Dispersed camping near Dunmore, West Virginia offers primitive sites at elevations ranging from 2,700 to 4,000 feet, providing rustic outdoor experiences within Monongahela National Forest. Winter temperatures can drop below 20°F with significant snowfall, while summer brings mild 70-80°F days with frequent afternoon thunderstorms. Most primitive campsites require visitors to pack in water and pack out waste, with limited or no facilities available.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Several creeks and rivers near Dunmore provide excellent trout fishing. At Gandy Creek Dispersed Camping, campers report "several spots along the creek are deep enough for swimming" and the fishing is "wonderful." Sites are positioned along Gandy Creek, making it easy to cast a line directly from camp.
Winter camping: The higher elevation areas around Dunmore receive significant snowfall, creating unique cold-weather camping experiences. At Dispersed camping at Mower Basin, one visitor noted "We strolled up the mountain in our 39ft skoolie. It snowed and we had a really good time!" The area remains accessible during winter months, though preparation for cold conditions is essential.
Mountain biking: Several sites offer direct access to trail networks suitable for bikes. At Mower Basin, a reviewer mentioned the area "has a small network of single track trails for anyone with a bike, or in my case, Electric unicycle. The trails were well maintained and offered a wonderful variety of wooded and open space riding."
What campers like
Spacious campsites: Many dispersed sites provide ample room for setup. At Little River Dispersed Campsites, one camper described their site as "a mansion in terms of campsite sizes" with "a small stream pool running along one edge, and the rushing river on another." These generous sites allow for comfortable camping arrangements.
Trail access: Multiple hiking trails connect directly to camping areas. At Braley Pond Dispersed Camping & Day Use Area, "the pond has a great little trail you can walk around and at night the stars are gorgeous." Another reviewer noted "there are trails along the pond's edge" making exploration convenient from camp.
Wildlife viewing: The forest setting provides opportunities to observe native animals. One camper at Gandy Creek found a site "next to the gigantic cliff carved up by the bend in the creek" with "a hidden waterfall across the creek." The diverse habitats support various wildlife throughout the forest.
What you should know
Road conditions: Access roads vary significantly in quality and can change with weather. At Poor Farm Dispersed Recreation Area, it's "about 7+ miles in from the town of Durbin on a dirt road" which might be challenging for RVs though "easy in a small vehicle." Another camper noted it was "a short ride off the highway and the road in was nice."
Bear awareness: Black bears inhabit the forest surrounding Dunmore. One camper at Little River reported being "charged by an extremely aggressive black bear" and recommended keeping "ALL FOOD in the car's trunk those nights and not hanging in a tree just to be safe." Proper food storage is essential at all sites.
Site availability: Popular spots fill quickly during peak seasons. At Gandy Creek, a camper advised to "get there early as it's first come first serve!" Another noted even on a Tuesday night "many of the spots were taken when we arrived, even on a Tuesday night, but about 3-4 remained."
Tips for camping with families
Stream exploration: Children enjoy wading in the shallow creeks that run through many camping areas. At Stonecoal Dispersed Camping Area, sites are "right on Shavers Fork of the Cheat River" with "good access to water." The streams provide natural entertainment and cooling options during summer months.
Toilet facilities: Most dispersed sites lack bathrooms, but some areas have vault toilets. At Braley Pond, a reviewer mentioned "the day use area is close enough to use the bathroom (just an open pit toilet, nothing fancy)" which makes the site "perfect for our first dispersed campsite experience" with children.
Firewood collection: Fallen wood is generally available for campfires. At Braley Pond, campers report finding "fire rings, firewood, and enough room to pull in, pitch a large tent, (ours was a 10-person) and hang hammocks." Teaching children to gather appropriate firewood can be an educational activity.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Large rigs require careful planning at primitive sites. One RVer at Mower Basin reported "We drove in Thursday evening intending to go to stonecoal but the road was blocked off so we headed out to mowers basin and were lucky enough to snag this beautiful view." Having backup options is crucial when traveling with larger vehicles.
Clearance considerations: Many forest roads have rough sections requiring higher clearance. At Mower Basin, a camper noted they had to "push through some steep gravel roads but we did it in truck and trailer." Another added that while challenging, "the roads are gravel and maintained enough for just about any vehicle to get back there."
Turn-around space: Some narrow forest roads have limited places to turn larger vehicles. At Stonecoal, a camper used the "Site 'Turnaround'" at the end of the road when all other sites were full, noting it "wasn't a 'designated site', but it was a defined area with the fire pits."
