Top Free Dispersed Camping near Dunmore, WV

If you're looking for a place to dispersed camp near Dunmore, look no further. Here you'll find a diverse selection of places to camp, including remote dispersed camping to boondocking, and everything in-between. You're sure to find the perfect dispersed campsite for your West Virginia camping adventure.

Best Dispersed Sites Near Dunmore, WV (13)

Showing results 1-10 of 13 campgrounds

Recent Dispersed Reviews In Dunmore

74 Reviews of 13 Dunmore Campgrounds


  • W
    Camper-submitted photo from Dispersed camping at Mower Basin
    Sep. 5, 2024

    Dispersed camping at Mower Basin

    Beautiful views

    Very quiet, beautiful views, amazing drive from VA. Multiple campsites and they all have beautiful views. I have T-Mobile and had signal only by the first campsite for some reason. I had no signal for almost two hours heading towards VA.

  • W
    Camper-submitted photo from Flagpole Knob
    Sep. 5, 2024

    Flagpole Knob

    Enjoyed the drive and stay

    I drove to Switzer Lake first and from there stayed on the trail all the way to Flag Pole. The drive took a few hours but was a ton of fun. There are a few good spots up there and it gets fairly busy.

  • Leonard M.
    Camper-submitted photo from Lower Glady Dispersed Campground
    Jun. 30, 2024

    Lower 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....

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Flagpole Knob
    Jun. 26, 2024

    Flagpole Knob

    They Said....

    They said, no way, I chuckled. 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!!!" what an Amazing view, don't use me as an example , you definitely should not drive your 2018 Ram ProMaster 2500 159 wb campervan up that road like I did. so now that that's clear how about some pics?.it's absolutely pouring down rain and hail. how about some security cam footage?

  • kylie B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Switzer Lake Dispersed Camping
    Apr. 18, 2024

    Switzer Lake Dispersed Camping

    Terrible road to get in

    I drive a low vehicle so it probably wasn’t the best idea to make my way in but i was exhausted and needed to rest a couple days . The road was the worst and really not worth the drive in . The sites were trashy , glass, bullet holes in trees and bullet shells . The sites were fairly decent size but you really have to drive way in to get to them . I won’t stay here again although it was really beautiful on the drive out . The lake is gorgeous .

  • Jim M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Poor Farm Dispersed Recreation Area
    Mar. 19, 2024

    Poor Farm Dispersed Recreation Area

    Great "out of the way" spot

    Great camp site!! I pulled in while passing through the area, it was a short ride off the highway and the road in was nice. Quiet spot with a nice grassy level area. will definitely stay here again when I get back up this way.

  • Emil D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Switzer Lake Dispersed Camping
    Dec. 31, 2023

    Switzer Lake Dispersed Camping

    Nice area the camp spots can use some work

    I have been camping here for the past 10 years. Beautiful area and pretty secluded dispersed campsites. Over the years, it seems that some people leave more trash here, but not always. Please do NOT camp next to the lake even if you see fire rings. If the rangers come (which they did twice in 10 years), they will be very upset with you and make you pack up.

    The road is a mix of gravel but also dirt so it can become muddy during rain. If you follow the road, there is a river crossing that will take you to additional camp spots. The road beyond the river can get more tricky for low clearance vehicles.

    There are bears here, so lock up your food in the car. We have encountered a bear at or around the campsite 3 times.

    The fishing is decent, and we have caught some trout there in the past. There is a boat ramp at the lake, but only electric motors and paddle boats are allowed.

    Just a heads up, there is no cellphone signal for any carrier from what I could tell.

  • Paige H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Dispersed camping at Mower Basin
    Oct. 14, 2023

    Dispersed camping at Mower Basin

    Weekend stay

    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. The few people we did encounter were friendly.

  • L
    Camper-submitted photo from Switzer Lake Dispersed Camping
    Sep. 18, 2023

    Switzer Lake Dispersed Camping

    Beautiful area!

    I made a spontaneous trip this past weekend. Easy to find and a beautiful area. 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. I drove past the lakefront sites and 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. I drove down a path that would not be accessible with a car, however there are spots closer to the dirt road that you don’t need a vehicle with high clearance. I’ll definitely be going back!

  • Todd C.
    Camper-submitted photo from Gaudineer Knob camp sites
    Aug. 21, 2023

    Gaudineer Knob camp sites

    Moss covered pine forest of silence

    Just wow! First off, it's not a campsite, it's day use only, but I got there too late to go anywhere else. The forest floor is only moss. Like miles of moss and other than the trail that was it. No other trees either. Just Spruce?I think it was spruce but I'm not a treeologist. That combination created the world's most quiet environment ever. You wouldn't hear a marching band if they were feet behind you. It was super erie to camp in, but also the most peaceful and amazing spot I've been to in years. I loved it! I did the old growth loop down the road too. The whole place was magical.

