7 campgrounds with availability next weekend
Pipestem Resort State Park Campground and Mash Fork Campground at Camp Creek State Park welcome pets at their established campsites near Athens, West Virginia. Both parks offer full hookup sites with electric, water, and sewer connections for RV campers traveling with dogs. Brushcreek Falls RV Resort provides pet-friendly accommodations including tent sites, RV spots, and cabins with picnic tables and fire rings. Meador Campground at Bluestone Lake State Park maintains pet-friendly cabins with satellite TV and fireplaces. Most campgrounds in the region require pets to remain leashed when outside vehicles or camping units. Kairos Wilderness Resort stands out with its diverse pet-friendly accommodation options including tents, RVs, cabins, glamping sites, and yurts. The campground's pet policy allows dogs throughout the property while maintaining clean facilities.
Little Beaver State Park Campground features hiking trails suitable for leashed dogs around its lake, with thirty-amp electric hookups available at pet-friendly sites. The park remains open from April through October with shower facilities and a sanitary dump station for RV campers. Walnut Flats offers free dispersed camping with pets allowed and toilet facilities, though without hookups or showers. Campers report the bathrooms at Greenbrier State Forest are centrally located but limited to two showers, occasionally requiring wait times during busy periods. The semi-private, large wooded sites with water and electric accommodate pets comfortably. Babcock State Park provides pet-friendly cabins with immaculate bathrooms, soft towels, and well-equipped kitchens. The park's multiple hiking trails range in difficulty, with Island-in-the-Sky trail featuring ladders and rock formations that adventurous dogs and their owners can navigate together.
"This was a convienent campground right off the highway, easy to get to, small but has a few full hookup sites."
"I got spot 6 which back right next to a creek. It was really peaceful. The shower facilities were clean though did smell a bit like mildew."
"Pipestem Resort State Park Southern West Virginia. We spent 4 nights here. Used this park as a base camp for New River Gorge NP. There's many other State Parks we visited too.
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"There is plenty to do within walking distance or a short drive. There is hiking all around the Pipestem area. There is a lake to fish and boat on."
"Good location not far off the exit. Would stay again!"
"Like a lot of private RV parks, the sites tend to be very close to each other. Beautiful backdrop of the mountains with mist and low clouds. Gravel parking pads."
"Besides the aforementioned site hookups there are a lot of new activities to do at pipestem close to the campground on the Pipestem park property such as ziplining and swimming on the lake with inflatables"
"Short drive to Sandstone Falls, which are stunning."
from $55 - $65 / night
"We camped here over the weekend with our dogs. The Camp Creek State Park has 3 different campgrounds. One of them is Blue Jay. There are no electric or water hook ups."
"Bluebird Campground was one of three camps in this section of the park. 12 sites in the primitive section were all next to a medium-sized creek with rapidly running water."
from $25 / night
"We stayed a weekend in one of the many cabins at the Campground; pet friendly! The RV/Tent camping sites were closed."
"This campground rests by Bluestone Lake, which is where the Bluestone River runs runs into the New River."
"This CCC State Park is very picturesque and has several hiking trails and the man-made lake is small but offers plenty of recreation possibilities. I found the layout a little strange."
"Note that there is a walking path that runs directly behind the site and will take you over to loop 2. There weren't too many people using it while we were there though."
from $35 - $50 / night
"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."
"It sits on 1500 acres and has 41+ miles of trails. The only complaint is the campsites are very close but everyone was friendly and respectful so all in all it was a great place."
"nice little free campground with about 5 sites with grill fire rings level gravel drive with tent pad and lantern pole, restrooms but I didn't use them well water pump for drinking water but didn't use"
"Occasional.peiole driving through but a great experience!"
from $10 - $14 / night
TravelerGreat access to local crags. Campsites are spacious but can be close to neighbors, so the quietness of your night depends on them. Bathhouse has male and female areas with showers, sinks, flush toilets and mirrors. Creepy crawlies make their way in but overall decent cleanliness.
GuideROAD IN IS QUITE STEEP. DEFINATELY LOTS AND LOTS OF ROOM. VAULTED RESTROOM, VERY CLEAN. DEFINATELY WOULD NOT TRY WITH A BIG TRAILER OR CLASS A. ROAD AT THE END IS VERY NARROW WITH BRANCHES HANGING DOWN, BE CAREFUL.
