EXPLORE · FREE CAMPING

Free Camping in Virginia

21 No-Fee Sites 18 with Restroom 20 with Water

Virginia's national forest land — the George Washington and Jefferson national forests — runs along the Shenandoah Valley and the Blue Ridge. The GW national forest has dispersed camping in the Ramsey's Draft Wilderness and the Dry River Ranger District. The Jefferson national forest in the southwest has the most dispersed camping: the New River highlands, Mount Rogers National Recreation Area, and the Mount Rogers Wilderness area all have accessible dispersed sites. The Appalachian Trail corridor in Virginia has established shelters and campsites but also dispersed camping throughout the adjacent wilderness areas.

No reservations needed for dispersed camping. Check fire restrictions at fs.usda.gov before your trip — restrictions change frequently in summer. Stay limit is typically 14 days at any one location. Find free camping on the Trek4Free map →

Before You Go

Gear up for dispersed camping — no hookups, no camp store, no running water

💧
Water Filter
Sawyer Squeeze or Katadyn — essential when no water provided
🏕️
Leave No Trace Kit
WAG bags + trowel for sites without restrooms
🗺️
Offline GPS
Cell service is rare at dispersed sites
🐻
Bear Canister
Required in many dispersed zones in bear country

Free Camping Sites in Virginia

BOBBLETS GAP A.T. SHELTER
Restroom Water 8 sites

This is an Appalachain Trail shelter.

📍 37.4667, 79.7014°W
BROWN MTN CREEK A.T. SHELTER
Restroom Water 8 sites

This is an Appalachain Trail shelter.

📍 37.7092, 79.2683°W
BRYANT RIDGE A.T. SHELTER
Restroom Water 16 sites

This is an Appalachain Trail shelter.

📍 37.5308, 79.5844°W
CORNELIUS CREEK A.T. SHELTER
Restroom Water 8 sites

This is an Appalachain Trail shelter.

📍 37.4939, 79.5472°W
COVE MOUNTAIN A.T. SHELTER
Restroom Water 8 sites

This is an Appalachain Trail shelter.

📍 37.5111, 79.6508°W
COW CAMP GAP A.T. SHELTER
Restroom Water 8 sites

This is an Appalachain Trail shelter.

📍 37.7447, 79.2133°W
HARPERS CREEK A.T. SHELTER
Restroom Water 8 sites

This is an Appalachain Trail shelter.

📍 37.8569, 79.0006°W
JOHNS HOLLOW A.T. SHELTER
Restroom Water 8 sites

This is an Appalachain Trail shelter.

📍 37.6128, 79.3919°W
LITTLE FORT
Restroom Water 55 sites

Little Fort is a minimally developed recreation area located near a meadow that was once a rest stop for a stagecoach line. Enjoy the thrill of riding the large…

📍 38.8669, 78.4444°W
MATTS CREEK A.T. SHELTER
Restroom Water 8 sites

This is an Appalachain Trail shelter.

📍 37.5990, 79.4145°W
MAUPIN FIELD A.T. SHELTER
Restroom Water 8 sites

This is an Appalachain Trail shelter.

📍 37.8847, 78.9936°W
PARTNERSHIP A.T. SHELTER
Restroom Water 24 sites

This is an AT Trail Shelter off of the Sugar Grove Highway

📍 36.8103, 81.4224°W
PRIEST A.T. SHELTER
Restroom Water 8 sites

This is an Appalachain Trail shelter.

📍 37.8172, 79.0700°W
PUNCHBOWL A.T. SHELTER
Restroom Water 8 sites

This is an Appalachain Trail shelter.

📍 37.6775, 79.3386°W
SEELEY-WOODWORTH A.T. SHELTER
Restroom Water 8 sites

This is an Appalachain Trail shelter.

📍 37.8192, 79.1553°W
THUNDER HILL A.T. SHELTER
Restroom Water 8 sites

This is an Appalachain Trail shelter.

📍 37.5268, 79.5047°W
WALNUT FLATS
Restroom Water 30 sites

This small, primitive campground is well suited for tent camping but also accommodates small recreation vehicles. It has shaded sites clustered around a grassy …

📍 37.1981, 80.8864°W
BRALEY POND - RAMSEY'S DRAFT WILDERNESS DISPERSED CAMPING
Restroom Water

George Washington National Forest, VA. Free dispersed camping adjacent to Braley Pond Day Use Area — a popular access point for Ramsey's Draft Wilderness, one o…

📍 38.2861, 79.3019°W
DAVIS PATH A.T. CAMPING AREA
Water 8 sites

This is an Appalachain Trail shelter.

📍 36.9128, 81.3778°W
NEW RIVER
Water 125 sites

This site was Temporarily Closed around 20 years ago and never reopened

📍 36.8036, 80.9253°W
HURRICANE A.T. SHELTER
8 sites

HURRICANE A.T. SHELTER (Camping Area)

📍 36.7153, 81.5095°W