Best Dispersed Camping near Cumberland, MD
Several free dispersed camping areas exist on public lands within an hour's drive of Cumberland, Maryland. The most accessible sites include Edwards Run Wildlife Management Area in West Virginia, which offers roadside camping for $10 though payment methods may be unclear. Multiple primitive sites can be found along Squirrel Hollow Road and Squirrel Gap Road, both located approximately 35-40 miles southwest of Cumberland.
The dispersed sites on Squirrel Hollow Road and Squirrel Gap Road are true backcountry camping with no facilities. "Sites are located less than a mile from the paved highway. We found 5 spots just off the road," noted one camper about Squirrel Hollow. These areas feature established fire rings and accommodate tents and small trailers. For those willing to travel farther, Brushy Ridge Road (Forest Service Road 75) provides primitive campsites with stone fire rings near Dolly Sods Wilderness, approximately 50 miles from Cumberland. This area requires a 2000-foot elevation climb over 2.5 miles to access nearby trails, making high-clearance vehicles advisable during wet conditions.