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Dispersed camping opportunities dominate the area surrounding Huttonsville, West Virginia, with several free sites nestled within the Monongahela National Forest. Mower Basin offers multiple primitive campsites with mountain views and access to hiking trails, while Stonecoal Dispersed Camping Area provides riverside sites along Shavers Fork of the Cheat River. The region includes both primitive backcountry sites and developed facilities like Kumbrabow State Forest, which features tent camping alongside rustic cabins. Audra State Park Campground provides more amenities including electric hookups, showers, and water access. Most dispersed camping areas accommodate both tent and RV camping, though many forest roads have limited clearance for larger vehicles.
Road conditions throughout the Monongahela National Forest vary significantly, with many camping areas requiring travel on gravel or dirt roads. Several campsites like those at Mower Basin sit at higher elevations with impressive views but potentially challenging access. "The spots are not huge, so don't plan on a big group, but if your group wants to spread out, that could work as the sites are fairly tightly packed in there," noted one visitor about the Gaudineer Knob area. Most dispersed sites lack drinking water, toilets, or other amenities, while developed campgrounds like Kumbrabow State Forest and Audra State Park have facilities including picnic tables, fire rings, and restrooms. Cell service is unreliable throughout the region, with many areas completely lacking coverage. The primary camping season runs April through October, with many established campgrounds closing during winter months.
Campers consistently mention the peaceful environment and scenic beauty of the area as major highlights. The Monongahela National Forest provides excellent stargazing opportunities and access to numerous hiking trails. Water features prove popular, with many sites positioned along creeks and rivers. One visitor remarked about Kumbrabow State Forest: "I stayed in space #7, located next to Mill Creek, where I enjoyed the relaxing sound of this gurgling stream all night long." Privacy varies between sites, with some offering significant seclusion while others are more exposed to neighboring campers or forest roads. Wildlife encounters are common, particularly at remote sites, and visitors should practice proper food storage. The mixed-use nature of many campgrounds allows for various outdoor activities beyond camping, including fishing in stocked streams, mountain biking on forest roads, and hiking on maintained trails.
"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. "
"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."
"Audra State Park, is a bit off the beaten path but well worth the journey. Tucked away, just outside of Buckhannon, WV...home of West Virginia Wesleyan College."
"v=VLUEBlIxHpo) Trails undulate with the terrain. The short trail within the campground area is steep in areas but offers some nice views."
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Kumbrabow State Forest offers lots of great trails, rustic cabins, and a primitive campground.""Beautiful campground located in the middle of nowhere. Quiet and peaceful with a fantastic stream going through the campground to either fish or play in."
from $16 - $60 / night
Check Availability"We arrived around 6pm on a Friday evening. A couple of the spots were taken but we found a lovely spot in the group campsite - there was no one else there!"
"Very very quiet location. You can collect fallen material for fires, and we marched off into the woodlands for a little hike."
"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."
"Good access to water with the river. No mosquitos. Soft ground for staking a tent. Getting here long after dark isn’t an issue, because you can drive right into a campsite."
"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 well kept campground adjacent to the Durbin Rocket steam locomotive. They are doing a train robbery this week, robbers are riding horseback to steal a guarded shipment!"
"Very peaceful, surrounded by mountains. The campground had stables and catered to people with horses, but we felt very welcomed by the owners."
"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"
"Some you walk-in a short distance but are rewarded with amazing sites on the creek, secluded and wooded. Other places you can camp in your vehicle or park at the site."
"I should preface each of my reviews for West Virginia campgrounds and state forests by stating...West Virginia has the nicest and friendliest people I've come across...and that is a pure pleasure in this"
"We enjoyed the beautiful drive in with the fall colors and the little stream next to the road that goes through the campground. The sites are a little tight if you have a bigger camper."
TravelerThis place is beautiful! I loved seeing all the wildlife! My daughter and I enjoyed walking the entire campground looking for Bigfoot.😉 we loved waking up the next morning to having squirrels, chipmunks, deer and birds on our campsite. We stayed on site 14
ScoutSuper 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.
TravelerThere were at least 12 numbered sites. Free dispersed camping. 14 day limit. Most sites had sun so you could have solar. Some sites were very private tucked far off the gravel road. All sites were very spaced out. Very quiet.
TravelerI 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.
ScoutThe biggest problem with the WV state parks is the cancellation policy. Make sure you check it out. Bath houses are decent. Shower had hot water and good pressure. Most of the sites are not level 1-9 are the best sites by far. Poor drainage when raining.
ScoutBeautiful and secluded. Primitive camping area for boondocking or tent camping. Large enough to set up several electric pens for horses.
