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Best Dispersed Camping near Swoope, VA

98 Reviews

Dispersed camping is permitted on federal lands surrounding Swoope, Virginia, primarily within George Washington National Forest. Multiple free primitive sites include Braley Pond Dispersed Camping Area, Flagpole Knob, Switzer Lake Dispersed Camping, Reservoir Road Dispersed Campsite, and several unnamed pull-offs along forest service roads. These sites typically feature established fire rings but minimal to no other amenities. The U.S. Forest Service manages most dispersed camping locations in this region, with sites generally situated along creeks, near small lakes, or at higher elevations offering mountain views.

Access to dispersed sites near Swoope frequently requires travel on unpaved forest roads with varying conditions. Many locations demand high-clearance vehicles, and some sites like Flagpole Knob specifically require 4WD capability. Switzer Lake Dispersed Camping involves navigating "a single lane and very bumpy dirt road" with "several sharp corners with huge drops." Most sites lack potable water, cell service, and restrooms, though Braley Pond does provide vault toilets. Camping is typically permitted for up to 14 days. Fire restrictions may apply seasonally, and campers should pack out all trash as these areas have no garbage service.

The dispersed camping experience near Swoope offers seclusion amid the Appalachian Mountains with opportunities for fishing, hiking, and wildlife viewing. Sites like Switzer Lake provide lakefront camping for those willing to hike in, while others offer creek-side settings with natural swimming holes. Privacy varies by location and season, with some sites reporting occasional noise from other campers, especially during peak periods. According to one visitor, Braley Pond offers "FREE dispersed camping near wilderness" that is "mostly good for fishing but tons of other good hiking in the area." Another camper noted that at Switzer Lake, "Although our neighbors were across the river from us, the sound of the river blocked out any noise they had made."

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Best Dispersed Sites Near Swoope, Virginia (22)

    1. Braley Pond Dispersed Camping & Day Use Area

    13 Reviews
    West Augusta, VA
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (540) 432-0187

    "This a US Forest Service site. Campsite is primitive: no facilities aside from vault toilets. Bring water treatment system."

    "Car could be parked right next to us on site 2. Next to a creek, so good sounds and cool environment 3. Some walking trails 4."

    2. Flagpole Knob

    8 Reviews
    Brandywine, VA
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (540) 432-0187

    "They Said , you need a high clearance vehicle, I cleared my throat. They said, you need 4 wheel drive, I SAID "ILL SEND YOU PICTURES!!!""

    "This site requires a 4x4 vehicle with clearance.  The trail leading to and from camp can be a bit tricky for some."

    3. Spy Rock

    5 Reviews
    Montebello, VA
    24 miles
    Website

    "The views from atop Spy Rock are some of the best in Virginia, and the campsite is one of my favorites. You hike in and there is a decent sized area to set up tents."

    "This place is amazing for primitive camping. Good trails to hike and overland"

    4. Switzer Lake Dispersed Camping

    10 Reviews
    Brandywine, VA
    28 miles
    Website

    "Once you turn onto Switzer Lake Rd from U.S. 33 and find the parking area to the lake on your left, be prepared to drive another 2ish miles on a single lane and very bumpy dirt road."

    "Some things to note- the lake front campsites fill up quickly and they are not drive in. Since I sleep in my Jeep, I needed a drive in spot."

    5. Braley Pond Campground

    Be the first to review!
    West Augusta, VA
    10 miles

    6. Poor Farm Dispersed Recreation Area

    5 Reviews
    Warm Springs, KY
    30 miles
    Website

    "I pulled in while passing through the area, it was a short ride off the highway and the road in was nice."

    "No signal, so make sure you have a map or know which way you came."

    7. George Washington National Forest off 812

    12 Reviews
    Glasgow, VA
    39 miles
    Website

    "Unexpectedly found this site after planning on doing some primitive camping off the road. There's 2 sites that I saw on the road with pits."

    "You are off the road of the national forest so cars come by but nobody bothers you and it stays quiet. Will definitely be back soon!"

    8. Gandy Creek Dispersed Camping

    16 Reviews
    Whitmer, WV
    46 miles
    Website

    "You get to them by a dirt road, park, and then the campsites are a little ways in. No amenities other than cleared level ground and a spot for the campfire."

    "A couple of friends and I traveled to the Monongahela National Forest in search of some free camping."

