Best Dispersed Camping near Frostburg, MD

Dispersed camping near Frostburg, Maryland concentrates in the nearby mountains of West Virginia, with multiple free primitive sites available within a 30-60 minute drive. The region features several backcountry areas including Dolly Sods Wilderness in Monongahela National Forest, Canaan Loop Road, and locations like Squirrel Gap Road and Squirrel Hollow Road. Most sites are unmaintained with no facilities, allowing campers to experience remote woodland settings without fees or reservations. These areas typically follow standard forest service dispersed camping regulations, requiring campers to set up at least 200 feet from water sources and roads.

Access to these primitive camping areas varies significantly based on location and season. The road to Dolly Sods Backcountry involves steep, winding forest roads that may become impassable during winter months or after heavy rainfall. Canaan Loop Road features several pull-off camping spots accessible to standard vehicles, though some sections may require high-clearance vehicles. Squirrel Hollow Road provides sites less than a mile from the paved highway that accommodate cars or small trailers. Most areas have no drinking water, toilets, or trash service, requiring campers to pack in all supplies and pack out all waste. Fire restrictions may apply seasonally, and campers should check current regulations before visiting.

These dispersed areas provide a true wilderness experience with varied terrain and ecosystems. The Dolly Sods region is particularly notable for its unique landscape. "With the incredibly varied landscapes and diverse vegetation, Dolly Sods truly feels like you are somewhere far north from WV," notes one camper. Sites along Canaan Loop Road offer seclusion among pine forests and mountain views. A visitor to Squirrel Gap Road reported, "Decent sized area, stone fire ring, plenty of firewood." Wildlife encounters are common, with bear activity reported in several areas, making proper food storage essential. Campers frequently mention the solitude of these sites, particularly during weekdays, though some popular areas like Red Creek in Dolly Sods can become crowded on summer weekends.

Best Dispersed Sites Near Frostburg, Maryland (6)

    1. Dolly Sods Backcountry

    11 Reviews
    Red Creek, WV
    50 miles
    Website
    +1 (304) 257-4488

    "Dolly Sods Wilderness Area, part of the Monongahela National Forest, offers something for every hiker, backpacker, camper."

    "Dolly Sods is a wilderness area within the great Monongahela National Forest. I backpacked here in early March a few years ago. Definitely be prepared for high winds and rain."

    2. Canaan Loop Road Dispersed

    10 Reviews
    Davis, WV
    49 miles
    Website
    +1 (304) 478-2000

    "road is easy to drive on- some bumps but we were in a small kia sedan and it was fine, there are a lot of spots visible from the road but there are also some hidden a few steps away from the road that"

    "Still snow on the ground and very wet in early April, but great dispersed car camp and walk-in camp sites."

    3. Edwards Run Wildlife Management Area

    2 Reviews
    High View, WV
    35 miles
    Website
    +1 (304) 558-2771

    4. Squirrel Hollow Road Camping

    2 Reviews
    Wardensville, WV
    43 miles

    "Sites are located less than a mile from the paved highway. We found 5 spots just off the road. All were easily accessible by cat or with a small teardrop trailer."

    5. Squirrel Gap Rd Dispersed

    1 Review
    Baker, WV
    45 miles

    "But this one is right off the road, entrance is steep. Decent sized area, stone fire ring, plenty of firewood."

    6. Brushy Ridge Road Dispersed

    1 Review
    Cabins, WV
    46 miles
    Website

    "Brushy Ridge Road is Forest Service Road 75 and is in decent condition."

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Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos near Frostburg, MD

26 Photos of 6 Frostburg Campgrounds


Dispersed Camping Reviews near Frostburg, MD

27 Reviews of 6 Frostburg Campgrounds


  • Dave V.
    Oct. 31, 2019

    Dolly Sods Backcountry

    Shoulder season solitude...flora and fauna delight

    Dolly Sods Wilderness Area, part of the Monongahela National Forest, offers something for every hiker, backpacker, camper.

    Having visited Dolly Sods numerous times at the Red Creek Campground, using that as the base camp to launch off to explore the myriad of trails. We decided to use the backcountry as a primer for the following year's longer westerly  backbacking trip. 

