136 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Camping options around Bowden, West Virginia range from developed campgrounds to dispersed sites within the Monongahela National Forest. Revelle's River Resort in Bowden offers tent sites, RV hookups, cabins, and glamping accommodations with river access. Five River Campground in nearby Parsons provides year-round camping with full hookups for RVs and tent sites. The region's camping landscape includes primitive options like Gandy Creek Dispersed Camping in Whitmer, where free camping is available with minimal amenities. Several campgrounds in the area feature waterfront locations along rivers and streams, with many sites nestled in the mountainous terrain characteristic of eastern West Virginia.
Road conditions vary significantly throughout the region, with some campgrounds accessible via paved roads while others require navigation on gravel or dirt roads with potholes. The camping season generally runs from April through October at most developed sites, though some areas like Five River Campground remain open year-round. Weather in this mountainous region can change rapidly, with afternoon rain showers common in summer months and cooler temperatures at higher elevations even during warm seasons. Cell service is limited or nonexistent at many camping locations, particularly in more remote areas. Permits and reservations are recommended for developed campgrounds, especially during summer weekends and holidays. One camper noted, "West Virginia is packed with some of the best hiking, climbing, rafting, biking, canyons, mountains, rivers, valleys, and forests in the U.S...and the beauty is few people take advantage of it."
The mountainous terrain provides campers with access to numerous outdoor activities including hiking, fishing, and wildlife viewing. Many campgrounds are situated along rivers, offering opportunities for swimming, tubing, and fishing. Blackwater Falls State Park Campground, about 20 miles northeast of Bowden, features waterfall views and hiking trails with long valley vistas. Campers frequently mention the abundance of wildlife, with deer commonly seen wandering through campsites in the early morning and evening hours. Several visitors highlighted the pristine rivers and streams as standout features of camping in this region. Reviews consistently mention the friendly and helpful campground staff throughout the area. During peak summer weekends, campgrounds can fill quickly, particularly those with river access or electric hookups, making advance planning essential for prime camping spots.
"Blackwater State Park, Davis, WV https://wvstateparks.com/park/blackwater-falls-state-park/ Camping anywhere in West Virginia is a highlight, but this area offers hiking views aplenty."
"This was our first stay in a state park campground in West Virginia and it was a great stay. Arrived during a steady downpour and rented a cabin for the first night but camped the second night."
from $50 / night
Check Availability"This is a hidden gem right outside of town. We utilized one of the rv sites with 50 amp service and full hookups."
"It sets at the end of a side street (Walnut St) at the edge of town (Parsons). A small, quaint mountain town."
from $15 / night
Check Availability"The main reason I'm reluctant to give it five stars(I gave it 4) is because nearly all of its many campsites cannot be entered by vehicle; you have to park next to the dirt road that runs north-south through"
"Some you walk-in a short distance but are rewarded with amazing sites on the creek, secluded and wooded. Other places you can camp in your vehicle or park at the site."
"I stayed here for a single night while I was exploring West Virginia, but I wish I had stayed longer. This is one of the most beautiful campgrounds I've ever seen."
"West Virginia is packed with some of the best hiking, climbing, rafting, biking, canyons, mountains, rivers, valleys, and forests in the U.S...and the beauty is few people take advantage of it."
from $17 - $65 / night
Check Availability"There is a trailhead on forest rd 162 with miles of hiking with a hand full of trails to choose. We arrived around 4PM on a Sunday. Plenty of sites to choose from. Was about half full."
"simply would not like it all, but might be ideal for your purposes, such as two or three areas where there is essentially a big field with a short loop road with maybe half a dozen campsites right next to"
"It’s a nice base camp if you don’t mind driving to other trails nearby. Visit in spring with mountain laurel, rhododendrons, etc. are blooming in the nearby lands, it’s like nothing else!"
"You can either walk through or climb these boulders. The area has several great hiking and mountains biking trails."
"Audra State Park, is a bit off the beaten path but well worth the journey. Tucked away, just outside of Buckhannon, WV...home of West Virginia Wesleyan College."
"v=VLUEBlIxHpo) Trails undulate with the terrain. The short trail within the campground area is steep in areas but offers some nice views."
"It is about 5 miles from the summit of Spruce Knob (highest peak in West Virginia). Tow campers smaller in size can certainly make it, although mostly tent camping which I like. "
"The Spruce Knob Lake Campground offers extra-large camp sites with lots of shade and so much undergrowth I only saw my neighbors when I took a walk to check out the campground."
from $15 - $32 / night
Check Availability"Restaurant, Shavers Saloon, was walking distance and had full bar with good food. Service there was great. Bathrooms were older but very clean. Plenty of hot water."
