East Fork Campground in Durbin, West Virginia sits within the Monongahela National Forest at approximately 2,500 feet elevation. The region experiences moderate summers and cold winters with average July temperatures around 78°F and January temperatures near 20°F. Equestrian campers can access trail systems directly from the campground without trailering horses to separate trailheads.
What to do
Trout fishing access: Fish the cold mountain streams near Bolar Mountain Recreation Area on Lake Moomaw. "The water was beautiful, temperature perfect for swimming. There's a separate beach that you can drive to that is roped off for swimming purposes but we rather enjoyed walking to the water from our site and having what seemed like our own little swimming spot," notes Joanna G.
Mountain biking trails: Explore extensive trail systems throughout Monongahela National Forest. At Douthat State Park, "We did a decent amount of biking here, the main road is nice for road biking, we rode out about 15 miles and back, saw a black bear. Beautiful country roads. And the trails are great for mountain biking. Bring your legs, lots of climbing!" shares Robyn S.
Scenic train rides: Visit the Durbin Rocket steam locomotive near East Fork Campground. "Nice campground adjacent to the Durbin Rocket steam locomotive. They are doing a train robbery this week, robbers are riding horseback to steal a guarded shipment!" reports Harold C.
What campers like
Remote locations: Many equestrian camping areas offer genuine seclusion. At Gandy Creek Dispersed Camping, "Some you walk-in a short distance but are rewarded with amazing sites on the creek, secluded and wooded. Other places you can camp in your vehicle or park at the site. My favorite areas are on the creek. Lots of privacy, every site is unique and special in its own way," explains Jennifer R.
Clean facilities: Even primitive campgrounds maintain high standards. "Bathrooms were the cleanest I've ever seen at any campground and were a very short, convenient walk from our site! The site itself was very clean and had an oversized, solid picnic table," according to Joanna G. at Bolar Mountain.
Natural water features: Rivers and lakes enhance the camping experience. "Our site was right on the creek and the sound was awesome for sleeping. Biggest surprise, given the location on the creek and remoteness of the campground (settled deep in the woods), there were No Bugs to speak of!" shares Dana M. about Laurel Fork Campground.
What you should know
Radio quiet zone restrictions: Cell service is limited near Green Bank Observatory. "There is minimal cell reception and by that I mean you'll be walking along and all the sudden your phone will start dinging because you hit a pocket where you get one bar of reception and the text messages pour in," explains Jennifer R. about Gandy Creek.
Weather preparation: Mountain elevations cause temperature variations. At Greenbrier River Trail Milepost 63.8, "In June, you can anticipate random, short afternoon or evening cloudbursts...but they can be gully-washers. Nights were cool and most mornings I wore a long-sleeve Merino shirt," reports Dave V.
Remote access challenges: Many campgrounds require travel on unpaved roads. "Just getting to Laurel Fork Campground is a backwoods, seemingly endless gravel road journey. So something tells you…this is gonna be a good spot. Its out there…I mean, really out there. If you accept the challenge, prepare to be rewarded," writes Dave V.
Tips for camping with families
Look for educational programs: Rangers often lead activities for children. At James River State Park, "This park has great walking and equine trails, a fantastic visitor center, and a wonderful outdoor park/adventure zone for the kiddos," recommends Jamie B.
Choose campgrounds with recreational amenities: Facilities with multiple options keep children entertained. "All types of sites and hookups plus cabins. Fishing, lake swimming, hiking, educational opportunities galore. Security is good but not overwhelming," shares Cathy L. about Douthat State Park.
Consider cabin options: Cabins provide comfort for families new to camping. "We rented a cabin with fantastic sunset views. This park has great walking and equine trails, a fantastic visitor center, and a wonderful outdoor park/adventure zone for the kiddos," notes Jamie B. about James River State Park.
Tips from RVers
Site selection for larger rigs: Not all campgrounds accommodate big rigs equally. "Douthat is really four separate campgrounds. Whispering Pines is a few miles away along the entry road and has a different character. It's a very flat and wide-open campground perfect for big RVs with much larger sites," explains Jeremy W.
Water and electric hookups: Full hookups aren't available at all campgrounds. "We stayed here for two nights in the middle of the week in the summer of 2019. I stayed in one of the lakeside sites. Downsides are that it is pretty pricey ($40?) and the sites by the lake are not especially private, actually the area is pretty much wide open," reports Thomas R. about Douthat State Park.
Dump station access: Verify dump station availability before arrival. "Most of the sites were full hook-ups and the facilities were very clean and well maintained," notes Cindy B. about East Fork Campground.
