Camping options near Shinnston, West Virginia stretch across forested hills and river valleys, with elevations ranging from 900 to 2,500 feet throughout the region. Most campgrounds remain open from April through October, though several RV parks near Shinnston offer year-round accessibility. Winter camping requires preparation for temperatures that can drop below 20°F during December through February.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: The Shavers Fork River at Five River Campground holds trout and smallmouth bass for anglers with a West Virginia fishing license. "The river is fantastic and holds trout and smallmouth for those that like to fish," notes one visitor who spent two weeks at the campground.
Tubing and paddling: River access provides options for water recreation on warm days. "We walked up river to the end of the property and were able to tube down to the lower end of the property," reports a family who visited Five River Campground during a holiday week and found they often had the river to themselves despite the campground being nearly full.
Rock climbing: Cooper's Rock State Forest offers climbing routes with moderate difficulty levels. "I have been going here for years and I always love to climb this area. The pitches aren't too high (50ft) but great just to get out there and enjoy life!" shares an experienced climber about the forest's accessible climbing spots.
Hiking network: Coopers Rock State Forest maintains extensive trail systems suitable for different skill levels. A visitor reports, "Many hiking trails of all sizes and kept clear. My dog is mostly weenie dog, and his little legs made it everywhere. Also had 12yr old son with me and he had a great time."
What campers like
Clean facilities: Campground bathhouses receive high marks for maintenance. At Coopers Rock State Forest, a late-season camper noted, "The bathrooms were clean and heated to a comfortable level. Showers had great pressure as well."
Riverside camping: Brooklyn Heights Riverfront Campground offers primitive sites directly on the water. "Rustic, clean porta johns, private, primitive spots on river. Community fire rings on beach area. Firewood available. Relaxing," reports a camper who gave the experience 4 stars.
Level sites: Many campgrounds in the region feature recently improved camping pads. At Coopers Rock, one RVer observed, "Campground was in great shape, the RV lots were well maintained and all the asphalt seems to have been redone recently."
Natural setting: Brooklyn Heights Riverfront Campground preserves a rustic camping experience. "I love how open and natural it feels. However, the plus is that there are lots of little amenities, a coffee pavilion, wood to buy, portapots, and an incredibly kind 'staff,'" explains a mobility-impaired camper who visited with her dog.
What you should know
New campground sections: Coopers Rock State Forest has expanded its camping options. "The new section is open and ready. Water and Electric Only. Dump station on the way out. 50amp - No issues. New section is spaced out with a berm of earth in between a lot of the sites," reports a camper from a 2025 visit.
Cell service availability: Unlike many remote camping areas, Five River Campground offers reliable connectivity. "Ended up staying 2 weeks as the wifi service is the best we have had on the road," notes one RVer, while another mentions it's "one of the only campgrounds in all of WV where you have cell service...and wifi!"
Bathroom lighting: Some campground facilities lack nighttime illumination. A camper staying at Coopers Rock noted, "The bathrooms do not have lighting so bring a headlamp or flashlight."
Weather considerations: Rain showers occur frequently in the region. One camper at Five River mentioned choosing a spot with trees to "string a tarp and hammocks (it does seem to shower quite a bit in WV)."
Tips for camping with families
Campground activities: Benner's Meadow Run RV Campground offers numerous amenities for children. "So much to do for the kids. Clean and well kept," states one parent, while another notes, "Kids had a great time and lots of activities for them to do!"
Nearby attractions: Family-friendly options exist within short driving distances. "There's a wonderful park nearby that has a walking/biking trail, splash pad, and a large playground," shares a visitor to Five River Campground who stayed for a full week with children.
Camp layout considerations: Some campgrounds offer more privacy than others. A camper at Benner's Meadow Run observed, "The sites are very close together with little privacy. The site was sloped pretty bad side to side and there is a drop off on the one side of the fire ring so we could not sit completely around the fire."
Budget-friendly options: Several campgrounds offer reasonable rates with substantial amenities. One Five River Campground visitor exclaimed, "Did I mention we're right on the Ohio River with full hookup for $25 a night?! Full hookup alone is worth more than 25 bucks. Cash or Check only."
Tips from RVers
Access challenges: Some campgrounds require careful navigation. At Brooklyn Heights Riverfront Campground, a visitor noted, "The property was clean and quiet other than the occasional diesel truck going down the road."
Site selection strategy: RVers recommend requesting specific locations when possible. At Five River Campground, a new teardrop camper owner shared, "We backed up to a large field (spot 3) and had a great view of the river! I didn't feel crowded at all!!"
Size limitations: Brooklyn Heights accommodates smaller rigs best. "The camp includes 14 camping sites(firepits, slabwood benches, parking, and future picnic tables), 5 primitive shelter cabin sites(10x\`12 lofted barn cabins with hasp for your padlock), and 5 short term RV sites near the river(RV's 30 foot or less recommended)."
Check-in procedures: Some RV parks near Shinnston have unique arrival protocols. A visitor to Benner's Meadow Run RV Campground mentioned, "The entry is strange as we had to block the gated entrance to get to the office to check in. Once past that, the staff was nice and the buildings and properties are well maintained."
