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Best Dispersed Camping near Westernport, MD

41 Reviews

Dispersed camping near Westernport, Maryland centers primarily around public lands in West Virginia, with multiple free primitive sites in Monongahela National Forest. Several wilderness areas and forest service roads provide access to backcountry camping opportunities, including Dolly Sods Wilderness, Canaan Loop Road, and Brushy Ridge Road. These primitive camping areas require no reservations and allow visitors to experience remote mountain landscapes with minimal development or management presence.

Forest roads accessing these dispersed sites vary significantly in condition. Canaan Loop Road features multiple pull-off sites suitable for car camping but may require slow navigation due to bumps and seasonal mud. According to reviews, "road is easy to drive on - some bumps but we were in a small kia sedan and it was fine." High-clearance vehicles are recommended for Brushy Ridge Road, which climbs 2,000 feet over 2.5 miles to reach the Dolly Sods trailheads. Most areas permit camping for up to 14 days, though regulations vary by specific location. Fire restrictions apply seasonally, and visitors should practice proper waste disposal as most areas lack toilets or trash services.

The dispersed camping experience in this region offers unique ecological diversity, from high mountain plateaus to riverside camping. Dolly Sods Backcountry provides an alpine-like environment with one visitor noting it has "climate and conditions similar to the Canadian Tundra." Sites along Canaan Loop Road provide streamside options and pine forest settings, while Squirrel Hollow Road features "spacious sites" with "large campsites and relatively quiet" surroundings according to camper reviews. Weather conditions can change rapidly, particularly at higher elevations where wind and rain are common. Winter camping is possible but challenging, as one camper reported: "We camped here on a winter road trip fully prepared for the worst weather and this mountain top dispersed site delivered." Cell service is limited or nonexistent throughout most backcountry areas, requiring self-sufficiency and proper preparation.

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Best Dispersed Sites Near Westernport, Maryland (15)

    1. Dolly Sods Backcountry

    11 Reviews
    Red Creek, WV
    36 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
    36 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. Brushy Ridge Road Dispersed

    1 Review
    Cabins, WV
    32 miles
    Website

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

    4. Lower Glady Dispersed Campground

    9 Reviews
    Harman, WV
    47 miles
    Website
    +1 (304) 636-1800

    "So this is quite large, I'm guessing at least 25 to 35 campsites along a 4-ish mile long dirt road that deadends. It is dispersed camping, free."

    "I didn't pull in until close to 11 PM, but a couple notes on what I could see. There is a very sharp turn if you come in from the south on Sully Road, which seems to be the primary way to get there."

    5. Squirrel Hollow Road Camping

    2 Reviews
    Wardensville, WV
    36 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."

    6. Edwards Run Wildlife Management Area

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

    7. Squirrel Gap Rd Dispersed

    1 Review
    Baker, WV
    37 miles

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

    8. Wolf Gap Recreation Area

    3 Reviews
    Basye, VA
    43 miles

    "The road leading to the camp site from Wardensville was in excellent condition all the way to the camp site. There are e total of 9 campsites."

    9. Gladwin Dispersed Camping

    3 Reviews
    Red Creek, WV
    43 miles

    "Decided to try it even though other review said private property- and seems they were correct but incorrect. Initially you do come to private land with several campsites and campers present."

    "I camped at the site closest to the river— right next to it in fact!  And it was quite large."

    10. Cedar Creek Trail dispersed campsite

    1 Review
    Woodstock, VA
    44 miles

    "Location is approximate. After the intersection, the road will turn into a trail (marked by a metal gate) and there is a campsite right there. Was very peaceful and clean."

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Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos near Westernport, MD

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Dispersed Camping Reviews near Westernport, MD

41 Reviews of 15 Westernport Campgrounds

  • R
    Dec. 27, 2025

    Canaan Loop Road

    A remote loop route with about 10 dispersed, free campsites

    This swath of land, sandwiched between two state parks(Canaan Valley State Park to the south& Blackwater Falls State Park to the north) is managed by the US Forest Service. The nearest town is Davis, WV. 

    There is just one dirt road running through it, the first few miles of which are fairly tame: navigable by most standard cars and medium or smaller sized RVs. The further back in you go, the rougher the road gets until it is truly just a jeeps-only type of road. But the good news is that all of the camping sites take place before you get to that rough part. 

    And this is TRULY dispersed camping, with most of the camp spots being a good half-mile from each other! The one downside, if you are into privacy, is that all of the sites are RIGHT NEXT to that dirt road, so others will be driving past your site. The good news is that it is not a heavily trafficked road, used primarily just by the other campers in the 10 available spots, by the occasional hunter, and by the even-less-frequent off-roader, hoping to challenge their vehicle on the rough stuff several miles in. 

    This is all free camping, and all primitive. There are no restroom facilities, no showers, no electrical, no water supply. 

    The campsites themselves are mostly surrounded by forest, making even the smallest of them quite beautiful. They vary in size from being little more than a 20 foot driveway to back an RV up to those sites that are significantly larger with room enough for more than one vehicle and perhaps a couple or three tents. 

