John H.
Traveler
TravelerFlagpole Knob
Great place if you want to off road a little and have an amazing view to wake up and go to sleepp too. Would definitely do this again!
Dispersed Camping near Durbin, WV
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Dispersed camping opportunities abound near Durbin, West Virginia, primarily within the Monongahela National Forest. Little River Dispersed Campsites offers primitive camping along creeks in dense forest, approximately 7 miles from Durbin on dirt roads. Stonecoal Dispersed Camping Area provides sites along Shavers Fork of the Cheat River with established fire rings. Mower Basin and Forest Road 227 feature multiple marked sites in a peaceful valley setting. Most sites are free with a standard 14-day stay limit.
Access to many sites requires travel on rough dirt roads. According to camper reviews, the road to Little River Dispersed Campsites is "almost 7 miles on a pothole ridden dirt road" and "dangerous for RVs." High-clearance vehicles are recommended for several areas, particularly after rain when mud can make conditions challenging. Cell service is extremely limited or nonexistent throughout the region. Campers report T-Mobile, AT&T, and Sprint all have no service in most locations.
These primitive sites typically include established fire rings but few other amenities. No drinking water is available; campers must bring their own or filter from streams. Most areas have no toilets, though Stonecoal and Gaudineer Knob sites offer vault toilets. Weather conditions can change rapidly in this mountainous region. Prepare for temperature fluctuations and potential rain. Practice Leave No Trace principles by packing out all trash and properly disposing of human waste. Several sites feature creekside camping with opportunities for fishing, wildlife viewing, and stargazing in this remote section of the Appalachians.
Best Dispersed Campgrounds near Durbin (26)
1. Dispersed camping at Mower Basin
"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."
"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. "
2. Little River Dispersed Campsites
"About 7+ miles in from the town of Durbin on a dirt road (not sure how that would go in an RV but easy in a small vehicle). Beautiful dispersed camping near a creek in dense, lush forest."
"This is the Little River Dispersed Camping in Monongahela National Forest, WV. We drove in from the south, through Durbin, which is almost 7 miles on a pothole ridden dirt road."
3. Monongahela National Forest Dispersed Site
"There are over 900,000 acres in the National forest for hiking and dispersed camping. Immerse yourself in nature and spend the weekend hiking and camping."
"The camp site was on a small gravel road, tucked up in the forest, only 1 or 2 other campers, but the grounds man who delivered my firewood checked on my 1-2 times a day."
4. Stonecoal Dispersed Camping Area
"Stayed 9/5/2020 - FREE Site "Turnaround"
This was difficult to find on Apple Maps, but if you pin the location, it takes you right to it. "
"Good quality dirt access road, no problem for my Honda Civic. Got here on a Monday night in late September and there were lots of campsites available. Good access to water with the river."
5. Gandy Creek Dispersed Camping
"The main reason I'm reluctant to give it five stars(I gave it 4) is because nearly all of its many campsites cannot be entered by vehicle; you have to park next to the dirt road that runs north-south through"
"You get to them by a dirt road, park, and then the campsites are a little ways in. No amenities other than cleared level ground and a spot for the campfire."
6. Gaudineer Knob camp sites
"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."
"Even if you choose to not camp here, it is at least worth it to walk the trail and see the overlook."
7. Dispersed Camping off Forest Road 227
"There are a lot of campsites along this road, many of which could fit an RV, but many of which have some rough roads that an RC or trailer might not do well on."
"Some with astonishing nearly 360 views of the mountain ranges. Some small enough for 1-3 tent setups. This place is too cool, don’t ruin it with litter please."
8. Stonecoal Dispersed Camping
9. FR227 Dispersed Camping
"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."
