Dispersed camping options around Wardensville, West Virginia sit within the vast George Washington National Forest at elevations ranging from 800 to 3,000 feet. Summer temperatures typically range from 65-85°F, with cooler nights in spring and fall. Fall camping (September-November) offers vibrant foliage displays, while winter campers should prepare for temperatures that can drop below freezing.
What to do
Fishing access points: South Fork Shenandoah River offers multiple camping spots with direct river access. "The site was wonderful! Not too many spaces so it can fill up quick. There is a launch in the middle, so there is a bit of come and go," notes camper Heather. Campers can catch smallmouth bass and various trout species directly from their riverside sites.
Hiking variety: Little Crease Shelter sits approximately 1.5 miles from the Veach Gap Trailhead. "You can reach this shelter a number of ways, but I usually come in from the Veach Gap Trailhead parking area," writes Ethan A., who adds that the shelter features "4 bunks within the shelter that could accommodate 2 people each" and a vault toilet about 50 yards away.
OHV trails: Peters Mill Run/Taskers Gap OHV System provides designated trails for off-highway vehicles. According to Jonny D., "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."
What campers like
Solitude on weekdays: Squirrel Hollow Road Camping gives visitors a true primitive experience. Kevin C. reports, "Sites were quiet at night. Some traffic related to logging activity. Looks like a popular weekend camp spot for locals. We camped during the week and had nobody else camping on weekdays."
Clear night skies: Veach Gap Backpacking Site rewards hikers with minimal light pollution. TJ W. describes "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."
Spacious tent sites: Wolf Gap Recreation Area provides well-designed camping areas. VanRumschpringa V. notes that "not all the sites are large. Some are on the small side. But there are picnic tables and fire pits and a vault toilet for sure. 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
Weather challenges: Fall and spring campers should prepare for potential flooding. At South Fork Shenandoah River, a camper reports checking sites "shortly after the hurricane rains had passed. The sites were underwater or filled with river mud, making them completely un-campable."
Cell service limitations: Little Fort Campground has minimal connectivity. Lindsay C. cautions, "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."
Tent staking difficulties: At some sites, the ground composition creates challenges. At Little Fort Campground, a camper found "Nice flat camp site with picnic table and fire pit. Comes with tent pad but surface is too hard to use pegs."
Tips for camping with families
Pack extra water: Most dispersed sites lack potable water sources. For the best tent camping near Wardensville, West Virginia, Jon N. advises regarding Veach Gap: "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."
Consider noise levels: Some riverside camping areas experience unexpected noise. At South Fork Shenandoah River, Zoey W. warns, "don't disregard the warnings about noise like I did, constant speakers all the time until 4am. I think it's out of jurisdiction for park rangers so they won't do anything either."
Avoid muddy conditions: Access roads to primitive campsites can become problematic. At Hawk Campground, Giselle P. observed, "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."
Tips from RVers
Measure access roads: Larger vehicles require careful planning on forest roads. At South Fork Shenandoah River, Justine I. advises: "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 blocks: Many parking areas at tent camping spots near Wardensville aren't level. At Wolf Gap Recreation Area, a camper observes "Many of the car parking pads are not level. But the tent pads appear to be."
Pack insect protection: Riverside camping areas can get buggy, especially at dusk. A camper at South Fork Shenandoah River notes, "Got buggy at night, but that happens."
