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Best Dispersed Camping near Grafton, WV

52 Reviews

Monongahela National Forest surrounds Grafton, West Virginia, providing numerous dispersed camping opportunities on public land. Popular dispersed camping areas include Canaan Loop Road, Dolly Sods Backcountry, Lower Glady, and Gandy Creek, all located within an hour's drive from Grafton. These primitive sites typically feature established fire rings but minimal to no other amenities. The forest service manages these areas, allowing campers to set up tents or small RVs in designated pull-offs along forest roads or near creeks and rivers.

Access roads to most dispersed sites are unpaved, with conditions ranging from well-maintained gravel to rough dirt tracks requiring high-clearance vehicles. Canaan Loop Road and Gandy Creek areas have several drive-in sites accessible to standard vehicles, while some locations in Dolly Sods require hiking in. Campers should prepare for potential mud and standing water on trails, particularly after rainfall. According to forest regulations, most sites permit stays up to 14 days. "The campsites are just pullouts in the road with fire pits," noted one visitor to Stonecoal Dispersed Area. Cell service is extremely limited throughout these areas, with one camper reporting "zero service" with major carriers.

The backcountry camping experience in these areas features river access, mountain views, and significant privacy between sites. Gandy Creek offers particularly secluded camping with many sites positioned along the creek. "Very nice area with several nice spots right along the creek. Areas are spread out and private," reported one camper. At Dolly Sods, primitive backcountry camping appeals to those seeking a true wilderness experience with one visitor describing it as "a truly wild and remote place in an increasingly crowded East coast." Weather conditions can change rapidly in these higher elevations, with snow possible into April at Canaan Loop Road. Campers should follow leave-no-trace principles, as these natural areas have no garbage service or formal maintenance.

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Best Dispersed Sites Near Grafton, West Virginia (12)

    1. Canaan Loop Road Dispersed

    10 Reviews
    Davis, WV
    35 miles
    Website
    +1 (304) 478-2000

    "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"

    "Still snow on the ground and very wet in early April, but great dispersed car camp and walk-in camp sites."

    2. Lower Glady Dispersed Campground

    7 Reviews
    Harman, WV
    34 miles
    Website
    +1 (304) 636-1800

    "I didn't pull in until close to 11 PM, but a couple notes on what I could see. 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."

    "There are numerous disbursed camping sites at this location. We arrived on a Sunday and found all the sites near the vaulted toilet empty.

    The campsites are boarded by boulders."

    3. Gandy Creek Dispersed Camping

    16 Reviews
    Whitmer, WV
    46 miles
    Website

    "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."

    "A couple of friends and I traveled to the Monongahela National Forest in search of some free camping."

    4. Dolly Sods Backcountry

    11 Reviews
    Red Creek, WV
    42 miles
    Website
    +1 (304) 257-4488

    "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."

    5. Gladwin Dispersed Camping

    2 Reviews
    Red Creek, WV
    34 miles

    "Decided to try it even though other review said private property- and seems they were correct but incorrect. Initially you do come to private land with several campsites and campers present."

    6. Stonecoal Dispersed Camping Area

    3 Reviews
    Durbin, WV
    50 miles
    Website

    "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. Monongahela National Forest Dispersed Site

    3 Reviews
    Durbin, WV
    50 miles
    Website
    +1 (304) 636-1800

    "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."

    8. Brushy Ridge Road Dispersed

    1 Review
    Cabins, WV
    44 miles
    Website

    "Brushy Ridge Road is Forest Service Road 75 and is in decent condition."

    9. Dispersed Camping off Forest Road 227

    1 Review
    Huttonsville, WV
    50 miles
    Website
    +1 (304) 636-1800

    "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."

    10. Canaan Loop Road

    Be the first to review!
    Davis, WV
    34 miles
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Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos near Grafton, WV

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Dispersed Camping Reviews near Grafton, WV

52 Reviews of 12 Grafton Campgrounds

  • Dave V.
    Oct. 31, 2019

    Dolly Sods Backcountry

    Shoulder season solitude...flora and fauna delight

    Dolly Sods Wilderness Area, part of the Monongahela National Forest, offers something for every hiker, backpacker, camper.

    Having visited Dolly Sods numerous times at the Red Creek Campground, using that as the base camp to launch off to explore the myriad of trails. We decided to use the backcountry as a primer for the following year's longer westerly  backbacking trip. 

    Know that it will likely rain on you in Dolly Sods, so always bring rain gear. Also realize, that with climate and conditions similar to the Canadian Tundra, temperatures and winds vary and fluctuate often, any time of year. Those two conditions often dissuade less hearty souls...but they are also exactly what creates and sustains a very beautiful environment.

