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Dispersed Camping

Canaan Loop Road Dispersed

Canaan Loop Road Dispersed, near Davis, West Virginia, is a fantastic location for those who enjoy backcountry car camping and overlanding. This area offers a true escape into nature, with plenty of space for setting up camp among the towering pine trees.

Visitors rave about the beautiful scenery and the tranquility of the surroundings, making it a perfect spot for meditation and relaxation. One camper mentioned, “Loved camping here! We found a nice site in the pine trees!” The lack of amenities like picnic tables and toilets means you’ll need to be self-sufficient, but that’s part of the charm for many who appreciate the rugged experience.

For those looking to stretch their legs, there are great trails nearby that offer stunning views. Campers have spotted wildlife, including bear scat, and enjoyed the peacefulness of the area. Just be prepared for the elements; as one reviewer noted, “It was muddy and snowy but our Subaru made it fine.” Whether you’re planning a winter adventure or a summer getaway, Canaan Loop Road Dispersed provides a unique and memorable camping experience.

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Location

Canaan Loop Road Dispersed is located in West Virginia

Detail location of campground

Coordinates

39.07618579 N
79.46848555 W

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Connectivity

  • signal strength bars
    T-Mobile
    No Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    Verizon
    No Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    AT&TLTE
    Good Coverage
    Verified by 12 users
    Last on 1/21/26

Connectivity

  • signal strength bars
    T-Mobile
    No Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    Verizon
    No Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    AT&TLTE
    Good Coverage
    Verified by 12 users
    Last on 1/21/26

Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site
  • Walk-In
    Park in a lot, walk to your site.

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • RV Sites
  • Standard (Tent/RV)
  • Dispersed
  • Group

Features

For Campers

  • Market
  • ADA Access
  • Firewood Available
  • Phone Service
  • Drinking Water
  • Alcohol
  • Pets
  • Fires

DISPERSED CAMPING

Enjoy dispersed camping on government land and leave no trace. Pack in and pack out. No (or limited) services at this camping area. Permit may be required.

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General Info

Drive Time


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Reviews

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5.0

out of 5

12 Reviews

Guests commonly noted excellent seclusion and spacious sites with clear fire rings amid beautiful scenery. Road conditions vary seasonally with mud during wet periods, though most vehicles can access sites partway in.

Reviewed Jan. 9, 2026

Fun Trail

Fun beginner trail, nice dispersed camping spots. Went there when it was dry so it was an easy drive. Very close to Blackwater Falls so you have all the trails there also have trails down the road with nice lookout points

Month of VisitJuly
  • Review photo of Canaan Loop Road Dispersed by Joe G., January 9, 2026
  • Review photo of Canaan Loop Road Dispersed by Joe G., January 9, 2026
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  • (4) View All
Reviewed Dec. 27, 2025

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.

Site4
Month of VisitDecember
  • Review photo of Canaan Loop Road Dispersed by Ric M., December 27, 2025
  • site #1 -- the closest to the nearby highway, I think the smallest spot. Nonetheless surrounded by woods and VERY flat, good for backing into with an RV.
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  • Review photo of Canaan Loop Road Dispersed by Ric M., December 27, 2025
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Reviewed Sep. 18, 2025

Great dispersed sites!

We only drove down to the second site, but it was awesome! Big site, good fire ring, paths the walk right from the site. The moss was like walking on carpet

Month of VisitSeptember
  • Review photo of Canaan Loop Road Dispersed by Justine I., September 18, 2025
  • Review photo of Canaan Loop Road Dispersed by Justine I., September 18, 2025
  • Review photo of Canaan Loop Road Dispersed by Justine I., September 18, 2025
  • (4) View All
Reviewed Jun. 16, 2025

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

Site5 or 6?
Month of VisitMay
  • Review photo of Canaan Loop Road Dispersed by Lillian R., June 16, 2025
  • Review photo of Canaan Loop Road Dispersed by Lillian R., June 16, 2025
  • Review photo of Canaan Loop Road Dispersed by Lillian R., June 16, 2025
  • (9) View All
Reviewed Sep. 16, 2024

First night

This was our first night ever for dispersed camping for us. Did have nice secluded spots for camping. Road was a little rough so take your time.

Month of VisitAugust
  • Review photo of Canaan Loop Road Dispersed by Harley G., September 16, 2024
  • Review photo of Canaan Loop Road Dispersed by Harley G., September 16, 2024
  • Review photo of Canaan Loop Road Dispersed by Harley G., September 16, 2024
  • (7) View All
Reviewed May. 23, 2023

Great Spot

My partner and I like to camp here every year, this year being our third. We’ve found a few nice little spots to set up camp. Great trails nearby with wonderful views.

