George Washington National Forest — Cowpasture River Corridor Dispersed Camp

The Cowpasture River drainage in the George Washington National Forest offers genuine dispersed camping on FR 447 and connecting forest roads between Warm Springs and Millboro. Sites sit on old logging benches and river terraces under mixed hardwood and pine — flat ground, shade, and the sound of moving water. No developed facilities, no signage marking sites, but the forest is open and pull-offs are obvious to anyone who’s run a few dispersed areas. Light use outside summer weekends. Fire restrictions apply in dry spells — check the GWNF website before you light up.

Access from US-220 near Millboro Springs onto SR 678 and FR 447 — generally passable by high-clearance 2WD when dry, but the road gets slick clay-muddy after rain and the river crossings on side spurs are seasonal. Best April through October. No cell signal in the lower canyon. Nearest fuel in Warm Springs, about 18 miles north.

River-bottom forest camping on the TAT corridor.