  • Matt M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Switzer Lake Dispersed Camping
    Jul. 27, 2023

    Switzer Lake Dispersed Camping

    Beautiful, but...

    My site was great. It was an established site with a fire ring. It had a large clearing with a pretty flat spot for my tent. I accessed the site on my motorcycle. You wouldn't get a car/truck to the site. The trail is only about 30 yards. I am not sure I was in a camping allowed spot though. Some reviews say you have to go farther down the road. So there is that. I need to get more specific guidelines. Regardless, it was a great night if camping. I was pretty discouraged by the amount of trash. I grabbed as much as I could fit, but I didn't have extra bags or extra room, being the bike.

  • Karli P.
    Camper-submitted photo from Little River Dispersed Campsites
    Jul. 22, 2023

    Little River Dispersed Campsites

    Secluded but Accessible

    My husband and I stayed her for one night with our dog! 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! The group campsite had 5 spots spread around a smallish gravel loop.

    Just a heads up, the road to access these campsites is tucked in the back of a residential area. We missed it the first time by and had to turn around!

    If you are just passing through or staying a while, this is a great dispersed camping area!

  • John W.
    Camper-submitted photo from Lower Glady Dispersed Campground
    Jun. 28, 2023

    Lower 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!

  • D
    Camper-submitted photo from Switzer Lake Dispersed Camping
    Jun. 21, 2023

    Switzer Lake Dispersed Camping

    Great For No Hassle One-Night Camping

    I only stopped there one night on my way through to Delaware, but it was just what I needed. Great views too, it was quite windy though on the lake. Might be something to keep in mind. Most vehicles should be fine coming in off of 33. From what I hear from another camper, it is rough coming the other way with anything other than something that can scale rocks

  • W
    Camper-submitted photo from Lower Glady Dispersed Campground
    May. 24, 2023

    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.

  • Mystic S.
    Camper-submitted photo from Dispersed camping at Mower Basin
    May. 3, 2023

    Dispersed camping at Mower Basin

    Incredible views, large private sites, easily accessible hiking trails

    This has been the best spot I've found so far in terms of what it offers. It's easy to find, the roads are gravel and 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.

    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, there are likely more, but I was only there for a week and would usually just do one trail a day.

    I saw forestry trucks coming in and out during the day, day hikers, and the entire week that I was there I only saw 3 other cars coming in to camp. But the sites are so spread out/the foliage is so thick that you can't see or hear anyone.

    This is a spot that I will make a special trip to go back out to, just to enjoy those trails and views again. In the months that I've been slowly moving across the country, this is 1 of 2 sites that I will FOR SURE come back to. I'll probably invite friends from out of state to make a several hours drive to hangout there, it's that good.

  • Luke D.
    Camper-submitted photo from Little River Dispersed Campsites
    Apr. 18, 2023

    Little River Dispersed Campsites

    Amazing, but beware bears

    Lost cell service an hour before reaching the area. Utterly beautiful, pretty untouched wilderness. Very very quiet location. You can collect fallen material for fires, and we marched off into the woodlands for a little hike. 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! But, it was very very close to the site we had our tent! We decided to keep ALL FOOD in the car's trunk those nights and not hanging in a tree just to be safe. While the wilderness is beautiful and untouched, the previous campers left behind some sweet teas and cans, which probably is why the wildlife was so close. Be mindful to pick up your own litter and if you can take out the litter from the previous campers. Also a warning ⚠️ the road is narrow and you'll need to pull off to the side to let cars pass coming in, and the road is riddled with pot holes and is entirely gravel. Just beware and you'll have a great time!

  • joe W.
    Camper-submitted photo from Lower Glady Dispersed Campground
    Apr. 12, 2023

    Lower 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.

  • Morgan H.
    Camper-submitted photo from Braley Pond Camping & Day Use Area
    Apr. 5, 2023

    Braley Pond Camping & Day Use Area

    Great Spot for a Night

    Sites had plenty of space with fire rings built out of rocks. Loved exploring the area and pond. Pond had a lot of trash along the shoreline and vault toilet was rather full. Otherwise, a great place for a night of camping.

  • Mikaela K.
    Camper-submitted photo from Braley Pond Camping & Day Use Area
    Mar. 24, 2023

    Braley Pond Camping & Day Use Area

    Good spot to camp with a tent or a van

    We took our conversion van and had no problems parking and pulling through to turn around when we left. Plenty of places to park or set up a tent along the road or at the end near the bathrooms and information center. A few nice hikes, and plenty of privacy. We did have to clean up after the last campers in our spot though, but other than that it was well taken care of

  • Mikaela K.
    Camper-submitted photo from Poor Farm Dispersed Recreation Area
    Mar. 24, 2023

    Poor Farm Dispersed Recreation Area

    Nice spot, even for our conversion van!

