Best Dispersed Camping near Dellslow, WV
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Best Dispersed Sites Near Dellslow, WV (6)
1. Canaan Loop Road Dispersed
Davis, West Virginia8 Reviews•44 Photos•200 SavesRecreation areas with activity Dispersed Camping: There are at least 7 dispersed camp sites Along Canaan Loop Road.
Camping Tips Bring drinking water; otherwise, treat water from streams and springs before drinking to kill harmful pathogens. Vigorously boil local water for at least three minutes, or use a filter which is specifically labeled for removal of Giardia. Chemical treatments (iodine and chlorine) are not considered effective. Freezing temperatures and snow can occur anytime of the year, but mainly between October and April. Dress for the weather. Practice Leave No Trace outdoor ethics: do not build a camp within 200 feet of streams. Light weight camping stoves are encouraged. If using firewood it must be dead AND down branches only. Keep fires small. During hunting seasons, hikers are encouraged to wear high visibility clothing.
- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- ADA Access
- Tents
- Group
2. Dolly Sods Backcountry
Red Creek, West Virginia11 Reviews•52 Photos•286 SavesStay on designated trails. Do not create new trails Camp at existing campsites. These usually have a fire ring and show bare ground around them. If you camp at a place without a fire ring DO NOT create one. Use a backpacker-type stove for your cooking needs and enjoy a night without a campfire.
Map: https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5152038.pdf The 17,371 acre Dolly Sods Wilderness in the Monongahela National Forest is part of the National Wilderness Preservation System. It is located in Grant, Randolph, and Tucker Counties, West Virginia. The Dolly Sods Wilderness contains much of the Red Creek drainage and contains bog and heath eco-types, more commonly typical to southern Canada. Elevations range from 2,500 to over 4,700 feet. For more information, see Dolly Sods Wilderness Brochure, Trail Map, and Expansion Map.
Practice Leave No Trace outdoor ethics: do not build a camp within 200 feet of roads, streams and trails. Dolly Sods Wilderness has 47 miles of trails, many of which follow old railroad grades and logging roads. There are fords on some of the trails that may be a problem to cross during high water events. There may be additional small stream crossings as well.
- Pets
- Fires
- Dispersed
- Alcohol
3. Lower Glady Dispersed Campground
Harman, West Virginia7 Reviews•34 Photos•78 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Dispersed
- Toilets
Recent Dispersed Reviews in Dellslow
28 Reviews of 6 Dellslow Campgrounds
Kevin C.
Ranger
Lower Glady Dispersed Campground
Great Disbursed Camping
There are numerous disbursed camping sites at this location. We arrived on a Sunday and found all the sites near the vaulted toilet empty.
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.
Sites are level and have good back-in driveways. Fire rings are large. We removed lots of trash from our fire ring, mostly aluminum cans.
- Harley G.
Guide
Canaan Loop Road Dispersed
First night
This was our first night ever for dispersed camping for us. Did have nice secluded spots for camping. Road was a little rough so take your time.
Leonard M.
ScoutLower Glady Dispersed Campground
Dont try to show up on a Friday afternoon
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....
Michael H.
TravelerCanaan Loop Road Dispersed
Great area for backcountry car camping /overlanding!
Loved camping here! We found a nice site in the pine trees! Perfect for 2 vehicles and 5 people hammock camping!
- AAnnie K.Guide
15377
Melvins paradise lake farm
This place is so beautiful so peaceful the fish in the lake a huge. Small fee for fishing. It’s catch and release only. The owners of the property are very caring and helpful and friendly
- Dallas C.Scout
Dolly Sods Backcountry
Magical
Camped here several times and I love it.
John W.TravelerLower Glady Dispersed Campground
Great place to camp solo or w/family and friends
Camped solo first week of June then with neighbor and his friends a week later. Had great time both visits! Highly recommend getting firewood on right not far from turning off main road! Watch for deer on back roads anytime of day or night!
- WWesley W.Scout
Lower Glady Dispersed Campground
Loved it !
Arrived 8 May for a week. Nice and cool. 4 to 8 other campers. No one next to me. There were a couple of small groups, like two rigs together. Nice and quiet. A few friendly fishermen each day, sharing local knowledge.
- MMaegen C.Traveler
Canaan Loop Road Dispersed
Great Spot
My partner and I like to camp here every year, this year being our third. We’ve found a few nice little spots to set up camp. Great trails nearby with wonderful views.
joe W.TravelerLower Glady Dispersed Campground
Great private campsite with an established firepit
No one bothered mom and I on Easter weekend. 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.
- EEric H.Scout
Dolly Sods Backcountry
Favorite backpacking in WV
Berries abound. Gorgeous views. Be sure to hang your food. Make sure you see bear rocks! Take a map. This place is just magical.
- SScott R.Guide
Canaan Loop Road Dispersed
Nice
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.
Very, very damp.
Clayton S.GuideCanaan Loop Road Dispersed
Great spot for winter camping
I really enjoyed the Caanan Loop Road. It all dispersed camping and if you have a 4x4 you can complete the loop. 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. This will take you to Blackwater Falls state Park.