Month of VisitJuly
  • Review photo of Canaan Loop Road Dispersed by Maegen C., May 23, 2023
  • Review photo of Canaan Loop Road Dispersed by Maegen C., May 23, 2023
  • Review photo of Canaan Loop Road Dispersed by Maegen C., May 23, 2023
  • (5) View All
Reviewed Aug. 11, 2022

Nice

We arrived in the late afternoon and found a very pleasant back-in spot about a mile or so in. Hiked a few of the nearby trails. Saw some bear scat, but past that the only animals we saw were a few frogs.

Very, very damp.

Month of VisitAugust
  • Review photo of Canaan Loop Road Dispersed by Scott R., August 11, 2022
  • Review photo of Canaan Loop Road Dispersed by Scott R., August 11, 2022
  • Review photo of Canaan Loop Road Dispersed by Scott R., August 11, 2022
  • (5) View All
Reviewed May. 6, 2022

Great spot for winter camping

I really enjoyed the Caanan Loop Road.  It all dispersed camping and if you have a 4x4 you can complete the loop.  If you come in from the east, it's a very well maintained road for any vehicle (RVs may have trouble turning around), but the last mile or two you need a 4x4.  This will take you to Blackwater Falls state Park.

Month of VisitFebruary
Reviewed Apr. 3, 2022

April Snow

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

Siteriver
Month of VisitApril
  • Review photo of Canaan Loop Road Dispersed by Jacob , April 3, 2022
  • Review photo of Canaan Loop Road Dispersed by Jacob , April 3, 2022
  • Review photo of Canaan Loop Road Dispersed by Jacob , April 3, 2022
  • (4) View All
Reviewed Dec. 23, 2021

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. 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.

The scenery was gorgeous but don't come here in the winter unless you are prepared for any kind of weather event. It's very secluded and you need to definitely be self sufficient

Sitenear a creek about 1/2 way in
Month of VisitDecember
  • Review photo of Canaan Loop Road Dispersed by Rhea B., December 23, 2021
  • Review photo of Canaan Loop Road Dispersed by Rhea B., December 23, 2021
Reviewed Jul. 1, 2021

Loved the space

Real dispersed and nice for meditation and views. Beautiful scenery

Sitewhere I pleased
Month of VisitAugust

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there any facilities or amenities available when dispersed camping on Canaan Loop Road?

Canaan Loop Road dispersed camping is primitive with no formal facilities or amenities. You won't find water sources, restrooms, trash collection, or electrical hookups. The only man-made features are established fire rings at camping spots. Come prepared with all necessary supplies including plenty of water, toilet paper, and waste disposal bags. Plan to pack out everything you bring in. The natural setting with nearby trails compensates for the lack of amenities, offering a true backcountry experience.

What are the rules for dispersed camping along Canaan Loop Road?

Canaan Loop Road offers true dispersed camping with simple rules. No permits are required and camping is free. Fire rings mark established sites, though they can get muddy in wet conditions. Practice Leave No Trace principles by packing out all trash. Sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis, with no reservation system. Fire safety is important, so use the existing fire rings and fully extinguish fires before leaving. The road provides secluded camping opportunities with sites visible from the road and others hidden a short distance away.

Where exactly is Canaan Loop Road dispersed camping located in West Virginia?

Canaan Loop Road dispersed camping is located in the mountainous region of eastern West Virginia, within the Monongahela National Forest. It sits at a higher elevation, offering mountain top views and scenic vistas. The road forms a loop with established campsites scattered along its length, some visible from the road and others tucked away in the woods. The area features pine forests and is near several hiking trails. While the exact GPS coordinates aren't provided, it's a well-known dispersed camping area within the Canaan Valley region, characterized by its natural beauty and secluded mountain setting.

Is a 4WD vehicle required to access Canaan Loop Road for camping?

A 4WD vehicle isn't required for all of Canaan Loop Road, but it's situation-dependent. If entering from the east side, the road is well-maintained and accessible for most vehicles, including sedans like a Kia. However, the complete loop requires 4WD for the last mile or two. Weather conditions significantly impact accessibility - snow, rain, and mud can make the road challenging. RVs may have difficulty turning around. Some campers report successfully accessing sites in a Subaru during winter. Take any vehicle slowly as the road has bumps and rough patches.