    During our excursion, we spent three nights and four days on what I will term the perimeter trails...camping at Raven Ridge, Big Stonecoal Run creek, and at Reds Creek at the forks. Numerous websites offer insight and directions and all are beneficial to study. We chose to travel counter-clockwise from Bear Rocks, parking in the grass across from the trailhead. Note: leaving valuables in or on your vehicle while you traipse about in the Sods is always iffy, just like anywhere else, so use wisdom. I've read of thefts...but the vehicle parked to us had two high end full-suspension mountain bikes on a roof rack for days without issue.

    If you are unfamiliar with Dolly Sods Wilderness trails...choose footwear that either dries fast or is waterproof...has a robust sole to fend off bruises from the brutal amount of sharp, ankle buster rocks on the trail...and won't pull off and be lost in the countless bogs and areas of shoe sucking mud. We wanted to rename one particular trail "pointed rock trail." Our expensive boots were actually a fail for this trip...which was a valuable education.

    We saw people run this trail in a day...but there's no way you can enjoy the sights, sounds, and smells moving that quickly. I felt we should've taken more time and explored much more...although soggy weather became a deterrent. The amount of brightly colored fungi, snakes, crayfish and salamanders were astonishing. So if you move too quickly, you miss them.

    Do practice "leave no trace." The heavy summer and weekend use by careless and selfish hikers or backcountry partiers...has left the woods adjacent to Reds Creek camping sites littered with toilet paper...dig your cat hole and bury your "goods!"

    The rocks on the trail may be a pain, but the formations and views from Raven's Ridge, Lion's Head and Bear Rocks rival the best.

    Do your homework, choose your camping gear and wardrobe wisely and launch off into the Dolly Sods Wilderness Area...you'll be glad you did!

  • Jon N.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 7, 2022

    Dispersed Camping off Forest Road 227

    The most beautiful basin campsites

    So instead of putting in 20+ reviews, I'm just going to lump them all into one. 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.

    Each site has a clear marker put there by the Forest Service, something I haven't seen before, and plenty of signs asking to limit your stay to 14 days. Each site also has a campfire ring and is well spaced out from the next one, but not always from the road.

    You are sort of in a valley/basin kind of area. There used to be a lot of spruce tree farming here so I think that is why it is so cleared out. It doesn't seem to be an active logging zone now though, so it's just peaceful and quiet. 

    I have t-mobile and got zero service. I wouldn't expect any carrier to get any service out there though.

  • Dare To Everywhere .The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 9, 2020

    Stonecoal Dispersed Camping Area

    Great free spot in a National Forest and along a river

    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.  Nice little area within Monongahela National Forest. 

    We pulled in just at sunset on the Saturday of Labor Day Weekend and drove through the entire length of the campground to see that all the sites will filled. We got to the turn around and noticed a couple of fire pits setup and a patch of grass. It wasn't a "designated site", but it was a defined area with the fire pits. We were out the next morning, so we didn't have any problems. The only negative was having cars drive through all night.

    Two vault toilets along the long road. There was a trail at the turnaround, but it was completely washed out once we got into the woods. Nice area, right on Shavers Fork of the Cheat River. A few sites are actually on the river side.

    Had NO AT&T or Sprint cell service.

  • Lucille W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 13, 2020

    Dolly Sods Backcountry

    Allegheny mountain wilderness

    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. We hiked in in warm weather and once we reached the top of a long entrance road (where one trailhead was) we found snow. A lot of the snow had melted making the ground very soggy and oversaturated in some areas. Despite this, our short Dolly Sods backpacking trip was an amazing first trek for myself and a fiend. Dolly Sods is absolutely gorgeous and is a completely different and unique ecosystem than the surrounding area. I also have friends who have camped here later in the year - mid to late summer - and have highly, highly, recommended that I go back during that time.

  • Sean M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 2, 2020

    Dolly Sods Backcountry

    Wilderness of the West in the East

    The sods are a truly wild and remote place in an increasingly crowded East coast. For years Dolly Sods has been my go-to backcountry destination, even for chilly winter stays. Many places carry the “wilderness” moniker in the East, but this place lives up to it. No cell service, no car camping, no trail markers, no toilets, and no running water. It’s the real deal. During the off season you can hike for days and not see another person. There are some opportunities to camp closer to the trailhead for those only looking to dip a toe into wilderness travel, but you could hike for miles to a remote site as well. Be advised, a good physical map and compass, the skills needed to use them, are vital here. There are no trail marks and the path can be confusing. Come prepared and have a great adventure.

  • Kelly G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 29, 2021

    Brushy Ridge Road Dispersed

    Great location near Dolly Sods Wilderness

    Brushy Ridge Road is Forest Service Road 75 and is in decent condition. There are several pull off campsites along this road on the way up to Dolly Sods wilderness but this primitive group of three large unmarked campsites with stone fire rings is before you get to the Bear Flats Plateau and the Red Creek camp grounds. It is a 2.5 mile, 2000’ climb to get to the trailhead for Bear Rocks Trail in Bear Rocks Preserve which is about a half mile past the entrance to this unmarked group site. I camped in the middle of these three large campsites that are each about 100 feet away from each other. Firewood was available on a self serve honor system (put $5 cash in the box for each bundle you take) at the farmhouse across from the turn on to Brushy Creek.