ScoutI have known tbe owners for 30 years, great folks ,honest caring. We stayed from April 2026 through August 2026 while building our new place. Never any issues .Peaceful quiet setting, we made reservations, although we were a couple days the owners were glad to accommodate. We highly recommend staying here to anyone from tent to toy hauler they can cover your needs.
TravelerMy first ever love's stop. Very clean and nice people. Great reception and I don't think it was too noisy for sleep. I don't recommend the dunkin, couldn't make my sandwich right.
ScoutShady Rest RV Park — one night, Nov 7–8, 2026
We stayed one night in our 31.5-ft Class C and left early the next morning because we didn't feel safe — and we couldn't sleep.
Getting in was the first warning. The road in narrows to one lane for a long stretch, and it's muddy — I nearly got stuck, and the rig coming the other way nearly went over the drop-off. There's no office and no signs telling you where to check in. I called first and got voicemail; I emailed and it bounced. (The website even says the GPS coordinates are wrong, though our RV-safe navigation brought us right in.)
A kind older woman came out of the trailer at the top of the hill, calling for 'John.' John is the property manager — he's in the blue trailer at the front of the row, landscaping equipment by the porch. The woman is the owner; her husband recently passed away, and he was the one who ran everything. That's clearly why nothing gets answered. I feel for her — truly. But the place is in chaos.
The owner and John argue constantly, in public, and it turned physical more than once while we were there. She told us John would take care of us, then whispered that she's his foster mother and that he has an intellectual disability. She couldn't tell us the rates. Later John knocked on our door with a handwritten note: $50/night, $175/week. We considered the week — we didn't take it, and I'm glad.
This isn't an RV park anymore; it's a run-down trailer park with long-term residents, only about half the trailers occupied. Sites aren't marked — a man just waved us to a spot, and we had to move because it was 50-amp and we need 30-amp. The gravel sites are unlevel and ungroomed. The electric will make you glad you have a surge protector. The water is cold, the sewer is just a hole in the ground, and the 'bathrooms' are glorified outhouses. There's a horde of cats and kittens across the road, and the whole park is their litter box — our dog found every spot. Three trailers I walked past were empty and falling apart. The one next to us had been sitting so long the grass had grown over its sewer hose.
We left at 9 AM after spending half an hour looking for someone to pay. When we finally found John and handed him the $50, the owner stormed out of her trailer demanding to know if we'd paid him, how much, and why — she's the owner, after all. Then she tackled him to get the $50 from him. It was awful to watch.
I have nothing against mom-and-pop campgrounds. But this place is disorganized, unkempt, and — with the constant public fighting — we did not feel safe there, not leaving our dog, and not leaving our whole life in the rig while we went to see the New River Gorge. (Yes, it pained me to skip the Gorge.) The whole time, I swear I could hear the Deliverance banjo.
I don't recommend it. The value just isn't there at $50 a night. It's an old park in a great location that is way past its heyday — and until someone is actually running it, it's not a resting place for RVers.
GuideVery nice camping and mill near by
TravelerVery clean, both showers and parking lot. Actually watched the crew pressure washing around the gas pumps. Close to highway but sheltered from the noise.
TravelerShowers themselves are nice but don't have privacy room to dry and get dressed. Spots are fairly close together. $50 for one night seemed kinda high. There is highway noise. You do get a discount on your cave tour.
GuideNeed an overnight stay on 81/77 this is the place. Booked is call them complete the reservation via Campspot app which they use so I had to download it. Place had plenty of sites pull through which I didnt need but they were so accommodating. I had a perfect view of mountains and cow pasture Relaxation and sleep close to bathhouse and office. They also have propane fill for your camper
Camping options near Athens, West Virginia range from developed campgrounds to dispersed sites across the mountainous terrain. The region sits at elevations between 2,000 and 3,000 feet, creating moderate summer temperatures that typically stay below 85°F. Most campgrounds open from April through October with limited winter accessibility due to seasonal road closures.
