backpack camping in west virginia image
So a few friends and I are planning a camping trip in the first week of August. We live in western PA, so we're looking for places towards the middle of the state, and the far right side of Ohio. The whole point of the question is that we don't want any old campground. We want to be somewhere that is in deep woods, not next door to some family in a pop up. Basically a place that will let us "rough it" with lots of tent sites. Any good suggestions?
Answer
The only way you will find quiet deep woods camping in PA in the summer is if you are willing to hike at least a few miles into the forest. Anyplace you can drive up to will be occupied by others. So a place with "lots of tent sites" may be problematic if you are looking for solitude.
That said, there are many places in the Allegheny National Forest to your north and in Monongahela National Forest in WV, to your south. Both are about a 4 hour drive from Pittsburgh. The West Virginia mountains will tend to be more rugged and less populated. Due to increased logging and gas well development in the Allegheny Forest it is getting harder to find your way away from people and roads.
I've backpacked and camped extensively in both areas. As the previous answer mentioned, the PA department of Natural Resources has excellent state maps and guides on line to all the camping areas in the state. Some of the more spectacular and remote areas in WV are Cranberry Backcountry, Dolly Sods, Otter Creek and Spruce Knob and you can find info on line from the state of WV on those.
Even closer to Pittsburgh, there are nice campsites along the Laurel Highlands Trail that runs roughly north-south 50 miles to the east. And the John P. Saylor Trail near Johnstown has several loop trails with great campsite areas for multiple tents. Go on line and check the reservation requirements for any place you are headed to make sure you comply with location restrictions and that areas are not already overbooked. There are published guides to both National Forests available in outfitter shops and book stores. I recommend taking a book -- easier access than on on-line when you're beyond "civilization".
The closest really deep roadless wilderness is the Adirondacks in upstate NY.
The only way you will find quiet deep woods camping in PA in the summer is if you are willing to hike at least a few miles into the forest. Anyplace you can drive up to will be occupied by others. So a place with "lots of tent sites" may be problematic if you are looking for solitude.
That said, there are many places in the Allegheny National Forest to your north and in Monongahela National Forest in WV, to your south. Both are about a 4 hour drive from Pittsburgh. The West Virginia mountains will tend to be more rugged and less populated. Due to increased logging and gas well development in the Allegheny Forest it is getting harder to find your way away from people and roads.
I've backpacked and camped extensively in both areas. As the previous answer mentioned, the PA department of Natural Resources has excellent state maps and guides on line to all the camping areas in the state. Some of the more spectacular and remote areas in WV are Cranberry Backcountry, Dolly Sods, Otter Creek and Spruce Knob and you can find info on line from the state of WV on those.
Even closer to Pittsburgh, there are nice campsites along the Laurel Highlands Trail that runs roughly north-south 50 miles to the east. And the John P. Saylor Trail near Johnstown has several loop trails with great campsite areas for multiple tents. Go on line and check the reservation requirements for any place you are headed to make sure you comply with location restrictions and that areas are not already overbooked. There are published guides to both National Forests available in outfitter shops and book stores. I recommend taking a book -- easier access than on on-line when you're beyond "civilization".
The closest really deep roadless wilderness is the Adirondacks in upstate NY.
Any remote or hike-in camping sites in Ohio?
KSJ
Hello, does anyone know of very primitive camp sites in Ohio? Preferably on the east side but it's not that important. I was really interested in Hocking Hills but I want a camp site that is away from people and very secluded, not your typical camping where your car is right there next to you at the site. Something where I could hike in would be great. Does this exist in Ohio?! Or if you know of any places in southern Michigan or western Pennsylvania that would be great too. Thanks!
Answer
Both southern Michigan (where I used to live) and the entire state of Ohio are just too densely populated to have any "deep" wilderness area. Flat land like that all was sold off, settled and farmed in the first couple of centuries of the European immigration to North America. However, due to there being more mountainous areas in Pennsylvania, you can find some hike-in wilderness camping areas, particularly in the Allegheny National Forest in northwest to central PA. A few I have backpacked into are Minister Creek and the North Country Trail. Check out the Pennsylvania DCNR website for detailed information on trails and wilderness areas throughout the state.
Also, eastern West Virginia's Monongahela National Forest has some terrific backcountry areas like Otter Creek, Spruce Knob, Dolly Sods and Cranberry Backcountry. I've done multi-day backpack trips in all those areas. It really is some amazing country there, some of it reminds me of Switzerland.
Basically, if you want deep wilderness it has to be in areas that are not easy to set up farms or cities, in other words, steep terrain or deserts or areas with harsh weather.
Both southern Michigan (where I used to live) and the entire state of Ohio are just too densely populated to have any "deep" wilderness area. Flat land like that all was sold off, settled and farmed in the first couple of centuries of the European immigration to North America. However, due to there being more mountainous areas in Pennsylvania, you can find some hike-in wilderness camping areas, particularly in the Allegheny National Forest in northwest to central PA. A few I have backpacked into are Minister Creek and the North Country Trail. Check out the Pennsylvania DCNR website for detailed information on trails and wilderness areas throughout the state.
Also, eastern West Virginia's Monongahela National Forest has some terrific backcountry areas like Otter Creek, Spruce Knob, Dolly Sods and Cranberry Backcountry. I've done multi-day backpack trips in all those areas. It really is some amazing country there, some of it reminds me of Switzerland.
Basically, if you want deep wilderness it has to be in areas that are not easy to set up farms or cities, in other words, steep terrain or deserts or areas with harsh weather.
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Title Post: camping in PA, where can we go roughing it?
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