Top Free Dispersed Camping near Star Tannery, VA

Are you planning a dispersed camping trip to Star Tannery? We've got you covered. Find everything from dispersed backcountry camping to boondocking with The Dyrt. From secluded to easily reachable, we offer dispersed campsites near Star Tannery just for you.

Best Dispersed Sites Near Star Tannery, VA (15)

Showing results 1-10 of 15 campgrounds

Recent Dispersed Reviews In Star Tannery

36 Reviews of 15 Star Tannery Campgrounds


  • hThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from South Fork Shenandoah River
    Sep. 9, 2024

    South Fork Shenandoah River

    Great site, bad timing?

    The site was wonderful! Not too many spaces so it can fill up quick. There is a launch in the middle, so there is a bit of come and go. The real issue was the land directly across the river that had 20+ people playing loud music at almost all hours. Docked one star for that but everything else was great. Bathrooms had no TP so bring your own, and please remember to pack out your trash! Plenty of firewood from downed trees, sites are dirt which makes staking down easy, but I can imagine it would be muddy if it rains.

    EDIT: I went back early October to possibly camp again, shortly after the hurricane rains had passed. The sites were underwater or filled with river mud, making them completely un-campable. Just keep this in mind when you go out.

  • Sumner C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from South Fork Shenandoah River
    Apr. 21, 2024

    South Fork Shenandoah River

    Great view on the river

    The road to get to the campsite was well maintained and easy to get to. Campsites themselves were a tad overgrown but it was the beginning of the season. Seemed to be about a dozen spots to camp. Each site had its own fire pit. Quiet and peaceful.

  • Jim M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Edwards Run Wildlife Management Area
    Mar. 19, 2024

    Edwards Run Wildlife Management Area

    Road side site is not too bad

    As I pulled in there was a kiosk with a sign that said $10 camping fee but no info on how or where to pay. I tried to look at the WVDNR website but couldn't find it there either, However no one came by. Other than that the site was level and grassy. Nice camp site.

  • TJ W.
    Camper-submitted photo from Veach Gap - GWNF - Backpacking Site
    Nov. 5, 2023

    Veach Gap - GWNF - Backpacking Site

    Amazing Campsite

    Breathtaking views of the Shenandoah River and surrounding mountains. Very much worth the 4 mile hike up to the site. 1,200ft elevation difference from the trailhead to the site. Cell service at the top (not during the hike or on the road to the trailhead so prepare directions). Went up in November with beautiful weather, fall leaves changing and great company. Couldn’t have had a better experience.

  • N
    Camper-submitted photo from Laurel Prong Trail Dispersed
    Oct. 13, 2023

    Laurel Prong Trail Dispersed

    Hard to find.

    This campsite is another one we found on a list provided by Shenandoah’s park rangers and was listed as moderate hike and easy camping. I think, just like some other on the list, the easy camping might be a slight exaggeration. It was not particularly easy to find and we couldn’t find a super great spot. Good views on the hike.

  • Leslie R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Compton Gap backcountry camping
    Sep. 17, 2023

    Compton Gap backcountry camping

    Buggy and damp

    Not our favorite campground. If you’re a through hiker, it’ll get the job done though. There were three other people camping the night we were there. Lots of bugs. Hiked in from the Dickey ridge trail parking lot.

  • Frank G.
    Camper-submitted photo from Edwards Run Wildlife Management Area
    Dec. 6, 2022

    Edwards Run Wildlife Management Area

    Hike in

    I spent a night here. There's a lot by the road that looks like it's where they want you to camp but there are better sites on in. Just gotta hike to em. Fun place to teach the kids the basics of fishing, but the campground area leaves a little to be desired.

  • E
    Camper-submitted photo from Dolly Sods Backcountry
    Aug. 30, 2022

    Dolly Sods Backcountry

    Favorite backpacking in WV

    Berries abound. Gorgeous views. Be sure to hang your food. Make sure you see bear rocks! Take a map. This place is just magical.

  • John R.
    Camper-submitted photo from Shenandoah National Park Dispersed Sites
    Aug. 20, 2022

    Shenandoah National Park Dispersed Sites

    Love this National Forest!

    There are a lot of dispersed camping spots in VA, Especially in this region! I’ve camped all over the area and have seen many amazing sights! This pinned location doesn’t take you to a specific campground tho!

    You’ll have to do some digging (google free camping VA) and you’ll find plenty of spots! Many spots say they charge a fee but don’t as well so be on the look out!

