Best Dispersed Camping near Barton, MD
Dispersed camping opportunities near Barton, Maryland include several free primitive sites in the nearby West Virginia mountains. Dolly Sods Backcountry in Monongahela National Forest offers true wilderness camping with no facilities or marked trails. Canaan Loop Road provides accessible car camping with established fire rings. Additional options include Edwards Run Wildlife Management Area, Squirrel Hollow Road, and Squirrel Gap Road dispersed sites. These areas feature varying levels of accessibility and amenities but all provide free camping on public lands.
Weather preparedness is essential when camping in this region. According to reviews, Dolly Sods experiences conditions similar to Canadian tundra, with frequent rain, variable temperatures, and fluctuating winds throughout the year. Proper footwear is critical on Dolly Sods trails due to rocky, muddy conditions. Several campers noted the trails can be "brutal" with "sharp, ankle buster rocks" and "countless bogs and areas of shoe sucking mud." Waterproof boots with robust soles are recommended.
Road conditions vary significantly between sites. Canaan Loop Road is generally passable for standard vehicles from the eastern entrance, though the western portion requires 4WD. The road has some bumps but remains accessible for most cars. Campsites are identified by established fire rings. Bear activity occurs in these areas, so proper food storage is mandatory. Multiple reviewers mention seeing bear scat, particularly along Canaan Loop Road. All sites operate under Leave No Trace principles, with pack-in, pack-out requirements for all waste and supplies. No potable water is available at any of these dispersed sites.