Dispersed camping areas in the Monongahela National Forest near Kerens, West Virginia are situated within a high-elevation ecosystem at approximately 3,000-4,000 feet. This region experiences rapid temperature fluctuations with morning temperatures often 20-30 degrees cooler than afternoon highs, even in summer months. Many rustic camping sites near Kerens feature established fire rings but require visitors to pack in all supplies and follow Leave No Trace principles.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Lower Glady Dispersed Campground offers excellent fishing access with multiple sites located along creeks. Wyatt S. noted, "Nice camp sites, and good fishing."
Hiking trails: The areas surrounding Monongahela National Forest Dispersed Site provide extensive hiking options. According to Olivia M., "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."
Stargazing: The remote mountain locations offer minimal light pollution. At Mower Basin, one camper shared that "The moon was bright but you could still see hundreds of stars." Sites typically provide open sky views while maintaining forest cover for shade.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Gandy Creek Dispersed Camping provides well-spaced camping areas. Melanie S. observed, "The only others we saw from our campsite were people fishing downstream from our camp and they were respectful of our space."
Creek-side locations: Many campers prefer sites directly along water. Sandra B. from Gandy Creek shared, "Each site is secluded and creek front. We stayed at the last site with the cliff over hang and it was magical."
Varied site options: The dispersed areas offer different site configurations. At Canaan Loop Road Dispersed, Lillian R. reported, "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."
What you should know
Road conditions: Access roads require careful navigation. For Little River Dispersed Campsites, Erik C. advised, "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)."
Weather preparation: Pack for all conditions, especially in shoulder seasons. Rhea B. at Canaan Loop Road noted, "We camped here on a winter road trip fully prepared for the worst weather and this mountain top dispersed site delivered. It was muddy and snowy but our Subaru made it fine about half way into Canaan loop road."
Site availability: Popular areas fill quickly on weekends. Leonard M. from Lower Glady cautioned, "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."
Wildlife awareness: Bears are present in the region. Luke M. at Little River reported, "Not even 2 minutes from our dispersed camp site we were charged by an extremely aggressive black bear, fortunately with plenty of noise and shouting and slowly backing away we avoided further conflict!"
Tips for camping with families
Best first-time sites: Beginners should consider more established areas. One camper at Canaan Loop Road stated, "There are some that are about 4 mile hike to blackwater falls state park. And it's an easy drive to seneca rocks."
Swimming spots: Some creek areas provide safe wading for children. Tommy S. at Little River suggested, "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!"
Site selection: Arrive early to secure optimal family-friendly locations. John W. from Dolly Sods Backcountry recommended, "Camped solo first week of June then with neighbor and his friends a week later. Had great time both visits! Highly recommend getting firewood on right not far from turning off main road!"
Seasonal considerations: Spring brings high water levels in creeks. A Little River camper warned, "The creek rose a few inches one night, so keep an eye on it if there's heavy rainfall."
Tips from RVers
Site access limitations: Large rigs face challenges on forest roads. At Mower Basin, Evan mentioned, "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."
Turnaround points: Some areas have limited space for maneuvering. A reviewer at Stonecoal Dispersed Camping Area explained, "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."
Level parking: Scout for flat areas suitable for larger vehicles. Joe W. from Lower Glady noted, "We pulled our 28 foot travel trailer in past I'd say ten other campsites that were taken. The last big turnaround featured four rv accessible campfires for us to pick."
