The best camping near Watoga State Park

Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Watoga State Park adventure.

75% (4 reviews)
75% (4 reviews)

Discover Watoga State Park's lush landscapes and outdoor adventures.  

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Community favorites near Watoga State Park

Top-rated campgrounds reviewed by the Hipcamp community.

Top-rated campgrounds near Watoga State Park

99%
(68)

Ultimate private camping

1 site · RV, Tent235 acres · Hot Springs, VA
Since Hipcamp called to clarify... we are indeed offering the entire property to only one group at a time. You read that right you can camp anywhere on the property, move around, and feel free to stay multiple nights. This 235.51 acre property has all of the most sought-after characteristics: close to the amenities of Hot Springs and The Homestead resort, total privacy and protection, beautiful trout stream, direct access to hiking and mountain bike trails on the adjoining 3000 acres of National Forest, and a 60-mile sunset view. It offers over 1,000 ft of vertical gain. The property includes a half mile of Cowardin Run. With generally mild winter weather, the property is perfect for experience the magic of the Allegheny Mountains. Significant improvements to the road with addition of culverts and a top coat of stone were done over the 2023-2024 winter. We offer the same low light level as the International Dark Sky Park in Millboro for excellent astronomy and night-sky viewing. *Note: Game trail cameras in use - they are not hidden and are not for the purpose of video surveillance* *Note: During business hours Environmental Specialist, VDOF or USDA may visit to check in on the forest/structures/habitat. *
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$43.20
 / night
96%
(71)

Ray's Campground

25 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents50 acres · Hico, WV
Ray's Campground is a picturesque camping facility located in Hico, West Virginia. Nestled in the heart of nature, this campground offers a serene and tranquil setting for outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy the beauty of the surrounding area. The campground is situated amidst lush greenery, with towering trees providing shade and a sense of privacy to campers. The natural landscape of the area creates a peaceful atmosphere that allows visitors to unwind and connect with nature. Ray's Campground offers a variety of camping options to cater to different preferences. Whether you prefer tent camping or RV camping, you'll find suitable accommodations here. The campground provides spacious campsites with fire rings and picnic tables, allowing you to have a comfortable and enjoyable camping experience. One of the highlights of Ray's Campground is its proximity to the scenic New River Gorge National River. This nationally recognized park offers breathtaking views of the New River and its impressive gorge. Visitors can engage in a range of outdoor activities, including hiking, fishing, kayaking, rock climbing, and mountain biking. The campground serves as an excellent base for exploring the natural wonders of the area. In addition to the stunning natural surroundings, Ray's Campground provides amenities to enhance your camping experience. The facilities may include clean restrooms with showers, and a communal gathering area where you can socialize with fellow campers. Whether you are seeking solitude in nature or looking to engage in thrilling outdoor adventures, Ray's Campground in Hico, WV, offers a welcoming and scenic environment for a memorable camping getaway.
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$10
 / night
97%
(124)

Camp Holly

63 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents22 acres · Addison (Webster Springs), WV
Join the fun at our 22-acre campground. We offer cabins, full-service RV sites, and back-country camping nestled in the heart of the West Virginia mountains at the confluence of the Holly River and Grassy Creek overlooking our stocked three-acre fishing pond. Conveniently located near the best outdoor recreation in Appalachia: Fishing, boating, hunting, hiking, trail riding, and climbing. Festivals and beautiful day trips on winding roads abound. Music lovers enjoy music on our pondside stage, or you can rent it for your own special event. Find an entertainment schedule and a list of amenities on our website. Kids will love our goats, chickens, ducks, paddle boats, and recreation area with a climbing dome. Visit our camp store for onsite bait + tackle, a specialty hotdog, or WV souvenir. Come relax and enjoy Camp Holly! ****Please note that in winter months the property is subject to freezing during very cold weather. This may effect water availability in the cabins and bathhouse.
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$10
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96%
(60)

