Camping spots near Athens, West Virginia offer diverse terrain access across the New River and Bluestone Lake watersheds. The region sits at elevations between 1,500-2,500 feet with moderate summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F during peak season. Cell service can be unreliable throughout the area, particularly at campsites in deeper valleys where signal strength drops significantly.
What to do
Fishing adventures: Camp Creek State Park features two campgrounds with access to trout fishing. "We spent time in the park and saw many of the local waterfalls (Pipestem Falls, Sandstone Falls, Brush Creek Falls, Mash Fork Falls, Campbell Falls). The night sky was amazingly clear and stars were bright," notes one Pipestem Resort State Park visitor.
Hiking trail access: Multiple trail systems connect directly to campsites. At Little Beaver State Park, "Spacious, private... walking trail system connected to camp sites. Cleanest bathrooms and showers I've seen. Beautiful trails. Scenic lake," reports a camper who stayed at site #9.
Water activities: Seasonal lake inflatables operate at several parks. A Kairos Wilderness Resort visitor explains: "The hill to climb to get there is SUPER sketchy but it's a gorgeous location. If you want to go ride dirt bikes or UTVs this place is definitely the spot. The staff are excellent, they brought us firewood in the rain and stayed to chat with us for a bit."
What campers like
Spacious sites: Most established campgrounds provide ample space between sites. At Mash Fork Campground, "All camper pads are paved, have a generous camper pad length, and most are spread a decent amount of space apart," according to a recent camper.
Wildlife viewing: Deer sightings are common throughout the camping areas. A Meador Campground visitor reported: "We stayed in Meador site 14, which was the furthest away from the bath house (still only maybe 150 yards), but it was on the water & was the most secluded. There were also TONS of deer all around (just hanging out eating vegetation) during our short one night stay."
Clean facilities: Many campgrounds maintain well-kept restrooms and showers. "Shower houses were well maintained daily throughout the week, however not on weekends when it tends to be most crowded. Shower houses had been recently updated which was nice for a state park," explains a camper from Pipestem Resort State Park.
What you should know
Seasonal operations: Most facilities close between October and April. At Blue Jay Campground, "All 12 non-electric sites appeared to have fire ring, picnic table, trash can, flat parking area. They did vary a bit in size. It was delightful falling asleep and waking up to the sound of the creek!"
Limited connectivity: Wi-Fi is inconsistent across most campgrounds. A visitor to Little Beaver State Park noted: "This campground is situated in the woods, near Lake. Has a good WFI everywhere, very clean and quiet."
Weekend crowds: Facilities experience heaviest use Friday through Sunday. "The park is super clean and very well maintained. The campground was nearly full. It was well maintained, but the sites were small and very close together," reports a Pipestem visitor.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several parks have updated play areas for children. One Pipestem Resort State Park camper mentioned: "Nice outdoor and indoor pools right down the road in the park. Beautiful views. Lots of places to bike ride for my family of young kids (4 & 8). They also had a nicely updated park for the kids to play."
Biking opportunities: Multiple parks feature kid-friendly paved roads. "Lots of space to run around for the kids. It rained one day we were there and we took a quick drive to Pipestem and swam in the heated, indoor pool that is included in camping fee," notes a camper at Meador Campground.
Wildlife cautions: Campers should properly store food as raccoons are active. "The raccoons at night have a schedule of getting any foods left out. Putting everything away is a must," warns a Pipestem camper who experienced wildlife encounters.
Tips from RVers
Leveling challenges: Many sites require blocking to achieve level position. "Watch the site descriptions for the incline. The water/electric sites surround a large field. These sites tend to be sunny. 1-49 are in the woods. The sites seem small, but the perimeter sites face the woods," advises an RVer from Pipestem Resort State Park.
Dump station availability: Not all campgrounds provide on-site dumping. At Little Beaver State Park, a camper noted: "Sites have water and electric. Only downside for longer term stays is no sewer hookup, but they do have a very convenient dump spot at entry."
Access limitations: Some roads present challenges for larger rigs. A visitor at Brushcreek Falls RV Resort shared: "We enjoyed our stay. The hosts made it super easy to reserve, check in etc. Truly nice people. The place is not too big or small, just right. Very clean. Nice tenants! Spots are long but pretty close together. We're a triple axl so we had to take it nice and slow getting there with the road and even navigating the property but it was fine."
