Best Dispersed Camping near Horner, WV

Dispersed Camping Reviews near Horner, WV

57 Reviews of 15 Horner Campgrounds

• 

  Jon N.

  Guide

  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.

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• 

  Dare To Everywhere .

  Ranger

  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.

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• 

  Sonder B.

  Traveler

  Sep. 21, 2025

  Dispersed camping at Mower Basin

  Clean, Remote, Pristine, off the beaten path = Mower Basin

  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. 

  The first three I would be solo and on that Friday my partner in crime would come to camp. I went to the primary camp site, and it was occupied. 

  I had four other camp sites chosen and continued to the other four. I found that other campers were on the other spots. I went to the last one and found it to be open. In setting up camp I found two piles of bear scat. 

  One pile was clearly fresher than the other, but still two piles! The attached photo is the last dispersed camp site. It was a little over a mile from the other site. I was dispersed camping in the Mower Basin. You can drive right up to your camp site, but don’t be fooled, this is primitive camping. 

  You need to bring everything with you and take it all out with you.

  Nearest Cell tower is here 38.688719,-79.979097

  Fuel &  small gocery store can be found here 38.710707,-79.979095

  Minor Automotive shop and tire repair here 38.713085,-79.979352

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• 

  Erik C.

  Guide

  Jun. 29, 2021

  Little River Dispersed Campsites

  Beautiful and secluded

  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. Not much for views and only stayed one night so didn’t get to hike but it was a perfect, quiet spot for an overnight. Would definitely come back for a longer stay.

• 

  Tommy S.

  Ranger

  Jun. 28, 2020

  Little River Dispersed Campsites

  Pristine Roadside Site

  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. Dangerous for RVs, great for those looking for an escape. 

  We noticed two small gravel camping areas to the left when we entered the area, but were then rewarded with the first open site on the right by the creek. The site was breathtaking, with a small stream pool running along one egde, and the rushing river on another. Soft dirt padded the entire area, and great trees filled the space with their natural architecture and canopy. There was a fire pit by the main camping area, and a fire pit down by the creek. It was a mansion in terms of campsite sizes, though it's primitive still, so don't forget your shovel. Small trails led along the creek in either direction. Two white cross grave monument memorials could be seen from the creekside. 

  It had rained a lot recently, so the driveway into the site got muddy towards the end, causing us to park half way down. We couldn't get a fire started either of the two nights we were here as everything was wet, though we were graced by copious amounts of some interesting mushroom species. 

  On two occasions, deafening aircraft, possibly military, passed over what seemed like the treetops. It was frightening in the peace of the area, so that's a small heads up. I only saw one other traveler drive by, two construction vehicles, and the park ranger truck a couple times.

  Otherwise, on a month-long roadtrip, this was probably my favorite location of over a dozen. We didn't drive any further past our site, but I've heard there's over a dozen locations here, guessing they may be of similar quality. We hiked the Span Oak trail, at the beginning of the camping area, which led us along a beautiful ridge.

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• 

  Amorina P.

  Traveler

  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.

  Guide

  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.

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• 

  Joshua H.

  Traveler

  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.

• 

  Heather P.

  Ranger

  Mar. 9, 2022

  Elk River Dispersed camping

  Dirt Road camping

  Check weather conditions and map before heading here.

  This is a dispersed camping area so be self sufficient 

  This is a dirt road so not for everyone to travel down.  But we did travel on bikes so it is not horrible.  

  We set up camp right next to Rose Run, just East of the closed off bridge.

  Along this road you will see areas to pull off where people have set up fire rings.

  Just pull off and set up camp.  Our camp area apparently was well used with many beer cans and spent shell casings.

  There is not a ton of traffic on this road but since the site is close to the road you will hear some vehicles driving by.

  There is Elk Springs Resort & Fly Shop just down the road.  Here you can hire a guide, or pay to fly fish their well stocked area.  A well stocked fly shop as well.  Everyone there was great on suggestion on flies suggestions.

  The area where we camped is catch and release only!  Please be respectful of the river and rules.  Water levels were pretty low, but was nice to just sit by the river, listen to the sounds and relax.

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