- WWyatt S.Scout
Lower Glady Dispersed Campground
Nice, quiet dispersed camp sites
Nice camp sites, and good fishing.
- JJacobGuide
Dolly Sods Backcountry
Best backcountry camping spots in the state
Excellent weather. There will always be puddles / ponds in the middle of the trails in Dolly Sods, but conditions were generally excellent. Camped at the Forks and most sites ended up full there, but plenty of dispersed camping off other trails.
- JJacobGuide
Canaan Loop Road Dispersed
April Snow
Still snow on the ground and very wet in early April, but great dispersed car camp and walk-in camp sites.
Jon N.GuideLower Glady Dispersed Campground
A large camping area tucking the mountains.
To start this review off, I drove in during a small snow storm, it was in the single digits for temp, and I woke up with about 8 inches on the ground. Due to this, I was the only one here, so I'm not sure how crowded it would be in the warmer months, or with less snow.
I didn't pull in until close to 11 PM, but a couple notes on what I could see. There is a very sharp turn if you come in from the south on Sully Road, which seems to be the primary way to get there. My Subaru Forester didn't have any issues, but if you're driving an RV or have a trailer, you may have a struggle. However, once you get past that, there camp area is huge. You could easily fit a dozen cars there. There are some toilets, which are really more of out houses. There was also a creek running on the side of the camp, so with a water filter and enough food, you could spend many days here. I could also see a few fire pits, but again, 8' of snow made it hard to really tell what I was looking at, and as it was still snowing and getting late, I didn't feel like trekking too far. There is a wonderful view of the night sky and having the mountain backdrop in the morning was really nice.
I'll def be back here in the warmer months and bring along some friends and family.
Rhea B.TravelerCanaan Loop Road Dispersed
It snowed but we didn't die 🤣
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. All of the sites were mud pits but they were easily identified by big fire rings.
The scenery was gorgeous but don't come here in the winter unless you are prepared for any kind of weather event. It's very secluded and you need to definitely be self sufficient
BenTravelerDolly Sods Backcountry
AK in WV??
With the incredibly varied landscapes and diverse vegetation, Dolly Sods truly feels like you are somewhere far north from WV. The ferns and evergreens reminded me of being in Maine, the vast meadows felt like I was in Wyoming or Montana.
I spent Labor Day weekend in Dolly Sods. With the parking lot packed full of vehicles at Bear Rocks Trailhead, I thought it might be difficult finding any decent campsites on the trail. Thankfully I was very wrong. There are so many incredible spots to camp pretty much everywhere along the trail. Finding water near camp is difficult in some areas, but some simple planning negates this.
(I lost my Oakley Frogskins somewhere on the Rocky Ridge Trail, free to anyone that finds them lol)
Kelly G.
Legend
Brushy Ridge Road Dispersed
Great location near Dolly Sods Wilderness
Brushy Ridge Road is Forest Service Road 75 and is in decent condition. There are several pull off campsites along this road on the way up to Dolly Sods wilderness but this primitive group of three large unmarked campsites with stone fire rings is before you get to the Bear Flats Plateau and the Red Creek camp grounds. It is a 2.5 mile, 2000’ climb to get to the trailhead for Bear Rocks Trail in Bear Rocks Preserve which is about a half mile past the entrance to this unmarked group site. I camped in the middle of these three large campsites that are each about 100 feet away from each other. Firewood was available on a self serve honor system (put $5 cash in the box for each bundle you take) at the farmhouse across from the turn on to Brushy Creek.
Megan B.GuideDolly Sods Backcountry
Beautiful wilderness
Lots of spots along the trails. Sites in the more popular areas by the rivers fill up on busy weekends. The trails can be muddy and rocky but a gorgeous area. Bear country so bring a cannister or hang your food. But 100% worth the trip.
- mmarcusTraveler
Canaan Loop Road Dispersed
Loved the space
Real dispersed and nice for meditation and views. Beautiful scenery
- Alexandra B.Scout
Dolly Sods Backcountry
Amazing Views
So many different landscapes packed into on area. We did an overnight trip and had so much fun. 10/10 recommend.
Sean M.LegendDolly Sods Backcountry
Wilderness of the West in the East
The sods are a truly wild and remote place in an increasingly crowded East coast. For years Dolly Sods has been my go-to backcountry destination, even for chilly winter stays. Many places carry the “wilderness” moniker in the East, but this place lives up to it. No cell service, no car camping, no trail markers, no toilets, and no running water. It’s the real deal. During the off season you can hike for days and not see another person. There are some opportunities to camp closer to the trailhead for those only looking to dip a toe into wilderness travel, but you could hike for miles to a remote site as well. 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. Come prepared and have a great adventure.
