West Virginia is easily one of the best places in the Eastern United States to still discover wide tracts of forested mountains, with a tiny population and plenty of space between towns to explore West Virginia boondocking camp sites.
West Virginia Boondocking Camp Sites
Discovering your next gorgeous destination, from car camping to RVing, is easier here than in many of the busier states around the Mountain State, making finding West Virginia free campsites simple, whether the state is your destination or just another stop on a road trip.
West Virginia Free Campsites
If you’re looking for a nice area to boondock in West Virginia, there are lots of options. The Potomac Valley begins in the state’s panhandle and descends down the Potomac River. This is an exceptionally beautiful area for exploring West Virginia free campsites during the fall, when you can pick apples and peaches and tour Harpers Ferry’s historic city.
To the west of the Potomac, the Alleghany Highlands region is a wonderful place to go for a trek across the gently sloping hills. West Virginia free campsites are plentiful in the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve.
The Ohio River Valley can be found further west. The Ohio River provides many unique recreational activities including enjoying West Virginia free campsites and you will also enjoy shopping at the local little stores, particularly in Parkersburg. You’ll want to go boondocking in West Virginia frequently because there are so many amazing things to see and do.
Want more ideas to round-out your trip to the North-Eastern States?
► Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin ◄
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- 19 Top West Virginia Boondocking Camp Sites And Maps
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19 West Virginia Boondocking Camping Sites
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1. Fellowsville Park
Address
Highway 50
Tunnelton, West Virginia
GPS: 39.327326, -79.814558
Elevation: 1409′
Management: Public – City Park (Unofficial)
The road in is Paved. Fellowsville Park is open all year. There are 1-5 West Virginia boondocking camp sites at this location and the maximum RV length is 35 feet. City park on the Sandy River next to Highway 50. Picnic tables with covers, toilets and trash cans in a grassy treed setting. Parking for 5 RV’s in the parking lot. We stayed there 4/14 for a night.
2. Hawk
Address
Wardensville, West Virginia
GPS: 39.117809, -78.495209
Elevation: 1386′
Management: Public – Forest Service (USDA) (Official)
Hawk is open Third Friday in April through December. There are 6-15 West Virginia free campsites at this location. You may stay 14 Days at Hawk. Located just inside West Virginia off State Highway 55, the campground’s 15 campsites provide tent pads, picnic tables, fire rings and lantern poles. Water is provided at hand-pumped spigots and there are vault toilets.
3. Squirrel Hollow Road
Address
Wardensville, West Virginia
GPS: 39.06702, -78.64153
Elevation: 1552′
Management: Public – Forest Service (Unofficial)
This is a forest road #344 with West Virginia boondocking camp sites along its length. Suitable for most vehicles. It is located where the corridor H highway turns back into a 2 laner before going into Virginia. I was able to pull right off the highway and be in a suitable place to overnight within moments of hitting dirt. This site was great to find.
4. Dolly Sods
Address
Davis, West Virginia
GPS: 39.057449, -79.284729
Elevation: 2936′
Management: Public – Forest Service (USDA) (Unofficial)
The road in is Gravel and 7 miles from a paved road. There are 1-5 West Virginia free campsites at this location. We were driving on route 93 South when we saw a sign for Dolly Sods Wilderness. There are several camp spots on the both sides on the road after about 5-6 miles fallowing a gravel road. If you proceed through this road you will reach the beautiful scenery on Dolly Sods Wilderness with several trails.
5. Dolly Sods at Bear Rocks WV
Address
Davis, West Virginia
GPS: 39.065981, -79.301634
Management: Public – Forest Service (Official)
This is the top of Dolly Sods Wilderness area which is one of the state’s most popular places for backpacking. You can park in West Virginia boondocking camp sites along the road as long as you are off the road. Bear Rocks is spectacularly beautiful with great scenic views.
6. Camp Run
Address
Milam, West Virginia
GPS: 38.746521, -79.107895
Elevation: 1640′
Management: Public – Forest Service (USDA) (Official)
The road in is Dirt. West Virginia free campsites at Camp Run is open Year Round. You may stay 14 Days at Camp Run. Nestled along a drainage off Shenandoah Mountain in Pendleton County, WV, Camp Run provides an opportunity for camping and nearby boating, fishing, and hiking. There is no fee and no reservations are accepted. Access From Harrisonburg, Virginia
7. Canaan Loop Road
Address
Davis, West Virginia
GPS: 39.067914, -79.485503
Elevation: 3629′
Management: Public – Forest Service (Official)
The road in is Dirt. Free West Virginia boondocking camp sites along Canaan Loop Road in the Canaan Wilderness Area of the Monogahela National Forest. Some sites are along the road and others are off of the trails that connect to the road. Most (all?) of the sites have fire rings.
8. Free West Virginia Dispersed Camping Locations – Gladwin Dispersed Camping Area
Address
200 Sycamore Street Elkins, WV 26241
Saint George, West Virginia
GPS: 39.00766, -79.5493
Elevation: 1962′
Management: Public – Forest Service (Official)
The road in is Gravel and 1 miles from a paved road. Gladwin Dispersed Camping Area is open All Year. There are 1-5 West Virginia free campsites at this location and the maximum RV length is 25 feet. You may stay 14 at Gladwin Dispersed Camping Area. I located no less than four RV friendly dispersed campsites, several with spectacular views of the Cheat River.