"This seemed to be a well laid out campground with sites for weekenders in maybe the best location right along the river and the seasonal campers spread out around."
"Campground Review: Canaan Valley State Park and Resort, Davis, West Virginia The Canaan Valley State Park and Resort is situated in a very popular outdoor activity area...for every season."
"West Virginia is a state for anyone who enjoys the outdoors!!!! There are tons of out door activities! We recently camped 3 nights at Canaan Valley! We had a great time!"
from $20 - $45 / night
Check Availability
ScoutOvernight tent camping with my dog. Saw a raccoon in a tree. So private and peaceful. The water and wind at night made for a nice relaxing sleep. Plenty of trails to explore.
TravelerThis was a gem of a state park. It's small and older (which for me is a feature, not a bug), all entirely walkable with a central bathroom, camp store and playground at the heart of the campground. We had a site on the back of the campground that was larger than most (lots of small sites) and could fit our big tent set up. It rained like the dickens for a one of the days we were there and there was a drainage river running THROUGH our site that could have turned into a problem. Luckily the rain stopped in time and our site drained quickly. Despite all that, I loved our stay. It was VERY busy when we stayed, but I liked how it felt like a family retreat, where kids were safe to hop over to the playground to play with other kids, we could take walks right to the river for swimming or (after the rain) "viewing". If you can catch a dry weekend, this campground must be utter perfection. Would probably be dicey in sustained rain, especially if you're on the river itself.
ScoutIf youre looking for away from people. Away from most people youll be. Well taken care of.
GuideGreat experience; would absolutely go back. Lucked out with weather being warm enough for swimming at the beginning of fall. Campsites set back from the road and separated by decent stands of trees from each other.
Four of five stars because designated tent pad and portions of the rest of the site (River Loop 4) were gravel over poured concrete and therefore impossible to properly stake a tent. In general, sites were spacious and well separated from neighbors. I would probably avoid River Loop sites 9 & 10, as they back on to the restrooms and have all-night light shining in.
GuideNice camping here with great views of the river .
GuideThis is a very accessible trail. We brought our 22ft Ember Overland Trailer down it with ease. While our trailer has high clearance and independent suspension.. you do not need that to get to some great sites!
We tried 3 different sites here and found campground 12 to be our favorite. It is secluded off the road, had amazing views, and tons of room for multiple cars or campers.
Hiking trails are also great and dog friendly!
ScoutWe were there for a short time Arriving on Aug. 17th. Our trip plan was to see the steam engine trains.
Camp grounds was very clean and well kept. The sites were grass with gravel pads where the camper was placed. We plan to come back again and stay longer. There are a lot of places to visit and enjoy the area site seeing.
The manager was very accommodating. We had a problem with a water line. The manager came over and helped us find parts and repair the water line.
TravelerWe really enjoyed our one night visit there. It has a nice pond with a few hiking trails. The dispersed camping sites are fairly private. Each has a nice gathered rock fire ring. The pit toilets in the day area not at all clean. Trash cans were overflown, but we did arrive on a Sunday night so maybe it was a busy weekend? I think we would go back, love that area.
TravelerWhat a delight to rest here for two nights! The park is small (10 campsites, I think) and blanketed by a lovely green canopy. Amenities are few, but the nearby showers are clean, with hot water and electricity, and fresh water is available on site by a hand pumped cistern. The office and maintenance headquarters are also nearby, and the folks in the office are friendly and welcoming. I’ll visit here again!
Camping spots near Bowden, West Virginia range in elevation from 1,750 to 4,863 feet across the Monongahela National Forest region. The area's unique microclimate creates frequent temperature variations, with mountain locations typically 10-15 degrees cooler than valley campgrounds even in summer. The region features over 200 miles of fishable streams with native brook trout and stocked rainbow trout accessible from multiple camping areas.
Fishing at Shavers Fork River: At Five River Campground in Parsons, campers can access excellent fishing opportunities. "The river is fantastic and holds trout and smallmouth for those that like to fish," notes one camper who enjoyed the riverside location just 20 minutes from Bowden.
Explore unique rock formations: The Bear Heaven area features distinctive boulder formations for climbing and exploration. "Right beside the camp ground is a really cool area to explore unique boulders and rock structures. You can either walk through or climb these boulders," explains a visitor to Bear Heaven Campground.
