John H.
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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 Glady, WV
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Monongahela National Forest surrounds Glady, West Virginia, with several free dispersed camping areas accessible via forest service roads. The region includes sites like Gandy Creek Dispersed Camping, Little River Dispersed Campsites, Lower Glady Dispersed Campground, and Stonecoal Dispersed Camping Area. These primitive camping locations typically feature established fire rings and minimal amenities, with most situated along creeks or rivers. Camping is permitted for up to 14 days in designated areas within the national forest boundaries.
Access to many dispersed sites requires travel on unpaved forest roads with varying conditions. Several locations, including Mower Basin and Stonecoal, have dirt or gravel roads that may become challenging after rain. High-clearance vehicles are recommended for reaching more remote areas, though some sites remain accessible to standard vehicles. Most dispersed camping areas lack drinking water, restrooms, and trash collection. Visitors should come prepared with water, waste disposal plans, and appropriate camping gear for primitive conditions.
The dispersed camping experience near Glady offers solitude and natural settings typical of the Appalachian highlands. Sites along waterways like Gandy Creek and Little River provide peaceful soundscapes and fishing opportunities. "Beautiful dispersed camping near a creek in dense, lush forest. Not much for views but it was a perfect, quiet spot," noted one visitor to Little River. Another camper at Stonecoal mentioned, "Nice area, right on Shavers Fork of the Cheat River. A few sites are actually on the river side." Cell service is extremely limited throughout the region, with most areas having no connectivity. Wildlife sightings are common, and the surrounding forest offers hiking opportunities on unmarked trails.
Best Dispersed Campgrounds near Glady (24)
1. 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."
2. Lower Glady Dispersed Campground
"So this is quite large, I'm guessing at least 25 to 35 campsites along a 4-ish mile long dirt road that deadends. It is dispersed camping, free."
"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."
3. 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."
4. 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. "
5. 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."
6. 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."
7. Canaan Loop Road Dispersed
"This swath of land, sandwiched between two state parks(Canaan Valley State Park to the south& Blackwater Falls State Park to the north) is managed by the US Forest Service."
"road is easy to drive on- some bumps but we were in a small kia sedan and it was fine, there are a lot of spots visible from the road but there are also some hidden a few steps away from the road that"
8. 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."
9. Stonecoal Dispersed Camping
10. Dolly Sods Backcountry
"Dolly Sods Wilderness Area, part of the Monongahela National Forest, offers something for every hiker, backpacker, camper."
"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."
Drive Time
- 1 hr 56 min from Morgantown, WV
- 2 hrs 12 min from Harrisonburg, VA
- 3 hrs 2 min from Charlottesville, VA
Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos near Glady, WV
135 Photos of 24 Glady Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Gandy Creek Dispersed Camping
Little River Dispersed Campsites
Lower Glady Dispersed Campground
Gaudineer Knob camp sites
Stonecoal Dispersed Camping Area
Monongahela National Forest Dispersed Site
Dispersed Camping off Forest Road 227
Gladwin Dispersed Camping
Dispersed camping at Mower Basin
Canaan Loop Road Dispersed
Dolly Sods Backcountry
Elk River Dispersed camping
Dispersed Camping Reviews near Glady, WV
126 Reviews of 24 Glady 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.ScoutDispersed 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.
- 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.
Kimberly C.GuideMonongahela National Forest Dispersed Site
Not for me
I used the coordinates and it took me to a campground that charges $15 a day. They weren’t private being right on the gravel road. There were tables,pits and the shepherds hook in each one. There were some that were on the river. There were toilets. I didn’t use them so I can’t say anything more about them. Not much sun thru the dense trees for solar. I kept driving around the forest on FR227 and came upon a whole nother set of labeled dispersed campsites that were very private and have open areas for solar. They were numbered. There were at least 12 that I saw.
Emily T.TravelerCanaan Loop Road Dispersed
Truly the best!
I’m a new car camper and my mom and I took a day trip out to check out the sites. When I tell you this is the most beautiful, secluded, peaceful camping site I truly couldn’t have asked for a better find!! I did however (like an idiot) end up going waaay too far down the trail (aka the whole 18 miles) and THANK GOD I drive a 4 runner!! That road gets pretty sketchy in most spots the further you go down but I somehow (by the grace of God) made it through the whole thing IN TWO WHEEL DRIVE!! ugh may never do that again but the camping is fantastic!! If you wanna check out more of the off-roading aspect I recommend checking out nolimitbmore on youtube! Will be spending most of my summer & fall here!!
Guide to Glady
Dispersed camping areas around Glady, West Virginia sit at elevations between 3,000-4,000 feet in the Appalachian highlands. Winter temperatures can drop below 0°F with significant snowfall, while summer days typically range from 70-85°F. Forest service roads throughout Monongahela National Forest connect multiple free camping areas, with most requiring no permits for stays under 14 days.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: The Shavers Fork of Cheat River offers trout fishing at several dispersed camping locations. "We picked a spot about halfway into the dispersed camping area, creek side along the Gandy creek. The only others we saw from our campsite were people fishing downstream from our camp and they were respectful of our space," notes a visitor to Gandy Creek Dispersed Camping.