ScoutThe surroundings are beautiful as is the Campground. No water or sewer so be prepared for that. The shower/laundry/bathroom building is centrally located and immaculate.
ScoutAbsolutely no service here cell or internet. We have a starlink so are connected if needed Stayed at the furthest site removed from anyone. Very beautiful.
ScoutBeautiful quiet place
The Monongahela National Forest surrounds Huttonsville, West Virginia, with over 900,000 acres spanning elevations from 1,000 to 4,800 feet. Temperatures can vary significantly based on elevation, with higher sites like Mower Basin experiencing temperature differences of 10-15 degrees cooler than valley locations. Most dispersed camping options sit on gravelly forest roads with limited or no cell service coverage, particularly in remote areas.
Trout fishing in stocked streams: Multiple sites along Gandy Creek Dispersed Camping offer direct creek access for anglers. "It's amazing and peaceful. Plus the fishing is wonderful," notes one visitor, while another mentions "several nice spots right along the creek" with areas "spread out and private."
Hiking mountain trails: The area features numerous single-track trails for various skill levels. A camper at Dispersed camping at Mower Basin observed, "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."
Heritage railway experience: The historic Durbin Rocket steam locomotive runs adjacent to East Fork Campground and Horse Stables. "They are doing a train robbery this week, robbers are riding horseback to steal a guarded shipment!" reports a visitor, offering a unique local attraction for campers.
Swimming holes: Creekside camping areas frequently feature natural swimming spots. At Gandy Creek, one visitor notes, "Several spots along the creek are deep enough for swimming." Similarly, another camper shared, "If 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!" at Little River Dispersed Campsites.
Night sky visibility: High elevation campsites provide exceptional stargazing opportunities. A Mower Basin visitor reported, "The moon was bright but you could still see hundreds of stars." The limited light pollution and elevated positions create optimal conditions for astronomical viewing.
Privacy between sites: Many dispersed areas offer significant separation between campsites. As one camper at Gandy Creek observed, "The sites are so spaced out on the road that each is very private, though you see an occasional car drive by." Most Forest Service sites maintain natural buffers between camping areas.
Weather variability: The region experiences rapid weather changes, particularly at higher elevations. At Holly River State Park Campground, a camper noted, "Every morning and every night it rained which made it difficult to swim and fish. The park workers said this is common year round."
Road conditions: Many camping areas require travel on unpaved forest roads. One visitor to Little River Dispersed Campsites warns, "The road is narrow and you'll need to pull off to the side to let cars pass coming in, and the road is riddled with pot holes and is entirely gravel."
Wildlife precautions: Bear activity is common throughout the region. A Little River camper reported, "Not even 2 minutes from our dispersed camp site we were charged by an extremely aggressive black bear," advising fellow campers to "keep ALL FOOD in the car's trunk those nights and not hanging in a tree just to be safe."
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the best camping spots in Huttonsville, West Virginia?
The Huttonsville area offers excellent camping options within the Monongahela National Forest. Spruce Knob Lake Campground provides a quiet experience with fewer sites than most campgrounds, located near West Virginia's highest peak. For primitive camping, Stonecoal Dispersed Camping Area offers free sites with basic toilet facilities. The region also features numerous opportunities along the Greenbrier River Trail for bikepacking enthusiasts and those seeking a more remote experience. Many campers enjoy the natural beauty of nearby state parks and recreation areas, all offering different levels of amenities and scenic mountain views characteristic of wild, wonderful West Virginia.
How much does camping cost at Huttonsville recreation areas?
Camping costs around Huttonsville vary by location and amenities. Horseshoe Recreation Area is known for being quiet, remote, and reasonably priced. Budget-friendly options include primitive sites like Greenbrier River Trail Milepost 63.8 Primitive Campsite, which offers free or low-cost camping for bikepacking and hiking enthusiasts. For those seeking more amenities, expect to pay $10-30 per night depending on the level of services provided. Dispersed camping in Monongahela National Forest is generally free but lacks facilities. Some private campgrounds charge additional fees for showers, electricity, or premium waterfront sites. Most public campgrounds offer discounts for seniors and America the Beautiful pass holders.
What are the amenities available at Valley Bend Campground near Huttonsville?
While specific Valley Bend details are limited in reviews, similar nearby campgrounds offer a range of amenities. Canaan Valley Resort State Park Campground features sites suitable for various camping styles with access to outdoor activities year-round. For a more rustic option, Eagle Rock Campground provides riverside camping with minimal amenities at an affordable price. Valley Bend area campgrounds typically offer basic facilities including parking areas, tent pads, picnic tables, and fire rings. Most sites in this region provide access to rivers or lakes, with many campgrounds situated in scenic mountain settings. Always check with the specific campground before arrival as amenities can change seasonally.
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