Dispersed tent camping around Strasburg, Virginia provides access to the George Washington National Forest with camping sites at elevations between 800-2,800 feet. The region's forest terrain features oak-hickory woodlands and pine stands with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F during peak camping season. Many sites lack potable water sources, requiring campers to bring sufficient water supplies for their stay.
What to do
Hike the Massanutten Trail: At Little Crease Shelter, campers can access this historic trail system. One visitor explained, "Once you've parked, the trail begins off of the left side of the parking lot. As you begin walking, you'll quickly find your first yellow-dotted i. This indicator marks the trail."
Navigate OHV trails: The Peters Mill Run/Taskers Gap OHV System offers designated off-road vehicle routes within 20 minutes of Strasburg. A camper noted, "Great place to camp at if your car can handle it, if you like to offroad this place is for you or if you like hiking this is also for you."
Fish in the Shenandoah: Riverfront sites at South Fork Shenandoah River provide direct water access. A camper reported, "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."
What campers like
Natural site separation: The terrain at Wolf Gap Recreation Area creates secluded camping spots. A reviewer described, "The campsite itself is beautifully wooded. Each campsite is mostly secluded from the rest of the park."
Established amenities in primitive settings: At Little Fort Campground, campers appreciate the balance of wilderness with basic facilities. A visitor noted, "Site had a fire pit, table, parking spot, and tent platform. We used one of the sign in slips but many of the other campers did not. Bathrooms and beer proof trash was provided."
Stargazing opportunities: The distance from major urban centers creates excellent night sky viewing conditions. A camper at South Fork Shenandoah River commented, "It's quiet and dark and a bit buggy. Many of the car parking pads are not level. But the tent pads appear to be."
What you should know
Cell service limitations: Tent camping near Strasburg often means limited connectivity. A camper at Little Fort warned, "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."
Road access challenges: Many dispersed sites require navigating unpaved roads. At Squirrel Hollow Road Camping, a camper observed, "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."
Water planning: Most primitive sites lack running water. A South Fork Shenandoah River camper advised, "True boondocking, haul it in, pack it out. Evidence of a cat hole in the site we picked."
Tips for camping with families
Beginner-friendly backpacking: Sky Meadows State Park Campground offers a gentle introduction to backcountry camping with a 1-mile hike-in. A visitor explained, "It's about a mile hike in to the campground, which sits in the woods in the park. Each site has a bear box, fire ring, picnic table, tent pad with pea gravel, and a lantern pole."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Children can observe deer and other wildlife around dawn and dusk. A Sky Meadows camper shared, "We had a family of deer pay us a visit each morning - didn't come across any bears."
Noise considerations: Some sites experience unexpected noise issues. A South Fork Shenandoah River camper warned, "Dont disregard the warnings about noise like i did, constant speakers all the time until 4am. i think its out of jurisdiction for park rangers so they wont do anything either."
Tips from RVers
Size limitations: Most dispersed camping areas near Strasburg accommodate smaller RVs only. At South Fork Shenandoah River, a camper with a larger RV noted, "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."
Leveling challenges: Prepare for uneven parking surfaces. A Wolf Gap Recreation Area visitor observed, "Many of the car parking pads are not level. But the tent pads appear to be."
Weather impacts: River sites can become unusable after heavy precipitation. A South Fork Shenandoah River camper warned, "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."
