Woodstock, Virginia sits at the edge of George Washington National Forest where dispersed camping opportunities range from creek-side spots to mountain ridge locations. The area's elevation varies from around 800 feet in the valley to over 2,500 feet on the ridgelines, creating diverse camping microclimates. Most dispersed camping areas remain accessible from April through November, with some sites closing during winter months due to road conditions.
What to do
Hiking access: Little Fort Campground provides entry points to smaller forest trails behind the campsites. A camper reports, "There are nice trails/creek behind site," making it convenient for quick nature walks without driving elsewhere.
Motorcycle trails: Peters Mill Run/Taskers Gap OHV System offers dedicated off-road vehicle routes through the forest. One visitor 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."
Riverside relaxation: Near South Fork Shenandoah River camping areas, visitors can swim and fish directly from their sites. A camper shared, "Our site was amazing! The very last car camping site on the road. We were right on the river, we swam and fished."
Panoramic photography: The backcountry campsite at Veach Gap sits along a ridgeline with views ideal for landscape photography. A reviewer described, "Breathtaking views of the Shenandoah River and surrounding mountains. Very much worth the 4 mile hike up to the site."
What campers like
Large, separated sites: At Wolf Gap Recreation Area, campers appreciate the spacious layout. According to a review, "Most sites have a paved parking platform and then a second tier for the camp site. All sites are quite large and include picnic tables, fire rings and large tent platforms."
Easy site selection: Little Fort's simple check-in system gets high marks for convenience. As one camper explained, "You select a campsite by flipping a washer on a hook on the board from green to red. Flip it back when you leave."
Dark skies for stargazing: The remote nature of Squirrel Hollow Road camping areas provides excellent night sky viewing opportunities. A visitor mentioned, "Sites were quiet at night. Some traffic related to logging activity. Looks like a popular weekend camp spot for locals."
Accessibility options: Crisman Hollow Road Camp offers both drive-in and walk-in options for tent camping near Woodstock. A reviewer noted, "It a quiet area with many spots on right on the water. There was one really nice hiking trail by the bridge."
What you should know
Variable cell reception: Connectivity varies widely between campgrounds. At Little Fort Campground, "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."
Weekend crowds: Many free camping areas fill quickly during peak periods. For Little Fort, "Got the last site at 6PM on the Friday of Memorial Day weekend."
Road conditions: Access to Hawk Campground requires careful driving. A visitor warned, "The road in is a single lane dirt road with parts of it partially washed away. I would not want to drive on this in the rain."
Weather vulnerability: Riverside camping areas face flooding risks after heavy rain. One South Fork Shenandoah camper shared, "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."
Bring toilet paper: Even established campgrounds may not stock bathroom supplies. A Hawk Campground visitor reported, "The bathroom was also clean and there was toilet paper," but this isn't guaranteed at all facilities.
Tips for camping with families
Consider noise levels: Some riverside areas experience noise issues. One South Fork Shenandoah camper warned, "Dont disregard the warnings about noise like i did, constant speakers all the time until 4am."
Pack extra water: For hiking to backcountry sites like Little Crease Shelter, remember water logistics. A visitor advised, "Water can be collected from the stream nearby," but this requires filtering equipment.
Look for tent platforms: Several campgrounds feature raised tent areas that keep sleeping spaces drier. At Little Fort, "Site had a fire pit, table, parking spot, and tent platform."
Choose weekday visits: For quieter family camping near Woodstock, Virginia, avoid weekend crowds. A Squirrel Hollow Road camper observed, "We camped during the week and had nobody else camping on weekdays."
Tips from RVers
Check road widths: Access roads to many forest camping areas are narrow. A Hawk Campground visitor noted, "There are minimal turning points so if someone is coming in while you're coming out or vice versa, someone would have to reverse."
Plan for limited amenities: Most dispersed camping in the area lacks hookups. For Wolf Gap, a visitor explained, "The campground has vaulted toilet and communal garbage receptical," but no electric or water connections.
Site length restrictions: Small to medium RVs fare better in forest campgrounds. At South Fork Shenandoah River, "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."
Bring leveling equipment: Parking areas often aren't perfectly flat. A camper at Wolf Gap observed, "Many of the car parking pads are not level. But the tent pads appear to be."