    Know that it will likely rain on you in Dolly Sods, so always bring rain gear. Also realize, that with climate and conditions similar to the Canadian Tundra, temperatures and winds vary and fluctuate often, any time of year. Those two conditions often dissuade less hearty souls...but they are also exactly what creates and sustains a very beautiful environment.

    During our excursion, we spent three nights and four days on what I will term the perimeter trails...camping at Raven Ridge, Big Stonecoal Run creek, and at Reds Creek at the forks. Numerous websites offer insight and directions and all are beneficial to study. We chose to travel counter-clockwise from Bear Rocks, parking in the grass across from the trailhead. Note: leaving valuables in or on your vehicle while you traipse about in the Sods is always iffy, just like anywhere else, so use wisdom. I've read of thefts...but the vehicle parked to us had two high end full-suspension mountain bikes on a roof rack for days without issue.

    If you are unfamiliar with Dolly Sods Wilderness trails...choose footwear that either dries fast or is waterproof...has a robust sole to fend off bruises from the brutal amount of sharp, ankle buster rocks on the trail...and won't pull off and be lost in the countless bogs and areas of shoe sucking mud. We wanted to rename one particular trail "pointed rock trail." Our expensive boots were actually a fail for this trip...which was a valuable education.

    We saw people run this trail in a day...but there's no way you can enjoy the sights, sounds, and smells moving that quickly. I felt we should've taken more time and explored much more...although soggy weather became a deterrent. The amount of brightly colored fungi, snakes, crayfish and salamanders were astonishing. So if you move too quickly, you miss them.

    Do practice "leave no trace." The heavy summer and weekend use by careless and selfish hikers or backcountry partiers...has left the woods adjacent to Reds Creek camping sites littered with toilet paper...dig your cat hole and bury your "goods!"

    The rocks on the trail may be a pain, but the formations and views from Raven's Ridge, Lion's Head and Bear Rocks rival the best.

    Do your homework, choose your camping gear and wardrobe wisely and launch off into the Dolly Sods Wilderness Area...you'll be glad you did!

  • Lucille W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 13, 2020

    Dolly Sods Backcountry

    Allegheny mountain wilderness

    Dolly Sods is a wilderness area within the great Monongahela National Forest. I backpacked here in early March a few years ago. Definitely be prepared for high winds and rain. We hiked in in warm weather and once we reached the top of a long entrance road (where one trailhead was) we found snow. A lot of the snow had melted making the ground very soggy and oversaturated in some areas. Despite this, our short Dolly Sods backpacking trip was an amazing first trek for myself and a fiend. Dolly Sods is absolutely gorgeous and is a completely different and unique ecosystem than the surrounding area. I also have friends who have camped here later in the year - mid to late summer - and have highly, highly, recommended that I go back during that time.

  • Sean M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 2, 2020

    Dolly Sods Backcountry

    Wilderness of the West in the East

    The sods are a truly wild and remote place in an increasingly crowded East coast. For years Dolly Sods has been my go-to backcountry destination, even for chilly winter stays. Many places carry the “wilderness” moniker in the East, but this place lives up to it. No cell service, no car camping, no trail markers, no toilets, and no running water. It’s the real deal. During the off season you can hike for days and not see another person. There are some opportunities to camp closer to the trailhead for those only looking to dip a toe into wilderness travel, but you could hike for miles to a remote site as well. Be advised, a good physical map and compass, the skills needed to use them, are vital here. There are no trail marks and the path can be confusing. Come prepared and have a great adventure.

  • Kelly G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 29, 2021

    Brushy Ridge Road Dispersed

    Great location near Dolly Sods Wilderness

    Brushy Ridge Road is Forest Service Road 75 and is in decent condition. There are several pull off campsites along this road on the way up to Dolly Sods wilderness but this primitive group of three large unmarked campsites with stone fire rings is before you get to the Bear Flats Plateau and the Red Creek camp grounds. It is a 2.5 mile, 2000’ climb to get to the trailhead for Bear Rocks Trail in Bear Rocks Preserve which is about a half mile past the entrance to this unmarked group site. I camped in the middle of these three large campsites that are each about 100 feet away from each other. Firewood was available on a self serve honor system (put $5 cash in the box for each bundle you take) at the farmhouse across from the turn on to Brushy Creek.

  • LThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 16, 2025

    Canaan Loop Road Dispersed

    car camping

    road is easy to drive on- some bumps but we were in a small kia sedan and it was fine, there are a lot of spots visible from the road but there are also some hidden a few steps away from the road that are tricker to see while driving, free camping, no permit needed, they have easy to seee fire rings where you can tell where to camp. there’s a stream that goes by some, the woods are beautiful. there are some that are about 4 mile hike to blackwater falls state park. and it’s an easy drive to seneca rocks

  • J
    Apr. 3, 2022

    Canaan Loop Road Dispersed

    April Snow

    Still snow on the ground and very wet in early April, but great dispersed car camp and walk-in camp sites.

  • Hannah V.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 18, 2018

    Dolly Sods Backcountry

    Backcountry Gold

    Did a four-day hike of the 26-mile loop in Dolly Sods Wilderness, first night we camped was at Ravens Ridge. There were some camps already in that area but in the woods, however we chose to set up camp on the ridge with a view of Canaan Valley. The next day we hiked to Big Stone Coal Creek, where we set up for the night, a campsite had been left from other hikers with a makeshift fire pit and stone chairs. On day 3, we hiked up to Lion’s head where there were lots of campsites from past hikers, but we continued on to Red Creek where we camped for the night. Lots of weekend warriors’ hike into Red Creek for the weekend, so lots of campsites but also be weary of the people who don’t know how to use the restroom in nature, lots of flies and toilet paper lying about. The trails were all well marked, I would still bring a map of the trails and know which ones you want to take before heading out into this vast wilderness. Also, be aware that during the summer lots of rain fall so trails will be muddy and some trails almost completely underwater, Dobbins Grade is one of the trails that typically is wet and muddy most of the summer and fall.

    You can backpack in any season of the year here, but both roads (Forest Road 19 and 75) leading to Dolly Sods are winding and steep so in snowy or ice conditions could be dangerous. You can park at Bear Rocks or right in front of the trail head, you will see a good majority of cars parked in those areas from people backpacking in or day hiking. There are multiple ways back into the wilderness, the first is close to Red Creek campground along the Blackbird Knob Trail, Dolly Sods picnic area has the trailhead for Rohrbaugh trail, Red Creek trail starts on Forest Road 19, then Forest Road 19 turns into 75 and you have multiple Trailheads along that route until Bear Rocks.

  • Kevin C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 9, 2024

    Squirrel Hollow Road Camping

    Convenient off the road boondocking

    Sites are located less than a mile from the paved highway. We found 5 spots just off the road. All were easily accessible by cat or with a small teardrop trailer.

    True boondocking, haul it in, pack it out. Evidence of a cat hole in the site we picked

    Sites were quiet at night. Some traffic related to logging activity. Looks like a popular weekend camp spot for locals.

    We camped during the week and had nobody else camping on weekdays.

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 17, 2025

    Squirrel Gap Rd Dispersed

    It's quiet

    Quite a few miles down Squirrel Gap Rd. There is another sunnier sight a little before this one. But this one is right off the road, entrance is steep. Decent sized area, stone fire ring, plenty of firewood.


Guide to Frostburg

Dispersed camping near Frostburg, Maryland offers free primitive options throughout the rugged Appalachian foothills with elevations ranging from 2,000 to 4,000 feet. These areas experience temperature swings that can exceed 30°F between day and night, especially at higher elevations. The region's forest service roads typically close from late November through April due to snow and ice conditions.

What to do

Fishing in mountain streams: Edwards Run Wildlife Management Area has accessible fishing spots suitable for teaching beginners. "Fun place to teach the kids the basics of fishing, but the campground area leaves a little to be desired," notes Frank G. about the Edwards Run Wildlife Management Area.

