Dispersed camping near St. Paul, Virginia ranges across several public lands with varying terrain and accessibility. The region sits within the Ridge and Valley Province of the Appalachian Mountains, with elevations ranging from 1,500 to 4,000 feet. Summer temperatures typically range from 60-85°F, while winter temperatures can drop below freezing with occasional snow, especially at higher elevations.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Little Tumbling Creek provides access to both creek fishing and nearby lake options. According to one camper, "Laurel bed lake at top is beautiful. Waterfalls on way up and good fishing along the way in tumbling creek."
Wildlife viewing: Scales Trailhead Basecamp offers chances to see wild ponies in their natural habitat. As one visitor noted, "Our favorite parts are the beautiful views, wild ponies, & it's (usually) relatively quiet!"
Water recreation: Access Watauga Lake from dispersed sites for kayaking and swimming. A reviewer at Little Stony Creek Road Dispersed Area mentioned, "Free, many sites with water access for kayaking/fishing, fire rings, parking lot close to sites."
Sunrise/sunset viewing: Whitetop Mountain provides exceptional sky viewing. One camper shared, "Watching the sunset was spectacular, then being able to star gaze."
What campers like
Secluded locations: Several free camping areas near St. Paul offer privacy from crowds. One camper at Little Tumbling Creek reported, "Camp next to a quiet bumbling creek with beautiful scenery."
Above-cloud experiences: Higher elevation sites sometimes rise above cloud cover. A Whitetop Mountain visitor described, "As we're getting ready to head out for the day, all of a sudden the sun came out and we were ABOVE THE CLOUDS. It was absolutely stunning."
Community atmosphere: Some sites have regular visitors who create a welcoming environment. At Scales Trailhead Basecamp, a camper mentioned, "Some of the other campers introduced themselves and were extremely friendly and helpful. Some had been camping there for 40yrs."
Creek-side camping: Washington & Jefferson National Forest Dispersed Sites offers water-adjacent spots. A reviewer noted, "The creek's sound is pleasant. No network at all."
What you should know
Road conditions: Access varies significantly between sites. One Whitetop Mountain visitor warned, "The road to this site is WILD, but doable! I'll leave photos of the worst spots to help you decide whether or not you should drive up to the top."
Permit requirements: Hidden Valley WMA requires specific documentation. A camper clarified, "Camping is free, technically. (you need to purchase an Access pass from Virginia Wildlife for 4 dollars online, and add a camping authorisation to your account)."
Wind exposure: Higher elevation sites can experience strong winds. A Whitetop Mountain visitor cautioned, "THE WIND IS KILLER. We ended up moving our tent to the other side of the car park at the top."
Cell service limitations: Most sites lack connectivity. One Washington & Jefferson Forest visitor mentioned, "Absolutely no verizon service at the site."
Noise considerations: Sites near roads may experience traffic noise. At Little Stony Creek Road Dispersed Area, a camper noted, "Lots of road noise—you're sitting in a valley bordered by highway on 3 sides, and the echo is serious."
Tips for camping with families
Safety planning: Choose sites based on accessibility and proximity to emergency services. At Washington & Jefferson National Forest, one reviewer suggested, "Right next to the road, so first time campers would feel safe. The creek's sound is pleasant."
Supply runs: Know where to restock supplies. The closest towns include Damascus, Butler, and St. Paul, each offering different levels of services.
Wildlife education: Little Stony Creek Road Dispersed Area offers wildlife viewing opportunities but requires caution. A visitor advised, "Lots of poison ivy" is present at some sites.
Weather preparation: Mountain weather can change rapidly. One Whitetop Mountain camper shared, "The reason I gave it two stars is because if there's any clouds in the sky, you're literally just in a cloud of condensation. Everything is wet."
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Most free camping near St. Paul accommodates tents better than RVs. For RV camping, Hidden Valley WMA offers more suitable terrain. A reviewer stated, "The camp area is alright - 4 ish areas to pull up to and a few tent sites."
Vehicle requirements: High-clearance vehicles are necessary for certain areas. One visitor to Scales Trailhead Basecamp warned, "The road in is....rocky. High clearance 4wd needed. Not ADV friendly, unless you're very adventurous."
Setup challenges: Some sites have limited flat areas. A camper at Hidden Valley WMA noted, "Rocks for fire pits and no tables" so plan accordingly with camp furniture.
