35 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Several dispersed camping areas surround Brandywine, West Virginia, with Gandy Creek Dispersed Camping situated closest to town. The area features primitive sites along the creek with both drive-in and walk-in access for tents and RVs. Most spots lack basic amenities—no drinking water, toilets, or trash service. According to one visitor, "There's minimal cell reception and by that I mean you'll be walking along and all of sudden your phone will start dinging because you hit a pocket where you get one bar."
Nearby options include Little River Dispersed Campsites in Durbin and Switzer Lake Dispersed Camping across the Virginia border. Switzer Lake requires navigating rough terrain. A camper noted, "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." For those with appropriate vehicles, Flagpole Knob in Virginia offers elevated camping with impressive views but demands high-clearance 4x4 vehicles. All of these free dispersed campsites generally permit 14-day stays, allow campfires (except during restrictions), and welcome pets.
"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."
"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."
"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!!!""
"This site requires a 4x4 vehicle with clearance. The trail leading to and from camp can be a bit tricky for some."
"The main reason I'm reluctant to give it five stars(I gave it 4) is because nearly all of its many campsites cannot be entered by vehicle; you have to park next to the dirt road that runs north-south through"
"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."
"Good little spot, used to go here a lot in college, the drive in can be done by a sedan but I’d definitely recommend AWD/4WD."
"Nice open field off a fire access road. Need four wheel drive to access but has some great views."
"This a US Forest Service site. Campsite is primitive: no facilities aside from vault toilets. Bring water treatment system."
"Car could be parked right next to us on site 2. Next to a creek, so good sounds and cool environment 3. Some walking trails 4."
"Dolly Sods Wilderness Area, part of the Monongahela National Forest, offers something for every hiker, backpacker, camper."
"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."
"So this is quite large, I'm guessing at least 25 to 35 campsites along a 4-ish mile long dirt road that deadends. It is dispersed camping, free."
"Had direct access to water for washing and other needs. However I read in a brochure to not drink the water without boiling for 3 minutes because the area has giardia."
"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."
"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"
"About 7+ miles in from the town of Durbin on a dirt road (not sure how that would go in an RV but easy in a small vehicle). Beautiful dispersed camping near a creek in dense, lush forest."
"This is the Little River Dispersed Camping in Monongahela National Forest, WV. We drove in from the south, through Durbin, which is almost 7 miles on a pothole ridden dirt road."
TravelerAbout a half a mile down to gravel road to a very small boat launch and a loop where there are some fire pits but this is not really dispersed camping in the traditional sense. I saw a few fire pits on the other side of a guardrail where you could pitch a tent alongside the road. Noticeable highway noise in an otherwise scenic location
TravelerGreat place if you want to off road a little and have an amazing view to wake up and go to sleepp too. Would definitely do this again!
TravelerThere are 25 or so established sights at Mower Basin and you're bound to find one with an incredible view of the mountains. Sight 12 took my breath away, but unfortunately as a tent camper the wind pushed us down to the lake sight just passed it. It was close to the road but still felt private. Everyone who passed our sight was very friendly. It's a gorgeous place, and from someone who's never been to Virginia, it was the perfect place to have my first experience. We will probably go back when we are heading back down south.
TravelerYou read that right. All the plans to arrive earlier went out the window and I pulled into the road well after sunset. Able to navigate well enough with recent rainfalls so road was pitted and rocky. Somewhat drove past lake and found pre-utilized spot. Nice ground for set up and plenty of room for vehicle in/egress. The 2:20am howl of the eastern coyote caught me off guard; definitely inside a mile. He traveled because at 2:40am he met his buddies and had a howl-fest in the far distance. By day light I was able to explore and see some great lake sites you would enjoy. Highly recommended. No cell service.
ScoutOvernight tent camping with my dog. Saw a raccoon in a tree. So private and peaceful. The water and wind at night made for a nice relaxing sleep. Plenty of trails to explore.
ScoutIt was a great spot for a little fire and outdoors camping. No permit needed and there are some places around where u can easily rent a kayak to go on the river. You can also park your car easily at this spot.
GuideThis is a very accessible trail. We brought our 22ft Ember Overland Trailer down it with ease. While our trailer has high clearance and independent suspension.. you do not need that to get to some great sites!
We tried 3 different sites here and found campground 12 to be our favorite. It is secluded off the road, had amazing views, and tons of room for multiple cars or campers.
Hiking trails are also great and dog friendly!
