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."
