Waterside camping in West Virginia
Alpine vistas extend in all directions in the Mountain State.
- West Virginia
Popular camping styles for West Virginia
Dog-friendly getaways
7 top waterside campgrounds in West Virginia
Available this weekend
Under $50
Nearby parks
Explore the area’s public lands.
Waterside camping in West Virginia guide
Overview
If you’re seeking mountain vistas, you’ve come to the right place! Bound by the Appalachian Mountains and the Allegheny Mountains, West Virginia is an alpine wilderness brimming with craggy peaks, cascading waterfalls, and forested ravines. Outdoor adventures are this state’s lifeblood, whether you’re hiking the Appalachian Trail, cooling off at a mountain lake, or enjoying some of the best rock climbing and whitewater rafting in the east. The main camping season runs from spring through fall, but winter getaways are still possible—six state parks offer year-round camping, and many RV parks and cabins stay open through ski season.
Where to go
Potomac Highlands
Winding mountain roads and backcountry hiking trails lead the way through the Allegheny Mountains and the Monongahela National Forest in eastern West Virginia. Four-season adventures await at Blackwater Falls State Park and Canaan Valley Resort State Park, which harbor some of the region’s best ski slopes, while rock climbers congregate at Seneca Rocks. Further east, Harpers Ferry is the gateway to the Appalachian Trail and home to the Harpers Ferry National Historical Park.
Mountain Lakes
West Virginia’s central lakelands offer a welcome change of pace for campers. Pitch your tent or park your RV by Summersville, Sutton, or Stonewall Jackson lakes, and take to the water to boat, kayak, paddleboard, or fish. Encircled by forested mountains, there are still plenty of opportunities for hiking, especially at Audra and Holly River state parks.
Mid-Ohio & Metro Valleys
Victorian-era mansions and historic towns dot the banks of the Ohio River in the Mid-Ohio Valley, where campers can enjoy simple pleasures like woodland walks, river fishing, and sipping craft beer at a country pub. The 72-mile-long North Bend Rail Trail is the ultimate challenge for hikers and cyclists, and one of the most scenic sections runs through North Bend State Park. Continuing west, Charleston and Huntington are the principal towns of the Metro Valley, while the best campgrounds are hidden away in the Kanawha State Forest.
Southern West Virginia
Raging rivers, soaring cliffs, and vast swathes of wooded hills make up West Virginia’s southern region, affording endless options for adrenaline seekers. Rev up your OTV and explore 800 miles of off-road trails in the Hatfield-McCoy mountains, go mountain biking or horseback riding in Greenbrier State Forest, or check out the state’s best whitewater rafting at the New River Gorge and Gauley River National Recreation Area.
