Campgrounds near Barboursville, West Virginia cluster around the Ohio and Kanawha rivers, with sites typically sitting at 500-700 feet elevation. The region experiences four distinct seasons with humid summers averaging 80-90°F and winters that can bring occasional snow and freezing temperatures. Train tracks run near several campgrounds in the area, creating periodic noise disturbances for overnight campers.
What to do
Skydiving excursions: Robert Newlon Airpark RV Park combines camping with aviation adventures. "The campground is small. Has a nice dog park. Pickle ball courts Cafe Sky diving right here. The Ohio river is visible," notes camper Cheryl T.
Fishing opportunities: Oasis Point RV Resort & Adventure Lake offers catch-and-release fishing on its small pond. Reviewer Jacqueline H. mentions "a number of fishing huts for catch-and-release fishing" with a "nice view of man-made lake."
Boating access: Saint Albans Roadside Park provides direct river access. "A shopping center is directly across the street with a grocery store and other amenities. This park also has a public boat ramp which is part of the Port of St. Albans," says Jennifer B., adding that the "ramp gives you direct access to the Kanawha River."
Water recreation: Four Coves Campground at Beech Fork State Park features lake activities for families. A reviewer notes, "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."
What campers like
Private camping spaces: Farver Acres provides a secluded camping experience with limited sites. "We didn't see another person for four full days — it was such a rare and welcome break from traditional campgrounds," reports Hannah, who appreciated the "three spacious gravel sites nestled in a quiet, serene setting."
Convenient stopover location: Huntington/Fox Fire KOA sits close to Interstate 64, making it accessible for travelers. Camper Sarah S. explains it's "perfectly fine for an overnight stop" where they could "have some electricity and a shower," though she notes "lots of highway noise."
Family-friendly amenities: Four Coves Campground at Beech Fork State Park caters to families with lakeside activities. "If you are looking for laid back, kayaking, fire building, kids playing, fishing, camping trip, then this is the place to be. It is very safe for kids. The park ranger makes his rounds quite frequently," shares Stephanie B.
Onsite dining: Robert Newlon Airpark RV Park offers a restaurant within walking distance of camping sites. Jason G. found that "all sites are within a few feet of a great bar and restaurant which was perfect after a long day on the road."
What you should know
Seasonal crowding patterns: Four Coves Campground experiences varying levels of occupancy throughout the week. One camper observed, "Monday - Wednesday we had our loop all to ourselves. Once the weekend rolled around it got pretty packed."
Train noise concerns: Robert Newlon Airpark RV Park sits adjacent to active train tracks. Cheryl T. warns, "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."
Limited stay durations: Saint Albans Roadside Park strictly enforces camping time limits. Andrea W. points out it offers "3 spots available, first come first serve, no reservation. 2 nights max."
Weather preparation: Some campgrounds have drainage issues during rainstorms. At Robert Newlon Airpark RV Park, Jason G. observed "the sites did hold a bit of water after a strong rain, be prepared if bad weather is expected."
Tips for camping with families
Water activities for kids: Huntington/Fox Fire KOA provides family-friendly water recreation. Zach H. shares, "They had so much for kids to do: a swimming pond with inflatables, gem mining, banana bikes, and more. They showed a movie at 9pm on a big inflatable movie screen outside."
Playground facilities: Saint Albans Roadside Park includes accessible play equipment. "There's a nice picnic shelter and a huge playground with some handicap-accessible swings," reports Jennifer B.
Safe biking routes: Four Coves Campground offers child-friendly cycling paths. Kayla H. explains, "Great for bike riding and lake activities. The land is flat and there are plenty of low traffic areas to ride."
Evening entertainment: Campgrounds often provide scheduled activities after dark. At Huntington/Fox Fire KOA, a reviewer mentioned "they showed a movie at 9pm on a big inflatable movie screen outside. Lots of other families there to hang out with."
Tips from RVers
Site selection for noise reduction: When rv camping near Barboursville, West Virginia, choose sites away from highways. At Huntington/Fox Fire KOA, Laura H. suggests getting farther from the entrance: "we had a quick overnight here so we could have some electricity and a shower. Lots of highway noise. We had one of the back in sites which was nice because there was nothing but woods behind us."
Water pressure management: Bring essential equipment for full hookup sites. Hannah from Farver Acres advises, "The water pressure at the site was excellent — just be sure to bring a water pressure regulator to ensure a comfortable experience."
Free overnight options: RV campers on a budget can use Saint Albans Roadside Park for short stays. Sofia A. notes, "So I came to this campground because it's free. I arrived and found the dump station and filled my water tank with potable water."
Weather-resistant site options: At Oasis Point RV campgrounds near Barboursville, Dustin M. found excellent leveling: "Our site was very level, maybe 1/2" low on the camp side." This matters during rainy conditions when proper drainage is essential.