Top Backpacking Trails in Virginia
23 routes. Each page shows when we last checked it. Updated October 2026.
Backpacking in Virginia follows the Blue Ridge and the Appalachian ridges for most of the state. The site’s trips cluster in Shenandoah National Park (Jeremys Run, Riprap, Big Run, and about 110 miles of the Appalachian Trail through the park), the George Washington National Forest (Ramseys Draft, Wild Oak, St. Mary’s, Three Ridges, and Signal Knob), the Mount Rogers high country and Grayson Highlands in the southwest, the A.T. near Roanoke and the James River, and False Cape State Park on the coast. Expect rocky, steep trail, stream fords that can run knee to waist deep after rain, and dry ridges.
Camping rules depend on who manages the land. Shenandoah requires a backcountry permit for every night, Rock Castle Gorge and False Cape need reservations, and much of the national forest allows dispersed camping without a permit. Grayson Highlands State Park doesn’t allow backcountry camping, and the A.T. corridor on the Triple Crown loop limits camping to designated sites.
Seasons matter. Springs and ridge water often run low or dry by summer, crossings run high in spring, and the open balds around Mount Rogers can be harsh from late fall to early spring. Bears are active, so store food carefully. Hurricane Helene repairs still close the A.T. near Damascus, with a signed detour on the Iron Mountain Trail, and campfires are banned along the A.T. in the Mount Rogers high country. Deer seasons run from October into January.
Quick picks
- Longest trip: Appalachian Trail: Shenandoah National Park
- Shortest overnight: Mount Pleasant Loop (Henry Lanum Trail)
- Beach camping: False Cape State Park via Back Bay
- Virginia's high point: Mount Rogers Loop from Massie Gap (Wilburn Ridge, Rhododendron Gap, and Pine Mountain)
- McAfee Knob overnight: Virginia Triple Crown Loop: McAfee Knob, Tinker Cliffs, and Dragon's Tooth
Coastal Virginia
George Washington National Forest
- Massanutten Trail: Signal Knob Loop Massanutten Mountain, George Washington National Forest (Fort Valley Road near Strasburg and Front Royal) 10.2 miles Hard Dispersed primitive campsites; no permit found
- Mount Pleasant Loop (Henry Lanum Trail) Mount Pleasant National Scenic Area, George Washington National Forest (Hog Camp Gap area, Amherst County) 6.2 miles Moderate Dispersed summit and ridge campsites; first come, first served
- Ramseys Draft Wilderness Loop Ramseys Draft Wilderness, George Washington National Forest (North River Ranger District; Mountain House on US 250 west of Staunton) 15.8 miles Hard Dispersed wilderness camping; no designated sites
- St. Mary's Wilderness Loop Saint Mary's Wilderness, George Washington National Forest (Glenwood-Pedlar Ranger District; Blue Ridge Parkway near milepost 23) 15.5 miles Hard Dispersed wilderness camping with setbacks; no permit found
- Three Ridges and Mau-Har Trail Loop Three Ridges Wilderness, George Washington National Forest (Glenwood-Pedlar Ranger District; Reeds Gap, Blue Ridge Parkway and VA 664) 13.2 miles Hard AT shelters and dispersed campsites; no permit found
- Wild Oak National Recreation Trail George Washington National Forest (North River Ranger District, near Stokesville and Braley Pond) 26.3 miles Hard Dispersed primitive camping; no permit found
Mount Rogers
- Appalachian Trail: Summit Cut (US 58) to Fox Creek over Whitetop, Mount Rogers, and Grayson Highlands Appalachian National Scenic Trail through Mount Rogers National Recreation Area (Jefferson National Forest) and Grayson Highlands State Park 24.3 miles Hard A.T. shelters and dispersed sites on national forest land; no camping in Grayson Highlands State Park
