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Dispersed Camping

Braley Pond Dispersed Camping & Day Use Area

11 Reviews

About

USDA Forest Service

Braley Pond Day Use Area is a very popular access to multiple trailheads including Ramsey's Draft Wilderness. Outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy this universally accessible area perfect for family picnics, or plan to stay overnight in the adjacent dispersed camping site.

No dispersed camping allowed in picnic area.

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Location

Braley Pond Dispersed Camping & Day Use Area is located in Virginia

Directions

From Staunton, VA: Follow US 250 West to Churchville. Continue West on US 250 for 10 miles past Churchville and turn right onto SR 715. This road turns into Forest Development Road (FDR) 96. Braley Pond is 1 mile off of US 250.

Coordinates

38.28152024 N
79.29920067 W

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Access

Drive-In
Park next to your site
Walk-In
Park in a lot, walk to your site.

Stay Connected

WiFi
Unknown
Verizon
Unknown
AT&T
Unknown
T-Mobile
Unknown

Site Types

Dispersed

Features

For Campers

ADA Access
Trash
Toilets
Pets
Fires

Enjoy dispersed camping on government land and leave no trace. Pack in and pack out. No (or limited) services at this camping area. Permit may be required.

PERMIT might be REQUIRED

We curate permit requirements across the US for our PRO members. Try PRO to see if Braley Pond Dispersed Camping & Day Use Area needs a permit.

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Contact

General Info

Morgan H.

Guide

Reviewed Apr. 5, 2023

Great Spot for a Night

Sites had plenty of space with fire rings built out of rocks. Loved exploring the area and pond. Pond had a lot of trash along the shoreline and vault toilet was rather full. Otherwise, a great place for a night of camping.

Month of VisitApril

Mikaela K.

Traveler

Reviewed Mar. 24, 2023

Good spot to camp with a tent or a van

We took our conversion van and had no problems parking and pulling through to turn around when we left. Plenty of places to park or set up a tent along the road or at the end near the bathrooms and information center. A few nice hikes, and plenty of privacy. We did have to clean up after the last campers in our spot though, but other than that it was well taken care of

Month of VisitApril

Austin K.

Scout

Reviewed Jan. 17, 2021

Quiet and a great getaway

I was the only one here on a Saturday night. Very quiet and it was great to have the place to myself. I took advantage of the trails in the morning. It was pretty muddy even though it was in the low 30s so wear applicable footwear. The stars were amazing! There was plenty of wood scattered about to use as firewood.

Only stayed one night due to complications with my cooking stove, but I'll be back.

Paul P.

Scout

Reviewed Jun. 27, 2020

Off the grid

First come first served, no host, no plumbing, no electricity, no cell or data signal. No fees, no check-in. Great place to leave behind civilization. Pond is stocked with trout in season, check DGIF site for dates.

Dave P.

Traveler

Reviewed Mar. 19, 2020

Primitive and Quiet

Stayed here during the week and we were alone. Picnic/ pit toilet area separate from the camping area. Two things to note: this area is fairly low, and the road snd sites can easily be soaked, if not underwater after really heavy rains; there is no cell signal here (at least with Verizon as of 3/2020). Perfect for hammock camping. No fire rings just rocks others have arranged, plenty of hiking trails around as well.

Amy S.

Scout

Reviewed Aug. 14, 2018

Great family site

I brought my boys out to camp this past weekend, and this place was perfect for our first dispersed campsite experience. The day use area is close enough to use the bathroom (just an open pit toilet, nothing fancy). The pond is stocked with trout, so small groups of fisherpeople came and went. In spite of it being a weekend, we were one of two occupied sites. There are fire rings, firewood, and enough room to pull in, pitch a large tent, (ours was a 10-person) and hang hammocks. There are also trails along the pond’s edge. we didn’t explore too in depth, so there may be more hiking available. Though you can’t swim in the lake, we did wade the stream, which was cold and clear and beautiful. We’ll be back!

Cara P.

Traveler

Reviewed Jun. 6, 2018

beautiful

the pond has a great little trail you can walk around and at night the stars are gorgeous. the water is also stocked with fish!

Cara P.

Traveler

Reviewed Jun. 5, 2018

right next to running water!

we went on a Tuesday night and we were the only people there and got the best spot right next to the creek. it’s free and you are allowed to camp unknown. they already had large logs for fire prepared and the site was clean, we love this spot and will definitely be coming back. there’s bathrooms in the picnic area and it’s easy to access.

Jonny D.

Guide

Reviewed May. 2, 2018

Alone

This place makes it seem as if youre alone

Month of VisitMay

Cierra A.

Ranger

Reviewed Sep. 30, 2016

Prepare yourself for a primitive camping experience.

In terms of free sites, i havent had trouble dealing with the grounds being busy like i have in WV. I've only visited here twice. We had an issue with a tick or two, but otherwise it was comfortable and well placed primitive spot.

Amber A.

Ranger

Reviewed Aug. 1, 2016

FREE dispersed camping near wilderness

This a US Forest Service site. Campsite is primitive: no facilities aside from vault toilets. Bring water treatment system. Site itself is mostly good for fishing but tons of other good hiking in the area.