10. Little dispersed site by railtracks
Drive Time
- 1 hr 43 min from Harrisonburg, VA
- 2 hrs 8 min from Morgantown, WV
- 2 hrs 8 min from Charlottesville, VA
Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos near Durbin, WV
138 Photos of 26 Durbin Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Gaudineer Knob camp sites
Little River Dispersed Campsites
Dispersed camping at Mower Basin
Monongahela National Forest Dispersed Site
Stonecoal Dispersed Camping Area
Dispersed Camping off Forest Road 227
Elk River Dispersed camping
Gandy Creek Dispersed Camping
Lower Glady Dispersed Campground
Braley Pond Dispersed Camping & Day Use Areaj
Flagpole KnobN
Gladwin Dispersed Camping
Dispersed Camping Reviews near Durbin, WV
130 Reviews of 26 Durbin Campgrounds
kacee W.TravelerDispersed camping at Mower Basin
Absolutely gorgeous
There are 25 or so established sights at Mower Basin and you're bound to find one with an incredible view of the mountains. Sight 12 took my breath away, but unfortunately as a tent camper the wind pushed us down to the lake sight just passed it. It was close to the road but still felt private. Everyone who passed our sight was very friendly. It's a gorgeous place, and from someone who's never been to Virginia, it was the perfect place to have my first experience. We will probably go back when we are heading back down south.
Joe M.TravelerSwitzer Lake Dispersed Camping
8:00pm Arrival
You read that right. All the plans to arrive earlier went out the window and I pulled into the road well after sunset. Able to navigate well enough with recent rainfalls so road was pitted and rocky. Somewhat drove past lake and found pre-utilized spot. Nice ground for set up and plenty of room for vehicle in/egress. The 2:20am howl of the eastern coyote caught me off guard; definitely inside a mile. He traveled because at 2:40am he met his buddies and had a howl-fest in the far distance. By day light I was able to explore and see some great lake sites you would enjoy. Highly recommended. No cell service.
- AAlicia C.
ScoutGandy Creek Dispersed Camping
White noise of the creek
Overnight tent camping with my dog. Saw a raccoon in a tree. So private and peaceful. The water and wind at night made for a nice relaxing sleep. Plenty of trails to explore.
- MMatt P.
GuideDispersed camping at Mower Basin
Best Dispursed Camping!
This is a very accessible trail. We brought our 22ft Ember Overland Trailer down it with ease. While our trailer has high clearance and independent suspension.. you do not need that to get to some great sites!
We tried 3 different sites here and found campground 12 to be our favorite. It is secluded off the road, had amazing views, and tons of room for multiple cars or campers.
Hiking trails are also great and dog friendly!
Ethan W.ScoutLake Sherwood Road Dispersed Camping in Monongahela National Forest
Great Spot, slightly dirty
If you’re expecting service just don’t. I didn’t get service till i left and drove for about an hour till i finally got one bar. If that isn’t an issue for you this place is pretty great. Solitude yourself deep in the forest and if you’re lucky you can get a site near the creak. Unfortunately my site was absolutely littered with trash when i arrived. I’m talking beer bottles and trash all over the place, DIAPERS IN THE FIRE PIT… I mean get a grip people. Other than that it was amazing.
- Ethan W.Scout
Dispersed Camping off Forest Road 227
one of the best sites i’ve ever been to
From what i can tell there is about 14 sites along about a 7-8 mile gravel road (some parts are rougher than other) each one different in size and shape. Some with astonishing nearly 360 views of the mountain ranges. Some small enough for 1-3 tent setups. This place is too cool, don’t ruin it with litter please. I have Verizon and was pleasantly surprised to see that from what i can tell sites 1-2 I was able to get a bar or two.
- NNicole Z.Traveler
Lake Sherwood Road Dispersed Camping in Monongahela National Forest
Off grid sites
Well maintained blacktop road which made it easy to get a camper or a van through. Some of the sites further up the road are away from the creek but less buggy. They were large and well-maintained. I like the privacy of the sites further up. I would highly recommend this off upgrade site.
- Cherith S.Scout
Lower Glady Dispersed Campground
Greatest experience of our lives!
Super 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.