- Iron Mountain Trail: Damascus to Mount Rogers (2026 Appalachian Trail Detour) Iron Mountain, Flat Top, and Mount Rogers trails, Mount Rogers National Recreation Area, Jefferson National Forest (Damascus to Deep Gap) 20.9 miles Hard Historic shelters, a designated campsite, and dispersed sites on national forest land; no permit
- Mount Rogers and Wilburn Ridge Loop from Fairwood Valley (Old Orchard, The Scales, Thomas Knob) Mount Rogers National Recreation Area and Lewis Fork Wilderness, Jefferson National Forest (VA 603 near Troutdale and Konnarock) 21.4 miles Hard Dispersed camping and Appalachian Trail shelters on national forest land; no permit
- Mount Rogers Loop from Massie Gap (Wilburn Ridge, Rhododendron Gap, and Pine Mountain) Grayson Highlands State Park and Mount Rogers National Recreation Area, Jefferson National Forest (near Mouth of Wilson and Troutdale) 15.2 miles Hard Dispersed camping on national forest land only; no backcountry camping in the state park; overnight parking by reservation
Northern Virginia
Roanoke Valley
- Appalachian Trail: Sunset Field to the James River through Thunder Ridge and James River Face Wilderness Appalachian National Scenic Trail, Thunder Ridge and James River Face Wildernesses, Jefferson National Forest (Blue Ridge Parkway to the James River near Glasgow) 17.2 miles Hard A.T. shelters and dispersed sites on national forest land; no camping near the James River Footbridge
- Virginia Triple Crown Loop: McAfee Knob, Tinker Cliffs, and Dragon's Tooth Appalachian National Scenic Trail (National Park Service corridor) and Jefferson National Forest, Catawba Valley (VA 311 near Salem and Catawba) 35 miles Hard Designated shelters and campsites only in the A.T. corridor; dispersed camping on the national forest sections
Shenandoah National Park
- Appalachian Trail: Shenandoah National Park Appalachian National Scenic Trail through Shenandoah National Park (Rockfish Gap to Front Royal) 110 miles Moderate AT huts with designated tent sites for long-distance hikers, plus dispersed backcountry camping; permit required
- Hazel Mountain, White Rocks and Hazel River Loop Shenandoah National Park, Central District (Meadow Spring parking, Skyline Drive mile 33.5) 8.5 miles Hard Dispersed backcountry camping; park permit required
- Neighbor Mountain and Jeremys Run Loop Shenandoah National Park, North District (Elkwallow, Skyline Drive mile 24) 14 miles Hard Dispersed backcountry camping; park permit required
- Riprap and Wildcat Ridge Loop Shenandoah National Park, South District (Riprap parking, Skyline Drive mile 90) 9.8 miles Hard Dispersed backcountry camping; park permit required
- Rockytop and Big Run Loop Shenandoah National Park, South District (Browns Gap, near Skyline Drive mile 83) 14.3 miles Hard Dispersed backcountry camping; park permit required
Southwest Virginia
- Appalachian Trail: Pearisburg to Angels Rest and Docs Knob Shelter Appalachian National Scenic Trail on Pearis Mountain, Jefferson National Forest (Pearisburg, Giles County) 20.4 miles Hard A.T. shelter and small campsites; no permit
- Chief Benge Scout Trail: High Knob to Little Stony Creek Clinch Ranger District, Jefferson National Forest (High Knob, Bark Camp Lake, and Hanging Rock, near Norton) 18.7 miles Moderate Dispersed backcountry sites plus seasonal Forest Service campgrounds at High Knob Lake and Bark Camp Lake
- Mountain Lake Wilderness Loop: War Spur, Lone Pine Peak, and Wind Rock Mountain Lake Wilderness, Eastern Divide Ranger District, Jefferson National Forest (VA 613 near Mountain Lake and Newport) 8.8 miles Hard Dispersed wilderness camping; no permit; groups of 10 or fewer
- Rock Castle Gorge Loop (Rocky Knob) Rocky Knob Recreation Area, Blue Ridge Parkway, National Park Service (near Woolwine, Parkway mileposts 167-169) 10.8 miles Hard Eight designated backcountry sites; Recreation.gov permit required
Backpacking in Virginia: common questions
Do you need a permit to backpack in Virginia?
