John H.
Traveler
TravelerFlagpole Knob
Great place if you want to off road a little and have an amazing view to wake up and go to sleepp too. Would definitely do this again!
Dispersed Camping near Upper Tract, WV
33 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Search destinations
Add dates
Dispersed camping around Upper Tract, West Virginia centers primarily on Monongahela National Forest land, where primitive sites are available along forest roads, creek sides, and mountain ridges. Free dispersed campsites in this area include Gandy Creek Dispersed Camping, Dolly Sods Backcountry, and several sites along Canaan Loop Road. These primitive camping options typically consist of cleared areas with stone fire rings located near streams or with mountain views, requiring no permits or reservations for stays up to 14 days on most public lands.
Many access roads leading to dispersed sites require careful navigation due to rough, unpaved surfaces with potholes and occasional steep grades. High-clearance vehicles are recommended for certain areas like Switzer Lake Dispersed Camping, where reviews indicate "a single lane and very bumpy dirt road" with "several sharp corners with huge drops." Most sites lack amenities such as running water, toilets, or trash service. Fire rings are common at established dispersed sites, though seasonal fire restrictions may apply. Cell service is limited or nonexistent throughout the region, with one review noting "no AT&T or Sprint cell service" at Stonecoal Dispersed Camping Area.
The dispersed camping near Upper Tract provides solitude and proximity to natural features like streams, mountains, and hiking trails. Sites along creeks and rivers are particularly sought after, with Gandy Creek campsites described as "along the river with a fire ring" where "the sound of the river blocked out any noise." Wildlife viewing opportunities abound in the region's varied ecosystems. Campers should prepare for weather variability, as Dolly Sods Backcountry is known for conditions "similar to the Canadian Tundra" where "temperatures and winds vary and fluctuate often, any time of year." Winter access may be limited by snow, while spring camping often means encountering soggy ground conditions.
Best Dispersed Campgrounds near Upper Tract (33)
1. Gandy Creek Dispersed Camping
"The main reason I'm reluctant to give it five stars(I gave it 4) is because nearly all of its many campsites cannot be entered by vehicle; you have to park next to the dirt road that runs north-south through"
"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."
2. Switzer Lake Dispersed Camping
"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."
"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."
3. Dolly Sods Backcountry
"Dolly Sods Wilderness Area, part of the Monongahela National Forest, offers something for every hiker, backpacker, camper."
"Dolly Sods is a wilderness area within the great Monongahela National Forest. I backpacked here in early March a few years ago. Definitely be prepared for high winds and rain."
4. Canaan Loop Road Dispersed
"This swath of land, sandwiched between two state parks(Canaan Valley State Park to the south& Blackwater Falls State Park to the north) is managed by the US Forest Service."
"road is easy to drive on- some bumps but we were in a small kia sedan and it was fine, there are a lot of spots visible from the road but there are also some hidden a few steps away from the road that"
5. Flagpole Knob
"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!!!""
"This site requires a 4x4 vehicle with clearance. The trail leading to and from camp can be a bit tricky for some."
6. Lower Glady Dispersed Campground
"So this is quite large, I'm guessing at least 25 to 35 campsites along a 4-ish mile long dirt road that deadends. It is dispersed camping, free."
"Had direct access to water for washing and other needs. However I read in a brochure to not drink the water without boiling for 3 minutes because the area has giardia."
7. Switzer Lake
"Good little spot, used to go here a lot in college, the drive in can be done by a sedan but I’d definitely recommend AWD/4WD."
8. Brushy Ridge Road Dispersed
"Brushy Ridge Road is Forest Service Road 75 and is in decent condition."
9. Gladwin Dispersed Camping
"Decided to try it even though other review said private property- and seems they were correct but incorrect. Initially you do come to private land with several campsites and campers present."
"I camped at the site closest to the river— right next to it in fact! And it was quite large."
10. Meadow Knob
"Nice open field off a fire access road. Need four wheel drive to access but has some great views."
