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The Monongahela National Forest area surrounding Cass, West Virginia provides multiple camping areas ranging from established campgrounds to primitive dispersed sites. Seneca State Forest offers both developed camping with amenities and rustic cabin options, including the unique 65-foot Thorny Mountain Fire Tower available for overnight rental. The region includes several campgrounds along the Greenbrier River Trail, a converted railway corridor stretching 80 miles through scenic forest land. Dispersed camping opportunities exist at Mower Basin and Little River Dispersed Campsites, while East Fork Campground provides full hookups for RV travelers. Snowshoe Valley Camping offers tent, RV, and glamping options near Snowshoe Mountain Resort.
Seasonal considerations affect camping availability throughout the area, with many campgrounds operating from early April through November or December. The Seven Mile Campground in Seneca State Forest provides rustic sites with handpump water sources and clean vault toilets along a narrow holler beside a stream. Forest roads leading to dispersed sites like Mower Basin may require higher clearance vehicles, especially after rainfall. Cell service is extremely limited across the region, with no coverage available in many camping areas. A camper noted, "There is no cell service within 30 miles, so for an outsider who doesn't know the area, it was difficult to find the campsite. You also better bring everything you need beforehand."
Campers report high satisfaction with riverside locations throughout the area, particularly along the Greenbrier River Trail. Wildlife viewing opportunities are abundant, with deer, rabbits, chipmunks, and occasionally black bears visible from camping areas. The proximity to historic attractions like the Cass Scenic Railroad and outdoor recreation at Snowshoe Mountain enhances the camping experience. According to one visitor, "Wildlife and songbirds were abundant and as shocked to see you as you were them. Oftentimes, the deer would run the trail ahead of you for 200 yards before cutting off onto their sidetrail." Several primitive camping areas along the Greenbrier River Trail feature Adirondack-style shelters, pit latrines, and raised tent pads with fire rings, providing basic but adequate facilities for overnight stays.
"To get to the fire tower you will want to take the Loop Road, it is gravel and there are pot holes on the edges of the road so you will want to be careful of those."
"There is much history and lore that is behind every fire tower. The Thorny Mountain Fire Tower was built by the CCC sometime around 1935...and is erected at an elevation of 3458 ft."
"I chose for this trip to pay a visit to the Monongahela Nation Forest in West Virginia. I plan on dispersed camp in the Mower Basin for seven days. "
"I do a lot of dispersed camping, and have done several dispersed camping sites in West Virginia recently. Mower Basin is, hands down, my favorite one so far."
"We used it as a base for Cass Scenic Railroad, which is not far from Durbin."
"Nice well kept campground adjacent to the Durbin Rocket steam locomotive. They are doing a train robbery this week, robbers are riding horseback to steal a guarded shipment!"
"Snowshoe Valley camping is close to Snowshoe resort, and also surrounded by protected forests, perfect for getting some hiking in! Check them out and make sure to share some pictures of your stay!"
from $20 - $85 / night
Check Availability"GREENBRIER RIVER TRAIL MILEPOST 69.6 PRIMITIVE CAMPING AREA, Clover Lick, WV The Greenbrier River Trail is a converted C&O Railway that travels 80 miles from Cass Railroad Station, Stumptown,"
"We arrived around 6pm on a Friday evening. A couple of the spots were taken but we found a lovely spot in the group campsite - there was no one else there!"
"Very very quiet location. You can collect fallen material for fires, and we marched off into the woodlands for a little hike."
"Greenbrier River Trail Milepost 63.8 Primitive Campsite, Located between Clover Lick and Clawson, WV (south of Sharp's Tunnel) The Greenbrier River Trail is one of the most beautiful and often most"
"They only have 1 drive in campsite next to the creek but it was by far the nicest. Luckily we were the only people there and were able to grab it that day."
"Good location next to stream and trail, Locust Springs right up the road."
ScoutThis place is beautiful! I loved seeing all the wildlife! My daughter and I enjoyed walking the entire campground looking for Bigfoot.😉 we loved waking up the next morning to having squirrels, chipmunks, deer and birds on our campsite. We stayed on site 14
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.
TravelerThere were at least 12 numbered sites. Free dispersed camping. 14 day limit. Most sites had sun so you could have solar. Some sites were very private tucked far off the gravel road. All sites were very spaced out. Very quiet.
TravelerI used the coordinates and it took me to a campground that charges $15 a day. They weren’t private being right on the gravel road. There were tables,pits and the shepherds hook in each one. There were some that were on the river. There were toilets. I didn’t use them so I can’t say anything more about them. Not much sun thru the dense trees for solar. I kept driving around the forest on FR227 and came upon a whole nother set of labeled dispersed campsites that were very private and have open areas for solar. They were numbered. There were at least 12 that I saw.
ScoutBeautiful and secluded. Primitive camping area for boondocking or tent camping. Large enough to set up several electric pens for horses.
ScoutAbsolutely no service here cell or internet. We have a starlink so are connected if needed Stayed at the furthest site removed from anyone. Very beautiful.
TravelerI can’t believe no one has rated this beautiful place. The sites are level, gravel, well spaced out and surrounded by trees. We stayed at White Pines Campground and there was a network of trails you can access a short walk away. The trails had views, lake, waterfall, and beautiful mountain laurel in bloom. These trails looked great for mountain biking too. The showers were nicely laid out, clean and had great pressure and there were plenty of them. The huge bonus was the dishwashing station with hot water. I can’t wait to come back and explore this beautiful area more!
