Best Tent Camping near Hendricks, WV
Tent campsites near Hendricks, West Virginia range from established campgrounds to primitive dispersed sites, with options scattered throughout the surrounding Monongahela National Forest. Bear Heaven Campground offers ten designated tent sites with fire pits and concrete vault toilets, while Canaan Loop Road Dispersed provides more primitive backcountry tent camping experiences with free sites along a forest service road. Little River Dispersed Campsites, located near Durbin, offers another excellent option for campers seeking more secluded tent camping.
Many of the primitive tent setups in this area lack amenities like running water, requiring campers to bring their own supplies. Bear Heaven includes fire pits and vault toilets but no running water or showers. Canaan Loop Road features established sites marked by fire rings on soft forest floors, though the access road can become muddy or snow-covered in winter months, sometimes requiring high-clearance vehicles. Little River Dispersed Campsites feature fire rings and some even include picnic tables, with sites positioned along creeks and rivers. Cell service is limited or nonexistent throughout most of these areas, making them ideal for disconnecting but requiring advance planning.
The tent camping experience near Hendricks offers excellent access to hiking trails and fishing opportunities. At Little River, campers can enjoy spacious sites directly alongside flowing water, with one visitor noting that "there are a lot of spots visible from the road but there are also some hidden a few steps away from the road that are tricker to see while driving." Wildlife sightings are common—some campers report bear encounters, so proper food storage is essential. During summer weekends, the more accessible sites fill quickly, but midweek visitors often find plenty of solitude. The primitive nature of these tent campgrounds creates an authentic backcountry experience that's increasingly rare in more developed camping areas.
