Monongahela National Forest offers numerous secluded tent campsites near Riverton, West Virginia. The forest encompasses over 919,000 acres across the Allegheny Mountains, with elevations ranging from 1,000 to 4,800 feet. Temperatures can drop into the 40s even during summer nights, and afternoon thunderstorms often develop quickly during warmer months, requiring careful planning and appropriate gear.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Eagle Rock Campground provides direct access to the South Branch of the Potomac River. According to one camper at Eagle Rock Campground, "Great place honestly. I don't really have anything negative to say about it. At $10 and fishing, I'll definitely be back." The river is stocked with trout and some areas have specific catch and release regulations.
Hiking to fire towers: From tent camping areas near Riverton, visitors can reach scenic viewpoints. A camper at Bear Heaven Campground notes it's "Just a few miles up the mountain you can go to Bickles Knob firetower and get one of the best views in the state." The 1.5-mile round-trip hike offers 360-degree panoramas.
Boulder exploration: Some camping areas feature unique rock formations for climbing and exploration. A Bear Heaven visitor explains, "Right beside the camp ground is a really cool area to explore unique boulders and rock structures. You can either walk through or climb these boulders."
What campers like
Private creekside spots: The sound of flowing water enhances many tent campsites in the region. A camper at Little River Dispersed Campsites shared, "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!" These sites balance privacy with easy water access.
Spacious sites: Many tent camping areas feature large clearings with natural buffers between sites. According to one visitor to Little River Dispersed Campsites, "It was a mansion in terms of campsite sizes, though it's primitive still, so don't forget your shovel." Sites typically accommodate multiple tents with room to spread out.
Budget-friendly options: Most tent camping areas near Riverton require minimal fees or are free. A camper at Eagle Rock Campground noted, "It is what it is, a West Virginia backwoods campground. $10 will get ya a nights stay. Like previously said drop your money in a slot and enjoy the river."
What you should know
Road conditions: Many tent campgrounds require driving on unpaved forest roads. A camper at Switzer Lake Dispersed Camping warned, "Great spot to get away. Super peaceful and relaxing... There's nothing there so plan ahead for water and bathroom use." Some roads become impassable without high-clearance vehicles after rain.
Wildlife precautions: Black bears frequent camping areas throughout Monongahela National Forest. One visitor to Little River shared, "We were charged by an extremely aggressive black bear, fortunately with plenty of noise and shouting and slowly backing away we avoided further conflict! But, it was very very close to the site we had our tent!" Store all food securely in vehicles.
Cell service limitations: Most tent camping areas have no connectivity. A Little River camper noted, "Lost cell service an hour before reaching the area. Utterly beautiful, pretty untouched wilderness." Download maps and camping information before traveling into the forest.
Tips for camping with families
Consider proximity to water: Shallow creek areas provide safe play spaces for children at some tent sites. A camper at Swallow Rock Campground observed, "There are a good number of dispersed camping sites along the forest service road that follows Gandy Creek up to Seneca Creek Trail, sites are right on the river with easy access."
Pack for temperature swings: Mountain elevations cause significant day-to-night temperature variations. A visitor noted these sites experience "evening temperatures dropping significantly even in summer months," so bring layers and appropriate sleeping gear for children.
Choose accessible sites: Some tent camping areas offer drive-up access while others require short hikes. At Gatewood Group, one camper found, "This is a great spot for a large group. Very spacious with two vault toilets. We were able to find quite a few nice hammock spots in the trees if that's your preferred camping method."
Tips from RVers
Size limitations: Most primitive tent camping areas near Riverton cannot accommodate larger RVs. At Hawk Nest Mushroom Farm, a camper advised, "If you are tent camping or have a camper van the area is fine. Large RV will have a difficult time setting up in the camp area." Small pop-ups and vans fare better than conventional motorhomes.
Road navigation challenges: Forest roads to many tent campsites are narrow with limited passing areas. A Switzer Lake visitor warned, "The road was the worst and really not worth the drive in... you really have to drive way in to get to them." Check road conditions with forest rangers before attempting access with any RV.
Leveling considerations: Most tent campsites have uneven natural surfaces that require careful setup for RVs. Some sites at Bear Heaven feature "Spacious sites with fire pits" but campers note the importance of bringing leveling blocks for any RV camping in these primitive areas.
