Anyone around Blacksburg VA area?

[MStudt]

I'm going to be heading out this way for Memorial Weekend and need some information. We're looking for some information on dispersed camping. I know it's offered within the national forest in that area. I'm just not able to find any information on it, or any forest road maps. Any information would great.
Thanks!

 

[Appntr]

I'm going to be heading out this way for Memorial Weekend and need some information. We're looking for some information on dispersed camping. I know it's offered within the national forest in that area. I'm just not able to find any information on it, or any forest road maps. Any information would great.
Thanks!

Depending on how far you want to drive to do the camping and maybe a little wheeling too, there is some good stuff all around that area. The closest to Blacksburg that I know of is probably Potts Mountain Jeep Trail.

Potts Mountain

An older thread, but a lot of good info about riding in VA and you can do some pretty good primitive camping in these areas too. All the spots around Vesuvius/BRP/Montebello have some good scenery.

Virginia Trail Compilation

 

[MStudt]

Depending on how far you want to drive to do the camping and maybe a little wheeling too, there is some good stuff all around that area. The closest to Blacksburg that I know of is probably Potts Mountain Jeep Trail.

Potts Mountain

An older thread, but a lot of good info about riding in VA and you can do some pretty good primitive camping in these areas too. All the spots around Vesuvius/BRP/Montebello have some good scenery.

Virginia Trail Compilation

Thanks for the information! In regards to Potts Mountain, how would you rate this? I'm not so sure the wife would be to keen on something that is going to get us f'ed. We're heading out to do some kayaking on the New, as long as the water levels are good. I'll see what I can find out about that trail.

Ideally we're looking for something just to get us away from the crowded camp grounds. Nothing that is going to get us stuck or brake something. We're going to be about 12 hours from home, and only 1 vehicle.

 

[ReynoldsRunner]

For dispersed camping Wind Rock is right on the AT and there is an forest service trail right there as well. Another good dispersed spot is War Spur Loop, it has a nice overlook and is further off the beaten path than Wind Rock. I think you can camp pretty much anywhere within the National Forest but I am not so sure about the rules for the Mountain Lake Conservancy which is on the same mountain.

 

[MStudt]

For dispersed camping Wind Rock is right on the AT and there is an forest service trail right there as well. Another good dispersed spot is War Spur Loop, it has a nice overlook and is further off the beaten path than Wind Rock. I think you can camp pretty much anywhere within the National Forest but I am not so sure about the rules for the Mountain Lake Conservancy which is on the same mountain.

I'm pretty sure you can camp anywhere as well, as long as you're in an existing location. I'm just not from the area, and I'm only able to find spots via the internet. Most of these are going to be full from Friday on.

The only thing with that area is it seems like there are a lot of property owners in the mix. We're really looking for something up a forest road with a pull off for camping. We're not going to do any backpacking on this trip, so hiking in isn't going to be an option this time.

I assume you know the area pretty well since you're from that area? Are there already somewhat developed pull offs along the roads that lead to this area?

 

[Appntr]

In regards to Potts, I havent been up there in a while so I don't know what its like at this point so I don't want to tell you yay or nay on being able to run it and its difficulty. It can be a mess when wet. All of the stuff in the second thread I linked up near Vesuvius and Montebello is fairly mild IMO. The land I hunt is actually just off Route 56 and the BRP so about 10 minutes from either Crabtree Falls or St. Marys. St. Marys is a hiking trail and the area has become poorly blazed in recent years. Its not a backpack trip by any means so easy for a quick day hike. Haven't hiked it yet this year so I am unsure as to whether some of the blazes got repainted this spring. You can ride Forest Service Road 162 near it which is pretty mild.

A little more on St. Marys

Feel free to drop me a PM a little closer to Memorial Day weekend. If we don't head down for the Coke600 in Charlotte and some lake shenanigans I will probably be up at the property doing some last minute Turkey hunting and prepping for deer season a bit...i.e. drinking beer and riding dirtbikes. lol.

 

[MStudt]

In regards to Potts, I havent been up there in a while so I don't know what its like at this point so I don't want to tell you yay or nay on being able to run it and its difficulty. It can be a mess when wet. All of the stuff in the second thread I linked up near Vesuvius and Montebello is fairly mild IMO. The land I hunt is actually just off Route 56 and the BRP so about 10 minutes from either Crabtree Falls or St. Marys. St. Marys is a hiking trail and the area has become poorly blazed in recent years. Its not a backpack trip by any means so easy for a quick day hike. Haven't hiked it yet this year so I am unsure as to whether some of the blazes got repainted this spring. You can ride Forest Service Road 162 near it which is pretty mild.

A little more on St. Marys

Feel free to drop me a PM a little closer to Memorial Day weekend. If we don't head down for the Coke600 in Charlotte and some lake shenanigans I will probably be up at the property doing some last minute Turkey hunting and prepping for deer season a bit...i.e. drinking beer and riding dirtbikes. lol.

I found some information on Potts from about a year. This would be a great to run, just don't think doing it by myself is the best route. It does look like there is a great spot to camp on the top though. The only thing with Vesuvius and Montebello is they're located about 2 hours from Pembroke. Pembroke is where we plan on kayaking from, I believe. We're looking for something a little closer to that area. Something around the Blacksburg, Pembroke, Pearisburg, and even down to Bland area.

 

[ReynoldsRunner]

This may help some it is the Motor Vehicle Usage Map for the Jefferson National Forest. Maps 37-39 are around the Blacksburg are in Giles county.

http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5392127.pdf

Forest Service Road 177.4 on Map 39 is pretty mild, I have been through there stock before just some rocks and a couple mud hole but from the looks of it the land north of it is National forest land and you can camp there. I would call the Eastern Divide Ranger's station in Blacksburg they may be able to offer more information.

 

[MStudt]

This may help some it is the Motor Vehicle Usage Map for the Jefferson National Forest. Maps 37-39 are around the Blacksburg are in Giles county.

http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5392127.pdf

Forest Service Road 177.4 on Map 39 is pretty mild, I have been through there stock before just some rocks and a couple mud hole but from the looks of it the land north of it is National forest land and you can camp there. I would call the Eastern Divide Ranger's station in Blacksburg they may be able to offer more information.

Thanks for the link. I've sent an email to that district this morning. I might just stop in the office when I get into town and see what they have to say.