Camping near Barboursville, WV

Barboursville camping options extend beyond the immediate town limits into the surrounding Wayne County area. Most campgrounds sit at elevations between 600-900 feet, creating moderate temperatures that average 73°F in summer and 34°F in winter. Campsites throughout the region connect to an extensive network of trails and waterways, with most facilities open from April through October.

What to do

Kayaking and fishing: Four Coves Campground at Beech Fork State Park offers direct water access for paddlers. "This was such a fun area to do a little nice easy kayaking float down the river it was also a great place to go fishing there are many bluegill and bass in the waters," notes one visitor.

Disc golf course: The 18-hole course at Moxley Branch Campground provides a challenging layout suitable for beginners and experienced players. "There is a disc golf course at the campgrounds as well," states a camper who gave the park five stars.

Skydivers watching: Robert Newlon Airpark RV Park offers a unique activity - watching skydivers. As one camper notes, "The park is located on a local airstrip with parachutists, apparently jumping on Sundays."

What campers like

Spacious sites: Four Coves Campground earns praise for its generous camping areas. "Monday - Wednesday we had our loop all to ourselves. We were visited by geese, ducks and deer," reports a recent visitor who stayed in spring 2023.

Clean facilities: Lake View Campground maintains well-kept restrooms and shower buildings. A camper mentions, "Facilities were decent," while another notes the "bath house was nice but could use a little refreshening."

Wildlife viewing: Iron Ridge - Lake Vesuvius offers abundant wildlife spotting opportunities. "Unlike a lot of camp grounds they're actually within the woods so you feel like you're actually part of the forest and the nature," explains one camper who enjoyed the rustic setting.

What you should know

Cell service limitations: Service varies widely across the region, particularly at Beech Fork State Park. "Verizon service is non-existent. The WiFi only works when you get within a few feet of the office," reports a camper at Beach Fork Lake Lower Bowen.

Access road challenges: Some campground roads present difficulties for larger vehicles. Old Orchard Campground has a "Great campground, Terrible access road" according to one reviewer.

Train noise: Robert Newlon Airpark campers should expect train disruptions. "The only real problem comes with the train tracks right here. The trains are close and do blow their whistle for crossing by the office."

Tips for camping with families

Swimming options: Lake Vesuvius offers a public beach area for families. "The lake while not overly big, is clean and great for swimming (there's a beach), kayaking, and fishing," explains a camper who particularly enjoyed the fishing.

Midweek stays: Visit during weekdays for a quieter experience. A Four Coves visitor noted, "Once the weekend rolled around it got pretty packed. The crowd was mostly families and everyone quieted down by like 10."

Rental equipment: Many parks offer boat rentals for those without their own equipment. "Boat rental fees are reasonable, you can travel to the marina for some boats but paddle boats and canoe rentals are within walking distance of your site," shares a visitor.

Tips from RVers

Water pressure: Huntington / Fox Fire KOA provides full hookups but sites are close together. "Pros: 50 amp hook-up, Water, Sewer. Cons: Gravel pad, Sites close together," notes a reviewer who stayed for an overnight stop.

Concrete pads: Virginia Point Campground offers level concrete pads for easy RV setup. "Every RV site has a level concrete pad, making setup easy. Otherwise the rest of the RV area is gravel, without any trees or obstructions," according to a recent visitor.

Hookup options: Plan your stay based on utility needs. One RVer explains, "We stayed at Beech Fork in our overlander tent, right on the lake. The sunrises were absolutely spectacular, tons of blue heron and ducks every morning floating on the water."