Drive Time
- 1 hr 7 min from Harrisonburg, VA
- 1 hr 41 min from Winchester, VA
- 1 hr 56 min from Charlottesville, VA
Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos near Upper Tract, WV
149 Photos of 33 Upper Tract Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Gandy Creek Dispersed Camping
Dolly Sods Backcountry
Switzer Lake Dispersed Camping
Flagpole KnobN
Gladwin Dispersed Camping
Lower Glady Dispersed Campground
Canaan Loop Road Dispersed
Little River Dispersed Campsites
Gaudineer Knob camp sites
Wolf Gap Recreation Area
Stonecoal Dispersed Camping Area
Monongahela National Forest Dispersed Site
Dispersed Camping Reviews near Upper Tract, WV
137 Reviews of 33 Upper Tract Campgrounds
kacee W.TravelerDispersed camping at Mower Basin
Absolutely gorgeous
There are 25 or so established sights at Mower Basin and you're bound to find one with an incredible view of the mountains. Sight 12 took my breath away, but unfortunately as a tent camper the wind pushed us down to the lake sight just passed it. It was close to the road but still felt private. Everyone who passed our sight was very friendly. It's a gorgeous place, and from someone who's never been to Virginia, it was the perfect place to have my first experience. We will probably go back when we are heading back down south.
Joe M.TravelerSwitzer Lake Dispersed Camping
8:00pm Arrival
You read that right. All the plans to arrive earlier went out the window and I pulled into the road well after sunset. Able to navigate well enough with recent rainfalls so road was pitted and rocky. Somewhat drove past lake and found pre-utilized spot. Nice ground for set up and plenty of room for vehicle in/egress. The 2:20am howl of the eastern coyote caught me off guard; definitely inside a mile. He traveled because at 2:40am he met his buddies and had a howl-fest in the far distance. By day light I was able to explore and see some great lake sites you would enjoy. Highly recommended. No cell service.
- AAlicia C.
ScoutGandy Creek Dispersed Camping
White noise of the creek
Overnight tent camping with my dog. Saw a raccoon in a tree. So private and peaceful. The water and wind at night made for a nice relaxing sleep. Plenty of trails to explore.
- NNele T.Scout
South Fork Shenandoah River
Camping Next to shanandoa River
It was a great spot for a little fire and outdoors camping. No permit needed and there are some places around where u can easily rent a kayak to go on the river. You can also park your car easily at this spot.
- MMatt P.
GuideDispersed camping at Mower Basin
Best Dispursed Camping!
This is a very accessible trail. We brought our 22ft Ember Overland Trailer down it with ease. While our trailer has high clearance and independent suspension.. you do not need that to get to some great sites!
We tried 3 different sites here and found campground 12 to be our favorite. It is secluded off the road, had amazing views, and tons of room for multiple cars or campers.
Hiking trails are also great and dog friendly!
Ethan W.ScoutDispersed Camping off Forest Road 227
one of the best sites i’ve ever been to
From what i can tell there is about 14 sites along about a 7-8 mile gravel road (some parts are rougher than other) each one different in size and shape. Some with astonishing nearly 360 views of the mountain ranges. Some small enough for 1-3 tent setups. This place is too cool, don’t ruin it with litter please. I have Verizon and was pleasantly surprised to see that from what i can tell sites 1-2 I was able to get a bar or two.
- Cherith S.Scout
Lower Glady Dispersed Campground
Greatest experience of our lives!
Super remote camp spot! The drive to the forest road was a little tight and windy for an inexperienced mountain driver as myself. Wouldn't want to do it at night.
Most camp spots are on loops of more group camping with 4-6 sites at each loop and I believe there were 3 or 4 loops. Not my cup of tea, too fish bowl for me and way too exposed. Outside of the loops, there were 8-10 sites that were more my style, with the one we stayed at was just right! The most perfect spot in the whole place (for our preferences) we were literally on a babbling creek. Couldn't get any closer. Had direct access to water for washing and other needs. However I read in a brochure to not drink the water without boiling for 3 minutes because the area has giardia.
Saw a lot of people headed further down creek to fish for trout. No cell service for about 20 minutes. We had to drive back to route 33 and the halfway to Elkins to catch a sliver of cell service.
If you are staying at camp and brought everything you need, you're golden. There are lots of things to occupy yourself with exploring. There is a trailhead on forest rd 162 with miles of hiking with a hand full of trails to choose.
We arrived around 4PM on a Sunday. Plenty of sites to choose from. Was about half full. When we got up the next morning to leave, most spots were open. We stayed until mid day on Friday. Action was definitely picking up. Saw more people, more kids and louder noises. We are definitely Sunday to Thursday campers. I want to camp without knowing the neighbors are there. When leaving on Friday most sites were taken.
