Best Dispersed Camping near Baker, WV

Dispersed camping can be found throughout the George Washington National Forest region surrounding Baker, West Virginia. Several notable locations include Wolf Gap Recreation Area, Squirrel Hollow Road Camping, and Squirrel Gap Road Dispersed sites. These areas provide primitive camping opportunities on public lands with varying levels of access and amenities. The nearby Dolly Sods Backcountry area, approximately 30 miles from Baker, offers additional backcountry camping options in a wilderness setting. Most sites feature established fire rings and basic clearings for tents with no reservation requirements.

Many forest service roads in this area become increasingly rough beyond paved highways, with several requiring high-clearance vehicles. Sites along Squirrel Gap Road and Squirrel Hollow Road feature steep entrances and unpaved access points. Pack-in, pack-out principles apply at all locations, as trash service is extremely limited. Most dispersed sites lack amenities like drinking water, restrooms, or designated tent pads. Fire restrictions vary seasonally, with established fire rings available at some locations. Wolf Gap Recreation Area provides basic amenities including vault toilets and picnic tables, while most other dispersed sites offer only primitive camping conditions with no facilities.

The region attracts campers seeking solitude and natural surroundings. The wooded settings provide ample shade and natural resources, though water sources should not be assumed available. Proximity to hiking trails makes these locations popular with backpackers and day hikers. According to visitor experiences, the area offers relatively quiet camping opportunities. "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," noted one camper about Squirrel Hollow Road. Another visitor mentioned that "sites were quiet at night with some traffic related to logging activity," indicating the generally peaceful nature of these primitive camping areas even with occasional vehicle traffic.

Best Dispersed Sites Near Baker, West Virginia (27)

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Dispersed Camping Reviews near Baker, WV

99 Reviews of 27 Baker Campgrounds


  • Mike C.
    Oct. 18, 2020

    Switzer Lake Dispersed Camping

    Primitive Fall Fun

    Duration of Stay: Oct 16-18, 2020 Average Daily Temp: 61 Average Evening Temp: 30 On Site Parking: ✅ Potable Water: 🚱 Restrooms: 🚫 Firewood: 🚫 Cell Service: 📵 4x4: ✅ Wildlife and Fishing: ✅

    Amazing place with tons of very primitive spots and privacy. Directions on website are pretty accurate.

    Once you turn onto Switzer Lake Rd from U.S. 33 and find the parking area to the lake on your left, be prepared to drive another 2ish miles on a single lane and very bumpy dirt road. Go slow as several sharp corners with huge drops and inexperienced drives coming towards you.

    Down the road you will find many spots on your left and your right to tuck back in and call it "home" for a couple days.

    If you travel back to U.S. 33 and drive 9.1 miles West you will find the Brandywine General Store on your left. They have kiln dried firewood, ice, bait, and supplies you may have forgot at home.

    This first come first served location is ideal for off road adventures. Make sure your rig is equipped, this ain't for rookies!

    Would have given this spot a 5 Star if some of the locals understood quiet hours after 10pm and slept past 5am. Be advised, it can get loud at some of the larger sites. Go deeper into the woods if you have the equipment.

  • 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!

  • Jon N.The Dyrt PRO User
    Feb. 2, 2022

    Veach Gap - GWNF - Backpacking Site

    My favorite Hike in the area

    I've both day hiked this and backpacked here several times. You will want to drive in and park at the Veach Gap Trailhead which is listed on Google Maps, then follow the trail and make the left when it comes to the intersection. It is about 4 miles up, so not too bad, but there is no water after the first mile. I have seen a small trickle part way up the mountain, but don't count on it. Pack up all the water you will need for the day/evening/morning. Once you get to the top there are several sites with little fire rings, and since it is on the ridgeline, the views are breathtaking. I've had good luck finding wood from dead trees at the top, but just make sure you're being safe and treating nature kindly. Follow the Leave no Trace rules so the next campers can enjoy this spot too.

  • LThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 18, 2023

    Switzer Lake Dispersed Camping

    Beautiful area!

    I made a spontaneous trip this past weekend. Easy to find and a beautiful area. Some things to note- the lake front campsites fill up quickly and they are not drive in. Since I sleep in my Jeep, I needed a drive in spot. I drove past the lakefront sites and there are a few really nice spots right past the paved bridge on the dirt road, some next to the creek and some out further. I drove down a path that would not be accessible with a car, however there are spots closer to the dirt road that you don’t need a vehicle with high clearance. I’ll definitely be going back!

  • 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.

  • S
    Jun. 26, 2024

    Flagpole Knob

    They Said....

    They said, no way, I chuckled. They Said , you need a high clearance vehicle, I cleared my throat. They said, you need 4 wheel drive, I SAID "ILL SEND YOU PICTURES!!!" what an Amazing view, don't use me as an example , you definitely should not drive your 2018 Ram ProMaster 2500 159 wb campervan up that road like I did. so now that that's clear how about some pics?.it's absolutely pouring down rain and hail. how about some security cam footage?

