Camping options near West Columbia, West Virginia provide access to the Appalachian foothills and Ohio River valley. The region features rolling hills and densely wooded landscapes with elevations ranging from 580 to 1,000 feet. Most campgrounds open from April through October, though some State Parks maintain year-round operations with limited winter facilities.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: At Forked Run State Park Campground, campers enjoy both lake and stream fishing. According to Dan N., "There's a nice path to the lake from the camp sites and lots of deer. We spent most of the time on the water (there's a power limit on the boats)." The lake has a motor restriction that limits wakes.
Hiking trails: Several park systems maintain hiking networks ranging from short nature walks to challenging routes. At Lake Hope State Park Campground, visitors access multiple trail systems. Anne P. reports, "We did a 'walking tour' that had TERRIBLE directions but we had a blast anyway. Campsites were more open and pretty standard."
Disc golf: Multiple parks in the region offer disc golf courses for all skill levels. Benjamin C. notes that Forked Run provides "disc golf, fishing, swimming, hiking" among its attractions, with a scenic wooded course that winds through the park.
Water activities: Pine Lake at Tar Hollow State Park Campground offers multiple water recreation options. According to Lisa S., "Pine Lake is nice, but the beach is a bit small. Overall, this has been a lovely place to relax and decompress!" The park rents paddle boats for hourly use.
What campers like
Privacy at primitive sites: Some campgrounds offer more secluded tent camping areas. At Tar Hollow's North Ridge campground, Sydney notes, "The north ridge campground is in an entirely separate area of the park than the RVs and there aren't many campsites, so in that way it feels a little more remote and secluded." The separation from RV areas creates a different camping experience.
Family activities: Kountry Resort Campground provides organized recreation for families visiting West Columbia. Jeremiah S. shares, "There are a lot of amenities but they need updated. The playgrounds need replaced. The activities building had a pool and game room area, which we used a lot. These were dated as well but our kids had a blast."
Natural settings: The wooded camping areas create opportunities to view wildlife. At Forked Run, one camper described seeing "lots of deer" and appreciates the "short hiking trails nearby." Some sites allow direct water views for added natural scenery.
Alternative to hocking hills crowds: Lake Hope provides a less crowded option compared to popular Ohio destinations. Lori L. explains, "Lake Hope gave me a new way to experience an area I grew very close to and appreciate but cannot stand the swarms of people. It was a quiet and spacious campground with solid amenities."
What you should know
Bathroom conditions vary: Many state parks have older facilities that receive mixed reviews. At Forked Run, Shane T. reports, "Toilets are vault style and very old so you can imagine it's hard to clean/keep clean. I do like they have water fountains with faucets every 10-15 sites."
Site quality and terrain: Many campgrounds feature unlevel or small sites that require careful equipment placement. Daniel describes Lake Hope with "camp sites are very small and very unlevel, had to raise back of camper and put front about a 1/4" off ground to get close to level."
Limited connectivity: Cell service is spotty throughout the region. At Strouds Run State Park Campground, Sydney notes, "There is no cell service. Be sure to give anyone who may need to contact you a heads up." Some campgrounds offer WiFi at office areas only.
Seasonal conditions: Weather impacts water clarity and trail conditions. Shane T. observes, "The lake was nice but I am not sure if they recently had some weather that caused it to be pretty brown/muddy, or if that's normal." Fall and spring typically offer the best water conditions.
Tips for camping with families
Beach alternatives: Some lakes offer recreation beyond swimming beaches. At Huntington Fox Fire KOA, William I. describes, "Their swimming lake is pretty fun and provided hours of entertainment for the youngins in our group. Super cool programs too! Can't complain about a movie out by the lake."
Junior naturalist programs: Several parks offer ranger-led activities for children. Chris C. at Lake Hope shares, "The naturalists feed hummingbirds at the nature center. They pull the feeders for awhile leading up to a 'Feed the Hummingbirds' program. So cool! The birds come right to you!"
Off-season benefits: Visiting in spring or fall reduces crowds while maintaining access to most amenities. Bob L. notes, "Went there in October. No attendance around and not many campers." Weekday camping further reduces competition for prime sites.
Equipment rentals: Parks typically offer boat and equipment rentals to reduce what families must transport. Kaitlyn R. at Kountry Resort mentions the campground is "nice, clean, well-organized" though they "didn't find much to do in the area," suggesting families bring their own recreation equipment.
Tips from RVers
Site selection considerations: RV sites have varying hookup options and sizes across the region. At Hocking Hills KOA Holiday, jeffrey D. explains, "Sites are reasonably level, we had to use one 3/4 inch leveler under the wheels on one side. They have sites that are full hook up with wooden decks."
Water and electric access: Many campgrounds offer partial hookups even at tent sites. Vicki H. notes, "From primitive tent sites tucked back in the woods to large RV sites with water/sewer/electric/cable hookups. We are first-time owners of a 29 ft Fifth Wheel and got a pull-through site."
Road conditions: Some campgrounds have challenging access roads. Kevin F. at Lake Hope describes, "The RV sites were a bit narrow, but otherwise nice and shaded." Local roads often include steep grades and tight turns requiring careful navigation.
Seasonal operations: Most private campgrounds near West Columbia close from November through March. Kountry Resort operates from "April 1 to October 31" with limited winter camping options at state parks only.