Hiking on varied terrain: The region features multiple trail systems with different difficulty levels. "We hiked in in warm weather and once we reached the top of a long entrance road (where one trailhead was) we found snow," explains Lucille W. about Dolly Sods Backcountry. Some trails connect directly to campsites: "Paths to walk right from the site," reports Justine I. about Canaan Loop Road.

Winter camping: The area offers challenging but rewarding cold-weather opportunities. "It snowed but we didn't die 🤣. We camped here on a winter road trip fully prepared for the worst weather and this mountain top dispersed site delivered," shares Rhea B. about camping on Canaan Loop Road. Clayton S. adds, "I really enjoyed the Caanan Loop Road. It's all dispersed camping and if you have a 4x4 you can complete the loop."

What campers like

Unique ecosystems: The higher elevation areas feature distinctive plant communities. "Dolly Sods is absolutely gorgeous and is a completely different and unique ecosystem than the surrounding area," writes Lucille W. Sean M. elaborates: "The sods are a truly wild and remote place in an increasingly crowded East coast."

Secluded, ready-made sites: Many primitive camping areas have established sites. "We found a very pleasant back-in spot about a mile or so in," Scott R. writes about Canaan Loop Road Dispersed. At Squirrel Gap Road, "Decent sized area, stone fire ring, plenty of firewood," according to Dexter V.

Proximity to parks: Some dispersed camping areas serve as gateways to state parks. "There are some that are about 4 mile hike to blackwater falls state park," notes Lillian R. Kelly G. mentions that Brushy Ridge Road Dispersed provides "Great location near Dolly Sods Wilderness" and is "a 2.5 mile, 2000' climb to get to the trailhead for Bear Rocks Trail in Bear Rocks Preserve."

What you should know

Unmarked sites: Most dispersed camping areas lack official markers. "There are no trail marks and the path can be confusing. Come prepared and have a great physical map and compass," advises Sean M.

Variable road conditions: Access roads deteriorate quickly in bad weather. "If you come in from the east, it's a very well maintained road for any vehicle, but the last mile or two you need a 4x4," explains Clayton S. about Canaan Loop Road.

Bear precautions required: Bears are active throughout the region. Megan B. warns, "Bear country so bring a cannister or hang your food" in Squirrel Hollow Road Camping.

Muddy terrain: Wet ground is common year-round. "Still snow on the ground and very wet in early April," notes Jacob about Canaan Loop Road. Another camper describes certain trails as having "shoe sucking mud" and "countless bogs."

Tips for camping with families

Easy access sites: For families with younger children, seek car-accessible locations. "Sites are located less than a mile from the paved highway. We found 5 spots just off the road. All were easily accessible by car or with a small teardrop trailer," reports Kevin C. about Squirrel Hollow Road.

Pine forest sites: Areas with pine needle ground cover provide more comfortable tent locations. "We found a nice site in the pine trees! Perfect for 2 vehicles and 5 people hammock camping," shares Michael H. Justine adds about Canaan Loop Road: "The moss was like walking on carpet."

Teach navigation skills: Use dispersed camping as an opportunity for kids to learn map reading. "No trail markers, no toilets, and no running water. It's the real deal," explains Sean M. about Squirrel Gap Rd Dispersed, making it ideal for teaching older children outdoor skills.

Tips from RVers

Small trailer access: Some forest roads accommodate modest trailers. Kevin C. mentions Squirrel Hollow Road has sites "easily accessible by car or with a small teardrop trailer." These sites are "quiet at night" with "some traffic related to logging activity."

Road width limitations: Most forest roads are narrow with limited turning space. Clayton notes about Canaan Loop Road: "RVs may have trouble turning around." Large motorhomes and trailers should avoid these areas entirely.

Seasonal considerations: Winter camping with RVs is extremely difficult. "We camped here on a winter road trip fully prepared for the worst weather and this mountain top dispersed site delivered. It was muddy and snowy but our Subaru made it fine about half way into Canaan loop road," reports Rhea B., suggesting RVs avoid winter visits.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Frostburg, MD?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Frostburg, MD is Dolly Sods Backcountry with a 5-star rating from 11 reviews.

What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Frostburg, MD?

TheDyrt.com has all 6 dispersed camping locations near Frostburg, MD, with real photos and reviews from campers.