    Wasn’t too hard to get there and park in our van. Peaceful for the most part (a few campers were there). No signal, so make sure you have a map or know which way you came.

  • Jon N.
    Camper-submitted photo from Gaudineer Knob camp sites
    Nov. 7, 2022

    Gaudineer Knob camp sites

    It's like being in a fairy tale

    I've seen a lot of beautiful sights, but this may be one of the top of all time. 

    You park in the little lot that has a cassette toilet and a trash dump bin. Then there is a 1/2 mile loop with little campsites all along it. It looked like most of them had a table and fire ring. I also only did half the loop lol, but there must be at least 10+ spots.

    The spots are not huge, so don't plan on a big group, but if your group wants to spread out, that could work as the sites are fairly tightly packed in there. When I went in November on a rainy weekend, there was no one else there.

    Even if you choose to not camp here, it is at least worth it to walk the trail and see the overlook.

  • Jon N.
    Camper-submitted photo from Little dispersed site by railtracks
    Nov. 7, 2022

    Little dispersed site by railtracks

    Very secluded campsite down a bumpy forest service road

    You will want a car with decent clearance to get down here. I went in my Subaru Forester and was fine.

    The spot is about 20 feet from the railroad, so just be ready to hear a train if you're lucky lol. When I went there it seemed like there was recent work done as there was hay, presumably to grow grass, and some cut and stacked firewood. 

    You are also along the Shaver's Fork River, so if you have a filtration system, you can get some water. I did see signs driving in about this being a catch and release zone, but I'm not a fisherman so I didn't look them over thoroughly. 

    I have some pictures from a little up the river the I'll add to here, so you can get an idea of the landscape and what to expect. The river is small and shallow, so when it isn't so cold, it could be fun to play in.



Guide to Dunmore

Camping near Dunmore, West Virginia, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and outdoor activities. Whether you're looking to pitch a tent or park your RV, there are plenty of options to explore.

What to do:

  • Hiking: There are many trails in the area, including those at Spruce Knob Lake Campground. One camper mentioned, "Easy access to awesome day hikes, and a quick walk to the lake, where the stargazing is top notch."
  • Fishing: If you enjoy fishing, Holly River State Park Campground is a great spot. A visitor shared, "Fishing seems very popular at this lake. The beach was small but pretty."
  • Star Gazing: The area is known for its dark skies. A camper at Spruce Knob and Spruce Knob Observation Tower said, "On a clear night, star gazing is incredible as there’s no ambient light."

What campers like:

What you should know:

  • Limited Cell Service: Many campgrounds have little to no cell service. A visitor at Seneca State Forest mentioned, "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."
  • Primitive Camping: Some sites are more rustic. A camper at Spruce Knob Lake Campground noted, "This campsite is very basic with the only facilities being vault toilets and bins for your trash."
  • Bring Supplies: It's a good idea to stock up on supplies before heading out. A review from Virginia Bolar Mountain Recreation Area stated, "There isn't much around so bring your supplies with you."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for sites with amenities like playgrounds. A camper at Holly River State Park Campground mentioned, "Playgrounds for the kids."
  • Plan for Activities: Make sure to have a list of activities to keep everyone entertained. One family at Douthat State Park Campground said, "Great camping, nice beach and swim area, lots of hiking and biking trails."
  • Pack for Comfort: Bring extra blankets and snacks for a cozy experience. A visitor at Morris Hill Campground noted, "Restrooms are heated and showers are present."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Hookups: Make sure your site has the right hookups for your RV. A camper at Virginia Bolar Mountain Recreation Area mentioned, "The electric showed 30 & 50 amp yet the 30 amp was disconnected."
  • Space for Vehicles: Look for campgrounds that can accommodate larger RVs. A review from Watoga State Park Riverside Campground stated, "Most RV sites have electric, and water fill stations are easily accessible."
  • Plan for Noise: Be prepared for some noise from other campers. A visitor at Bolar Mountain Recreation Area said, "The main downside with this site seems to be the problem endemic to most campgrounds where people bring their motor boats."

Camping near Dunmore, West Virginia, has something for everyone, whether you're a family looking for fun or an RVer seeking adventure.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Dunmore, WV?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Dunmore, WV is Dispersed camping at Mower Basin with a 5-star rating from 5 reviews.

  • What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Dunmore, WV?

    TheDyrt.com has all 13 dispersed camping locations near Dunmore, WV, with real photos and reviews from campers.