Camping in West Virginia

A complete guide to camping in West Virginia

Panoramic view of West Virginia forest by J Wheeler

Photo Credit: J Wheeler

Overview

West Virginia is entirely mountain terrain. The state sits within the Appalachian Plateau with no flat land to speak of, and the camping scene reflects it. River gorges, ridgeline trails, and forested hollows define every campground setting. The New River Gorge, recently designated as the newest national park, anchors the southern camping corridor around Summersville and Hinton. The gorge drops 1,000 feet through sandstone walls with whitewater rafting as the primary draw.

The Monongahela National Forest covers 900,000 acres across the central and eastern highlands, holding the Dolly Sods Wilderness, Seneca Rocks, and Spruce Knob (the state's highest point at 4,863 feet). Elkins and Marlinton serve as the main access towns. Canaan Valley in the northeast provides a high-elevation plateau with a different character. The entire state lies between 380 and 4,200 feet at campground elevations, creating a consistently mountain-forest camping environment.

Browse All RV Parks & Campgrounds in West Virginia

Best Seasons to Camp in West Virginia

Spring

Mar-May

High 56°F · Low 44°F

Rhododendron and mountain laurel bloom in May. Spring wildflowers emerge along stream corridors. Water levels run high for whitewater rafting. Campgrounds open through April. Cool temperatures and occasional rain.

Summer

Jun-Aug

High 75°F · Low 63°F

The primary camping season. Mountain elevations keep temperatures cooler than surrounding lowland states. New River Gorge rafting peaks. Dolly Sods and Spruce Knob are accessible. Afternoon thunderstorms in the mountains.

Season	Months	Avg High	Avg Low	Conditions
Spring	Mar-May	56°F	44°F	Rhododendron and mountain laurel bloom in May.
Summer	Jun-Aug	75°F	63°F	The primary camping season.
Fall	Sep-Nov	56°F	44°F	Fall color across the highlands peaks in early to mid-October.
Winter	Dec-Feb	36°F	24°F	January averages 28 degrees.

Camping Regions in West Virginia

Region	Terrain	Key Areas
New River Gorge	Mountain	Summersville, Hinton, Fayetteville, Beckley
Allegheny Highlands and Monongahela	Mountain	Elkins, Marlinton, Seneca Rocks, Riverton
Canaan Valley and Blackwater	Mountain	Davis, Thomas, Canaan Valley
Ohio River Valley	Plains	Moundsville, Weston, Parkersburg, Huntington

New River Gorge

Mountain · Summersville, Hinton, Fayetteville, Beckley

America's newest national park centering on a 1,000-foot-deep gorge through sandstone. Whitewater rafting on the New and Gauley rivers drives the camping traffic. Summersville Lake above the gorge adds flat-water recreation. Fayette Station and Cunard access points reach the river level. Mountain Lake Campground and Cabins near Summersville and Berry's Campground in Hinton provide private bases along the gorge and Gauley River corridor.

Allegheny Highlands and Monongahela

Mountain · Elkins, Marlinton, Seneca Rocks, Riverton

The Monongahela National Forest covers the central highlands. Dolly Sods Wilderness, Seneca Rocks, and Spruce Knob provide the most dramatic terrain. Elkins sits at the center of the forest. Marlinton and the Greenbrier Valley access the southern sections. The highest and most remote camping in the state. Revelle's River Resort near Elkins and Pocahontas Campground in Marlinton serve the central highlands and Greenbrier Valley.

Canaan Valley and Blackwater

Mountain · Davis, Thomas, Canaan Valley

A high-elevation valley in the northeastern highlands at 3,200 feet. Canaan Valley Resort State Park and Blackwater Falls State Park offer developed camping. The Blackwater Canyon drops 500 feet through dark hemlock forest. Cooler summer temperatures than the rest of the state. Cross-country skiing in winter. Canaan Valley Resort Campground and Restrite Campground in Davis provide the primary camping options on the high-elevation plateau.

Ohio River Valley

Plains · Moundsville, Weston, Parkersburg, Huntington

The western border along the Ohio River. Moundsville, Wheeling, and Parkersburg have state parks with river-bluff camping. Beech Fork and North Bend state parks serve the Huntington and Charleston metro areas. Lower elevation and warmer than the highland regions. Hidden Hollow Park near Moundsville and campgrounds in the Weston area serve the western border corridor.

Camping Tips for West Virginia

New River Gorge campgrounds book quickly for summer rafting season. The national park has limited camping. Private campgrounds along the gorge rim and river provide more options.
Dolly Sods Wilderness has no marked trails in some sections. Carry a compass and topographic map. Fog can reduce visibility to feet. The terrain is bog, rock, and wind-stunted spruce at 4,000 feet.
Monongahela National Forest allows dispersed camping on most forest land. No permit required. Popular areas near Dolly Sods and Seneca Rocks see more traffic.
Black bears are active throughout the state. Proper food storage is required at national forest and park campgrounds.
Mountain roads in West Virginia are steep, narrow, and winding. Allow extra travel time. Some forest roads require high clearance.
Ticks carrying Lyme disease are present throughout the state. Check daily from April through October.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is camping like at New River Gorge?

The national park has limited developed camping. Army Campground near Thurmond is the primary park-operated option. Private campgrounds and outfitter-affiliated camps along the gorge rim provide most of the camping capacity. Many campers combine a weekend of whitewater rafting with a night or two of camping.

How remote is Dolly Sods?

Dolly Sods Wilderness sits at 4,000 feet on an exposed plateau with wind-stunted spruce, bogs, and open meadows. Parts of the wilderness have no maintained trails. Fog and weather can change rapidly. The terrain feels more like northern Canada than the mid-Atlantic. Come prepared for navigation and cold, wet conditions.

Is dispersed camping available in West Virginia?

The Monongahela National Forest permits dispersed camping on most forest land. No fee or permit required. Popular areas near Dolly Sods and Seneca Rocks have established dispersed sites. State parks and forests require designated campsites.

When does fall color peak in West Virginia?

Higher elevations around Dolly Sods and Spruce Knob begin turning in late September. The main Allegheny Highlands peak in early to mid-October. The New River Gorge and lower elevations follow in the third week of October. Conditions vary by a week or two depending on temperature patterns each year.

What rivers can I raft near campgrounds?

The New River and Gauley River provide the primary whitewater in the state. The New River has Class III to V rapids through the gorge. The Gauley below Summersville Dam is one of the most challenging commercial rafting runs in the East, operating during fall drawdown (September through October). Multiple outfitters combine rafting with camping packages.