Visit Bickel Knob fire tower: Located a short drive from Bear Heaven Campground, this tower offers panoramic views of the surrounding mountains. One reviewer mentioned it's "just a few minutes down the road from the Bickel Knob fire tower," making it a convenient side trip for campers.
Night sky viewing: The high elevation and minimal light pollution create ideal stargazing conditions. A camper at Spruce Knob Lake Campground noted you'll "truly get away" with "a truly dark sky" perfect for astronomy enthusiasts.
Riverside camping sites: The sound of flowing water enhances the camping experience at multiple locations. At Gandy Creek Dispersed Camping, "each site is secluded and creek front" according to one reviewer who stayed at "the last site with the cliff over hang and it was magical."
Privacy between sites: Many campgrounds offer good separation between camping spots. At Lower Glady Dispersed Campground, a camper reported: "Arrived 8 May for a week. Nice and cool. 4 to 8 other campers. No one next to me. There were a couple of small groups, like two rigs together. Nice and quiet."
Wildlife encounters: Dawn and dusk wildlife viewing opportunities abound throughout the region. A visitor to Revelle's River Resort in Bowden described it as "beautiful" with a campsite "right against the river with full hookups" in an area where deer are commonly seen.
Local breweries and restaurants: The nearby towns offer dining and refreshment options after outdoor activities. "Go into the town of Davis and there is a local brewery and some great food. Sirianni's has the best pizza, pasta and salads you will ever find," recommends a Canaan Valley camper.
Road access varies significantly: Some campgrounds require navigating challenging roads. A Spruce Knob Lake visitor advised: "Download your maps before you come, because there's no cell service and you'll truly get away. Make sure you have what you need because it's a long way to a spot to resupply!"
Campground facilities differ widely: From primitive to full-service, know what to expect. At Audra State Park Campground, a camper noted, "As state parks go, it is spartan. For some reason, the state doesn't put too much money into this park. You will not enjoy wifi...but there is a payphone outside the campground."
Weather changes quickly: Mountain elevations experience rapid weather shifts. One Blackwater Falls visitor warned, "Choose your site wisely!" after experiencing significant rain during their stay.
Reservation policies vary: Some campgrounds require advance booking while others operate first-come, first-served. Five River Campground in Parsons remains open year-round with full hookups, making it one of the few all-season options in the region.
Swimming holes for children: Natural water features provide cooling recreation in summer. At Audra State Park Campground, "Across the road is a day use area for swimming and tubing - bring your own or rent one. The camp has a decent bath house and playground."
Playgrounds and open spaces: Several campgrounds offer dedicated play areas. A Canaan Valley visitor mentioned "a large open field with a play area near the campground" perfect for kids to run and play.
Educational opportunities: Nature centers and ranger programs enhance family camping experiences. "There's a nature center by a small lake. You can fish there & they have kayaks to rent," noted a Blackwater Falls visitor, adding activities suitable for different age groups.
Family-friendly hiking options: Choose trails appropriate for children's abilities. At Seneca Shadows, a camper appreciated that "You can just roll in, set up & hit the most amazing trails!!" with options suitable for various fitness levels.
Site selection for larger rigs: Choose campgrounds with appropriate access and space. At Five River Campground, an RVer observed it "can accommodate tents to large rigs" and "is a pretty level area so riding bicycles around the campground and even into town are doable."
Hookup availability: Plan for your power and water needs. A visitor to Canaan Valley noted, "The campsite was full hookup & very inexpensive!!!! Plenty of trees providing shade!"
Dump station locations: Know where services are available. One RVer at Blackwater Falls pointed out a potential issue: "The dump station is in a weird spot and the only water available is the same used for flushing," suggesting bringing extra water for rinsing.
Maneuvering challenges: Be prepared for tight turns at some locations. A reviewer warned that at Audra State Park, "Big/long RV's (driven or pulled) have difficulty navigating this narrow, curvy campground road pocked with rocky outcroppings. Park in the day use parking by the bridge or picnic area and scout it out first."
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Bowden, WV?
According to TheDyrt.com, Bowden, WV offers a wide range of camping options, with 136 campgrounds and RV parks near Bowden, WV and 22 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Bowden, WV?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Bowden, WV is Blackwater Falls State Park Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 55 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Bowden, WV?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 22 free dispersed camping spots near Bowden, WV.
What parks are near Bowden, WV?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 28 parks near Bowden, WV that allow camping, notably Monongahela National Forest and Burnsville Lake.
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