    9. Switzer Lake

    1 Review
    Brandywine, VA
    28 miles
    Website
    +1 (540) 432-0187

    "Good little spot, used to go here a lot in college, the drive in can be done by a sedan but I’d definitely recommend AWD/4WD."

    10. Reservoir Road Dispersed Campsite

    2 Reviews
    Buena Vista, VA
    32 miles
    Website
    +1 (540) 291-2188

    "Went in August and it was very buggy, also had someone park pretty close which when I drive down a really long dirt road that is questionable for my van, i want it to be private and this was about 5 miles"

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Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos near Swoope, VA

79 Photos of 22 Swoope Campgrounds

Dispersed Camping Reviews near Swoope, VA

98 Reviews of 22 Swoope Campgrounds

  • Mike C.
    Oct. 18, 2020

    Switzer Lake Dispersed Camping

    Primitive Fall Fun

    Duration of Stay: Oct 16-18, 2020 Average Daily Temp: 61 Average Evening Temp: 30 On Site Parking: ✅ Potable Water: 🚱 Restrooms: 🚫 Firewood: 🚫 Cell Service: 📵 4x4: ✅ Wildlife and Fishing: ✅

    Amazing place with tons of very primitive spots and privacy. Directions on website are pretty accurate.

    Once you turn onto Switzer Lake Rd from U.S. 33 and find the parking area to the lake on your left, be prepared to drive another 2ish miles on a single lane and very bumpy dirt road. Go slow as several sharp corners with huge drops and inexperienced drives coming towards you.

    Down the road you will find many spots on your left and your right to tuck back in and call it "home" for a couple days.

    If you travel back to U.S. 33 and drive 9.1 miles West you will find the Brandywine General Store on your left. They have kiln dried firewood, ice, bait, and supplies you may have forgot at home.

    This first come first served location is ideal for off road adventures. Make sure your rig is equipped, this ain't for rookies!

    Would have given this spot a 5 Star if some of the locals understood quiet hours after 10pm and slept past 5am. Be advised, it can get loud at some of the larger sites. Go deeper into the woods if you have the equipment.

  • Amber A.
    Aug. 1, 2016

    Braley Pond Dispersed Camping & Day Use Area

    FREE dispersed camping near wilderness

    This a US Forest Service site. Campsite is primitive: no facilities aside from vault toilets. Bring water treatment system. Site itself is mostly good for fishing but tons of other good hiking in the area.

  • Dare To Everywhere .The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 9, 2020

    Stonecoal Dispersed Camping Area

    Great free spot in a National Forest and along a river

    Stayed 9/5/2020 - FREE

    Site "Turnaround"

    This was difficult to find on Apple Maps, but if you pin the location, it takes you right to it.  Nice little area within Monongahela National Forest. 

    We pulled in just at sunset on the Saturday of Labor Day Weekend and drove through the entire length of the campground to see that all the sites will filled. We got to the turn around and noticed a couple of fire pits setup and a patch of grass. It wasn't a "designated site", but it was a defined area with the fire pits. We were out the next morning, so we didn't have any problems. The only negative was having cars drive through all night.

    Two vault toilets along the long road. There was a trail at the turnaround, but it was completely washed out once we got into the woods. Nice area, right on Shavers Fork of the Cheat River. A few sites are actually on the river side.

    Had NO AT&T or Sprint cell service.

  • LThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 18, 2023

    Switzer Lake Dispersed Camping

    Beautiful area!

    I made a spontaneous trip this past weekend. Easy to find and a beautiful area. Some things to note- the lake front campsites fill up quickly and they are not drive in. Since I sleep in my Jeep, I needed a drive in spot. I drove past the lakefront sites and there are a few really nice spots right past the paved bridge on the dirt road, some next to the creek and some out further. I drove down a path that would not be accessible with a car, however there are spots closer to the dirt road that you don’t need a vehicle with high clearance. I’ll definitely be going back!

  • Erik C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 29, 2021

    Little River Dispersed Campsites

    Beautiful and secluded

    About 7+ miles in from the town of Durbin on a dirt road (not sure how that would go in an RV but easy in a small vehicle). Beautiful dispersed camping near a creek in dense, lush forest. Not much for views and only stayed one night so didn’t get to hike but it was a perfect, quiet spot for an overnight. Would definitely come back for a longer stay.

