fishing, or use permit up to 14 days. Porta Jon available at campground and boat dock. Plenty of dead wood for fires. Trash cans available. Rocks for fire pits and no tables.

  • s
    Apr. 27, 2025

    Little Tumbling Creek

    Secluded campsite by creek

    This is a small campsite that I believe is on hunting land. You pass a sign going in toward it that states as much. There are two private properties on the road, and you basically just follow it back until you get to this clearing. Pretty large clearing to set up a tent or tents. It is very secluded from people, but no tree line or anything to camp in. All in all it’s a nice site. Absolutely no verizon service a the site.

  • s
    Apr. 27, 2025

    Washington & Jefferson National Forest Dispersed Sites

    Small site right by road and creek

    Coordinates take you right to the site and there’s a small gravel road you can pull into. The campsite is directly off the forest road, maybe 20 feet. It’s a nice spot with some flat areas to put a tent if you don’t mind being close to the road.

    Right across the road there’s actually a second road that goes into the forest on the opposite site. Buddy and I actually set up our tent over there instead, as it was more in the tree line, a bit more protected, and farther back from the road. Had a nice night and no one bothered us. Absolutely no verizon service.

  • Jay N.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 28, 2024

    Scales Trailhead Basecamp

    Isolated & wonderful!

    We've been going to Scales for several years now, & it's one of the few places we keep revisiting! Yes, the road in is rocky (& not short...probly 45 mins from the road to the campground), but anything with Subaru Outback ground clearance will be fine.

    The campground itself is great! It's right on the AT, so there are lots of through hikers that you'll see stop in for a night. That also means that there's lots of great hiking options! Our favorite parts are the beautiful views, wild ponies, & it's (usually) relatively quiet!

    Additionally, there are a lot of fire pits& there are pit toilets.

  • Clayton S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 28, 2021

    Whitetop

    Whitetop Mountain

    Nice spot to pitch a tent or for car camping. Whitetop mountain has some of the best views in VA and is very popular for watching sunsets.

Guide to Rural Retreat

Rustic camping near Rural Retreat, Virginia centers on free or low-cost primitive sites at elevations between 2,000-5,000 feet across Jefferson and Washington National Forests. Winter temperatures can drop below 10°F with occasional road closures, while summer highs rarely exceed 85°F at higher elevations. Many sites lack amenities but offer privacy within hardwood forests dominated by oak, maple, and hickory trees.

What to do

Fishing at Hidden Valley WMA: The 61-acre lake provides excellent fishing opportunities with multiple spots along the shoreline. "The lake is calm and clean for water recreation," notes one visitor to Hidden Valley WMA, where anglers can catch bass and trout.

Hiking the Appalachian Trail: Access points near Walnut Flats provide day-hiking opportunities with moderate terrain. "Trail right through the campground and the Appalachian trail just across the road," reports a camper who stayed at Walnut Flats for nearly two weeks.

Wildlife watching: Search for wild ponies and other wildlife throughout the region, especially at higher elevations. At Scales Trailhead Basecamp, campers report "wild ponies at the salt lick," making it a popular destination for families interested in wildlife photography.

What campers like

Secluded creek sites: Riverside camping spots offer natural sound barriers and water access. "We spent 1 night out here on a Saturday Night it is very secluded away from everything," reports a visitor to Washington & Jefferson National Forest Dispersed Sites, though they noted being "close to the road so we can hear a lot of traffic."

Swimming holes: Natural water features provide refreshing breaks during summer months. "We got lucky and parked right next to a swimming hole, had a gorgeous swim and enjoyed our time," shares one camper about their Washington & Jefferson Forest experience.

Stargazing opportunities: High elevation sites away from light pollution offer exceptional night sky viewing. At Whitetop, a camper describes "watching the sunset was spectacular, then being able to star gaze" as highlights of their mountain camping experience.

What you should know

Cell service limitations: Most sites have minimal to no connectivity. "Absolutely no verizon service at the site," reports a camper at Little Tumbling Creek, while others mention needing to "drive about ten minutes to the gas station to get dependable coverage."