Had no problems finding plenty of fallen kindling for our fire. We found a great roadside house on route 33 that was selling firewood in their front yard for only $10 a "row" as they called it. We got 2 rows because we werent sure what to expect when we got there. We built a good hearty fire every morning and every evening and still had firewood we left there since there was so much accessible resources.
We ended up doing a lot of "tourist" experiences that was a bit of a drive to get to due to my inexperience in driving in the mountains. The drives were usually 30 minutes to an hour and a half. But well worth the drive.
Elkins is the closest place to "civilization" (north on 33) we went there for cheap gas, ice, and the grocery store. Didn't explore Elkins as it was too "city" for us. We wanted more remote experiences.
Harman was the next closest place (south on 33) not much for exploring, but they have a dollar general (what remote town doesn't have a dollar general?) and a place for gas
Continue on 33 south and hit Seneca Rocks! Such a beautiful sight to see! Also have the oldest general store built in 1902 and Yokums country store. Its like going back in time. Both tourist traps but worth the experience. We went to the recreation area with river access so beautiful to see the cliffs upclose and personal. If you are a climber this is the place for you. We are hikers. But enjoyed the views.
Continuing on 33 south there is smoke hole caverns. Another tourist trap but fun. For $20 you get a cavern tour tack on a little more if you want to go gem "panning" and get a bag of dirt to find gems. Or putt putt. Giant gift shop. Someone said it was the largest gift shop in West Virginia.
From Seneca Rocks if you head west on 28 it will take you past Seneca Caverns. They were closed for the summer due to blasting nearby.
Continuing on 28 west you then come to one of my favorite spots. Spruce Knob. The highest elevation in all of West Virginia, gorgeous views all around! Terrible observation tower that you cant see anything due to trees. Nice picnic area. Going down the other side of the mountain Spruce Knob lake, lots more trail heads AND a fantastic dispersed camping area! Seneca Creek backcountry. Didn't camp here. Will camp here next time. All dirt roads down the other side of the mountain. But so worth the adventure!
From camp and going to Harman take 32 east and that will take you to Canaan Valley state park, didn't explore too much but access to a lot more hiking
Then you come to Davis WV one of the cutest little towns ever! Very developed for back country but very very quaint. The davis depot has some camping/hiking clothes and lots of tourist items with t-shirts stickers and such. But great designs. Spent a hunk of change here. Has a grocery store and a dollar general. And a hiking, camping, backpacking store. Has gear, clothes, shoes, you name it. Had an issue with my hiking boots. Got good quality boots here! There are several small boutique stores a couple of restaurants a brewery and a bicycle shop.
Last point of interest I'll address, on the other side of Davis, Blackwater State Park. Easy in intermediate hiking here did most of our hiking here. Gorgeous falls. 3 to be exact. Nice overlooks. Nice recreation center for the kids. Near Canaan loop rd.[Canaan loop rd has dispersed camping too. This is where I had planned on camping when we came to WV and ended up over in Glady. However, I was told by the guy at the camp store in Davis that it was closed. I cannot confirm this. But just definitely check into it before solidifying plans]
My preferences for camping are not usually the whole tourist thing. But WV has so much to offer I just couldn't get enough! So we kept trekking out to see more. The drive is a lot and was a whole day's journey round trip with spending time at those locations but so worth it. Not that far of a drive in the scheme of things
Will come back to this area over and over for all the dispersed camping options and for all the sights and experiences packed in such a small area.
- Carlos O.Traveler
Wolf Gap Recreation Area
Very clean spot
Very nice spot, good tent setup pads and fire rings at all the sites, my one complaint is that it is right next to the road that while not frequently used, the occasional car can often take away from the remote experience. There are some sites a little further in but the diff is minimal. Overall very great, well maintained spot
Guide to Upper Tract
Dispersed camping near Upper Tract, West Virginia offers primitive sites across elevations ranging from 2,000 to 4,000 feet in the Monongahela National Forest region. Winter temperatures can drop below freezing while summer highs reach into the 80s, creating significant seasonal variations in camping conditions. Road closures due to snow are common from November through March on forest roads leading to higher elevation sites.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Multiple sites at Gandy Creek Dispersed Camping provide access to stocked waters. "Great dispersed camping area. Camped here in winter and just pulled into the first designated site. There was snow but the fire pit was easy to dig out. Very quiet in late December and the sound of the creek was really peaceful," reports Justin L.
