The Best Camping in West Virginia

Beech Fork State Park

Barboursville, WV

Beech Fork State Park  spans a whopping 3,144 acres. It is home to hundreds of campsites, miles of hiking trails, and a 720-acre lake perfect for fishing and boating.

The park offers 275 campsites in four distinct camping areas, and 99 of these sites are lakefront. Each RV campsite is paved and includes a grill and picnic table.

The Old Orchard Campground is open year-round and features the most amenities, including a swimming pool. The Old Orchard bathhouse is the only place you’ll get a strong internet connection in the park, and WiFi access here is free for guests.

Moxley Branch Campground, Four Coves Campground, and Lake View Campground make great family camping destinations. Each location includes a playground, bathhouse, and laundry facility.

Tygart Lake State Park

Grafton, WV

This is another popular RV camping spot in West Virginia, located in the foothills of the Allegheny Mountains. Tygart Lake State Park is home to a 10-mile-long, 1,750-acre lake that is perfect for boating, water skiing, scuba diving, swimming, kayaking, canoeing, and fishing.

The park has 36 camping sites, 10 of which come with 50-amp electric and water hookups. Full hookup sites are unavailable, but a dump station is located near the beach area.

Summersville Lake Retreat

Mount Nebo, WV

Summersville Lake is a 2,700-acre lake known for its excellent fishing, boating, and rock-climbing opportunities. You can also try guided snorkeling and scuba diving in the clear water!

It houses the only working lighthouse in West Virginia, the Summersville Lake Lighthouse, which attracts many tourists. The lake offers kayak, canoe, and stand-up paddle board rentals, making it the perfect destination for water sports enthusiasts.

Mountain Lake Campground

Summersville, WV

This is a gorgeous campsite nestled in the heart of the Monongahela National Forest.

Mountain Lake Campground offers many activities, including fishing, hiking, and bird watching. The campsite has 50 spots, with some 30/20/15 and 50-amp electric hookups.

Coopers Rock State Park

Bruceton Mills, WV

Coopers Rock State Park features prime RV camping spots in Bruceton Mills. The park has various attractions, including canyon overlooks, historic sites, picnic shelters, and 50 miles of hiking and biking trails.

It is also home to sandstone cliffs that are ideal for climbing, bouldering, and cross-country skiing. The park has a lake perfect for reeling in trout and a nearby river ideal for rafting.

Coopers Rock State Park’s two distinct campgrounds, McCollum and Rhododendron, offer 50 campsites. Tentrr luxury glampsites are also available in the park.

Bluestone State Park

Hinton, WV

Bluestone State Park is another popular RV camping destination in West Virginia. It is known for lakeside retreat camping spots along the state’s third-largest body of water.

Bluestone has four campgrounds, offering a total of 120 campsites.

Meador Campground has 32 sites open to both RV and tent campers. Seven have electric and water hookups, while 15 are electric only. The campground also has a central bathhouse and a dump station.

Old Mill Campground offers 44 rustic campsites that are not recommended for larger RVs and trailers. The campground has a bathhouse available for all guests.

Tent Area Campground is perfect for groups looking for an ultimate camping experience, offering five rustic group camping sites.

East Shore Campground is a remote campsite with 39 primitive sites only accessible by boat. Availability at East Shore Campground depends on the Army Corps of Engineers work on the Bluestone Dam project.

Audra State Park

Buckhannon, WV

Audra State Park is a thickly-forested park known for the picturesque Alum Cave and Middle Fork River. It offers 65 campsites for guests to enjoy, 39 of which have electricity. The campground contains two bathrooms, shower houses, modern facilities, and a playground for kids.

Seneca State Park

Dunmore, WV

Seneca State Forest is the oldest and largest state forest in West Virginia, spanning 12,884 acres. It is home to 23 miles of hiking trails, the Thorny Mountain Fire Tower scenic lookout, and 10 large and secluded campsites.

Big Bear Lake Camplands

Bruceton Mills, WV

Big Bear Lake Camplands is a unique approach to traditional camping. While the location offers 25 wooded overnight RV sites, many visitors stay in permanent camping villages.

