I live in Virginia, in the Shenandoah Valley. I've made many trips to Lake Moomaw, which I love. So, I need help with a possible destination (flat water) where I can camp and paddle.
I'm chomping at the bit to do a canoe/ dispersed camping trip in other water bodies this month, as I have some time off. I'm looking at lakes only due to colder temps and outfitters being closed. The issue I'm running into is..even if there is national forest surrounding a water body for dispersed camping, the parking and facilities etc are state or game and inland fisheries owned, and offices are not as available for comment in the off season.
As an example, the pay kiosk says $10 per night to camp where I did last weekend... but there are no pay envelopes. Also no game wardens or other staff on duty. Should I just assume that I'm good to go in this case? Parking signs in the dead of winter... not sure if they carry any meaning whatsoever when there is no money to be made this time of year?
I know I can for the lake I frequent near me, but I'm looking at possibly WV/TN/ WV for my time off and I don't want to just assume it'll be the same there.
I'm chomping at the bit to do a canoe/ dispersed camping trip in other water bodies this month, as I have some time off. I'm looking at lakes only due to colder temps and outfitters being closed. The issue I'm running into is..even if there is national forest surrounding a water body for dispersed camping, the parking and facilities etc are state or game and inland fisheries owned, and offices are not as available for comment in the off season.
As an example, the pay kiosk says $10 per night to camp where I did last weekend... but there are no pay envelopes. Also no game wardens or other staff on duty. Should I just assume that I'm good to go in this case? Parking signs in the dead of winter... not sure if they carry any meaning whatsoever when there is no money to be made this time of year?
I know I can for the lake I frequent near me, but I'm looking at possibly WV/TN/ WV for my time off and I don't want to just assume it'll be the same there.