  • Amorina P.
    Oct. 13, 2020

    Gandy Creek Dispersed Camping

    beautiful !!

    It was gorgeous and peaceful, right on the creek. So many stars!!

    Campsites are first-come, first-served. We stayed one night with no permit. 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.

  • Jeni N.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 14, 2020

    Gandy Creek Dispersed Camping

    Awesome dispersed sites!

    A couple of friends and I traveled to the Monongahela National Forest in search of some free camping. Unfortunately we had gotten there late on Labor Day weekend so we drove pretty far in to find a campsite. All of the campsites seem to be along the river and have a fire ring. Although our neighbors were across the river from us, the sound of the river blocked out any noise they had made. It was perfect! We also took a ride up to Spruce Knob in the morning, for two reasons. One because we wanted to see the view. Two because on top of the Spruce Knob tower was the only cell reception we were able to find in order to find our way out of there.

  • Joshua H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 25, 2019

    Gandy Creek Dispersed Camping

    Free Dispersed Camping

    Dispersed camping. Down a gravel road, there will be a sign that says Gander Creek Dispersed Camping as you enter the area. Sites are dispersed over about 2.5 miles. The sites ranges in size from tent capable to large RV and group sites. Sites will usually have a fire circle and you are close to the creek. You can stay for free for 14 days.

Guide to Grafton

Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Grafton, West Virginia, where nature enthusiasts can find secluded spots to unwind and explore the great outdoors. With a variety of locations offering unique experiences, you're sure to find the perfect place to set up camp.

Tips for free and dispersed camping near Grafton, West Virginia

  • Make sure to bring your own drinking water, as many dispersed camping areas, like Canaan Loop Road Dispersed, do not provide this essential resource.
  • Be prepared for rough roads; some sites, such as Dolly Sods Backcountry, may require a vehicle with good clearance to access.
  • Always practice Leave No Trace principles to keep these beautiful areas pristine for future visitors, especially in popular spots like Lower Glady Dispersed Campground.

Dispersed campers should check out Canaan Loop Road

  • This area offers a variety of secluded spots perfect for tent camping, making it an ideal choice for those seeking privacy and tranquility.
  • Campers can enjoy the nearby trails that provide stunning views and opportunities for wildlife spotting, as noted by visitors who have camped at Canaan Loop Road Dispersed.
  • Fires are allowed, so you can enjoy cozy evenings under the stars, but be sure to bring your own firewood.

Enjoy hiking and exploring while free camping near Grafton

  • The Dolly Sods Backcountry is renowned for its breathtaking landscapes and diverse ecosystems, making it a must-visit for hikers.
  • Many dispersed camping areas, like Gandy Creek Dispersed Camping, are located near scenic trails that lead to beautiful vistas and hidden gems.
  • Keep an eye out for local wildlife while hiking; visitors at Lower Glady Dispersed Campground have reported sightings of deer and other animals in the area.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is dispersed camping allowed near Grafton Ghost Town?

Dispersed camping is not permitted directly at Grafton Ghost Town as it's a protected historic site. However, camping is allowed on the surrounding BLM lands outside the historic site boundaries. Sites similar to Stonecoal Dispersed Camping Area offer free camping options nearby. When camping in this area, be aware of property boundaries, as some lands near Grafton are private property. Always verify you're on public land before setting up camp to avoid situations where you might be asked to relocate, and respect the historic nature of the area by camping at a reasonable distance from the Ghost Town.

Where can I find dispersed camping in Grafton, Utah?

Dispersed camping near Grafton, Utah is primarily available on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land surrounding the area. Look for established pull-offs along dirt roads like those similar to Dispersed Camping off Forest Road 227. Many sites have clear markers and fire rings. The areas just outside the Grafton Ghost Town boundary offer multiple dispersed options. Always camp in previously used sites identified by existing fire rings, and stay at least 200 feet from water sources. Most sites are primitive with no facilities, so come prepared with water and pack out all waste.

What are the regulations for camping on BLM land near Grafton?

On BLM land near Grafton, the standard 14-day camping limit applies, after which you must move at least 25 miles away. Always use existing fire rings similar to those found at Gandy Creek Dispersed Camping and check fire restrictions, which are common during dry seasons. Camp at established sites at least 200 feet from water sources and 1/4 mile from developed recreation areas. No permits are required for dispersed camping, but pack out all trash and waste. Bury human waste 6-8 inches deep at least 200 feet from water. Camp on durable surfaces and minimize impact by using existing clearings.

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