9. Lower Glady Dispersed Camping Area
Address
200 Sycamore Street Elkins, WV 26241
Wymer, West Virginia
GPS: 38.96448, -79.60607
Elevation: 2297′
Management: Public – Forest Service (Official)
The road in is Gravel and 1 miles from a paved road. Lower Glady Dispersed Camping Area is open All Year. There are 6-15 West Virginia boondocking camp sites at this location and the maximum RV length is 25 feet. You may stay 14 at Lower Glady Dispersed Camping Area.
10. Camp Run
Address
Milam, West Virginia
GPS: 38.746521, -79.107895
Elevation: 1640′
Management
Public – Forest Service (USDA) (Official)
The road in is Dirt. Camp Run is open Year Round. You may stay 14 Days in West Virginia free campsites at Camp Run. Nestled along a drainage off Shenandoah Mountain in Pendleton County, WV, Camp Run provides an opportunity for camping and nearby boating, fishing, and hiking. Access From Harrisonburg, Virginia.
11. Gandy Creek dispersed camping
Address
Whitmer, West Virginia
GPS: 38.76688, -79.57288
Elevation: 3117′
Management: Public – Forest Service (Official)
The road in is Gravel and 5 miles from a paved road. Gandy Creek dispersed camping is open year around. There are 16-29 West Virginia boondocking camp sites at this location and the maximum RV length is unlimited. You may stay 14 days at Gandy Creek dispersed camping. Some tent only, about a dozen for RV’s. Some for large groups.Beautiful rushing creek. Way out in the boonies.
12. Buffalo Lake
Address
Bartow, West Virginia
GPS: 38.532665, -79.702934
Elevation: 3086′
Management: Public – Forest Service (USDA) (Official)
Buffalo Lake is open Year Round. There are 1-5 West Virginia free campsites at this location. You may stay 14 Days at Buffalo Lake. Lake Buffalo, located near the town of Bartow is a 22-acre lake that offers fisherman a quiet retreat from cities and is regularly stocked with trout by the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources.
13. Little River Dispersed Camping
Address
Little River Road
Durbin, West Virginia
GPS: 38.650157, -79.74618
Elevation: 3127′
Management: Public – Forest Service (Official)
The road in is Gravel and about 10 miles from a paved road. Little River dispersed camping is open year round. There are 16-29 West Virginia boondocking camp sites at this location and the maximum RV length is unlimited. This camping area is located within the Monongahela National Forest’s Greenbrier Ranger District on FR17 which runs for approx. 8 miles between FR44 near Durbin and FR14 / CR250/9 near middle mountain cabins.This is very remote primitive camping with NO facilities, but is extremely beautiful and private.
14. Stonecoal Dispersed Camping in Monongahela Nat’l Forest
Address
Huttonsville, West Virginia
GPS: 38.63531, -79.87185
Elevation: 3520′
Management: Public – Forest Service (Official)
We spent 3 days in Campsite #11 (May, 2020), I believe there are 17 West Virginia free campsites total. We had our 20 ft. camper trailer, but we saw much larger RVs occupying some of the larger sites.
15. Shavers Fork Campsites
Address
Huttonsville, West Virginia
GPS: 38.608051, -79.881147
Management: Public – Forest Service (Official)
The road in is Gravel and 1-5 miles from a paved road. There are 1-5 West Virginia boondocking camp sites at this location and the maximum RV length is 15 feet. Several campsites along Forest Road 233, which runs along Shavers Fork. Spaced every 300 yards or so along road are cleared parking spots, tent spots and fire rings.
16. Free West Virginia Dispersed Camping Locations – Becky’s Creek Camping Area
Address
Becky’s Creek Rd. CR43 Huttonsville, WV 26273
Valley Head, West Virginia
GPS: 38.589996, -79.968435
Elevation: 3087′
Management: Public – Fish and Wildlife
This grassy, camping area is suitable for RVs and tents. West Virginia free campsites. The Salt Lick Trail is nearby. The trail is an old road connecting Slate Lick Lake and Gauley Ridge. Trail Open To: Hiking and horseback riding.
17. Meadow Creek Dispersed Camping Near Sherwood Lake.
Address
White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia
GPS: 37.959546, -80.070289
Elevation: 2464′
Management: Public – Forest Service (Unofficial)
The road in is Paved. Meadow Creek dispersed camping near Sherwood Lake. is open Year round. There are 6-15 West Virginia boondocking camp sites at this location and the maximum RV length is unlimited. You may stay 14 days at Meadow Creek dispersed camping near Sherwood Lake. A series of dispersed campsites spread out along 8 miles of Lake Sherwood Rd leading up to Lake Sherwood Recreation Area…..NO facilities, but full Pay facilities at Sherwood Lake.
18. Sherwood Lake–Roadside Sites
Address
White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia
GPS: 37.951303, -80.080129
Management: Public – Forest Service
West Virginia free campsites on the Lake Sherwood Rd., just past the Rucker’s Gap Rd. turnoff at the bridge, there are dispersed pull–off campsites on both sides of the road. The sites are between the Rucker’s Gap Rd. and the camper/rv campgrounds before the lake.
19. Groundhog Trail / AT Parking
Address
Peterstown, West Virginia
GPS: 37.42407, -80.67631
Elevation: 2159′
Management: Public – Forest Service (Official)
The road in is Dirt. There are 1-5 West Virginia boondocking camp sites at this location and the maximum RV length is 45 feet. This is a grassy pull-off from VA-219 aka VA-24 aka Spruce Run. Hard-packed when dry but could be soupy after a hard rain.
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