- Lucille W.Ranger
Dolly Sods Backcountry
Allegheny mountain wilderness
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. We hiked in in warm weather and once we reached the top of a long entrance road (where one trailhead was) we found snow. A lot of the snow had melted making the ground very soggy and oversaturated in some areas. Despite this, our short Dolly Sods backpacking trip was an amazing first trek for myself and a fiend. Dolly Sods is absolutely gorgeous and is a completely different and unique ecosystem than the surrounding area. I also have friends who have camped here later in the year - mid to late summer - and have highly, highly, recommended that I go back during that time.
Dave V.LegendDolly Sods Backcountry
Shoulder season solitude...flora and fauna delight
Dolly Sods Wilderness Area, part of the Monongahela National Forest, offers something for every hiker, backpacker, camper.
Having visited Dolly Sods numerous times at the Red Creek Campground, using that as the base camp to launch off to explore the myriad of trails. We decided to use the backcountry as a primer for the following year's longer westerly backbacking trip.
Know that it will likely rain on you in Dolly Sods, so always bring rain gear. Also realize, that with climate and conditions similar to the Canadian Tundra, temperatures and winds vary and fluctuate often, any time of year. Those two conditions often dissuade less hearty souls...but they are also exactly what creates and sustains a very beautiful environment.
During our excursion, we spent three nights and four days on what I will term the perimeter trails...camping at Raven Ridge, Big Stonecoal Run creek, and at Reds Creek at the forks. Numerous websites offer insight and directions and all are beneficial to study. We chose to travel counter-clockwise from Bear Rocks, parking in the grass across from the trailhead. Note: leaving valuables in or on your vehicle while you traipse about in the Sods is always iffy, just like anywhere else, so use wisdom. I've read of thefts...but the vehicle parked to us had two high end full-suspension mountain bikes on a roof rack for days without issue.
If you are unfamiliar with Dolly Sods Wilderness trails...choose footwear that either dries fast or is waterproof...has a robust sole to fend off bruises from the brutal amount of sharp, ankle buster rocks on the trail...and won't pull off and be lost in the countless bogs and areas of shoe sucking mud. We wanted to rename one particular trail "pointed rock trail." Our expensive boots were actually a fail for this trip...which was a valuable education.
We saw people run this trail in a day...but there's no way you can enjoy the sights, sounds, and smells moving that quickly. I felt we should've taken more time and explored much more...although soggy weather became a deterrent. The amount of brightly colored fungi, snakes, crayfish and salamanders were astonishing. So if you move too quickly, you miss them.
Do practice "leave no trace." The heavy summer and weekend use by careless and selfish hikers or backcountry partiers...has left the woods adjacent to Reds Creek camping sites littered with toilet paper...dig your cat hole and bury your "goods!"
The rocks on the trail may be a pain, but the formations and views from Raven's Ridge, Lion's Head and Bear Rocks rival the best.
Do your homework, choose your camping gear and wardrobe wisely and launch off into the Dolly Sods Wilderness Area...you'll be glad you did!
- Paul N.Guide
Dolly Sods Backcountry
Love it
Done the drive out twice for extended weekends. Peaceful, quiet, and beautiful. No other place really is like this. Terrain changes, lots of mud, and not over-crowded
Guide to Dellslow
Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Dellslow, West Virginia, where nature offers a serene escape and a chance to connect with the great outdoors. With a variety of locations to choose from, campers can enjoy unique experiences surrounded by stunning landscapes.
Top Activities for Nature Lovers While Free Camping Near Dellslow
- Hiking enthusiasts will appreciate the nearby trails at Canaan Loop Road Dispersed, which offer secluded spots and beautiful views, perfect for a day of exploration.
- For those interested in wildlife, the area around Lower Glady Dispersed Campground provides opportunities to spot deer and other animals, especially during early morning or late evening.
- If you're into winter camping, Canaan Loop Road is a great choice, with well-maintained roads for 4x4 vehicles and access to stunning winter landscapes.
Tips for Free and Dispersed Camping Near Dellslow, West Virginia
- Arriving early is crucial, especially on weekends, as popular spots like Lower Glady Dispersed Campground can fill up quickly, particularly on Friday afternoons.
- Be prepared for varying conditions; for instance, the roads leading to Canaan Loop Road Dispersed can be rough, so take your time and drive cautiously.
- Always practice Leave No Trace principles to keep these beautiful areas pristine, especially at locations like Dolly Sods Backcountry, where maintaining the natural environment is essential for future visitors.
Scenic Attractions for Dispersed Campers
- The breathtaking views at Dolly Sods Backcountry make it a must-visit for campers looking to immerse themselves in nature's beauty, with diverse landscapes that feel far removed from West Virginia.
- For a unique experience, check out the trails at Canaan Loop Road Dispersed, where you can find secluded spots perfect for hammock camping among the pine trees.
- Don't miss the chance to explore the nearby trails at Lower Glady Dispersed Campground, which offer a mix of shade and open sky, ideal for a relaxing camping experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Dellslow, WV?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Dellslow, WV is Canaan Loop Road Dispersed with a 4.8-star rating from 8 reviews.
What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Dellslow, WV?
TheDyrt.com has all 6 dispersed camping locations near Dellslow, WV, with real photos and reviews from campers.