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Best Dispersed Camping near Snowshoe, WV

83 Reviews

Dispersed camping opportunities abound in the Monongahela National Forest surrounding Snowshoe, West Virginia. Several free primitive sites are available, including Mower Basin, Little River Dispersed Campsites, Elk River Dispersed camping, and Forest Road 227 sites. These areas feature established fire rings and typically allow stays up to 14 days. According to reviews, many sites are well-spaced from neighboring campsites but not always from access roads. Most locations have clear Forest Service markers indicating designated camping areas.

Access to these sites requires preparation. Many areas are reached via unpaved forest roads with varying conditions. High-clearance vehicles are recommended for several locations, particularly after rain. Campers report that Little River sites are "about 7+ miles in from the town of Durbin on a dirt road" with numerous potholes. Cell service is extremely limited or nonexistent throughout the region. No drinking water is available at these sites, and most lack toilet facilities. Visitors must pack in all supplies and pack out all waste.

The camping experience varies by location. Stonecoal and Gandy Creek sites offer riverside camping with natural sound barriers between sites. Mower Basin provides mountain views in a former spruce farming area. Winter camping is possible but challenging due to snow accumulation and limited access. Summer brings more visitors, especially on holiday weekends when sites fill quickly. Campfires are generally permitted in established rings, but seasonal restrictions may apply. These primitive sites support both tent and small RV camping, though larger rigs may struggle with access roads and limited turning space.

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Snowshoe Valley Camping

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Dispersed camping at Mower Basin

Dispersed camping at Mower Basin

1 hr 12 min away

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Best Dispersed Sites Near Snowshoe, West Virginia (19)

    1. Dispersed camping at Mower Basin

    8 Reviews
    Durbin, WV
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (304) 636-1800

    "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."

    "25 Beautiful remote sites with Mountain View’s and lake overlook"

    2. Little River Dispersed Campsites

    6 Reviews
    Durbin, WV
    18 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."

    3. Elk River Dispersed camping

    1 Review
    Monterville, WV
    12 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. "

    4. Monongahela National Forest Dispersed Site

    3 Reviews
    Durbin, WV
    16 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
    16 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
    15 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
    16 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. Poor Farm Dispersed Recreation Area

    5 Reviews
    Warm Springs, KY
    22 miles
    Website

    "I pulled in while passing through the area, it was a short ride off the highway and the road in was nice."

    "No signal, so make sure you have a map or know which way you came."

    9. Little dispersed site by railtracks

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

    10. Gandy Creek Dispersed Camping

    16 Reviews
    Whitmer, WV
    33 miles
    Website

    "You get to them by a dirt road, park, and then the campsites are a little ways in. No amenities other than cleared level ground and a spot for the campfire."

    "A couple of friends and I traveled to the Monongahela National Forest in search of some free camping."

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Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos near Snowshoe, WV

81 Photos of 19 Snowshoe Campgrounds

Dispersed Camping Reviews near Snowshoe, WV

83 Reviews of 19 Snowshoe Campgrounds

  • Mike C.
    Oct. 18, 2020

    Switzer Lake Dispersed Camping

    Primitive Fall Fun

    Duration of Stay: Oct 16-18, 2020 Average Daily Temp: 61 Average Evening Temp: 30 On Site Parking: ✅ Potable Water: 🚱 Restrooms: 🚫 Firewood: 🚫 Cell Service: 📵 4x4: ✅ Wildlife and Fishing: ✅

    Amazing place with tons of very primitive spots and privacy. Directions on website are pretty accurate.

    Once you turn onto Switzer Lake Rd from U.S. 33 and find the parking area to the lake on your left, be prepared to drive another 2ish miles on a single lane and very bumpy dirt road. Go slow as several sharp corners with huge drops and inexperienced drives coming towards you.

    Down the road you will find many spots on your left and your right to tuck back in and call it "home" for a couple days.

    If you travel back to U.S. 33 and drive 9.1 miles West you will find the Brandywine General Store on your left. They have kiln dried firewood, ice, bait, and supplies you may have forgot at home.

    This first come first served location is ideal for off road adventures. Make sure your rig is equipped, this ain't for rookies!

    Would have given this spot a 5 Star if some of the locals understood quiet hours after 10pm and slept past 5am. Be advised, it can get loud at some of the larger sites. Go deeper into the woods if you have the equipment.

  • Amber A.
    Aug. 1, 2016

    Braley Pond Dispersed Camping & Day Use Area

    FREE dispersed camping near wilderness

    This a US Forest Service site. Campsite is primitive: no facilities aside from vault toilets. Bring water treatment system. Site itself is mostly good for fishing but tons of other good hiking in the area.

  • 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.

  • LThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 18, 2023

    Switzer Lake Dispersed Camping

    Beautiful area!

    I made a spontaneous trip this past weekend. Easy to find and a beautiful area. Some things to note- the lake front campsites fill up quickly and they are not drive in. Since I sleep in my Jeep, I needed a drive in spot. I drove past the lakefront sites and there are a few really nice spots right past the paved bridge on the dirt road, some next to the creek and some out further. I drove down a path that would not be accessible with a car, however there are spots closer to the dirt road that you don’t need a vehicle with high clearance. I’ll definitely be going back!

  • 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.

  • S
    Jun. 26, 2024

    Flagpole Knob

    They Said....

    They said, no way, I chuckled. They Said , you need a high clearance vehicle, I cleared my throat. They said, you need 4 wheel drive, I SAID "ILL SEND YOU PICTURES!!!" what an Amazing view, don't use me as an example , you definitely should not drive your 2018 Ram ProMaster 2500 159 wb campervan up that road like I did. so now that that's clear how about some pics?.it's absolutely pouring down rain and hail. how about some security cam footage?

  • 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.

  • Evan P.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 19, 2025

    Braley Pond Dispersed Camping & Day Use Area

    Dispersed Glamping

    1. Car could be parked right next to us on site
    2. Next to a creek, so good sounds and cool environment
    3. Some walking trails
    4. A pit toilet is located at the picnic site

    Aside from the trash people had left from previous visits, it was perfect for a more primitive camping experience than a lot of modern campgrounds provided.

    We picked up and threw away the people's old trash btw. Leave it better than you found it and this awesome site will continue to be fantastic.

Guide to Snowshoe

Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Snowshoe, West Virginia, where nature's tranquility awaits. With a variety of scenic spots, campers can enjoy the great outdoors while embracing the freedom of primitive camping.

Tips for free and dispersed camping near Snowshoe, West Virginia

Dispersed campers should check out Little River Dispersed Campsites

  • This spot offers beautiful sites along the river, with wildflowers and ferns creating a picturesque setting for your camping experience.
  • Campers have reported enjoying the peacefulness and privacy of the area, making it a great choice for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle.
  • Be cautious of wildlife, as previous visitors have encountered bears nearby, so it's wise to store food securely in your vehicle.

Enjoy hiking and nature while free camping near Snowshoe

  • The Dispersed Camping off Forest Road 227 area is known for its extensive network of hiking trails, perfect for exploring the natural beauty of Monongahela National Forest.
  • Many sites, such as Gaudineer Knob camp sites, are located near scenic overlooks, providing stunning views and great photo opportunities.
  • Campers can enjoy the serenity of nature while hiking, as the trails are often less crowded, allowing for a more intimate experience with the wilderness.

Frequently Asked Questions

What amenities are available at dispersed camping sites around Snowshoe Mountain?

Dispersed camping sites around Snowshoe Mountain are typically very primitive with minimal amenities. Braley Pond Dispersed Camping & Day Use Area offers vault toilets but no other facilities, so campers need to bring water treatment systems. Switzer Lake Dispersed Camping has no potable water, restrooms, or firewood available. Most dispersed sites in the area provide fire rings and flat tent spots, but you'll need to pack in all essentials including water, food, and waste disposal materials. Cell service is typically limited or non-existent. These sites are truly rustic experiences focused on self-sufficiency, with the natural environment as the main amenity. Be prepared to bring everything you need and pack everything out.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Snowshoe, WV?

Several free dispersed camping options exist near Snowshoe within Monongahela National Forest. Stonecoal Dispersed Camping Area offers free sites within the national forest and can be accessed with standard navigation apps. Another excellent option is Little River Dispersed Campsites, located about 7 miles from Durbin on a dirt road, offering beautiful creek-side camping in dense forest. While these sites are primitive, they provide peaceful, secluded camping experiences. The Monongahela National Forest contains numerous unmarked dispersed sites throughout the region. Most sites operate on a first-come, first-served basis, so arriving early, especially on weekends and holidays, is recommended.

What are the regulations for dispersed camping in the Snowshoe, WV area?

Dispersed camping regulations in the Snowshoe area generally follow Monongahela National Forest rules. At Dispersed Camping off Forest Road 227, sites are clearly marked by the Forest Service, with many suitable for various camping setups. Be aware of property boundaries, as demonstrated at Gladwin Dispersed Camping where some areas border private property. Standard regulations include: camping only at established sites (look for fire rings), staying a maximum of 14 consecutive days, maintaining at least 100 feet from water sources, proper waste disposal (pack it in, pack it out), and following fire safety protocols. Some forest roads require high-clearance or 4WD vehicles. Always check current forest regulations before your trip, as rules may change seasonally, particularly during fire season or wildlife management periods.

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