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Established Camping

Jess Judy

Jess Judy is located in the Monongahela National Forest, featuring forested terrain with rolling hills. The area experiences temperature highs around 80°F in summer and lows near 20°F in winter. Nearby attractions include Seneca Rocks and Spruce Knob, offering opportunities for hiking and sightseeing.

Description

USDA Forest Service

Monongahela National Forest

Overview

Jess Judy is a group camping facility located on the South Branch of the Potomac River, in West Virginia;s eastern panhandle, about 1.5 miles south of Big Bend. Canoeing, fishing and hiking are popular activities. About 1.3 million visitors come to the Monongahela National Forest each year, and it's no surprise why. The forest is a drivable distance from cities like Washington D.C. and Pittsburgh, yet the density of flora, fauna and picturesque mountains seem like a world away from any city.

Recreation

Visitors enjoy canoeing and fishing on the river, and hiking on local trails. Thirty miles of maintained trails can be found nearby and mountain biking is permitted on most of them. One highly recommended trail for hikers and backpackers is the North Fork Mountain Trail.

Natural Features

Jess Judy is situated in the northern portion of the Monongahela National Forest, on the western banks of the river. The region boasts beautiful old-growth forests that become vibrant with color in fall. the South Branch of the Potomac River runs north through Smoke Hole Canyon, which bears a name of uncertain origin. One theory is Native Americans once used the caves in the canyon for smoking meat, which created "smoke holes." Another is that misty fog often lies along the river and ascends in what looks like smoke from a hole.

Nearby Attractions

Traverse through narrow, steep valleys and over rolling, tree-topped mountains on the Highland Scenic Highway. This 43-mile drive includes highlights like Cranberry Glades Botanical Area, Summit Lake, and the Falls of Hills Creek.

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Location

Jess Judy is located in West Virginia

Detail location of campground

Directions

Follow 28/55 from Petersburg, WV, for 8 miles. Turn left onto Smoke Hole Road, Route 28/11, and travel for 13 miles to County Route 2. Turn left onto Smoke Hole Road, County Route 2, and follow for approximately 2 miles. Jess Judy Campground will be on the right.

Address

MONONGAHELA
WV

Coordinates

38.8956944 N
79.24625 W

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Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site
  • Walk-In
    Park in a lot, walk to your site.
  • Hike-In
    Backcountry sites.
  • Boat-In
    Sites accessible by watercraft.

Stay Connected

  • WiFi
    Good
  • Verizon
    Unknown
  • AT&T
    Unknown
  • T-Mobile
    Unknown

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • RV Sites
  • Standard (Tent/RV)
  • Group

Features

For Campers

  • Trash
  • Firewood Available
  • Reservable
  • Toilets
  • Alcohol
  • Pets

Reviews

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3.0

out of 5

2 Reviews

Reviewed Nov. 1, 2021

Group campsites in Smoke Hole Canyon

A few miles south of the Big Bend campground, Jess Judy is a primitive national forest campground offering 3 group sites. Although Big Bend offers more amenities, with flush toilets and showers, Jess Judy is a more economical option for a group. You'll need to check in at Big Bend.

The sites are grassy, with areas mowed into the larger field, with hills rising above the campground. Vault toilets are located nearby. Picnic tables, fire pits, and grills are provided. Drinking water is not available, so bring your own. 

The Potomac runs through the canyon and provides fishing opportunities. there are also hiking trails. Smoke Hole Caverns (40 minutes away) offers more touristy attractions such as mini gold and a cavern tour (ok, not spectacular). The Seneca Rocks area is more than an hour away. Shreve's country store (<3 miles) may have some items if you've forgotten something, but not major shopping. 

I didn't explore it, but the North Fork Mountain Trail receives rave reviews for spectacular views and if you can run shuttles, you could hike portions of this.

Month of VisitApril
  • Review photo of Jess Judy by Jean C., November 1, 2021
  • Review photo of Jess Judy by Jean C., November 1, 2021
  • Review photo of Jess Judy by Jean C., November 1, 2021
  • (11) View All
Reviewed Jun. 28, 2019

Group Sites

There are three group sites in a field along the South Branch of the Potomac. Vault toilets.

  • Review photo of Jess Judy by Tim M., June 28, 2019
  • Review photo of Jess Judy by Tim M., June 28, 2019
  • Review photo of Jess Judy by Tim M., June 28, 2019
  • (6) View All

Frequently Asked Questions

  • How hard is it to get a campsite at Jess Judy?

    Some campers book as far as 6 months in advance, so on high-demand weekends it can be very difficult to get a campsite at Jess Judy. If you want to get a last-minute campsite at Jess Judy, try setting up a text message Alert atTheDyrt.com/alerts

  • Why is it so hard to get a campsite at Jess Judy?

    There are 3 campsites at Jess Judy and over 80 million Americans who camp! Try snagging a cancellation by setting up a text message Alert atTheDyrt.com/alerts