Sometimes you have to travel far away from civilization to find a truly beautiful spot in West Virginia. The state parks are pretty spectacular, but there are hidden gems all over the state that don’t necessarily advertise themselves. And most of them offer free camping, too – something that is hard to find in a state park. One such place is the Seneca Creek Backcountry.

The Seneca Creek Backcountry is truly a place of unspoiled wilderness.
Alltrails/Dan Meyers
Located in Monongahela National Forest around the region of Spruce Knob, this area is largely dominated by northern hardwood forests comprised of several species of trees, including maple, cherry, birch and beech.
The region has no less than 18 trails, totaling almost 70 miles in length.
AllTrails/Jamie Howard
Along the trails, you will find stands of red spruce, several rushing creeks and even open fields. The region also has several secluded areas where you can camp for free along the rushing waters of Gandy Creek.

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Reaching the campground requires a drive into the mountains along unpaved roads, but the drive is worth it.
AllTrails/Genevieve Simard
Although, it is probably not a good idea to drive up there if the region has had a dry spell for a while. This is mainly because dry conditions mean that the loose dirt and pebbles make it easier for your car to slide on the roads. That’s not so bad on flat land, but the roads up there run along the mountain side, and you won’t find many guard rails.
However, you are not limited to designated camping spots.
AllTrails/Jeff Stevens
If you prefer to rough it, you can camp and build a fire anywhere you want as long it is not within 300 feet of Forest Road 112 or Forest Road 104, and it doesn't block any trails.
There is quite a lot to see and do outside the wilderness, too.
AllTrails/Jennifer Jackson
Aside from the trails themselves, there are many other places within driving distance, including Seneca Rocks, Seneca Caverns, Spruce Knob and Dolly Sods, to name just a few.

If you are truly looking to get away and experience nature in a setting more secluded than a typical campground, then the Seneca Creek Backcountry is the way to go.To learn more about the wilderness area, visit this page of the national forest’s website for trail descriptions, a map of the area and a downloadable PDF of the brochure. If you want more information, the brochure includes numbers you can call.

Do you know of other hidden areas to go camping or to have an outdoor adventure? Let us know by commenting below.

For another spectacular West Virginia outdoor experience, be sure to check out this beautiful hiking trail.

 

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