    While this loop road region has very few activities itself, you are just a few miles from the two state parks and from private facilities offering horseback riding, skiing, snowboarding, swimming, and more. 

    The loop road region itself has MANY trails for hiking or mountain biking (possibly horseback riding— I saw no signage either for or against it), and one trail that is specifically marked as a cross country ski route. Although, from what I can see, several of the trails could work for cross-country skiing, as even the road itself could right after a storm. 

    While the area is at a fairly high altitude, around 3000 feet, it seems to be built on a kind of high altitude plateau, so the road itself is not that hilly, nor are the camping sites. I don't know for sure if it's a year-round site, but I can tell you that I was camping there in December, no problem. I do understand that the road is minimally maintained, so it might be impossible or difficult to access during very snowy weather.

  • 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.

  • R
    Dec. 5, 2025

    Lower Glady Dispersed Campground

    An odd mix of campsite types, but something for just about everybody!

    So this is quite large, I'm guessing at least 25 to 35 campsites along a 4-ish mile long dirt road that deadends. It is dispersed camping, free. And I guess it just depends on what you were looking for. I like to have something a little bit remote, where my campsite is not visible from other campsites. There isn't a lot of that here, but I did find maybe three or four that fit that description, all visible from the dirt road that goes through it. 

    There were many sites that I simply would not like it all, but might be ideal for your purposes, such as two or three areas where there is essentially a big field with a short loop road with maybe half a dozen campsites right next to each other. These are bordered by trees but there are no trees on those sites. Definitely not my cup of tea, but might be ideal for those who are in campers or motorhomes and what to be near a group of other people doing the same thing. 

    The pit toilets are good, reasonably clean. They are however even more dispersed than the campsites— roughly one every mile. Keep that in mind while you are picking a campsite. You may want to be close to one, and then that would limit your choices. If you don't care how close you are to one of the toilets, then you have lots and lots of choices. 

    One of the best things about this location is if you are into mountain biking or hiking or trail running. There are an absolute ton of choices for you, some of them starting right there from the campsite or right at the end of it and several more within half a mile. The Allegheny trail runs right through the campsite with the road itself serving as part of the trail, then immediately turning into singletrack trail on the far ends of this several-miles-long dispersed camping area.

  • 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.

  • David M.
    Nov. 17, 2025

    Trout Run / Great North Mountain

    Those coordinates are private property, not public dispersed

    Do not think you can disperse camp there.  Whoever submitted this "camp site" did not do any research.  That is private property.

  • 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.

Guide to Westernport

Primitive camping near Westernport, Maryland offers backcountry sites at elevations ranging from 2,500 to 4,000 feet throughout Monongahela National Forest. Winter temperatures can drop below freezing even in spring months, with early April still seeing snowfall in higher elevations. Many dispersed sites require traveling unpaved forest roads with varying conditions depending on recent precipitation.

What to do

Fishing access points: Edwards Run Wildlife Management Area provides beginner-friendly fishing spots. "Fun place to teach the kids the basics of fishing, but the campground area leaves a little to be desired," notes one camper at Edwards Run Wildlife Management Area.

Hiking to viewpoints: Several trails near dispersed camping areas lead to scenic overlooks. "We did an overnight trip and had so much fun. 10/10 recommend," shares a camper about Dolly Sods Backcountry. Another mentions, "Peaceful, quiet, and beautiful. No other place really is like this. Terrain changes, lots of mud, and not over-crowded."

Winter exploration: Cold weather camping offers solitude but requires preparation. A camper at Canaan Loop Road Dispersed explains, "It was muddy and snowy but our Subaru made it fine about half way into Canaan loop road. All of the sites were mud pits but they were easily identified by big fire rings."

What campers like

Diverse landscapes: The region features multiple ecosystem types within short distances. "With the incredibly varied landscapes and diverse vegetation, Dolly Sods truly feels like you are somewhere far north from WV. The ferns and evergreens reminded me of being in Maine, the vast meadows felt like I was in Wyoming or Montana," reports one visitor.

Secluded sites: Many areas offer privacy despite popularity. At Wolf Gap Recreation Area, "The campsite itself is beautifully wooded. Each campsite is mostly secluded from the rest of the park." Another reviewer notes, "Most sites have a paved parking platform and then a second tier for the camp site. All sites are quite large and include picnic tables, fire rings and large tent platforms."

Remote wilderness experience: The backcountry areas provide true wilderness. "The sods are a truly wild and remote place in an increasingly crowded East coast... 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," shares one Dolly Sods camper.

What you should know

Road conditions vary: Some forest roads require high-clearance vehicles while others accommodate passenger cars. At Squirrel Gap Rd Dispersed, "Quite a few miles down Squirrel Gap Rd... entrance is steep. Decent sized area, stone fire ring, plenty of firewood."

Weather challenges: Mountain elevations mean quick weather changes. "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."

Limited facilities: Most dispersed sites lack amenities. "True boondocking, haul it in, pack it out. Evidence of a cat hole in the site we picked," reports a camper at Squirrel Hollow Road Camping. Another advises: "Bear country so bring a cannister or hang your food."

Frequently Asked Questions

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

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

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

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