Hiking trails with dogs: Little Beaver State Park Campground offers numerous trails where leashed pets are welcome. According to Jay N., "There was a nice trailhead right nearby" and the park contains "many roads to bike on. Also significant trails" according to Mark K.'s experience at Little Beaver State Park Campground.
Water activities on Bluestone Lake: The lake provides swimming, fishing and boating opportunities with rental equipment available at some locations. A camper noted at Meador Campground: "It was on the water & was the most secluded... right on the water with nice views of the lake & mountains. There were also TONS of deer all around just hanging out eating vegetation."
Free dispersed camping: Walnut Flats offers no-cost camping with basic facilities. As Dennis R. explains, "5 sites, stayed in the double site. Quiet place with plenty of firewood on the ground." Another camper added "nice little free campground with about 5 sites with grill fire rings level gravel drive with tent pad and lantern pole... trail right through the campground and the Apalation trail just across the road."
Privacy between sites: Many campers appreciate the spacing at Camp Creek State Park. Katrin M. noted at Blue Jay Campground: "Each campsite has a fire pit and a lantern pole. Except of one, all other campsites are directly next to a beautiful creek. It was very calm and peaceful." Another reviewer mentioned "The sites were very spacious and relatively private from other campers."
Clean facilities: Campgrounds in the region maintain well-kept bathrooms and shower houses. At Pipestem Resort State Park, Jennifer S. reported, "Shower houses were well maintained daily throughout the week" and "Shower houses had been recently updated which was nice for a state park."
Waterfront sites: Several campgrounds offer sites directly on water. One camper at Riverview Campground shared: "Stayed at a spot by the river and ramp is available to access river. Can access river from some sites, but steep in some areas... I loved sitting by the river at night with a fire going; whole different vibe than any other campground I've visited!"
Seasonal bathroom closures: While campgrounds may be open year-round, facilities often close in winter. At Camp Creek State Park, a camper found: "Even though the campground is open year round, the bathrooms are not. We were told there was one open bathroom however it was not made clear this was 1-2 miles away which was not exactly convenient."
Wildlife encounters: Be prepared for local fauna around your campsite. At Meador Campground, Jeff E. warned about "about a half dozen skunks. Kinda kept me on edge." Others have mentioned abundant deer throughout the area.
Limited cell service: Many campgrounds have spotty or no coverage. At Walnut Flats, a reviewer noted "There is no internet access but there is enough signal you can get text sometimes. You need to drive about ten minutes to the gas station to get dependable coverage."
Kid-friendly activities: Pipestem Resort State Park offers numerous options for children. Keith B. highlighted, "If you're looking for a great game park with lots of activities for kids/families, you can't go wrong with Pipestem. AmenItIes Include horseback riding, two pools, an r/c car track, aerial tram rIdes, and dIsc golf."
Biking opportunities: Several campgrounds provide safe areas for children to ride. Molly F. at Brushcreek Falls RV Resort mentioned, "Kids loved biking around campground, very safe" while another camper noted the "large field" at Mash Fork Campground as good for activities.
Playground access: Multiple parks feature play areas for younger visitors. Nicole M. observed "there was a very nice new swingset nearby" and another family mentioned "They also had a nicely updated park for the kids to play" at Pipestem.
Site leveling challenges: Many campsites in the region require extra work to level larger rigs. Adam and Suzanne B. advised: "Many sites looked like it may take some work to get level. We were in site 20 with a 23 ft TT and got level fairly easily but a longer rig may have difficulty in that site."
Electric hookup locations: Hookup placement varies between campgrounds. At Pipestem, campers noted, "Electrical hook up was on the opposite side of where they should be and in the middle of the small area. Water pressure was good and there was sewage hookups."
Access for larger vehicles: Some roads and campgrounds have limitations. When visiting Kairos Wilderness Resort, Kaycee warned: "The hill to climb to get there is SUPER sketchy but it's a gorgeous location." Several pet-friendly camping areas near Athens have size restrictions or recommend calling ahead for larger RVs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Athens, WV?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Athens, WV is Mash Fork Campground — Camp Creek State Park with a 4.6-star rating from 17 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Athens, WV?
TheDyrt.com has all 101 dog-friendly camping locations near Athens, WV, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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