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Camping in Virginia: campsites, permits and passes

Camping in Virginia starts in one of a few places: Virginia State Parks for state park campsites, Recreation.gov for federal campgrounds, or free dispersed camping on National Forest land. Here's where to book each, plus permits, passes and licences.

Most people go to:

State park campsites

Virginia state park campgrounds are booked through Virginia State Parks ↗. Book as early as you can for summer and holiday weekends, and check each park's page for cabins, yurts, group sites and pet rules.

National parks in Virginia

• Shenandoah National Park

Campgrounds in national parks are booked on Recreation.gov. See every park, monument and historic site in Virginia on the National Park Service Virginia page ↗.

National forests and free camping

Virginia's national forests include George Washington and Jefferson. Developed campgrounds are booked on Recreation.gov (some are first-come, first-served), and most national forest land allows free dispersed camping away from developed sites, usually for up to 14 days. Check the forest's rules and any fire restrictions first.

Permits and lotteries

• Old Rag in Shenandoah has required a day-use ticket in peak season; check the park's current rules.

Fishing and hunting licences

Licences for Virginia are sold by the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources ↗, online or at local retailers. Rules and seasons differ by species and water, so check before you go.

Passes

The America the Beautiful pass covers entrance fees at national parks and many federal lands in Virginia. State parks usually sell their own day or annual passes; see Virginia State Parks.

Best time to camp in Virginia

Spring and fall are most comfortable. Summers are hot and humid with afternoon storms; winter is mild in the south.

Questions

Packing checklists

Nearby states (Southeast)