Has anyone done any dispersed camping in VA?

[SFC Hill]

I am looking to do some dispersed camping in north western VA. Somewhere along the GWNF. Anyone ever done this? Got any good areas?

[jpurdy]

good one, as I have never done or heard that term. I started looking and found this link with general info
http://camping.about.com/library/weekly/aa000803a.htm

there are others that are info for specific national forests.
http://scholar.lib.vt.edu/theses/ava...ricted/ch4.pdf
and at popup portal this link
http://www.popupportal.com/topic.asp...Boondocking%3F


I hope this helps

[SFC Hill]

Thanks for the reply. I have been doing a lot of research lately. I was hoping to find someone who has some experience in that area. I will call the ranger station this week and see if they have any suggestions.

One of the first things I am going to do is take a land nav course. Got one in the Army but that was a few years back.

[demonslaer]

Thats the only camping I do. About 25 years ago I hiked part of the Appalachian Trail Now I have 120 acers in WV about 1hr from my house no people :D :D

[outbackcampshack]

Yes, about 15 years ago, I went backpacking on the Rose River along the Skyline drive in VA, We also went along Nicholson run?? in the Geo wash NF. Quiet at night but saw people all day long.

[Rob22315]

Yes, before kids, my wife and I used to pack up the Suzuki Samurai and do off-roading in the GWNF. Loved it. It's really set aside for and most used by hunters which is nice because we never had a problem with bears. You can get maps of all the forests through the National Forest websites. We found great camping along streams or on the peaks. Highly recommend!!!

There are a couple of places in Western Maryland available for similar experiences. Savage River Forest and Garrett State Forest are where we used to go and camp anywhere. Green Ridge has primitive camp sites and off-roading. Here's a relevant quote from the MD website "Trails for off-road vehicles, or ORV's, are available in Garrett, Potomac, Green Ridge, Savage River and Pocomoke State Forests."

http://www.dnr.maryland.gov/publicla...rn/garrett.asp

You may find similar opportunities in Eastern WV.