It depends on where you go. Shenandoah National Park requires a backcountry permit for every night, bought on Recreation.gov or by phone at (877) 444-6777 and not sold in the park, and Rock Castle Gorge on the Blue Ridge Parkway also requires a Recreation.gov permit. False Cape State Park requires a campsite reservation, Grayson Highlands State Park requires a reservation for its overnight backpacker parking lot, and no permit was found for individual dispersed camping on the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests. Rules vary by managing agency, so check with the park or ranger district before you go.
Can you camp anywhere in Virginia's national forests?
Mostly, yes. The Forest Service allows dispersed camping in the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests outside developed campgrounds but not near developed areas such as campgrounds, picnic areas, or trailheads, and it asks campers to stay at least 100 feet from water and no more than 14 days in any 30-day period. Groups are limited to 10 in wilderness areas, and some places have their own orders, such as St. Mary's Wilderness, where camping is banned within 500 feet of the falls and dispersed camping within 200 feet of water. Neighboring land can be stricter: Grayson Highlands State Park doesn't allow backcountry camping, and on the Triple Crown loop the A.T. corridor allows camping only at designated sites.
Do you need a bear canister in Virginia?
Not everywhere, but proper food storage is required in many places. Shenandoah requires food to go in a bear-resistant container or be hung at least 12 feet up, and on the Triple Crown loop the ATC cites a National Park Service rule requiring bear boxes, cables, or poles, an IGBC-approved container, or a hang 12 feet up and 6 feet out. In June 2026 the ATC reported a mother bear and cubs taking hiker food at Catawba Mountain Shelter and recommended a canister for all overnight trips. Rock Castle Gorge has food lockers at its sites, so check each area's rules before you pack.
Are campfires allowed when backpacking in Virginia?
Often not. A Forest Service order bans all fires, including campfires, within a quarter mile of the A.T. from Beech Mountain Road to Massie Gap in the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area until April 6, 2027 unless lifted sooner, though stoves that can be turned on and off are allowed. The ATC also urges hikers to skip campfires between Davenport Gap in the Smokies and the New River at Pearisburg because of Hurricane Helene blowdown, and False Cape State Park bans open fires. In Shenandoah, the 2026 compendium allows fires only in hut and shelter fireplaces and the park's regulations page says campfires aren't permitted in the backcountry, so plan on a stove and check current restrictions.
Are there Hurricane Helene closures in southwest Virginia?
Yes. The Forest Service has closed the Virginia Creeper Trail from Damascus toward the North Carolina line and the A.T. from US 58 at Straight Branch to Grassy Ridge Road while the Creeper is rebuilt after Hurricane Helene. The ATC has signed a 20.9-mile detour on the Iron Mountain, Flat Top, and Mount Rogers trails, and in July 2026 it said the Creeper is expected to reopen on March 31, 2027, ending the detour. Grindstone Campground and its parking are also closed through the end of 2026 for Helene repairs and infrastructure work, so check Forest Service alerts before you go.
Is it safe to backpack in Virginia during hunting season?
Hunting overlaps fall backpacking on national forest and other public land. Virginia's 2026-2027 seasons guide lists early archery deer season from October 3 to November 13, early muzzleloader season from October 31 to November 13, and general firearms deer season on most national forest land from November 14 to 28, with late seasons running to January 2. The ATC and Visit Damascus advise wearing blaze orange on the Iron Mountain Trail, and bright colors are a good idea on any fall trip. Confirm county-specific dates with the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources.
Where this comes from
- National Park Service: Shenandoah backcountry permit and regulations
- Appalachian Trail Conservancy: Shenandoah National Park backcountry camping closure
- U.S. Forest Service: George Washington and Jefferson National Forests camping and cabins
- U.S. Forest Service: George Washington and Jefferson National Forests alerts
- U.S. Forest Service: Fire restrictions near the Appalachian Trail
- U.S. Forest Service: Virginia Creeper Trail reconstruction closures
- Appalachian Trail Conservancy: SW Virginia VA Creeper Trail closure and detour
- Appalachian Trail Conservancy: Fire restrictions for Mt Rogers High Country
- Appalachian Trail Conservancy: McAfee Knob area ongoing bear activity
- Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources: 2026-2027 hunting seasons guide