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Best Dispersed Camping near Napier, WV

25 Reviews

Monongahela National Forest offers several free dispersed camping areas near Napier, West Virginia. Mower Basin stands out with multiple marked sites along forest roads, featuring fire rings and enough space for tents, cars, and some RVs. The basin provides mountain views and access to hiking trails, though reaching it requires navigating gravel roads. A camper noted, "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."

Little River Dispersed Campsites and Stonecoal Dispersed Camping Area provide creek-side camping with some sites including picnic tables and fire rings. The roads to these areas can be challenging—potholed, narrow, and sometimes muddy. Elk River Dispersed camping offers sites with established fire rings along a dirt road. Most areas lack amenities like drinking water, showers, or trash service, though a few have vault toilets. Cell service is extremely limited throughout the region. Wildlife encounters, including bears, have been reported, so proper food storage is essential.

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Best Dispersed Sites Near Napier, West Virginia (10)

    1. Dispersed camping at Mower Basin

    9 Reviews
    Durbin, WV
    39 miles
    Website
    +1 (304) 636-1800

    "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. "

    "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."

    2. Elk River Dispersed camping

    1 Review
    Monterville, WV
    29 miles

    "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. "

    3. Little River Dispersed Campsites

    6 Reviews
    Durbin, WV
    45 miles
    Website
    +1 (304) 456-3335

    "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."

    "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."

    4. Monongahela National Forest Dispersed Site

    3 Reviews
    Durbin, WV
    40 miles
    Website
    +1 (304) 636-1800

    "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."

    "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."

    5. Stonecoal Dispersed Camping Area

    3 Reviews
    Durbin, WV
    40 miles
    Website

    "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.  "

    "Good quality dirt access road, no problem for my Honda Civic. Got here on a Monday night in late September and there were lots of campsites available. Good access to water with the river."

    6. Dispersed Camping off Forest Road 227

    1 Review
    Huttonsville, WV
    37 miles
    Website
    +1 (304) 636-1800

    "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."

    7. Gaudineer Knob camp sites

    2 Reviews
    Durbin, WV
    42 miles
    Website
    +1 (304) 456-3335

    "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."

    "Even if you choose to not camp here, it is at least worth it to walk the trail and see the overlook."

    8. Little dispersed site by railtracks

    1 Review
    Durbin, WV
    40 miles
    Website
    +1 (304) 456-3335

    9. Stonecoal Dispersed Camping

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    Durbin, WV
    40 miles

    10. Shavers Fork Dispersed Campsites

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    Durbin, WV
    40 miles
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Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos near Napier, WV

33 Photos of 10 Napier Campgrounds

Dispersed Camping Reviews near Napier, WV

25 Reviews of 10 Napier Campgrounds

  • Jon N.The Dyrt PRO User
    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.

  • Dare To Everywhere .The Dyrt PRO User
    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.

  • Sonder B.
    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

  • Erik C.The Dyrt PRO User
    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.The Dyrt PRO User
    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.

  • Heather P.The Dyrt PRO User
    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.

  • Olivia M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 31, 2019

    Monongahela National Forest Dispersed Site

    Dispersed Camping in the mountains

    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.

  • WThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 5, 2024

    Dispersed camping at Mower Basin

    Beautiful views

    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.

  • Cameron
    Oct. 1, 2020

    Stonecoal Dispersed Camping Area

    Nice, free, primitive campground

    The campsites are just pullouts in the road with fire pits. Good quality dirt access road, no problem for my Honda Civic. Got here on a Monday night in late September and there were lots of campsites available. 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. It was very quiet for me, no traffic on the road at night. There was some light litter, a few soda bottles, that kind of thing. No AT&T service. Highly recommended

Guide to Napier

Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Napier, West Virginia, where nature meets tranquility. With a variety of sites to choose from, outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy the serenity of the wilderness while engaging in their favorite activities.

Top Activities While Free Camping Near Napier

  • Enjoy fishing at the Elk River Dispersed camping, where the catch-and-release policy ensures a sustainable experience while you relax by the river.
  • Take advantage of the scenic views and hiking trails at Dispersed camping at Mower Basin, which offers multiple campsites with easy access to various hiking paths.
  • Experience the peacefulness of the Stonecoal Dispersed Camping Area, where you can set up camp along the river and enjoy the sounds of nature.

Dispersed Campers Should Check Out Mower Basin

Tips for Free and Dispersed Camping Near Napier, West Virginia

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I find Napier dispersed camping sites in West Virginia?

Napier dispersed camping sites can be found throughout the Monongahela National Forest in West Virginia. Dispersed Camping off Forest Road 227 offers numerous sites along the road, with clear markers placed by the Forest Service. Many of these sites can accommodate RVs, though some have rougher access roads. Another option is Stonecoal Dispersed Camping Area, which can be found using map pins for accurate navigation. The Monongahela National Forest spans over 900,000 acres with multiple dispersed camping opportunities throughout the region.

Is a permit required for dispersed camping at Napier?

No permits are required for dispersed camping at Napier in the Monongahela National Forest. Little River Dispersed Campsites and Elk River Dispersed camping both operate on a first-come, first-served basis without permit requirements. These free camping areas follow standard National Forest dispersed camping regulations, which typically allow stays up to 14 days. Always check current forest regulations before your trip, as rules may change seasonally or during high fire danger periods. Be prepared to be self-sufficient as these are primitive camping areas.

What amenities are available at Napier dispersed camping area?

Napier dispersed camping areas offer very minimal amenities, as they are primitive sites. At Monongahela National Forest Dispersed Site, you'll typically find nothing more than established fire rings at most sites. Dispersed camping at Mower Basin offers beautiful views but similarly basic facilities. Many sites have access to natural water sources like creeks and rivers, but you must filter or treat this water. There are no restrooms, picnic tables, trash services, or potable water. Cell service is spotty or non-existent in most areas. Bring everything you need and pack out all waste following Leave No Trace principles.

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