ScoutFrom what i can tell there is about 14 sites along about a 7-8 mile gravel road (some parts are rougher than other) each one different in size and shape. Some with astonishing nearly 360 views of the mountain ranges. Some small enough for 1-3 tent setups. This place is too cool, don’t ruin it with litter please. I have Verizon and was pleasantly surprised to see that from what i can tell sites 1-2 I was able to get a bar or two.
ScoutSuper remote camp spot! The drive to the forest road was a little tight and windy for an inexperienced mountain driver as myself. Wouldn't want to do it at night.
Most camp spots are on loops of more group camping with 4-6 sites at each loop and I believe there were 3 or 4 loops. Not my cup of tea, too fish bowl for me and way too exposed. Outside of the loops, there were 8-10 sites that were more my style, with the one we stayed at was just right! The most perfect spot in the whole place (for our preferences) we were literally on a babbling creek. Couldn't get any closer. Had direct access to water for washing and other needs. However I read in a brochure to not drink the water without boiling for 3 minutes because the area has giardia.
Saw a lot of people headed further down creek to fish for trout. No cell service for about 20 minutes. We had to drive back to route 33 and the halfway to Elkins to catch a sliver of cell service.
If you are staying at camp and brought everything you need, you're golden. There are lots of things to occupy yourself with exploring. There is a trailhead on forest rd 162 with miles of hiking with a hand full of trails to choose.
We arrived around 4PM on a Sunday. Plenty of sites to choose from. Was about half full. When we got up the next morning to leave, most spots were open. We stayed until mid day on Friday. Action was definitely picking up. Saw more people, more kids and louder noises. We are definitely Sunday to Thursday campers. I want to camp without knowing the neighbors are there. When leaving on Friday most sites were taken.
Had no problems finding plenty of fallen kindling for our fire. We found a great roadside house on route 33 that was selling firewood in their front yard for only $10 a "row" as they called it. We got 2 rows because we werent sure what to expect when we got there. We built a good hearty fire every morning and every evening and still had firewood we left there since there was so much accessible resources.
We ended up doing a lot of "tourist" experiences that was a bit of a drive to get to due to my inexperience in driving in the mountains. The drives were usually 30 minutes to an hour and a half. But well worth the drive.
Elkins is the closest place to "civilization" (north on 33) we went there for cheap gas, ice, and the grocery store. Didn't explore Elkins as it was too "city" for us. We wanted more remote experiences.
Harman was the next closest place (south on 33) not much for exploring, but they have a dollar general (what remote town doesn't have a dollar general?) and a place for gas
Continue on 33 south and hit Seneca Rocks! Such a beautiful sight to see! Also have the oldest general store built in 1902 and Yokums country store. Its like going back in time. Both tourist traps but worth the experience. We went to the recreation area with river access so beautiful to see the cliffs upclose and personal. If you are a climber this is the place for you. We are hikers. But enjoyed the views.
Continuing on 33 south there is smoke hole caverns. Another tourist trap but fun. For $20 you get a cavern tour tack on a little more if you want to go gem "panning" and get a bag of dirt to find gems. Or putt putt. Giant gift shop. Someone said it was the largest gift shop in West Virginia.
From Seneca Rocks if you head west on 28 it will take you past Seneca Caverns. They were closed for the summer due to blasting nearby.
Continuing on 28 west you then come to one of my favorite spots. Spruce Knob. The highest elevation in all of West Virginia, gorgeous views all around! Terrible observation tower that you cant see anything due to trees. Nice picnic area. Going down the other side of the mountain Spruce Knob lake, lots more trail heads AND a fantastic dispersed camping area! Seneca Creek backcountry. Didn't camp here. Will camp here next time. All dirt roads down the other side of the mountain. But so worth the adventure!
From camp and going to Harman take 32 east and that will take you to Canaan Valley state park, didn't explore too much but access to a lot more hiking
Then you come to Davis WV one of the cutest little towns ever! Very developed for back country but very very quaint. The davis depot has some camping/hiking clothes and lots of tourist items with t-shirts stickers and such. But great designs. Spent a hunk of change here. Has a grocery store and a dollar general. And a hiking, camping, backpacking store. Has gear, clothes, shoes, you name it. Had an issue with my hiking boots. Got good quality boots here! There are several small boutique stores a couple of restaurants a brewery and a bicycle shop.