  • S
    Jun. 26, 2024

    Flagpole Knob

    They Said....

    They said, no way, I chuckled. They Said , you need a high clearance vehicle, I cleared my throat. They said, you need 4 wheel drive, I SAID "ILL SEND YOU PICTURES!!!" what an Amazing view, don't use me as an example , you definitely should not drive your 2018 Ram ProMaster 2500 159 wb campervan up that road like I did. so now that that's clear how about some pics?.it's absolutely pouring down rain and hail. how about some security cam footage?

  • Tommy S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 28, 2020

    Little River Dispersed Campsites

    Pristine Roadside Site

    This is the Little River Dispersed Camping in Monongahela National Forest, WV.

    We drove in from the south, through Durbin, which is almost 7 miles on a pothole ridden dirt road. Dangerous for RVs, great for those looking for an escape. 

    We noticed two small gravel camping areas to the left when we entered the area, but were then rewarded with the first open site on the right by the creek. The site was breathtaking, with a small stream pool running along one egde, and the rushing river on another. Soft dirt padded the entire area, and great trees filled the space with their natural architecture and canopy. There was a fire pit by the main camping area, and a fire pit down by the creek. It was a mansion in terms of campsite sizes, though it's primitive still, so don't forget your shovel. Small trails led along the creek in either direction. Two white cross grave monument memorials could be seen from the creekside. 

    It had rained a lot recently, so the driveway into the site got muddy towards the end, causing us to park half way down. We couldn't get a fire started either of the two nights we were here as everything was wet, though we were graced by copious amounts of some interesting mushroom species. 

    On two occasions, deafening aircraft, possibly military, passed over what seemed like the treetops. It was frightening in the peace of the area, so that's a small heads up. I only saw one other traveler drive by, two construction vehicles, and the park ranger truck a couple times.

    Otherwise, on a month-long roadtrip, this was probably my favorite location of over a dozen. We didn't drive any further past our site, but I've heard there's over a dozen locations here, guessing they may be of similar quality. We hiked the Span Oak trail, at the beginning of the camping area, which led us along a beautiful ridge.

  • Evan P.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 19, 2025

    Braley Pond Dispersed Camping & Day Use Area

    Dispersed Glamping

    1. Car could be parked right next to us on site
    2. Next to a creek, so good sounds and cool environment
    3. Some walking trails
    4. A pit toilet is located at the picnic site

    Aside from the trash people had left from previous visits, it was perfect for a more primitive camping experience than a lot of modern campgrounds provided.

    We picked up and threw away the people's old trash btw. Leave it better than you found it and this awesome site will continue to be fantastic.

  • Amorina P.
    Oct. 13, 2020

    Gandy Creek Dispersed Camping

    beautiful !!

    It was gorgeous and peaceful, right on the creek. So many stars!!

    Campsites are first-come, first-served. We stayed one night with no permit. You get to them by a dirt road, park, and then the campsites are a little ways in. No amenities other than cleared level ground and a spot for the campfire.

Guide to Swoope

Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Swoope, Virginia, where nature enthusiasts can enjoy serene landscapes and a sense of adventure. With various options available, campers can find the perfect spot to unwind and connect with the great outdoors.

Dispersed campers should check out Braley Pond Dispersed Camping & Day Use Area

  • Braley Pond Dispersed Camping & Day Use Area offers a peaceful retreat with ample space for setting up tents and enjoying campfires, making it a favorite among visitors.
  • Campers appreciate the natural beauty surrounding the pond, although some have noted the need for cleanup along the shoreline.
  • With no permits required and free access, it's an ideal choice for spontaneous camping trips.

Tips for free and dispersed camping near Swoope, Virginia

  • When visiting Flagpole Knob, ensure you have a vehicle with good clearance, as the access road can be challenging for standard cars.
  • Be prepared for a lack of amenities at sites like Spy Rock, where hikers must carry in all supplies and enjoy the rugged, primitive experience.
  • Always practice Leave No Trace principles, especially in areas like Switzer Lake, where trash can accumulate and detract from the natural beauty.

Top activities while free camping near Swoope

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Swoope, VA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Swoope, VA is Braley Pond Dispersed Camping & Day Use Area with a 5-star rating from 13 reviews.

What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Swoope, VA?

TheDyrt.com has all 22 dispersed camping locations near Swoope, VA, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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