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Recreation areas with activity Dispersed Camping: There are at least 7 dispersed camp sites Along Canaan Loop Road.
Camping Tips Bring drinking water; otherwise, treat water from streams and springs before drinking to kill harmful pathogens. Vigorously boil local water for at least three minutes, or use a filter which is specifically labeled for removal of Giardia. Chemical treatments (iodine and chlorine) are not considered effective. Freezing temperatures and snow can occur anytime of the year, but mainly between October and April. Dress for the weather. Practice Leave No Trace outdoor ethics: do not build a camp within 200 feet of streams. Light weight camping stoves are encouraged. If using firewood it must be dead AND down branches only. Keep fires small. During hunting seasons, hikers are encouraged to wear high visibility clothing.
This scenic area is managed to feature an undisturbed condition of the West Virginia highlands for study and enjoyment. Maintaining the natural appearance of the area is an essential management goal here.
Approximately 50 acres of the Gaudineer Scenic Area is typical of, and considered part of, the virgin red spruce type that originally occupied large portions of the highland areas of West Virginia. The composition of this impressive timber stand consists of virgin and second growth red spruce, yellow birch, beech, red maple, sugar maple and other hardwood species. Individual trees range up to 40 inches in diameter at breast height and 300 years of age.
While the remaining 90 acres has had some cutting, mainly salvage of blow-down, most of the original growth still is standing. The total wood volume of the 140 acre tract is estimated at one and a half million board feet.
Ranger
There are numerous disbursed camping sites at this location. We arrived on a Sunday and found all the sites near the vaulted toilet empty.
The campsites are boarded by boulders. The toilet was one of the cleanest I have seen. Most sites have good shade while still open to the sky.
Sites are level and have good back-in driveways. Fire rings are large. We removed lots of trash from our fire ring, mostly aluminum cans.
Guide
Was a “okay” small area to stay at for free. There was a lot of bees, yellow jackets. The bathroom was clean, but the "non-flush" toilet was just gross.
Guide
This was our first night ever for dispersed camping for us. Did have nice secluded spots for camping. Road was a little rough so take your time.
Scout
It was dead when we arrived; only saw two other vehicles. Very quiet and secluded. Easy to navigate and find a spot.
Guide
Very quiet, beautiful views, amazing drive from VA. Multiple campsites and they all have beautiful views. I have T-Mobile and had signal only by the first campsite for some reason. I had no signal for almost two hours heading towards VA.
ScoutWe 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....
TravelerLoved camping here! We found a nice site in the pine trees! Perfect for 2 vehicles and 5 people hammock camping!
TravelerParking for regular cars is 100 yards before restroom (the others are for horse trailers only). Close to the restroom there’s a picnic table, tentspots and a manual water pump. A lot of insects, humid and dense deciduous forest surrounding the trailhead. The Kinderhook trail was overgrown. The Paw Paw trail on the other hand was very smooth, dry and wide. The trail leads to the top of the hill.
ScoutArea is dedicated to horse trail riding. Nice clean area just off main road.Can camp here in certain spots. Not much area to camp. No fire rings, one picnic table. Definitely only for very small camper, car camp, or tent, small group. Nice trails. Seem to be well maintained. Does have a small hand pump water spigot. Has no flush vault toilet. No hook-ups of any kind. I did not camp here due to severe weather warnings. With att had 2 to 3 bars cell service.
Scout25 Beautiful remote sites with Mountain View’s and lake overlook
Traveler
Unfortunately the road is closed for upgrades until spring of 2024
TravelerWe drove In Thursday evening intending to go to stonecoal but the road was blocked off so we headed out to mowers basin and were lucky enough to snag this beautiful view. The few people we did encounter were friendly.
Scout
Just wow! First off, it's not a campsite, it's day use only, but I got there too late to go anywhere else. The forest floor is only moss. Like miles of moss and other than the trail that was it. No other trees either. Just Spruce?I think it was spruce but I'm not a treeologist. That combination created the world's most quiet environment ever. You wouldn't hear a marching band if they were feet behind you. It was super erie to camp in, but also the most peaceful and amazing spot I've been to in years. I loved it! I did the old growth loop down the road too. The whole place was magical.
