Dispersed camping options near West Milford, West Virginia offer primitive backcountry experiences throughout the Monongahela National Forest region. The mountainous terrain ranges from 2,000-4,000 feet elevation with significant temperature variations between valleys and ridgetops. Summer daytime temperatures typically reach 75-85°F while dropping to 45-55°F overnight, requiring campers to prepare for cool conditions even in warmer months.
What to do
Fishing access points: Several dispersed sites provide direct river access, particularly along Shavers Fork. At Elk River Dispersed Camping, one camper notes, "This is a catch and release only area! 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."
Trail exploration: Forest roads connect to various hiking opportunities with limited signage. The Kinderhook Horse Trail area features "Nice trails. Seem to be well maintained," according to one reviewer, who also mentioned "The Paw Paw trail on the other hand was very smooth, dry and wide. The trail leads to the top of the hill."
Wildlife observation: Early mornings offer the best viewing opportunities for deer and smaller forest animals. A camper at Lower Glady Dispersed Campground advises, "Watch for deer on back roads anytime of day or night!"
What campers like
Riverside camping: Sites along waterways provide natural sounds and recreation opportunities. At Stonecoal Dispersed Camping Area, a visitor appreciated that it was "right on Shavers Fork of the Cheat River. A few sites are actually on the river side."
Seclusion from crowds: The forest offers genuine isolation on less-traveled roads. One camper described the Monongahela National Forest Dispersed Site as "It was dead when we arrived; only saw two other vehicles. Very quiet and secluded. Easy to navigate and find a spot."
Night sky viewing: Minimal light pollution creates exceptional stargazing conditions. A visitor to the Little dispersed site by railtracks mentioned being "along the Shaver's Fork River, so if you have a filtration system, you can get some water," adding that "the river is small and shallow, so when it isn't so cold, it could be fun to play in."
What you should know
Seasonal accessibility: Forest roads can become impassable after heavy rainfall or during winter months. A recent update for Stonecoal noted "Unfortunately the road is closed for upgrades until spring of 2024."
Site availability challenges: Popular areas fill quickly on weekends, especially in summer. One camper at Lower Glady reported, "We 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."
Property boundaries: Some areas near national forest have unclear boundaries with private land. At Gladwin Dispersed Camping, a camper warned, "Spot is amazing, but we got told to leave due to it actually being private property, not part of the national forest camping."
Tips for camping with families
Site selection: Choose locations with level ground and existing fire rings for easier setup. One visitor to Lower Glady observed, "The campsites are boarded by boulders. Most sites have good shade while still open to the sky. Sites are level and have good back-in driveways. Fire rings are large."
Bathroom access: Only certain dispersed areas have vault toilets. A camper at Kinderhook Horse Trail reported, "Area is dedicated to horse trail riding. Nice clean area just off main road. Does have a small hand pump water spigot. Has no flush vault toilet."
Water considerations: All water from streams requires proper filtration. A visitor to the Little dispersed site noted, "You are also along the Shaver's Fork River, so if you have a filtration system, you can get some water."
Tips from RVers
Road condition awareness: Forest service roads vary dramatically in quality and clearance requirements. At Dispersed Camping off Forest Road 227, a camper observed "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 RV or trailer might not do well on."
Site dimensions: Some pull-offs can accommodate larger vehicles despite rustic conditions. At Lower Glady, one RVer shared, "We pulled our 28 foot travel trailer in past I'd say ten other campsites that were taken."
Turnaround availability: Many forest roads lack adequate turning space for larger vehicles. One visitor to Stonecoal Dispersed Camping Area noted, "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 were filled. We got to the turn around and noticed a couple of fire pits setup and a patch of grass."
