Primitive camping near Wardensville, West Virginia primarily occupies the eastern slopes of Great North Mountain, with elevations ranging from 800 to 3,000 feet across the region. The area sits at the convergence of the Cacapon River watershed and George Washington National Forest, creating diverse microclimates from valley floors to ridge tops. Forest roads throughout the region typically close during winter months (December-March) or after heavy rainfall events, with unofficial dispersed sites concentrated along FR 93 and FR 717.
What to do
Fishing at Edwards Run WMA: Just 25 miles north of Wardensville, this wildlife management area offers good beginner fishing opportunities. "Fun place to teach the kids the basics of fishing, but the campground area leaves a little to be desired," notes one camper at Edwards Run Wildlife Management Area.
Waterfall hiking: Several trails near dispersed camping areas lead to seasonal waterfalls, particularly after spring rains. "We had a lovely hike to a nearby waterfall that was gorgeous. We even took a group out hiking across the AT and did some backcountry camping," reports a visitor to Shenandoah National Park Dispersed Sites.
Ridgeline vistas: The Veach Gap trail climbs approximately 1,200 feet over 4 miles to reach prime camping spots with views. "Breathtaking views of the Shenandoah River and surrounding mountains. Very much worth the 4 mile hike up to the site," writes a backpacker who stayed at Veach Gap - GWNF - Backpacking Site.
What campers like
Tent platforms at established sites: Some primitive sites offer built-in comfort features. "All 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," according to a camper at Wolf Gap Recreation Area.
Natural seclusion: Many dispersed sites provide privacy without formal boundaries. "Each campsite is mostly secluded from the rest of the park," notes a visitor to Wolf Gap Recreation Area, while another camper at Squirrel Hollow Road Camping reports "Large campsites and relatively quite. We took two vehicles and found several suitable sites."
Wilderness immersion: The primitive sites offer genuine wilderness experiences within a day's drive of urban centers. "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," advises a frequent visitor to Veach Gap.
What you should know
Seasonal access limitations: Road conditions vary dramatically with weather and season. "The road leading to the camp site from Wardensville was in excellent condition all the way to the camp site," reports one Wolf Gap visitor, while winter and early spring access often requires 4WD vehicles.
Limited or no cell service: Most primitive sites have unreliable connectivity. "Long and winding road to get there with no service so be cautious," warns a camper at Little Fort Campground, while another notes "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."
Water planning: Many sites lack reliable water sources, especially at higher elevations. "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," advises a Veach Gap camper.
Tips for camping with families
Tent-friendly sites: Seek out locations with level, clear tent pads. Little Fort Campground offers "a fire pit, table, parking spot, and tent platform," according to a camper who notes these features make the site more comfortable for family camping.
Noise considerations: Some primitive sites experience unexpected noise. "The only thing is it is next to an off-road vehicle trail and there was a lot of action coming down until about 7 PM. Wouldn't have bothered me, but it did bother my dogs," writes a Little Fort Campground visitor.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The region offers chances to observe animals safely. Near Shenandoah National Park Dispersed Sites, a camper reports "Two deers came to visit us at night... Saw Momma and two baby black bears," highlighting the wildlife viewing potential when camping with children.
Tips from RVers
Road clearance requirements: Many forest roads become progressively more challenging. "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," notes a visitor to Squirrel Hollow Road Camping.
Site selection timing: Arrive early, especially on weekends. "We got the last site at 6PM on the Friday of Memorial Day weekend," reports a camper at Little Fort Campground, while another camper at Squirrel Hollow Road Camping observed "Looks like a popular weekend camp spot for locals. We camped during the week and had nobody else camping on weekdays."
Level parking challenges: Even designated primitive sites may have parking limitations. "Many of the car parking pads are not level. But the tent pads appear to be," notes a visitor to Wolf Gap Recreation Area, information particularly relevant for small RVs and trailers.