Last point of interest I'll address, on the other side of Davis, Blackwater State Park. Easy in intermediate hiking here did most of our hiking here. Gorgeous falls. 3 to be exact. Nice overlooks. Nice recreation center for the kids. Near Canaan loop rd.[Canaan loop rd has dispersed camping too. This is where I had planned on camping when we came to WV and ended up over in Glady. However, I was told by the guy at the camp store in Davis that it was closed. I cannot confirm this. But just definitely check into it before solidifying plans]
My preferences for camping are not usually the whole tourist thing. But WV has so much to offer I just couldn't get enough! So we kept trekking out to see more. The drive is a lot and was a whole day's journey round trip with spending time at those locations but so worth it. Not that far of a drive in the scheme of things
Will come back to this area over and over for all the dispersed camping options and for all the sights and experiences packed in such a small area.
Dispersed camping near Brandywine, West Virginia offers backcountry experiences in the Monongahela National Forest at elevations ranging from 2,500 to 4,000 feet. Seasonal temperatures vary significantly with winter lows frequently below freezing and summer highs rarely exceeding 85°F. Most dispersed sites follow a standard 14-day stay limit and require campers to pack out all waste.
Fishing opportunities: Little River Dispersed Campsites provides excellent trout fishing access. A camper noted, "Very nice area several nice spot right along the creek. Areas are spread out and private. Nice spot to relax and escape along creek."
Star gazing: Mower Basin's elevated position offers exceptional night sky viewing. According to one visitor, "The moon was bright but you could still see hundreds of stars. There was a fire ring and enough space to fit a car and tent, but other sites were large enough to fit many cars and a dozen people."
Hiking network: Braley Pond Dispersed Camping connects to several forest trails. "There are also trails along the pond's edge. We didn't explore too in depth, so there may be more hiking available," reports one camper, with another adding, "The pond has a great little trail you can walk around and at night the stars are gorgeous."
Seclusion: Canaan Loop Road provides privacy even during busy periods. A reviewer mentioned, "We found a nice site in the pine trees! Perfect for 2 vehicles and 5 people hammock camping!" Another visitor added, "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."
Creek access: Gandy Creek Dispersed Camping offers prime waterfront sites. One camper shared, "We stayed at the last site with the cliff over hang and it was magical. We took our car but the roads were a bit rough and I wouldn't recommend anything too low to the ground. Several spots along the creek are deep enough for swimming."
Forest surroundings: Lower Glady provides tranquil forest settings with established sites. A visitor reported, "Nice and quiet. A few friendly fishermen each day, sharing local knowledge." Another camper mentioned, "The campsites are boarded by boulders. The toilet was one of the cleanest I have seen. Most sites have good shade while still open to the sky."
Vehicle requirements: High clearance vehicles are often necessary for the best sites. At Dolly Sods Backcountry, a camper warned, "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."
Weather preparation: Mountain weather changes rapidly in all seasons. One visitor to Mower Basin shared, "We strolled up the mountain in our 39ft skoolie. It snowed and we had a really good time!"
Wildlife awareness: Bears are active throughout the region. At Little River Dispersed Campsites, a camper cautioned, "Not even 2 minutes from our dispersed camp site we were charged by an extremely aggressive black bear, fortunately with plenty of noise and shouting and slowly backing away we avoided further conflict!"
Kid-friendly locations: Braley Pond offers easier access for families. One parent mentioned, "I brought my boys out to camp this past weekend, and this place was perfect for our first dispersed campsite experience. The day use area is close enough to use the bathroom. Though you can't swim in the lake, we did wade the stream, which was cold and clear and beautiful."
Simple activities: Streams provide natural entertainment for children. As one family noted at Gandy Creek, "Just camped there with two of my friends this past weekend, really cool site we were lucky enough to get a site next to the river! Get there early as it's first come first serve!"
Emergency planning: Cell service is minimal across most dispersed sites. Plan accordingly with alternative communication methods and first aid supplies.
Road conditions: Many forest roads have tight turns and rough surfaces. At Lower Glady, an RVer advised, "We pulled our 28 foot travel trailer in past I'd say ten other campsites that were taken. The last big turnaround featured four rv accessible campfires for us to pick."
Site selection: Arrive early to secure level parking for larger vehicles. For RVs at Mower Basin, a camper explained, "Awesome spot in mountain, not too many sites but they are all well marked. Just have to push through some steep gravel roads but we did it in truck and trailer."
Seasonal access: Spring and fall often have more challenging road conditions due to rain and mud. Check Forest Service road status reports before committing to remote sites with heavy rigs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Brandywine, WV?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Brandywine, WV is Switzer Lake Dispersed Camping with a 4.5-star rating from 13 reviews.
What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Brandywine, WV?
TheDyrt.com has all 35 dispersed camping locations near Brandywine, WV, with real photos and reviews from campers.
Keep Exploring