  • Amorina P.
    Oct. 13, 2020

    Gandy Creek Dispersed Camping

    beautiful !!

    It was gorgeous and peaceful, right on the creek. So many stars!!

    Campsites are first-come, first-served. We stayed one night with no permit. You get to them by a dirt road, park, and then the campsites are a little ways in. No amenities other than cleared level ground and a spot for the campfire.


Guide to Baker

Dispersed camping near Baker, West Virginia offers primitive camping opportunities across several designated areas within George Washington National Forest. The area sits at elevations between 1,000-3,000 feet, creating varied camping conditions and temperatures that can drop significantly at night even in summer months. Most primitive campsites require campers to provide their own water sources as natural springs and creeks can be unreliable, especially during late summer.

What to do

Trail exploration: Wolf Gap Recreation Area: The 9 campsites serve as starting points for several trails, including access to the Appalachian Trail. "The campground has vaulted toilet and communal garbage receptical. There is a large day use area. There are several trails that intersect with the campsite and day hikers are a common site," notes Kevin C.

Creek activities: South Fork Shenandoah River: Fishing and swimming opportunities abound at this river access point. "Our site was amazing! The very last car camping site on the road. We were right on the river, we swam and fished. There were plenty of walk in sites beyond ours," reports Justine I.

Wildlife viewing: Dolly Sods Backcountry: The unique ecosystem supports diverse wildlife watching opportunities. "The amount of brightly colored fungi, snakes, crayfish and salamanders were astonishing. So if you move too quickly, you miss them," explains Dave V., highlighting the importance of slow, careful observation.

What campers like

Site seclusion: Wolf Gap Recreation Area: The thoughtful layout provides privacy despite proximity to other sites. "The campsite itself is beautifully wooded. Each campsite is mostly secluded from the rest of the park," writes Kevin C., emphasizing the natural separation between campsites.

Terrain variety: Dolly Sods Backcountry: The landscape transforms dramatically across 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," shares Ben.

Accessibility: Squirrel Hollow Road Camping: Many sites can accommodate standard vehicles without specialized equipment. "Large campsites and relatively quite. We took two vehicles and found several suitable sites. Traffic was light with one pickup overnight and a small convoy of motorcycles the next morning," reports Jon D.

What you should know

Road conditions: Squirrel Gap Rd Dispersed: Forest roads can deteriorate rapidly, especially after rain. "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," warns Dexter V.

Weather variability: Temperatures can fluctuate dramatically, requiring comprehensive gear. "We needed every layer we brought, including winter hats, puffy jackets, and gloves. During the 6 days we were in the backcountry, we experienced everything from warm summer-like weather to chilly winter winds, both day and night," shares a backpacker at Shenandoah National Park.

Sanitation concerns: Limited facilities mean diligent waste management is essential. "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!'" advises Dave V. at Dolly Sods Backcountry.

Tips for camping with families

Site selection: Little Fort Campground: Established sites provide useful amenities for family camping. "Great established free campground! We got the last spot around 7pm. Site had a fire pit, table, parking spot, and tent platform. We used one of the sign in slips but many of the other campers did not. Bathrooms and beer proof trash was provided. Nice trails/creek behind site," shares Sawyer B.

Noise considerations: Some areas experience unexpected night sounds that might disturb light sleepers. "I could hear some cars drive by and some dogs barking while I was trying to sleep, which was a bit disruptive," mentions Lindsay C. about Little Fort Campground.

Wildlife precautions: Animal encounters require proper food storage and camp management. "Bear country so bring a cannister or hang your food. But 100% worth the trip," advises Megan B. about primitive camping at Dolly Sods.

Tips from RVers

Parking challenges: South Fork Shenandoah River: Limited spaces mean early arrival is essential for RV sites. "The site at the end of the road is beautiful. We stayed right at the end of the road, since we have a 30 foot RV, but there are sites you can walk to all the way down the river. I saw one other site before ours," explains Justine I.

Leveling requirements: Prepare leveling equipment for uneven parking areas. "Many of the car parking pads are not level. But the tent pads appear to be," notes VanRumschpringa V. at Wolf Gap Recreation Area, highlighting the importance of bringing leveling blocks.

Road access limitations: Some access roads cannot accommodate larger rigs or trailers. "The road was a little rough, but our 92 ford camper made it, just go slow," advises Justine I. about South Fork Shenandoah River, indicating careful driving is necessary on unpaved access roads.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Baker, WV?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Baker, WV is Wolf Gap Recreation Area with a 5-star rating from 3 reviews.

What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Baker, WV?

TheDyrt.com has all 27 dispersed camping locations near Baker, WV, with real photos and reviews from campers.