Mountain Magnolia Forest Farm

1 site · RV, Tent8 acres · Fayetteville, WV
8 acres of beautiful forested land with a small creek running nearby the campsite. WALKING distance to New River Gorge National Park! Approx 5min walk across edmond-lansing rd to short creek/head house trail. Hiking to views of the gorge, down to the river and plenty of climbing. Endless wall is 2 min drive down the road, some of the best hiking and climbing in the gorge! Beauty Mountain overlook is 1.5 miles away. Campsite is off of a private neighborhood road. GPS will NOT take you to our place. It will send you to the neighbors, so please follow written directions from host. We don’t want to burden our neighbors. Thank you! There is a small fire ring, bring dry wood and make sure to put your fire completely out anytime you wont be attending it, this is the woods. ALL are welcome. This space is a safe place, and prejudice or hate will not be tolerated. Thank you for treating others with respect and kindness.
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$25
 / night
100%
(61)

Beaverdam Falls

4 sites · Lodging65 acres · Covington, VA
Nestled on a private 65-acre farm in the Alleghany Highlands of Virginia, Beaverdam Falls is located on VA SR-311 (Kanawha Trail) in the Sweet Springs Valley. Nestled in the old community of Earlehurst, between Covington & Roanoke, Beaverdam Falls are an historic series of waterfalls on private property. The Falls are at the headwaters of Dunlap Creek and are the terminus for the Sweet Springs. Available for guest stays & recreation, are the Upper Falls portion. Surrounded by the verdant George Washington National Forest, the Upper Falls, displays a constant waterfall of around 40-feet in height, & decorates the final mile stretch of the Sweet Springs, both on our property. Additional beautiful cascades pepper our tract of Beaverdam Falls as well. This private tract of unparalleled Virginia countryside will simply astonish your expectations. As the source of the Falls, Sweet Springs Creek, serves as a long, unique home for trout, calcified travertine rock, chalybeate water, and ancient beaver dams (as well as active ones!). Beaverdam Falls is a rare place for the lack of stone and the centuries of beavers who have left their trace in & on our creek—and swamp, the Stick Marsh, which has an active beaver dam. Be careful! They do bite!
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$100
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100%
(30)

MountainTop

3 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents32 acres · Sugar Grove, WV
Closed for the Season. Open May 1 thru September 1. We plan to add more sites for the 2025 season. Live sustainably, enjoy life. Enjoy our family's 32 acre eco-wonder property that features forested mountain walking trails, two small ponds, seasonal waterfall, and the Potomac River that runs through it. Perfect private retreat for nature enthusiasts, writers, artists, musicians, contemplatives, and small families. MountainTop got its namesake over 30 years ago for the small mountain plateau that resides at the top of the property, just a short hike from the cabins and campsites. One can easily find the soothing voice of water nearby at the seasonal waterfall or alongside the flowing river. Rejuvenate with friends, families, nature lovers, and contemplatives. Mountaintop offers superb stargazing, swimming, fishing, hiking, strenuous mountain biking, camping, serenity, peace, and connective nature immersion. There are currently three sites: the MountainTop Cabin (sleeps up to 4); the Retreat Cabin (sleeps up to 4): and the Fern Grove campsite (sleeps up to 4). You can book a cabin or the campsite for your family, or the whole place for a small group by booking each site--that will ensure privacy. Last year we hosted wellness retreats for small groups at this little oasis tucked in the mountains of gorgeous West Virginia. "When we try to pick out anything by itself, we find it hitched to everything else in the Universe." John Muir Note: All wheel drive or 4-wheel drive needed to cross river. 1 hour from downtown Harrisonburg, Virginia. 1 hour 40 minutes from Charlottesville. 3 hours from Washington, D.C.
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$37.80
 / night
97%
(45)

Possum Holler Camp- New River Gorge

1 site · RV, Tent3 acres · Victor, WV
Camping at Possum Holler Camp will provide you the perfect blend of solitude and recreation access. You will truly be in the heart of the New River National Park, yet still feel secluded in the beautiful woods without neighbors. You will have private access to beautiful and idyllic Mill Creek, which has many beautiful emerald pools and is even seasonally stocked with rainbow trout! Within a mile you can access the New River Gorge Bridge and the Canyon Rim Visitor Center, and you are equally close to the park's world class climbing, rafting, hiking, ziplining, and mountain biking at the New River Gorge National Park and surrounding areas. Your group will have the entire camp to yourselves, so there's no need to worry about noisy neighbors. Our driveway has recently been revamped to include more flat parking and a less steep access route! While these improvements are great, we still caution our guests to avoid bringing large trailers and to use 4WD if available in an attempt to minimize rutting in the future. Seasoned hardwood firewood is available on site for $6/bundle. You are allowed to bring your own firewood, but only if you source your firewood locally because invasive pest species can travel in firewood. Possum Holler Camp is a Leave No Trace campsite, guests are asked to pack out anything they bring in and leave the area undisturbed. This includes damaging vegetation, creating new fire rings, or altering the natural area in any way. Also, please do not camp in the meadow area and only use the cleared out areas in the woods surrounding the parking and picnic/fire area for pitching tents. If you stay below the high water line, then feel free to move as far up or downstream Mill Creek as you like. The creek is indescribably beautiful in both directions! But please keep in mind that there is private property once you are above the high water line, please do not trespass on our neighbor's property.
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$60
 / night
98%
(503)