ScoutBeautiful quiet place
GuideRelaxed and quiet campground. No hookups Fire rings And a stream
Camping near Cass, West Virginia provides diverse terrain options from creek-side primitive spots to specialized horse camping facilities. The region sits within the Monongahela National Forest at elevations between 2,300-4,000 feet, creating distinct seasonal temperature variations with cool summer nights even when daytime temperatures reach the 80s. Cell service throughout the area remains extremely unreliable, requiring campers to plan communication needs accordingly.
Ride the historic railways: The Durbin Rocket steam locomotive runs adjacent to East Fork Campground and Horse Stables, where you can watch train robberies during special events. "They are doing a train robbery this week, robbers are riding horseback to steal a guarded shipment!" notes Harold C.
Rent a fire tower overnight: The Thorny Mountain Fire Tower in Seneca State Forest offers a unique 65-foot elevated camping experience. "The tower cabin structure has 360 views...11 windows and a windowed door...so you don't miss any of the show! It is not insulated, but then again it is not available during the winter months," explains Dave V.
Trail exploration: Multiple established trails connect throughout the region, offering varied difficulty levels. Dispersed camping at Mower Basin provides direct access to hiking networks. "Following the road all the way to the final site you will cross paths with no fewer than 5 distinct and different toughness hiking trails," notes Mystic S.
Secluded riverside locations: Little River Dispersed Campsites offer prime water access. "Beautiful spots by the river. Wildflowers and ferns and grassy spots right by the river. Some spots even have picnic tables and fire pits," describes Ashley W.
Dark skies for stargazing: The region's distance from light pollution creates exceptional night sky viewing. "The moon was bright but you could still see hundreds of stars," reports Jon N. about his experience at Mower Basin.
Pioneer cabin experiences: For those seeking rustic accommodations beyond tent camping, cabins provide a middle ground. "We stayed in a cabin this time. One of the pioneer cabins. Let me say it was awesome, wood stove, gas light, outhouse and had to get your own water," shares David F. about his stay at Seneca State Forest.
Prepare for zero connectivity: Cell service disappears completely throughout much of the region. "Lost cell service an hour before reaching the area. Utterly beautiful, pretty untouched wilderness," notes Luke M. about Little River Dispersed Campsites.
Access road challenges: Many camping areas require navigating unpaved roads with potential hazards. "We drove in from the south, through Durbin, which is almost 7 miles on a pothole ridden dirt road. Dangerous for RVs, great for those looking for an escape," explains Tommy S.
Bear awareness required: Black bears are active throughout the area, requiring proper food storage. "We were charged by an extremely aggressive black bear, fortunately with plenty of noise and shouting and slowly backing away we avoided further conflict! But, it was very very close to the site we had our tent!" warns Luke M.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Many campgrounds offer excellent wildlife observation opportunities. "Site 4 (non-electric) at Seven Mile Campground - Encountered 19 deer, 1 bear, and several other small creatures," reports Mike C.
Swimming access: Creeks and rivers throughout the area provide natural swimming spots. "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!" advises Tommy S.
Budget-friendly options: Most dispersed camping in the area remains free of charge. "This camp site was easily accessible and seats to find. The rates were very low and affordable for an avid backpacker," notes Charles K. about his experience at Seneca State Forest.
Limited full hookup options: East Fork Campground provides one of the few electric hookup options in the area. "The sites are full hook up," notes Matt V. about the campground's amenities.
High clearance required: Many dispersed camping areas demand vehicles capable of handling rough terrain. "Just have to push through some steep gravel roads but we did it in truck and trailer," explains Evan about Snowshoe Valley Camping.
Self-contained camping necessary: Most primitive sites lack water or waste disposal facilities. "Simple plywood shower and toilet house. (Mens side not so clean) hot water shower. $30/night with or without electricity," notes Danny M. about Whittaker Campground.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the campgrounds near Cass, WV?
Several campgrounds are located near Cass, WV. The Greenbrier River Trail, which starts at Cass Railroad Station, offers multiple primitive camping options including Greenbrier River Trail MP 69.6 near Clover Lick and Greenbrier River Trail Milepost 63.8 Primitive Campsite between Clover Lick and Clawson. Other nearby options include East Fork Campground and Horse Stables near Durbin, Little River Dispersed Campsites, and Whittaker Campground. Most primitive sites along the Greenbrier River Trail are free and provide basic facilities for hikers and bikepackers. These campgrounds offer varying levels of amenities but all provide access to the beautiful wilderness that surrounds Cass.
What lodging options are available in Cass, West Virginia?
Cass, West Virginia offers diverse lodging options beyond traditional camping. The historic company houses in Cass itself have been converted into vacation rentals, providing a unique stay in the restored logging town. For those seeking camping with amenities, Seneca Shadows and Spruce Knob Lake Campground are within driving distance, offering beautiful settings with various facilities. For resort-style accommodations, Canaan Valley Resort State Park provides lodge rooms, cabins and camping options with amenities like restaurants and recreational facilities. The Greenbrier River Trail primitive campsites offer more rustic alternatives for outdoor enthusiasts wanting to experience the natural beauty surrounding Cass.
Can you camp near the Cass Scenic Railroad?
Yes, you can camp near the Cass Scenic Railroad. The northern terminus of the Greenbrier River Trail is located at the Cass Railroad Station, providing convenient camping access for railroad visitors. Greenbrier River Trail Mile Post 49.3 Primitive Campsite is one option along this 78-80 mile trail that connects to Cass. For those preferring established campgrounds with more amenities, Watoga State Park's Riverside Campground is within driving distance of Cass. The primitive campsites along the trail offer peaceful riverside camping with basic facilities, while Watoga provides more developed sites with additional amenities. Both options put you in proximity to explore the historic Cass Scenic Railroad.
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