Road conditions: Many sites require careful driving on rough forest roads. For Whitetop Mountain, one visitor warns "the road to this site is WILD, but doable" and suggests checking the "scary potholes" before attempting the drive.

Weather variability: Mountain elevations experience rapid weather changes, particularly at higher sites. One camper notes that at Whitetop "if there's any clouds in the sky, you're literally just in a cloud of condensation. Everything is wet."

Security considerations: Remote sites occasionally attract unwanted visitors. A Washington & Jefferson Forest camper advises to "be aware of your surroundings and always carry something on you to protect yourself" after an unsettling encounter with other visitors.

Tips for camping with families

Established campgrounds for beginners: First-time dispersed campers with children should consider sites with basic facilities. "This is a wonderful spot. It has five established camp sites with fire rings and picnic tables," mentions a visitor to Walnut Flats about the clean pit toilets and organized camping area.

Creek access for water play: Look for sites with shallow water access for children. "Camp next to a quiet bumbling creek with beautiful scenery," suggests a Little Tumbling Creek visitor, describing flat areas perfect for family setup.

Wildlife viewing opportunities: Plan morning wildlife walks when animals are most active. At Scales Trailhead Basecamp, one visitor shared that "the campground was well kept, well placed" and mentioned seeing ponies near the campground.

Tips from RVers

Limited RV options: Most dispersed sites accommodate smaller vehicles only. "The road in is rocky & not short...probably 45 mins from the road to the campground, but anything with Subaru Outback ground clearance will be fine," explains a camper at Scales Trailhead about accessing the more remote areas.

Site selection priorities: Look for level pull-offs with adequate turning space. One RVer at Washington & Jefferson mentioned finding "a good fire ring, and was on the edge of a creek that we could filter water from with ease" during a three-week stay.

Preparation essentials: Bring all supplies as facilities are minimal. "The campsite is directly off the forest road, maybe 20 feet. It's a nice spot with some flat areas to put a tent if you don't mind being close to the road," explains a visitor describing the basic setup of most dispersed sites in the area.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the rules for dispersed camping in Jefferson National Forest near Rural Retreat?

In Jefferson National Forest near Rural Retreat, dispersed camping follows standard national forest regulations. Camping at Scales Trailhead Basecamp and similar areas requires high-clearance vehicles due to rocky access roads. Sites are first-come, first-served with no reservations. Campers must practice Leave No Trace principles, staying in established sites when possible. Fires are permitted in existing fire rings only. For wildlife management areas like Hidden Valley WMA, you'll need a Virginia wildlife, fishing, or use permit, with stays limited to 14 days. Pack out all trash, though some areas may have trash cans available. No camping is permitted directly on lakeshores in wildlife management areas.

Where can I find dispersed camping in Rural Retreat, VA?

Rural Retreat offers several dispersed camping opportunities in the surrounding area. Washington & Jefferson National Forest Dispersed Sites provides multiple free camping areas along Bear Creek, with spots directly off forest roads. The forest sits at the intersection of Virginia, North Carolina, and Tennessee state lines, offering excellent access to hiking trails including the Appalachian Trail. Another option is Mount Rogers National Recreation Area, which features multiple free camping spots along creeks just off Highway 58. These first-come, first-served sites typically have established fire rings but no amenities like picnic tables or toilets.

Is there free dispersed camping available year-round in Rural Retreat?

Yes, free dispersed camping is generally available year-round near Rural Retreat, though accessibility and conditions vary by season. Little Tumbling Creek offers secluded camping in a clearing with nearby access to Laurel Bed Lake and waterfalls, making it popular in warmer months. Whitetop provides mountain camping with spectacular sunset views, but roads can become challenging in winter weather. During colder months, lower elevation sites are more accessible. Always check road conditions before heading out in winter, as mountain roads may become impassable due to snow or ice. No reservations are needed for these free sites, but they operate on a first-come, first-served basis.

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