Wilderness Adventure

94 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents500 acres · New Castle, VA
Our campsites offer beautiful scenery, exciting activities and HOT showers! There are local on-property trails to explore and all the campsite and lodging amenities that make for the perfect family getaway! All of our listings lie on 500 gorgeous acres run by Wilderness Adventure at Eagle Landing. Bordered by 500 yards of Craigs Creek along the front of our property and mountains in the rear, Wilderness Adventure offers our guests extensive trails to hike and bike, ponds for fishing and swimming, canoeing and tubing. We offer Giant Swing, Team Building, Low Ropes, High Ropes, Caving, Rock Climbing, Mountain Bike lessons and guided trips! Wilderness Adventure is more than just a campground or lodge. Along with our wide range of camping and lodging options, we also offer free and paid adventure activities like tubing, canoeing, hiking, biking, disc golf, and more! Activities for Guests: Hiking, mountain biking, and trail running on our onsite trails, disc golf, canoeing, tubing, swimming or fishing in our pond, creek sitting, fire pits, sand volleyball, horseshoes, corn hole, and endless open space to wander and relax. Basecamp Adventure Activities: Tubing/Shuttle: $20/trip/person Canoe Rentals/Shuttle: $40/trip/boat Sit on top Kayak Rentals/Shuttle: $30/trip/boat Mountain Bike Rental: $25/half day, $50/full day Area Activities: Hiking, Mountain Biking, Gravel Biking, Bikepacking, 4-wheeling Virginia's Triple Crown - Dragon's Tooth, McAfee Knob, and Tinker Cliffs Roaring Run and Hoop Hole North Mountain/Dragons Back Carvin's Cove Mill Mountain Douthat State Park Craig’s Creek Food, Summer Events and Festivals: Throughout the summer we have delicious made-to-order meals from our Outpost from Friday dinner to Sunday breakfast. Our camp store is open during select hours. You can purchase firewood, ice, sunscreen, beverages, merchandise, and other items you may enjoy during your stay. (hours vary or by appointment) Other Cool Stuff Nearby: The Swinging Bridge Restaurant - Paint Bank VA Lemon & Vale Cakery, New Castle, VA Bibos Pizzeria - New Castle, VA The Mill Mountain Star - Roanoke VA Parkway Brewing Company - Salem, VA And so much more!
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$25
 / night

The best camping near Watoga State Park guide

Overview

About

Why Watoga? We’ll tell you. Perfectly positioned in the Pocahontas County mountains, West Virginia’s largest park is just secluded enough to offer relaxation, but not so isolated that you’ll have to fend for yourself. Forty miles of hiking trails are threaded throughout, a few of which are bike-friendly. If you’re here overnight, the camping and cabin accommodations are large enough that you’re guaranteed to find the perfect place to cook up whatever you caught on the 11-acre lake. And, if you’re traveling with your little learners, the park’s seasonal educational programs will answer every question they have about the Watoga wilderness. (Plus, they’ll love the solar-heated swimming pool!)

When to go

The ideal time to visit Watoga State Park is from late spring to early fall, when the weather is warm and the park's full splendor is on display. Summer months offer the perfect climate for all activities, though they can be the busiest. Consider a trip during the shoulder seasons for a quieter experience. Winter can be harsh, with some facilities likely to be closed, so plan accordingly.

Know before you go

  • Check weather conditions before your visit to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience amid Watoga's varying terrain.
  • Be aware of park hours, typically from 8:30am to 5pm, and plan your activities within this timeframe.
  • Stay informed about any trail closures or area restrictions that may be in effect during your visit.
  • Ensure you have all necessary permits for fishing or other regulated activities within the park.
  • Remember to pack out all trash, respecting the park's natural environment and wildlife.
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