    One of my favorite spots isn’t on The Dyrt but it’s free and in the Bath County area, It’s called Blowing Springs Campground, located near Covington VA. I also recommend seeing Falling Spring Falls almost a 100 Foot waterfall!

    Very hilly roads leading out to this part of the state but beautiful none the less! No cell service but plenty to see!

  • J
    Camper-submitted photo from Dolly Sods Backcountry
    Apr. 25, 2022

    Dolly Sods Backcountry

    Best backcountry camping spots in the state

    Excellent weather. There will always be puddles / ponds in the middle of the trails in Dolly Sods, but conditions were generally excellent. Camped at the Forks and most sites ended up full there, but plenty of dispersed camping off other trails.

  • Jon N.
    Camper-submitted photo from Veach Gap - GWNF - Backpacking Site
    Feb. 2, 2022

    Veach Gap - GWNF - Backpacking Site

    My favorite Hike in the area

    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. 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. Once you get to the top there are several sites with little fire rings, and since it is on the ridgeline, the views are breathtaking. I've had good luck finding wood from dead trees at the top, but just make sure you're being safe and treating nature kindly. Follow the Leave no Trace rules so the next campers can enjoy this spot too.

  • Ben
    Camper-submitted photo from Dolly Sods Backcountry
    Sep. 13, 2021

    Dolly Sods Backcountry

    AK in WV??

    With the incredibly varied landscapes and diverse vegetation, Dolly Sods truly feels like you are somewhere far north from WV. The ferns and evergreens reminded me of being in Maine, the vast meadows felt like I was in Wyoming or Montana. 

    I spent Labor Day weekend in Dolly Sods. With the parking lot packed full of vehicles at Bear Rocks Trailhead, I thought it might be difficult finding any decent campsites on the trail. Thankfully I was very wrong. There are so many incredible spots to camp pretty much everywhere along the trail. Finding water near camp is difficult in some areas, but some simple planning negates this. 

    (I lost my Oakley Frogskins somewhere on the Rocky Ridge Trail, free to anyone that finds them lol)

  • Kelly G.
    Camper-submitted photo from Brushy Ridge Road Dispersed
    Aug. 29, 2021

    Brushy Ridge Road Dispersed

    Great location near Dolly Sods Wilderness

    Brushy Ridge Road is Forest Service Road 75 and is in decent condition. There are several pull off campsites along this road on the way up to Dolly Sods wilderness but this primitive group of three large unmarked campsites with stone fire rings is before you get to the Bear Flats Plateau and the Red Creek camp grounds. It is a 2.5 mile, 2000’ climb to get to the trailhead for Bear Rocks Trail in Bear Rocks Preserve which is about a half mile past the entrance to this unmarked group site. I camped in the middle of these three large campsites that are each about 100 feet away from each other. Firewood was available on a self serve honor system (put $5 cash in the box for each bundle you take) at the farmhouse across from the turn on to Brushy Creek.

  • Jacqueline F.
    Camper-submitted photo from Shenandoah National Park Dispersed Sites
    Jul. 9, 2021

    Shenandoah National Park Dispersed Sites

    Amazing drive and lots of wildlife

    We only stayed one night, but wish we could have stayed more! The campground offers so many different trails and breathtaking scenic overlooks of the Blue Ridge Mountains. As soon as we got there, we saw several deer. I’d almost say they were friendly :) No electric hookups, but the weather was beautiful! We hiked part of the Appalachian Trail which gets pretty steep. I didn’t use the bathrooms or the coin operated showers as we have them in our RV, but they had the services available. It is a drive through the mountains to get to the campsite, but very well worth it for us!

  • Megan B.
    Camper-submitted photo from Dolly Sods Backcountry
    Jul. 9, 2021

    Dolly Sods Backcountry

    Beautiful wilderness

    Lots of spots along the trails. Sites in the more popular areas by the rivers fill up on busy weekends. The trails can be muddy and rocky but a gorgeous area. Bear country so bring a cannister or hang your food. But 100% worth the trip.

  • Sean M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Dolly Sods Backcountry
    Aug. 2, 2020

    Dolly Sods Backcountry

    Wilderness of the West in the East

    The sods are a truly wild and remote place in an increasingly crowded East coast. For years Dolly Sods has been my go-to backcountry destination, even for chilly winter stays. Many places carry the “wilderness” moniker in the East, but this place lives up to it. No cell service, no car camping, no trail markers, no toilets, and no running water. It’s the real deal. During the off season you can hike for days and not see another person. There are some opportunities to camp closer to the trailhead for those only looking to dip a toe into wilderness travel, but you could hike for miles to a remote site as well. Be advised, a good physical map and compass, the skills needed to use them, are vital here. There are no trail marks and the path can be confusing. Come prepared and have a great adventure.

