Primitive camping near French Creek, West Virginia offers remote sites within the Monongahela National Forest, with elevations ranging from 2,000 to 4,000 feet creating distinctive microclimates. Many sites require navigating rough forest service roads with grades exceeding 8% in some sections. Weather conditions change rapidly in this mountainous terrain, with temperature variations of 10-15 degrees between valley floors and ridge tops common even during summer months.
What to do
Hiking from camp sites: Multiple sites at Mower Basin connect to marked trails suitable for day hiking. "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," notes one camper who particularly enjoyed the trail variety.
Fishing access: The Elk River Dispersed camping area provides direct access to catch-and-release fishing zones. "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," reports a visitor who appreciated the quiet fishing opportunities.
Swimming holes: Several creek-side locations offer natural swimming opportunities during warmer months. At Gandy Creek, one reviewer mentioned "Several spots along the creek are deep enough for swimming" while another noted specific access points: "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!"
What campers like
Stargazing conditions: The remote locations provide exceptional night sky viewing. At Mower Basin, campers report that "The moon was bright but you could still see hundreds of stars" while another noted the "gorgeous backdrop for the stars" visible at night.
Wildlife observation: Various sites offer chances to spot native wildlife. One camper at Little River Dispersed Campsites mentioned: "We marched off into the woodlands for a little hike. Not even 2 minutes from our dispersed camp site we were charged by an extremely aggressive black bear," highlighting the importance of proper food storage.
Forest environments: The region features diverse forest types. At Gaudineer Knob camp sites, a visitor described a unique ecosystem: "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
Cell service limitations: Connectivity is virtually non-existent throughout the camping areas. A visitor to Lower Glady Dispersed Campground mentioned there was "no one next to me... nice and quiet" while another camper at Mower Basin specifically noted: "Nearest Cell tower is here 38.688719,-79.979097" – providing exact coordinates for the closest possible signal.
Site accessibility: Road conditions vary dramatically by season and weather. "You will want a car with decent clearance to get down here. I went in my Subaru Forester and was fine," reported one camper, while another mentioned: "We drove In Thursday evening intending to go to stonecoal but the road was blocked off so we headed out to mowers basin."
Site availability patterns: First-come, first-served sites fill predictably. One frustrated camper at Lower Glady reported: "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." Multiple reviewers recommend Thursday arrival for weekend camping.
Tips for camping with families
Site selection for creek access: Families appreciate water features for entertainment. One camper noted: "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."
Space considerations: Some areas offer more room for family activities. A visitor to Monongahela National Forest Dispersed Site noted it was "dead when we arrived; only saw two other vehicles. Very quiet and secluded. Easy to navigate and find a spot."
Timing considerations: For family camping, midweek visits offer better experiences. "Arrived 8 May for a week. Nice and cool. 4 to 8 other campers. No one next to me," reported one camper, suggesting non-holiday weekdays provide more space and quieter conditions ideal for families.
Tips from RVers
Access restrictions: Many forest roads have limitations for larger vehicles. At Mower Basin, an RVer reported: "Awesome spot in mountain, not too many sites but they are all well marked. Just have to push through some steep gravel roads but we did it in truck and trailer."
RV-friendly locations: Certain areas accommodate larger vehicles better than others. "We strolled up the mountain in our 39ft skoolie. It snowed and we had a really good time!" shared one RV camper who successfully navigated to their site despite the challenging conditions.
Setup considerations: Level sites for RVs are limited but available. One camper mentioned: "Sites are level and have good back-in driveways. Fire rings are large" while another noted their success: "No one bothered mom and I on Easter weekend. We pulled our 28 foot travel trailer in past I'd say ten other campsites that were taken."
