3 Years on the Road, and These Are My Go-To Spots
When I first started living out of my car, Appalachia wasn’t really on my radar. I thought van life was all about the West—deserts, towering mountains, endless BLM land. But after spending serious time exploring the Appalachian region, I honestly fell in love.
The Appalachian Mountains feel ancient — thick forests, misty mornings, winding creeks, tiny mountain towns full of character. And the best part? There are so many hidden campsites tucked away across Appalachia where you can camp for free or dirt cheap, often right next to a river, waterfall, or trailhead.
Here are my absolute favorite hidden campsites across Appalachia — the ones I find myself returning to again and again.
🌲 1. George Washington National Forest, Virginia
Area: Near Lexington, VA
Why I love it: Free dispersed camping, riverside spots, tons of hiking nearby
One of my secret weapons for finding free camping in Appalachia is the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests. There are dirt pullouts along forest roads where you can tuck in your car or van right next to creeks. My favorite area is around Ramsey’s Draft Wilderness — quiet, green, and close to some epic hiking trails.
🏞 2. Pisgah National Forest, North Carolina
Area: Near Brevard and Asheville
Why I love it: Waterfalls everywhere, shaded forest sites, super van-friendly towns nearby
Pisgah is famous, but if you dig a little deeper past the main tourist areas, there are hidden gems everywhere. Off smaller forest service roads, I’ve found incredible campsites — like spots right next to babbling brooks where you fall asleep to the sound of water. Plus, Brevard has great groceries, showers, and coffee shops when you need to re-stock.
🌄 3. Cherokee National Forest, Tennessee
Area: Near Tellico Plains
Why I love it: Remote, quiet, and super lush
One of my favorite hidden areas is along the Cherohala Skyway. There are pullouts, free campsites, and official primitive campgrounds scattered through Cherokee National Forest. I usually find a spot tucked into the woods for maximum peace and quiet. Bonus: You’re right near Bald River Falls, which is seriously worth a visit.
🌳 4. Monongahela National Forest, West Virginia
Area: Near Dolly Sods and Spruce Knob
Why I love it: High elevation forests, wildflower meadows, cooler temps in summer
West Virginia might just be the most underrated state for van lifers. Monongahela National Forest has tons of dispersed camping, especially near Spruce Knob (the highest point in WV). I’ve found grassy campsites with insane sunset views and absolutely no one else around. Plus, Dolly Sods feels like you're suddenly in a northern tundra — it’s wild.
🏕 5. Nantahala National Forest, North Carolina
Area: Near Franklin and the Nantahala River
Why I love it: River camping, whitewater access, dense forests
If you love being near water, this is the spot. Nantahala has a lot of tucked-away campsites right on the river or small creeks. There’s an amazing mix of adventure and chill — I’ve camped right next to the river, gone paddleboarding in the afternoon, and fallen asleep to the sounds of rushing water.
🌲 6. Daniel Boone National Forest, Kentucky
Area: Near Red River Gorge
Why I love it: Rock formations, secluded campsites, endless trails
Red River Gorge is famous for rock climbing, but even if you’re not a climber, the forest around it is packed with hidden places to camp. There are gravel roads leading off into the woods where you can find free spots with no one around. Plus, the hiking through natural arches and cliffs is some of the best in Appalachia.
🌄 7. Chattahoochee National Forest, Georgia
Area: Near Blue Ridge and the Appalachian Trail
Why I love it: Waterfalls, free campsites, quiet backroads
I always love heading into Chattahoochee National Forest for a slower pace. It feels a little less touristy than parts of North Carolina and Tennessee. Plus, there are some epic waterfall hikes (like Helton Creek Falls) you can hit after a cozy night at a forest campsite. Blue Ridge is a great little town for resupply too.
🏞 8. Sumter National Forest, South Carolina
Area: Near the Chattooga River
Why I love it: Underrated, remote riverside camping
Not many people think about South Carolina when they plan a camping trip — and that’s exactly why I love it. Sumter National Forest has dispersed campsites along the wild Chattooga River. It’s peaceful, lush, and super easy to find places where you’re totally alone except for the sound of the river.
🌳 9. Mount Rogers National Recreation Area, Virginia
Area: Near Grayson Highlands
Why I love it: Wild ponies, rolling meadows, cool summer temps
Grayson Highlands is famous for the wild ponies (which yes, are adorable), but the surrounding national forest has a ton of free campsites too. I usually camp outside the main park area on national forest land and drive in for day hikes. The weather up here stays cooler in summer, which is a huge win.
🏕 10. Allegheny National Forest, Pennsylvania
Area: Near Kinzua Bridge and Allegheny Reservoir
Why I love it: Lakeside camping, firefly shows, easy access
Northern Appalachia deserves some love too! Allegheny National Forest has beautiful lake views, lots of low-cost primitive campsites, and some legit dark skies for stargazing. Summer nights here with a campfire and fireflies flashing around are pure magic.
Final Thoughts
Appalachia might not have the sweeping deserts or huge national parks of the West, but it has something else:
A feeling of home.
A deep, wild, green magic you can't really explain until you experience it.
These hidden campsites have given me some of my best nights on the road — the kind where you sip coffee by a foggy creek at sunrise, hike under canopies of gold leaves in the fall, or fall asleep to the sound of rain on the roof.
If you’re craving slower, softer, and more intimate adventures, Appalachia is waiting for you.
And trust me — it’s worth it.
Want my secret list of GPS pins for some of these hidden spots? Or a free Appalachia camping map?
Drop a comment or shoot me a message — I'd love to share more!
🛻🍂🌲
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