  • Debra R.
    Camper-submitted photo from Shenandoah National Park Dispersed Sites
    Jul. 7, 2020

    Shenandoah National Park Dispersed Sites

    Very spacious!

    Happy accident that we were able to stay at the park on a weekend. We drove up and they had availability. Nice & clean and it wasn’t crowded when we were there. No electric or water on our site. So it was pretty rustic camping.

  • Lucille W.
    Camper-submitted photo from Dolly Sods Backcountry
    Apr. 13, 2020

    Dolly Sods Backcountry

    Allegheny mountain wilderness

    Dolly Sods is a wilderness area within the great Monongahela National Forest. I backpacked here in early March a few years ago. Definitely be prepared for high winds and rain. We hiked in in warm weather and once we reached the top of a long entrance road (where one trailhead was) we found snow. A lot of the snow had melted making the ground very soggy and oversaturated in some areas. Despite this, our short Dolly Sods backpacking trip was an amazing first trek for myself and a fiend. Dolly Sods is absolutely gorgeous and is a completely different and unique ecosystem than the surrounding area. I also have friends who have camped here later in the year - mid to late summer - and have highly, highly, recommended that I go back during that time.

  • Paul N.
    Camper-submitted photo from Dolly Sods Backcountry
    Jun. 12, 2019

    Dolly Sods Backcountry

    Love it

    Done the drive out twice for extended weekends. Peaceful, quiet, and beautiful. No other place really is like this. Terrain changes, lots of mud, and not over-crowded



Guide to Star Tannery

Camping near Star Tannery, Virginia, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and outdoor activities. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or a fun family adventure, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.

What to do:

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and showers. A reviewer at Andy Guest/Shenandoah River State Park Campground praised, "The bath house is super clean and they have separate private showers!"
  • Privacy: Many sites offer a sense of seclusion. One camper at Gooney Creek Campground mentioned, "The creek flowing along the campsite was gorgeous and it was great listening to the running water at night."
  • Friendly Staff: Campers often highlight the helpfulness of campground staff. A visitor at Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Luray noted, "The staff were friendly and great and only stepped in when absolutely necessary."

What you should know:

  • Site Size: Some campgrounds have small sites that may not accommodate larger RVs. A camper at Mathews Arm Campground remarked, "The sites were a little close together, but it was quiet."
  • Limited Amenities: Not all campgrounds have full amenities. A reviewer at Wolf Gap mentioned, "There is no Wi-Fi and I had no cell service with Verizon."
  • Noise Levels: Some campgrounds can be noisy, especially near play areas. A visitor at Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Luray shared, "If you are looking for a peaceful experience, do not book near any of the play areas."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose the Right Site: Look for sites that are away from playgrounds if you want peace. A camper at Candy Hill Campground advised, "If you care for camping or your family, DO NOT GO TO CANDY HILL CAMPGROUND."
  • Plan Activities: Make sure to have a list of activities for kids. One family at Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Luray enjoyed "tons of fun things to do, including visits with Yogi Bear and Boo Boo."
  • Pack Essentials: Bring along games and outdoor toys to keep kids entertained. A reviewer at Endless Caverns RV Resort & Cottages mentioned, "The kids loved the playground and the swings."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Dimensions: Make sure your RV fits the site. A camper at Mathews Arm Campground noted, "Rigs longer than 25 feet, most likely will not fit."
  • Be Prepared for Terrain: Some campgrounds have steep or narrow roads. A visitor at Wolf Gap warned, "The road to get here was a little bit treacherous for a vehicle so big."
  • Bring Extra Supplies: Stock up on firewood and other essentials, as some campgrounds may not sell them. A camper at Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Luray mentioned, "You should also know we spent quite a bit more cash for this site."

Camping near Star Tannery, Virginia, offers a variety of experiences for everyone. Whether you're in a tent or an RV, there's something for you in this beautiful area.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Star Tannery, VA?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Star Tannery, VA is Little Fort Campground with a 4.7-star rating from 3 reviews.

  • What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Star Tannery, VA?

    TheDyrt.com has all 15 dispersed camping locations near Star Tannery, VA, with real photos and reviews from campers.