Hiking nearby trails: Many free camping sites provide access to unmarked and marked trails. At Mower Basin, one camper reports, "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."
Swimming in summer: Several creek-side camping areas have deeper sections suitable for cooling off. At Gandy Creek, visitors mention that "Several spots along the creek are deep enough for swimming." The clear, cold mountain streams provide natural swimming holes during warmer months.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Many dispersed camping areas offer significant space between campsites. "The sites are so spaced out on the road that each is very private, though you see an occasional car drive by," explains a camper at Gandy Creek Dispersed Camping.
Creek-side camping: Sites along waterways are highly sought after. "We found a very spacious site right at the creek's edge. Towering pines lined the sight, and provided a gorgeous backdrop for the stars and fireflies at night," shares another Gandy Creek visitor who discovered "a hidden waterfall across the creek."
Unique forest environments: The high-elevation ecosystem offers distinctive camping experiences. At Gaudineer Knob camp sites, a camper describes an extraordinary setting: "The forest floor is only moss. Like miles of moss and other than the trail that was it. No other trees either. Just Spruce... That combination created the world's most quiet environment ever. You wouldn't hear a marching band if they were feet behind you."
What you should know
Road conditions vary seasonally: Access roads can deteriorate, especially after rain or snow. A camper at Lower Glady Dispersed Campground warns, "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."
Site availability fluctuates: Free camping near Glady can fill quickly on weekends and holidays. "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," reports a visitor to Lower Glady Dispersed Campground.
Wildlife considerations: Black bears are active in the area, requiring proper food storage. A visitor to Little River Dispersed Campsites cautions: "Not even 2 minutes from our dispersed camp site we were charged by an extremely aggressive black bear... We decided to keep ALL FOOD in the car's trunk those nights and not hanging in a tree just to be safe."
Tips for camping with families
Group sites available: Some dispersed areas offer larger spaces for family camping. At Canaan Loop Road Dispersed, a camper found "a nice site in the pine trees! Perfect for 2 vehicles and 5 people hammock camping!"
Shallow creek play areas: Many water access points provide safe areas for supervised children. At Little River Dispersed Campsites, one visitor notes, "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!"
Consider toilet facilities: Most dispersed sites lack facilities, so come prepared. Lower Glady Dispersed Campground has "a vaulted toilet" that one camper described as "one of the cleanest I have seen," making it potentially more suitable for families than other dispersed locations.
Tips from RVers
Length limitations: RV campers should research site dimensions before arrival. At Stonecoal Dispersed Camping Area, sites are described as "just pullouts in the road with fire pits" where size varies from "tent capable to large RV and group sites."
Road clearance requirements: Higher-clearance vehicles have better success accessing remote sites. A visitor reports, "Good quality dirt access road, no problem for my Honda Civic" at Stonecoal, but conditions can change quickly after weather events.
Turn-around spaces: Be aware of limited turn-around options on forest roads. At Canaan Loop Road, one camper cautions that "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."
Frequently Asked Questions
What amenities are available at Lower Glady dispersed campground?
What amenities are available at Lower Glady dispersed campground?
Lower Glady dispersed campground, like most dispersed sites in national forests, offers very few amenities. Similar to Braley Pond Dispersed Camping & Day Use Area, expect primitive conditions with no facilities beyond possibly vault toilets. You'll need to bring your own water treatment system as potable water is not available. Switzer Lake Dispersed Camping has similar primitive conditions with no potable water, restrooms, or firewood provided. Prepare to be fully self-sufficient with all supplies including water, food, and waste disposal methods. Cell service is typically limited or non-existent in these remote areas.
Where is the Lower Glady dispersed campground located?
Where is the Lower Glady dispersed campground located?
Lower Glady dispersed campground is located in the Monongahela National Forest in West Virginia. While specific coordinates aren't available, it's in a region with several notable dispersed camping areas. Little River Dispersed Campsites are about 7 miles from the town of Durbin on a dirt road in a similar area, providing context for the region. Stonecoal Dispersed Camping Area is another nearby option within the Monongahela National Forest. The area features dense forests and creek access typical of West Virginia's wilderness camping opportunities.
Are there any photos of Lower Glady dispersed campground?
Are there any photos of Lower Glady dispersed campground?
Photos of Lower Glady dispersed campground can be found on camping platforms like The Dyrt, where users often share their camping experiences. Similar dispersed camping areas like Dolly Sods Backcountry and Dispersed Camping off Forest Road 227 have photo galleries showing what to expect in the Monongahela National Forest region. These images typically showcase dense forest settings, primitive campsites, and nearby water features. For the most current visuals, check user-submitted photos on camping apps or consider contacting the local Forest Service office for official documentation of the area.
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