TravelerCamped 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! Watch for deer on back roads anytime of day or night!
ScoutArrived 8 May for a week. Nice and cool. 4 to 8 other campers. No one next to me. There were a couple of small groups, like two rigs together. Nice and quiet. A few friendly fishermen each day, sharing local knowledge.
TravelerMy partner and I like to camp here every year, this year being our third. We’ve found a few nice little spots to set up camp. Great trails nearby with wonderful views.
GuideThis has been the best spot I've found so far in terms of what it offers. It's easy to find, the roads are gravel and maintained enough for just about any vehicle to get back there, the views are truly incredible with great star gazing opportunities, and MOST IMPORTANTLY it is absolutely littered with marked hiking trails.
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.
I saw forestry trucks coming in and out during the day, day hikers, and the entire week that I was there I only saw 3 other cars coming in to camp. But the sites are so spread out/the foliage is so thick that you can't see or hear anyone.
This is a spot that I will make a special trip to go back out to, just to enjoy those trails and views again. In the months that I've been slowly moving across the country, this is 1 of 2 sites that I will FOR SURE come back to. I'll probably invite friends from out of state to make a several hours drive to hangout there, it's that good.
TravelerNo 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. The last big turnaround featured four rv accessible campfires for us to pick.
GuideI've seen a lot of beautiful sights, but this may be one of the top of all time.
You park in the little lot that has a cassette toilet and a trash dump bin. Then there is a 1/2 mile loop with little campsites all along it. It looked like most of them had a table and fire ring. I also only did half the loop lol, but there must be at least 10+ spots.
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. When I went in November on a rainy weekend, there was no one else there.
Even if you choose to not camp here, it is at least worth it to walk the trail and see the overlook.
Guide
You will want a car with decent clearance to get down here. I went in my Subaru Forester and was fine.
The spot is about 20 feet from the railroad, so just be ready to hear a train if you're lucky lol. When I went there it seemed like there was recent work done as there was hay, presumably to grow grass, and some cut and stacked firewood.
You are also along the Shaver's Fork River, so if you have a filtration system, you can get some water. I did see signs driving in about this being a catch and release zone, but I'm not a fisherman so I didn't look them over thoroughly.
I have some pictures from a little up the river the I'll add to here, so you can get an idea of the landscape and what to expect. The river is small and shallow, so when it isn't so cold, it could be fun to play in.
GuideWords cannot describe how amazing this site was to camp in. I took the road all the way to the end passing other sites, some taken and some open. The moon was bright but you could still see hundreds of stars. There was a fire ring and enough space to fit a car and tent, but other sites were large enough to fit many cars and a dozen people. It is all first come first service, so if you want those bigger group sites, come early.
I also love this place as it has a small network of single track trails for anyone with a bike, or in my case, Electric unicycle. The trails were well maintained and offered a wonderful variety of wooded and open space riding.
I cannot wait to get back to this place, maybe even in the snow.
Guide
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.
GuideWe arrived in the late afternoon and found a very pleasant back-in spot about a mile or so in. Hiked a few of the nearby trails. Saw some bear scat, but past that the only animals we saw were a few frogs.
Very, very damp.
GuideI really enjoyed the Caanan Loop Road. It all dispersed camping and if you have a 4x4 you can complete the loop. If you come in from the east, it's a very well maintained road for any vehicle (RVs may have trouble turning around), but the last mile or two you need a 4x4. This will take you to Blackwater Falls state Park.
ScoutNice camp sites, and good fishing.
GuideStill snow on the ground and very wet in early April, but great dispersed car camp and walk-in camp sites.
Ranger
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Mount Clare, WV?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Mount Clare, WV is Lower Glady Dispersed Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 7 reviews.
What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Mount Clare, WV?
TheDyrt.com has all 14 dispersed camping locations near Mount Clare, WV, with real photos and reviews from campers.