Swimming holes: During summer months, several creek-side camping areas offer natural pools deep enough for swimming. "Several spots along the creek are deep enough for swimming," notes Sandra B. about her stay at Gandy Creek.
Wildlife viewing: The forests around Dolly Sods Backcountry contain diverse ecosystems with varied wildlife. "The amount of brightly colored fungi, snakes, crayfish and salamanders were astonishing. So if you move too quickly, you miss them," explains Dave V., highlighting the small-scale nature observations possible in the area.
Hiking trails: Connect to established trail systems from dispersed sites. At Little River Dispersed Campsites, "We hiked the Span Oak trail, at the beginning of the camping area, which led us along a beautiful ridge," reports Tommy S.
What campers like
Seclusion between sites: Many dispersed areas offer significant distance between campers. At Gandy Creek Dispersed Camping, Jennifer R. notes, "I have camped at 4 different sites and have explored and reconned almost all of them! Some you walk-in a short distance but are rewarded with amazing sites on the creek, secluded and wooded."
Creek-side camping: Sites adjacent to running water are particularly valued. "We picked a spot about halfway into the dispersed camping area, creek side along the Gandy creek. We were closer to the road than we wanted to be but because the past few days had been beautiful spring weather, the area was packed," explains Melanie S.
Distinct ecosystems: The region contains unusual ecological zones. At Canaan Loop Road Dispersed, campers find "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," according to Scott R.
Winter solitude: Off-season camping offers exceptional privacy. Sean M. explains that at Dolly Sods, "During the off season you can hike for days and not see another person. There are some opportunities to camp closer to the trailhead for those only looking to dip a toe into wilderness camping."
What you should know
Navigation challenges: Proper maps and navigation skills are required in many areas. At Switzer Lake Dispersed Camping, "Down the road you will find a river crossing that will take you to additional camp spots. The road beyond the river can get more tricky for low clearance vehicles," explains Emil D.
Wildlife precautions: Food storage requirements are essential. "There are bears here, so lock up your food in the car. We have encountered a bear at or around the campsite 3 times," warns Emil D. about Switzer Lake.
Weather preparation: Mountain weather changes rapidly. "Definitely be prepared for high winds and rain. We hiked in in warm weather and once we reached the top of a long entrance road (where one trailhead was) we found snow," reports Lucille W. about Dolly Sods.
Early arrival recommended: Most sites fill quickly during peak times. Nick E. advises about Gandy Creek, "Just camped there with two of my friends this past weekend, really cool site we were lucky enough to get a site next to the river! Get there early as it's first come first serve!"
Tips for camping with families
Creek exploration: Small streams provide natural play spaces for children. At Little River Dispersed Campsites, "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!" suggests Tommy S.
Group site options: Some areas have designated spaces for larger family gatherings. Karli P. reports, "We found a lovely spot in the group campsite - there was no one else there! The group campsite had 5 spots spread around a smallish gravel loop."
Wildlife awareness: Teach children proper food storage. At Little River, Luke M. warns, "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! We decided to keep ALL FOOD in the car's trunk those nights."
Summer conditions: Plan for cooler temperatures at high elevations. Jennifer R. notes about Gandy Creek, "It's one of my favorite areas and even when it's hot it's a great place to camp because the elevation and the creek."
Tips from RVers
Road condition alerts: Most dispersed camping access requires careful driving. At Lower Glady Dispersed Campground, Joe W. reports, "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."
Vehicle clearance requirements: Many roads require higher clearance vehicles. Connor W. cautions about Switzer Lake, "Good little spot, used to go here a lot in college, the drive in can be done by a sedan but I'd definitely recommend AWD/4WD."
Winter access limitations: Seasonal road closures affect campsite availability. For Canaan Loop Road, Jacob notes, "Still snow on the ground and very wet in early April, but great dispersed car camp and walk-in camp sites."
Self-contained camping: No services available at most sites. Kevin C. mentions about Lower Glady, "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."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dispersed
campsite near Upper Tract, WV?
Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Upper Tract, WV?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Upper Tract, WV is Gandy Creek Dispersed Camping with a 4.9-star rating from 18 reviews.
What is the best site to find
dispersed camping near
Upper Tract, WV?
What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Upper Tract, WV?
TheDyrt.com has all 33 dispersed camping locations near Upper Tract, WV, with real photos and reviews from campers.
Keep Exploring