Primitive camping near Summit Point, West Virginia offers access points to public lands within a 30-mile radius. The region sits at the eastern edge of the Shenandoah Valley with elevations ranging from 500 to 3,000 feet across camping areas. Seasonal temperature variations create different camping conditions throughout the year, with summer highs reaching 90°F and winter lows dropping to 20°F.
What to do
Hiking to overlooks: At Veach Gap Backcountry Site, trails offer significant elevation changes and views. A camper noted, "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."
River activities: South Fork Shenandoah River provides direct river access for swimming and fishing. One visitor shared, "Our site was amazing! The very last car camping site on the road. We were right on the river, we swam and fished. There were plenty of walk in sites beyond ours."
Wildlife observation: Multiple sites offer opportunities to observe native species. In some locations, deer and bear sightings are common. A camper at Shenandoah noted, "2 deers came to visit us at night. Killed a cottonmouth buried it since I didn't know how to properly cook and eat it. Saw Momma and two baby black bears."
Seasonal exploration: Fall brings dramatic color changes to the forest canopy. Winter camping requires additional preparation but offers solitude. Spring presents wildflower displays across many sites, particularly at lower elevations.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Little Fort Campground features well-spaced sites with individual amenities. A visitor explained, "This is a nice little spot. You select a campsite by flipping a washer on a hook on the board from green to red. Flip it back when you leave. The campsites have a fire ring, a picnic table, and a flat area to pitch a tent."
Night sky viewing: Several sites offer minimal light pollution for stargazing. Some campers specifically seek out ridge campsites for unobstructed views. However, one camper noted limitations at one site: "Airport is too close so plenty of light pollution to block out the true beauty of the night sky."
Waterfront camping: Several sites offer direct river or creek access. A camper at South Fork Shenandoah River reported, "Only a few spots around, but beautiful spot right on the river with fire pits. No other amenities but it was exactly what we were looking for."
Ease of access: Some dispersed sites can be reached with minimal hiking. At Squirrel Hollow Road Camping, a visitor noted, "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."
What you should know
Site selection systems: Different campgrounds have unique methods for claiming spots. At Little Fort Campground, "You select a campsite by flipping a washer on a hook on the board from green to red. Flip it back when you leave."
Limited services: Most primitive camping areas near Summit Point lack basic amenities. A camper at Edwards Run WMA stated, "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."
Variable road conditions: Access roads may present challenges depending on weather and vehicle. A visitor to Wolf Gap Recreation Area reported more favorable conditions: "The road leading to the camp site from Wardensville was in excellent condition all the way to the camp site."
Cell service limitations: Connectivity is inconsistent across the region. One camper noted, "On this app it says T-Mobile access, I'm a T-Mobile customer, no reception at all but drive 5 minutes back down the mountain and you're good to go."
Weekend crowds: Many sites fill quickly during peak periods. A Little Fort visitor observed, "Got the last site at 6PM on the Friday of Memorial Day weekend."
Tips for camping with families
Select established sites: Wolf Gap Recreation Area provides more structure for family camping. A visitor described, "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."
Consider noise factors: Some sites experience unexpected noise. One camper warned about South Fork Shenandoah River: "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."
Look for flat tent areas: Many primitive sites have designated tent platforms. A reviewer noted at Little Fort Campground, "Site had a fire pit, table, parking spot, and tent platform."
Water access: When camping with children, sites with safe water access can provide entertainment. At Shenandoah National Park Dispersed Sites, streams and small waterfalls are accessible from some sites. A visitor shared, "We had a lovely hike to a nearby waterfall that was gorgeous."
Tips from RVers
Size limitations: Most primitive sites near Summit Point can only accommodate smaller RVs. One camper reported success with "a small teardrop trailer" at Squirrel Hollow Road.
Unlevel parking areas: Even at more developed sites, parking can present challenges. A reviewer at Wolf Gap noted, "Many of the car parking pads are not level. But the tent pads appear to be."
Limited turnaround space: Many forest roads lack adequate space for larger vehicles to turn around. A South Fork camper mentioned, "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."