Guide to Durbin
Dispersed camping near Durbin, West Virginia offers remote camping experiences in the mountainous terrain of the Appalachians, with elevations ranging from 2,500 to 4,000 feet throughout the region. Seasonal temperature swings can be dramatic, with summer highs reaching the 80s and winter temperatures frequently dropping below freezing. Most sites provide limited to no amenities, with seasonal closures affecting access to certain areas like Stonecoal, which was closed for road upgrades in Fall 2023.
What to do
Wildlife observation opportunities: Campers at Mower Basin can explore multiple marked hiking trails with varied difficulty levels. One camper reported: "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."
Fishing access: The remote waters of Gandy Creek Dispersed Camping provide excellent fishing opportunities. A camper noted: "Very nice area several nice spot right along the creek. Areas are spread out and private. Nice spot to relax and escape along creek. Drive back is well maintained dirt road."
Hiking from campsites: Many sites connect directly to trail networks for day hikes. At Mower Basin, a reviewer mentioned: "I also love this place as it 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
Natural water features: Multiple sites feature creeks suitable for wading or swimming. At Little River Dispersed Campsites, a camper shared: "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!"
Stargazing conditions: The remote location away from light pollution creates excellent night sky viewing. A Mower Basin camper noted: "The moon was bright but you could still see hundreds of stars. There was a fire ring and enough space to fit a car and tent, but other sites were large enough to fit many cars and a dozen people."
Privacy between sites: Campers appreciate the seclusion at many locations. One camper at Gaudineer Knob camp sites described the unique environment: "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."
What you should know
Road conditions: Most access roads to rustic camping near Durbin require high-clearance vehicles, especially after rain. A camper at Mower Basin shared: "Just have to push through some steep gravel roads but we did it in truck and trailer."
Wildlife encounters: Bears are active in the area. A Little River camper warned: "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!"
Campsite availability: Peak season can fill popular sites quickly. At Monongahela National Forest Dispersed Site, a camper noted the opposite during off-peak times: "It was dead when we arrived; only saw two other vehicles. Very quiet and secluded. Easy to navigate and find a spot."
Water sources: While creeks run through many sites, water must be filtered or treated. A camper at Little River Dispersed Campsites advised: "It rained a lot while we were there but there were ample trees to set up tarps. The creek rose a few inches one night, so keep an eye on it if there's heavy rainfall."
Tips for camping with families
Site selection: Choose sites with easy water access for kids. A camper at Gandy Creek noted: "We picked a spot about halfway into the dispersed camping area, creek side along the Gandy creek. We were closer to the road than we wanted to be but because the past few days had been beautiful spring weather, the area was packed."
Safety precautions: Pack extra clothing for unexpected temperature changes. According to a Stonecoal camper: "The campsites are just pullouts in the road with fire pits. Good quality dirt access road, no problem for my Honda Civic. Got here on a Monday night in late September and there were lots of campsites available."
Campsite activities: Simple exploration around campsites provides entertainment for children. At Gaudineer Knob, a visitor shared: "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."
Tips from RVers
Road accessibility: Many forest roads can accommodate smaller RVs and trailers but require caution. At Elk River Dispersed camping, a camper advised: "Check weather conditions and map before heading here. This is a dirt road so not for everyone to travel down. But we did travel on bikes so it is not horrible."
Site size considerations: Some areas offer larger pull-offs suitable for trailers. A visitor to Mower Basin reported: "We strolled up the mountain in our 39ft skoolie. It snowed and we had a really good time!"
Location tracking: GPS coordinates are more reliable than maps for finding dispersed camping areas. A Stonecoal camper noted: "This was difficult to find on Apple Maps, but if you pin the location, it takes you right to it. Nice little area within Monongahela National Forest."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dispersed
campsite near Durbin, WV?
Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Durbin, WV?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Durbin, WV is Dispersed camping at Mower Basin with a 5-star rating from 12 reviews.
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dispersed camping near
Durbin, WV?
What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Durbin, WV?
TheDyrt.com has all 26 dispersed camping locations near Durbin, WV, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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