Dispersed camping areas near Belington, West Virginia offer primitive camping experiences in the Monongahela National Forest at elevations ranging from 1,800 to 4,000 feet. Sites tend to be coolest during summer months with temperatures typically 10-15 degrees lower than surrounding valleys. The region experiences significant rainfall throughout the year, making water access plentiful but creating challenging trail conditions across multiple seasons.
What to do
Hiking ancient forests: Several trails branch from Gaudineer Knob camp sites, including a half-mile interpretive loop through old-growth forest. "Even if you choose to not camp here, it is at least worth it to walk the trail and see the overlook," writes Jon N., who describes the area as "like being in a fairy tale" with its moss-covered forest floor.
Fishing opportunities: Multiple dispersed camping areas offer creek and river access. At Gandy Creek Dispersed Camping, anglers report excellent conditions. "It's amazing and peaceful. Plus the fishing is wonderful," notes Kristoff M. Opportunities range from shallow creek fishing to deeper pools along riverbanks.
Trail exploration: The Canaan Loop Road Dispersed area connects to numerous hiking options. One camper reports: "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."
What campers like
Creek-side privacy: At Little River Dispersed Campsites, campers appreciate the secluded sites along the water. "Little river has about 15 campsites along Little River Road. Most are decent, but a few are absolutely gorgeous... When you park and walk down to the river, if you turn right, there's a beach area about 50 yards down that offers a great spot to take a dip!" reports Tommy S.
Elevated views: The dispersed areas at higher elevations offer unique perspectives. At Dispersed camping at Mower Basin, reviewers note exceptional stargazing opportunities. One camper describes it as "God tier - best campsite I've ever had" adding that "The moon was bright but you could still see hundreds of stars."
Unique ecosystems: The region features distinct forest types. At Gaudineer Knob, Todd C. explains: "The forest floor is only moss. Like miles of moss and other than the trail that was it. No other trees either. Just Spruce? I think it was spruce but I'm not a treeologist. That combination created the world's most quiet environment ever."
What you should know
Seasonal closures: Some roads accessing dispersed camping areas close seasonally. "Unfortunately the road is closed for upgrades until spring of 2024," notes Paige H. regarding Stonecoal Dispersed Camping Area.
Wildlife awareness: Bears are active in the region. One camper at Little River Dispersed Campsites reports: "Not even 2 minutes from our dispersed camp site we were charged by an extremely aggressive black bear... We decided to keep ALL FOOD in the car's trunk those nights and not hanging in a tree just to be safe."
Limited connectivity: Cell service is minimal across most dispersed camping areas. One reviewer notes at Dispersed camping at Mower Basin: "I had T-Mobile and had signal only by the first campsite for some reason. I had no signal for almost two hours heading towards VA."
Tips for camping with families
Weekend planning: Free camping near Belington fills quickly on weekends. Leonard M. warns about Lower Glady: "We tried to get a spot this weekend and arrived around 430pm on Friday. Every single spot was taken with many people who look like they have been set up there all summer."
Toilet access: For families with younger children, select sites with vault toilets. Monongahela National Forest Dispersed Site has mixed options - some areas have no facilities while others are more developed. One reviewer noted their experience was "Secluded but safe" and mentioned that "the grounds man who delivered my firewood checked on my 1-2 times a day."
Weather preparedness: Mountain weather changes rapidly. At Canaan Loop Road Dispersed, campers describe variable conditions: "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."
Tips from RVers
Road condition awareness: Access roads vary considerably in quality. Justin L. noted about Gandy Creek Dispersed Camping: "Great dispersed camping area. Camped here in winter and just pulled into the first designated spot. There was snow but the fire pit was easy to dig out."
Vehicle clearance requirements: Low-clearance vehicles may struggle on some access roads. At Little River Dispersed Campsites, Luke M. cautions: "The road is narrow and you'll need to pull off to the side to let cars pass coming in, and the road is riddled with pot holes and is entirely gravel."
Site size considerations: While some areas accommodate larger rigs, many have limitations. At Canaan Loop Road Dispersed, a reviewer notes: "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."
