Camping opportunities around Warm Springs span Bath County's varied terrain, from mountain forests at 2,500-3,000 feet elevation to picturesque riverside locations. The area experiences four distinct seasons with summer temperatures typically ranging from 75-85°F during the day and cooling significantly at night. Winter camping requires preparation as temperatures regularly drop below freezing from December through February.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: 50-acre lake: Douthat State Park offers excellent fishing in its sizeable lake with trout stocking during season. A camper mentioned, "You can keep them for dinner if you like! Just follow all DNR laws on size and amount!"
Mountain biking trails: varied difficulty: The area has numerous biking options from road to mountain trails. At Douthat State Park Campground, "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!"
Kayaking and boating: lake access: Bolar Mountain Recreation Area offers direct water access for kayaking. "We rented kayaks at the marina/camp store down the road and explored a little cove that was really cool. We blocked out 4 hours, but only lasted 2 hours before we got tired and returned the kayaks."
Hiking options: forest trails: Multiple trail options exist throughout the region. A visitor to Seneca State Forest shared, "I spent a 3-night backpacking trip in Seneca State Forest, and it was a blast! Water is crystal clear (COLD), and the landscape is breathtaking!"
What campers like
Private swimming areas: lakeside sites: At Morris Hill Campground, campers appreciate the direct water access. "Campsite #53, has a nice private beach area where you can go fishing or swim. Bring water shoes, the rocks can be sharp. The campsite was spacious and shaded."
Night sky viewing: minimal light pollution: The remote location offers excellent stargazing opportunities. At Seneca State Forest's fire tower, a visitor noted, "Moonlight piercing the night through your curtainless windows and reveling in the surreal sunrises and sunsets did it for me! Your closest neighbor is waaay down the mountain."
Wildlife encounters: deer and more: Watoga State Park offers excellent wildlife viewing. One camper experienced "Lovely campground. Not too noisy and gorgeous nature... perfect combo of shade and sun with deers grazing right next to your tent!"
Fire tower accommodation: unique overnight: For glamping close to Warm Springs, Virginia, a unique option exists at Seneca State Forest. "Renting and staying in the Thorny Mountain Fire Tower is a special opportunity. From that height, you get to enjoy long mountain views in both West Virginia and Virginia. The tower cabin structure has 360 views...11 windows and a windowed door."
What you should know
Cell service limitations: spotty coverage: Many campgrounds have limited connectivity. At Watoga State Park, "Because this entire area of WV is in the National Radio Quiet Zone, there is zero cellular service with 1-2 hours drive in any direction. If you can't get the weak WiFi service, you won't be using any data services."
Site leveling challenges: terrain considerations: Many sites require some work to level. At Natural Bridge KOA, a camper noted, "It is rather small and it has some sites that are not level but can be leveled with some effort by the camper."
Reservation requirements: early booking: Popular glamping accommodations near Warm Springs require advance planning. A visitor to Seneca State Forest advised, "We splurged and rented the Thorny Mountain fire tower. Reserve well in advance. You can drive up the mountain (any vehicle in summer, might need 4WD in mud or snow) or hike."
Weather preparation: temperature swings: The mountain location means significant temperature changes. "It can get busy on weekends" and "we went in the beginning of June and it was kind cold that night," noted campers at Bolar Mountain.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: multiple options: Walnut Hills Campground & RV Park offers family-friendly amenities. "There is a very nice playground and a pet exercise area. You can fish in the lake though we didn't catch anything."
Kid-friendly activities: scheduled events: Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park offers extensive children's programming. A visitor shared, "There was a carnival for the kids, trick-or-treating, hiking, tons of bike riding, campfire watching, hammock swinging, laughing, loving, and hanging out!"
Swimming options: varied water access: Multiple swimming locations exist from natural areas to pools. At Bolar Mountain Recreation Area, "There is a Seperate 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."
Educational opportunities: nature learning: Douthat State Park includes educational components. A long-time visitor noted, "Fishing, lake swimming, hiking, educational opportunities galore. Security is good but not overwhelming."
Tips from RVers
Hookup considerations: varied availability: Full hookup sites are limited in some areas. At Riverside Campground — Watoga State Park, "We use a teardrop camper so we appreciated the water and electric hookup (although we disconnected the water at night to prevent freezing)."
Site selection strategy: size matters: Choose sites based on your specific needs. At Douthat State Park, "Douthat is really four separate campgrounds. White Oak Campground is larger, wooded, and has a significant elevation change between different sites. Caution should be used with large rigs as the low-water bridge to White Oak has steep approach and departure angles."
Campground navigation: access routes: Some campgrounds have challenging navigation. At Natural Bridge KOA, "Short-term sites are in the very front but you do have to take a circuitous route through the campground to get back to that area after checking in."
Dump station access: location awareness: Know where dump stations are located. At Walnut Hills Campground, "Short-term sites are electric and water only but there is a free dump station down in the back."