Popular attractions include a water park, a mini golf course, and more. If you enjoy your stay at Big Bear Lake Camplands, you can invest in a permanent camping spot!

Holly River State Park

Hacker Valley, WV

This is an expansive 8,294-acre park home to 42 miles of hiking trails, ten vacation cabins, an 88-unit campground, and many recreation and picnic areas.

Holly River State Park also has a seasonal swimming pool, a softball field, and courts for playing basketball, volleyball, tennis, and other popular sports.

The Flatwoods KOA

Sutton, WV

The Flatwoods KOA campsite offers full hookup sites, a bathhouse, a laundry facility, a playground, hiking trails, and a game room. It has 50 campsites suitable for most standard RVs.

The Best Primitive Camping in West Virginia

Primitive dispersed camping is popular throughout all of West Virginia. That’s why much of the best camping in West Virginia can be found only on foot at the end of remote hiking paths.

If you love to rough it under the stars, check out the best primitive camping spots in West Virginia.

New River Gorge National Forest

Lansing, WV

New River Gorge National Forest covers over 70,000 acres and features the oldest river on the continent. Primitive camping is available on a first-come, first-served basis at various locations within the park and is free of charge.

Grandview Sandbar Campground

Beaver, WV

Grandview Sandbar Campground offers 10 wooded sites for tents and small-medium-sized RVs, 6 walk-in tent sites, and 2 accessible sites. Composting toilets are available, but there is no running water at this location.

Bear Heaven Campground

Elkins, WV

Bear Heaven Campground features 8 sites nestled along rock outcroppings and offers activities such as stream fishing and hiking. This campground is a hidden gem in West Virginia, and sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Hawk Campground

Wardensville, WV

Located in the Allegheny Mountains, the Hawk Recreation Area campground is an excellent option for those who enjoy the great outdoors. Visitors can choose from 15 secluded sites to set up camp and drift off to the sounds of nature.

Lake Buffalo

Bartow, WV

This rustic campground is located in the Monongahela National Forest. Lake Buffalo provides dispersed camping and a vault toilet but no drinking water.

Island Campground

Bartow, WV

Island Campground is a popular spot for fishing since it is adjacent to Long Run and the East Fork of the Greenbrier River. The campground has 10 drive-in tent sites and two walk-in tent sites, each with a table, lantern holder, and fire ring.

Spruce Knob Lake Campground

Riverton, WV

Spruce Knob Lake Campground offers picturesque hiking trails and features a stone and steel observation tower perched atop the peak. There are accessible vault toilets and a solar-powered system for drinking water, although no electric hookups are available.

The Best Camping in West Virginia on the Appalachian Trail

Are you tackling the Appalachian Trail challenge? If so, you are destined to pass through Harpers Ferry, West Virginia.

Explore these top camping spots in West Virginia along the Appalachian Trail:

Harpers Ferry/Civil War Battlefields KOA

Harpers Ferry, WV

Harpers Ferry/Civil War Battlefields KOA campground offers deluxe cabins with bathrooms and kitchens and tent and RV camping options. There is also an on-site specialty coffee and wine store called GRAPES & GRINDS, where you can purchase supplies and souvenirs.

This campground features a jumping pillow and a giant inflatable for kids to enjoy. Adults will enjoy a trip to Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races, just five miles from the KOA.

River Riders Family Adventure Resort

Harpers Ferry, WV

This family-friendly resort offers waterfront cabins, tent sites, luxury glamping sites, and RV camping on the Potomac River.

There is fun to be had for all guests at River Riders Resort. Enjoy whitewater rafting, tubing, zip-lining, zip-line canopy tours, kayaking, canoeing, stand-up paddle boards, and scenic biking trails.

Several vacation rental homes are also available in Harpers Ferry, including The Adventure Inn, The 1862 Inn, The Battlefields Inn, The Down River Inn, and The Country Roads Inn. These homes can sleep 12-20 people and offer immersive, historical experiences.