Best Campgrounds near Cass, WV

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.

Best Camping Sites Near Cass, West Virginia (137)

    1. Seneca State Forest

    12 Reviews
    Dunmore, WV
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (304) 799-6213

    "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."

    2. Dispersed camping at Mower Basin

    9 Reviews
    Durbin, WV
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (304) 636-1800

    "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. "

    "maintained enough for just about any vehicle to get back there, the views are truly incredible with great star gazing opportunities, and MOST IMPORTANTLY it is absolutely littered with marked hiking trails"

    3. East Fork Campground and Horse Stables

    6 Reviews
    Durbin, WV
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (304) 456-3101

    "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!"

    4. Snowshoe Valley Camping

    2 Reviews
    Snowshoe, WV
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (530) 433-9751

    $20 - $85 / night

    "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!"

    5. Seven Mile Campground

    1 Review
    Monongahela National Forest, WV
    6 miles
    Website

    "The campground is located directly off Rt.28."

    6. Greenbrier River Trail MP 69.6

    1 Review
    Monongahela National Forest, WV
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (304) 799-7416

    "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,"

    7. Little River Dispersed Campsites

    6 Reviews
    Durbin, WV
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (304) 456-3335

    "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."

    8. Whittaker Campground

    1 Review
    Cass, WV
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (304) 456-3218

    9. Greenbrier River Trail Milepost 63.8 Primitive Campsite

    1 Review
    Marlinton, WV
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (304) 799-4087

    "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"

    10. Island Campground

    6 Reviews
    Durbin, WV
    17 miles
    Website

    "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."

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Recent Reviews near Cass, WV

524 Reviews of 137 Cass Campgrounds


  • TangoRomeo 8.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 30, 2025

    Sherwood Lake WV

    Lake Sherwood Dispersed Camping

    Around a dozen sites with Rick fire rings, some are RV sized others are tent only. These are located along the road to Lake Sherwood in Neola WV off Rt. 92. First come first serve. Lake Sherwood Day use recreation area with seasonal pay sites is located at the end of the road. All within Monongahela National Forest

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 28, 2025

    Audra State Park Campground

    Quiet

    A beautiful park located on a river very quiet. Campsites are small only electric is available bathhouse clean. The roads are very narrow with sharp turns.

  • Sonder B.
    Sep. 21, 2025

    Dispersed camping at Mower Basin

    Clean, Remote, Pristine, off the beaten path = Mower Basin

    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. 

    The first three I would be solo and on that Friday my partner in crime would come to camp. I went to the primary camp site, and it was occupied. 

    I had four other camp sites chosen and continued to the other four. I found that other campers were on the other spots. I went to the last one and found it to be open. In setting up camp I found two piles of bear scat. 

    One pile was clearly fresher than the other, but still two piles! The attached photo is the last dispersed camp site. It was a little over a mile from the other site. I was dispersed camping in the Mower Basin. You can drive right up to your camp site, but don’t be fooled, this is primitive camping. 

    You need to bring everything with you and take it all out with you.

    Nearest Cell tower is here 38.688719,-79.979097

    Fuel &  small gocery store can be found here 38.710707,-79.979095

    Minor Automotive shop and tire repair here 38.713085,-79.979352

  • Alia
    Sep. 7, 2025

    Kick Back n Camp

    Last Minute Getaway

    My husband and I went on a spontaneous camping road trip. We called the campground, and they had availability for walk-ins! Usually, you’d have to book in advance. The campsite was a semi-private spot, and it cost less than $30 a night, without electricity. They also have sites with electricity. We were fortunate enough to have no campers around us, making it quite private.

    The campground had a picnic table, a fire pit, and they even delivered our firewood directly to our site. They had separate sites for RVs and tent camping, so we could choose the one that best suited our needs. The owners were incredibly friendly and outgoing, making our stay even more enjoyable.

    If you forget anything, the campground office had everything you needed for purchase. They also had a well-organized brochure that showcased the campground’s amenities and offerings. And let’s not forget their delicious ice cream! They had a variety of flavors, and I highly recommend trying them all.

    One of the standout features of the campground was the bathhouse. It was spotlessly clean and felt like a spa. The showers were comfortable and had hot water, making it our highlight

    Overall, we had a fantastic time at the campground. It was a great place to unwind and connect with nature. If you’re looking for a peaceful and affordable camping experience, I highly recommend this campground.

  • scott K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 23, 2025

    Gladwin Dispersed Camping

    Go a little further

    Decided to try it even though other review said private property- and seems they were correct but incorrect. Initially you do come to private land with several campsites and campers present. But if you go down the dirt road a little to the low water bridge you will find a wonderful site on the right with several fire pits. Or another 100 yards after bridge was another nice site on the left

  • Snooz H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 20, 2025

    Flatwoods KOA

    It's ok. Site 44

    Very unlevel spot. Not sure if they are all like this, but it's a big ugh... trash pick up is 1/day & 1 bag of trash 🤦🏼‍♀️

    Wifi is non existent! Tried connecting TV to it and connected with no internet. So, hotspotted my cell phone and showed a internet connection, but very slow. Yeah yeah ...I know we're camping ,but it is 95° outside and the sun is shining all over us...hopefully after sunset?

  • Sophia Z.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 17, 2025

    Gladwin Dispersed Camping

    Spot is on Private Property

    Spot is amazing, but we got told to leave due to it actually being private property, not part of the national forest camping.
    There is a private property line next to the entrance, so we thought we were in the clear being away from it, but locals, although incredibly friendly, kindly asked us to leave.

  • Gene H.
    Aug. 12, 2025

    Alpine Shores Campground

    Great Music on holiday weekends!

    This is a clean, beautiful location ran by wonderful, kind folks.  My band, The Fridley Boys plays there on the 4th and Labor Day weekends.  The crowd and atmosphere is always amazing.  It is definitely our favorite venue!!!  Crowd and band are out of the weather.  Love this place!


Guide to Cass

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.

What to do

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.

What campers like

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.

What you should know

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.

Tips for camping with families

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.

Tips from RVers

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.