Red Creek Campground

To my surprise, the camp site itself was ran by using a self serve station. Signing ourselves in was extremely easy and we were settled in and unpacked in only an hour. On weekdays it’s not that busy and you see more empty cars than people. As for the campsite, everyone is equipped with a pole for hanging things, campfire pit with a grille, picnic table, and a place to put your tent. From there you are free to walk or drive anywhere you want in the state park. There are tons of trails with amazing sights to see. It felt like every turn was a different biome. With all of the biodiversity, you’ll never be bored of seeing everything it has. Once our stay went into the weekend it got extremely busy. Tons of cars flooded the parking spots and when we packed up and left, someone had already claimed our spot. Locals are nice and everyone is pretty reserved. Had no encounters with bears and loved the untouched nature everywhere. One problem is the weather, even though the weather was in our favor, at night there is extreme winds and it’s enough to completely destroy your tent. Other than that it is definitely worth a visit!

This is a small rustic campground on the edge of the Dolly Sods wilderness. In spite of the gravel road to get here, you’ll find a lot of competition for sites during the peak season, particularly weekends. The roads close until snow and mud season have passed, so check road openings on the Monongahela National Forest website for up-to-date road status. It’s best suited to tents or small RVs/vans because it’s a narrow and bumpy road. I was here on an April weekend and there were only a few of the sites occupied, but temps were also in the 20s! A couple of them are walk-in, with parking on the loop and the site removed a short distance. There are vault toilets in the center of the loop, but bring your own water(or treatment). 

Numerous trails leave from the Forest Road and invite exploration of the backcountry on foot. I didn’t go too far, but online reports I read indicate that the trail is often muddy and wet, so plan accordingly. Rise early and drive to Bear Rocks for a beautiful sunrise. Spring brings mountain laurel and azalea. The same huckleberry bushes that will feed you in summer will delight you with color in autumn. No matter the season, the skies are dark and terrific for stargazing. Note that mountains bikes are not permitted in the wilderness. If you want to get away, this is a great place to do it.

Red Creek Campground is positioned a decent drive down gravel National Forest roads, so it does not see the amount of traffic that easier, closer campgrounds get.      https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/mnf/recreation/natureviewing/recarea/?recid=7003&actid=63

With a season of Mid-April through the beginning of December, be assured that weather is always a factor. Family has been thwarted at Thanksgiving by unpassable snow without a 4x4. Rain is almost certain, as the varied elevation nearly creates its own weather patterns.  So my first recommendation is to always add rain gear and cold weather garments for insurance.

We ordinarily visit during the month of August and being a "fly by the seat of my pants" type of roaming tent camper...I have arrived to see Red Creek Campground full...as these sites are non-reservable. 

Keep in mind, Red Creek Campground is "primitive"...no modern facilities, no showers, no electric...and the only running water accessible, is a small spring pipe (that I highly recommend filtering before use even though it does not post that).

Sites on the outer portion of the loop are fairly concealed from one another by trees and undergrowth...the inner loop sites are a little more exposed.  Gravel parking at sites and each site offers a picnic table a fire ring and lantern post. All sites are a short distance to the two individual unisex pit lantrines in the center of the campground.

With no ambient light, the night skies are amazing...though cloud cover always seem to plague my visits at night. Though one evening we drove down toward Bear Rocks and laid in an open field to stargaze one evening to enjoy a wonderful light show from shooting stars. We were so quiet, several deer passed between us within arms reach...a little disconcerting but we survived.

Trails are abundant and some leave directly from the campground deeper into the Wilderness Area. Choose footwear wisely, as the trails are strewn with sharp rocks (on certain trails), various stream and river crossings, shoe-swallowing mud bogs along with the regular ol' dirt trail.  Bring a trail map, water...and/or a water filter...and raingear.

Nearby Bear Rocks is a fun scamper for "kids" of all ages and the views eastward share WV and Virginia mountain ranges.

We were thrilled to visit when "Bird Banding" is taking place and enjoyed searching for migrating birds caught in the netting on the east side of the road opposite the campground.

For a peaceful, relaxing camping experience that offers great hiking, and some of the most amazing flora and fauna...its a family favorite!

Small, primitive campground with 12-sites.  There were a surprising number of trailers and small RVs when I visited, especially when you consider visitors have to drive about 10-miles on a graded dirt road to get there.

There are some walk-in tent sites for more privacy and you have the option of pure wilderness camping in the surrounding 17,400 acres of Dolly Sods as long as you use existing campfire rings, or use a backpack stove when you can't find one.

No cell phone service or Internet… No electricity, pit toilets, and a busted water pump, but there is a fresh-water spring. Each site has a picnic table, fire ring and lantern pole. 

The camp hosts are super mellow and also lead the volunteer bird-banding that takes place just across the road from the Red Creek Campground.  

The plant life and weather at Dolly Sods are similar to Northern Canada, so bring some extra layers. It was at least 15-degrees cooler than the valley when I reached the peak of the Allegheny Plateau. Add the wind and I had to put my sweatshirt after sweating in a T-shirt at Seneca Rocks that same day. 

Bring a backpack and good hiking boots so you're prepared to experience some of the most amazing scenery and wildlife you’ve ever seen! 

First-come, first-serve only and often full on weekends.

*Word of caution: Dolly Sods was used for military training during WWII, so there are artillery and mortar shells still being found in this wilderness. Don’t touch any shells you might find, note the location and report to authorities.