Best Tent Camping near Belington, WV
Primitive tent camping options surround Belington, West Virginia within the Monongahela National Forest, offering secluded outdoor experiences in the Appalachian highlands. Bear Heaven Campground provides tent-specific sites with fire pits and picnic tables in a wooded setting about 35 miles southeast of Belington. Canaan Loop Road Dispersed camping area offers more remote tent camping with multiple established sites along a forest service road approximately 25 miles east of town.
Sites at Bear Heaven feature level dirt tent pads with each campsite containing a fire ring and picnic table. The campground has vault toilets but no running water, requiring campers to bring all drinking water or treatment methods for nearby streams. Walk-in tent locations at Canaan Loop Road have varying surfaces from grassy clearings to forest duff, with some sites situated near small streams. Access roads to most primitive tent areas can become muddy and rutted after rainfall, requiring careful navigation even in standard vehicles. Little River Dispersed Campsites provide creek-side tent camping with minimal improvements beyond established fire rings.
Tent campers frequently highlight the solitude and natural setting as primary draws to these areas. The mature forest canopy provides ample shade for summer camping, while fall brings spectacular color to the surrounding hardwood forests. Many sites offer opportunities for wildlife viewing, though proper food storage is essential as bears are active throughout the region. According to one visitor at Little River, "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." Hikers appreciate the network of trails accessible from these tent campsites, including paths that connect to Seneca Creek Trail and Blackwater Falls State Park. Sites fill quickly during peak summer weekends, though midweek visitors often find ample availability at most primitive tent campgrounds.