Beech Fork Lake spans 720 acres with 31 miles of shoreline in southwestern West Virginia. The lake sits at 600 feet elevation with mild temperatures averaging 58-65°F during peak camping season from April to October. Several campgrounds offer water and electric hookups throughout the area, with varying levels of cell service depending on carrier and location.
What to do
Boating options: Yatesville Lake State Park Campground has multiple boat access points for water recreation. "The main attraction is the lake of course which is quite clean for swimming, boating or fishing, but can be a little busy at times," notes Chris M.
Swimming activities: The Falls Campground offers natural swimming spots with unique features. "The waterfall is fun to slide down," according to Ashley P., making it different from standard lake swimming areas. Kids can also "play in the creek and on the falls" with many campers keeping "tubes in the camper specifically for here."
Trail exploration: Multiple paved and unpaved trails connect camping areas. At East Fork, campers appreciate the scenic surroundings. "It's a scenic area," confirms Bob M., though he notes "not a lot to do unless you have a boat."
What campers like
Spacious sites: Many campers appreciate the site layout at certain campgrounds. At Yatesville Lake State Park Campground, "the campsites are a LONG distance from each other. You won't even hear your neighbors," writes Carrie J. This provides more privacy compared to other nearby options.
Family-friendly amenities: Huntington / Fox Fire KOA provides additional entertainment options. "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," shares Zach H.
Clean facilities: Campers consistently mention facility maintenance. "The bathrooms were the best ones I've ever had at a campground," reports Destiny C. about Old Orchard Campground, while another reviewer notes, "The bath houses were impressively clean" at Beach Fork Lake Lower Bowen.
What you should know
Highway noise: Some campgrounds have nearby road noise. At Huntington / Fox Fire KOA, "There is: great cellular for TMobile and AT&T, laundry, dog walk area, storage, cabins, a store, a swimming pond, small beach area, and some sites have fire pits. The picnic tables were pretty dated. The highway is close and very noisy," Laura H. points out.
Variable cell service: Connectivity varies widely between campgrounds. Jerry S. notes at Old Orchard Campground, "First the good... Park was clean, employees are very helpful. You can get a spot right next to the lake. Now the bad... Not much at the camp store. Verizon service is non-existent."
Site conditions: Virginia Point Campground offers "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. Dust to dawn lights keep the area well lit all night," according to Jon C.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: The Falls Campground organizes special events for families. "We love this place! Close to home, easy to get away for the weekend. Very friendly campground, everyone you meet is nice, and very helpful if you need it. Very kid friendly, beautiful views, and Halloween there is GREAT!" writes Dustin M.
Swimming alternatives: Beyond the lake, seek out additional water features. East Fork offers a "small and easy to keep track of small children" beach area that's more contained than the main lake, according to Andrea R.
Quiet times enforcement: Research noise policies before booking with children. At Ashland Huntington West KOA, families appreciate the "fenced in soft play area for the toddlers. Great field for flying kites. Camp store had lots of food options and coffee," notes Brooke V.
Tips from RVers
Site selection priorities: RV campers should consider specific site requirements. At Old Orchard Campground, Lisa S. advises, "This campground really is made for everyone camping. The sites are a good size but you can't have more than one tent unless you get permission. If you have more than 2 adults you have to buy two sites."
Hookup details: Pay attention to electrical service ratings. At the Falls Campground, "Campsites are a little close in some areas but when you are here, you are family!" according to Cathi, who rated the campground favorably despite the proximity issues.
Accessibility considerations: Some campgrounds have challenging access roads. At Old Orchard Campground, john S. summarizes it concisely: "Great campground. Terrible access road." This information is particularly relevant for larger rigs or those towing.
