Best Tent Camping near Bowden, WV

Recent Tent Reviews near Bowden, West Virginia

504 Reviews of 23 Bowden Campgrounds

• 

  TNWoodsman

  Traveler

  

  May. 18, 2023

  Audra State Park Campground

  Moto Camping

  Review from the perspective of a motorcycle traveler tent camping. Tent sites are along a stream on one side and campsite access road on the other. Clean and well maintained with super nice staff.

• 

  Brian W.

  Scout

  

  Jul. 22, 2019

  Spruce Knob Lake Campground

  WORDS CANT DESCRIBE

  This place is amazing!!!. If your into primitive camping at it's best this place is it. This is where me and wife went on are first tent camping trip and ever since we compare every other tent site to Spruce Knob. As of know nothing has compared.

• 

  Marianne S.

  Traveler

  

  Jun. 3, 2021

  Spruce Knob Lake Campground

  more remote and primitive for car camping

  A great, quiet campground with fewer sites than most.  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.  Some drive up, some drive, park, and walk up.  There is a single water source and I'd highly recommend boiling first.  H20 does NOT taste good at all.  There are a couple of outhouses, and no shower facilities.

• 

  Dave V.

  Legend

  

  Aug. 27, 2017

  Seneca Shadows

  Seneca Rocks Cast Their Shadow

  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.

  Wanting to spend the a few days midweek in and around Seneca Rocks and Spruce Knob, we chose Seneca Shadows Campground as our basecamp. Aptly named, as views of Seneca Rocks can enjoyed from your tent site.

  Smack dab in the middle of the Monongahela National Forest, Seneca Shadows Campground is part of the U.S. Forest Service, so if you are planning a weekend or popular vacation time stay, log onto (https://www.recreation.gov/camping/mapof_Seneca_Shadows/r/campgroundMap.do?page=map&search=site&contractCode=NRSO&parkId=70322 ) and reserve your site.

  If you are driving a big RV or hauling a Camper, you'll be parking on one of the 38 sites designed specifically for that purpose. There are a few large group tent sites on the same side of the park roadway before you reach the individual tent sites. Be astute, some have electric and some do not.

  Forgive me for saying, but the tent sites appear designed by someone only interested in allowing as many tenters as possible, without regard for privacy...more like cattle in a feed lot (with the exception of 50-53). These are considered "walk to" sites. So I would not camp here during a weekend or holiday. Fortunately, weekdays see few tenters and we had it all to ourselves. Staying on somewhat of an elevated site (50) with some encompassing foliage. However, a roadway runs along the campground to the north, so we heard truck traffic early morning and late. Water and restrooms are located by the parking lot and adequate.

  The views of Seneca Rocks were welcomed, when it wasn't raining (a common occurance is WV)...and only one mile from entrance to entrance with the Seneca Rocks Discovery Center (https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/mnf/recreation/recarea/?recid=7050)...and 14.3 miles/Half hour drive to Spruce Knob, West Virginia's highest peak at 4,862 (https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/mnf/recarea/?recid=7053). At the crossroads a mile away are a couple restaurants and a country store (with ice cream shop) for last minute needs.

  While I prefer more isolated campgrounds and sites, this filled the need.

• 

  Dave V.

  Legend

  

  Sep. 4, 2020

  Canaan Valley Resort State Park Campground

  A State Park for all Seasons

  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. Winter brings copious snowfall and the skiing here draws thousands...downhill and XC. The summer sees backpackers, hikers, mountain bikers, gravel grinders, car-campers and RVers. Not only do you have hiking trails here on the State Park location...you can drive up to the nearby Dolly Sods Wilderness Area for camping, day-hikes or multi-day backcountry trips; Blackwater Falls (10 miles north) offers memorable falls, great hikes with long gorge views (Lindy Point a favorite). Even Seneca Rocks and Spruce Knob are only 30 minutes or so away. Possibilities are endless in this neck of the woods. This very weekend was to be the Mountainbike Festival, but due to Covid-19, well you know the rest of that story. The Abe Run Trail was a pleasant trail leaving from the campground.

  The campground portion is not expansive but 34 sites are situated in three small loops (see photo of campground map). Primitive tent sites don't have water or electric and parking is roadside but you are within 100 yards of the "Comfort Station." The three "tent only" sites have only been around for a couple years...but sites 1 and 2 are in a nice grassy area away from the RV loop 2. Always verify current rates, but June 18, 2020...mid $30's nightly for nonresidents (WV residents get 30% off). Primitive tent sites were $17 a night.

  The Resort Lodge, Golf course, swimming pool and a covered ice skating rink (obviously the last three mentioned being seasonal) were further up the windy park roadway. (See rates on park website).

  The campground "Comfort Station," is a restroom/shower/laundry and soda machine building. The gender specific restroom/shower rooms each have two wooden stalled modern facility stools, two shower stalls (men's are separated by a shower curtain, women's by a wall); a separate unisex ADA restroom/shower sits adjacent to the men's and appears newer.

  The grounds are well-maintained and manicured as are all WV State Parks. Trails are scattered throughout the park. some are foot traffic only, others permit bicycles. The Back Hollow Trail was predominantly a mown grass trail but occasional wooded sections were rocky two-track. This is Wet Virginia, so expect to experience rain and bring foul weather gear in the summer months. I have mastered the fine art of campsite tarping due to West Virginia camping. It also still gets chilly in these mountains during the early summer months.

  Deer meander through the primitive tent sites with their fawns each morning and evening. A kid's playground is situated beside (separated by a field) primitive tent sites 1 & 2.

  We spent three days in June and experienced afternoon rain showers daily, but arranged our hikes and bikes around them.

• 

  Daniel M.

  Scout

  

  May. 18, 2021

  Family Fishing N' Camping

  Nice and clean

  Very nice Campground we tent camp and enjoyed our stay

• 

  Mark S.

  Traveler

  

  May. 29, 2022

  Tygart Lake State Park Campground

  Tent Camping

  Tent camping is congested on hilly sites. FACILITIES ARE GREAT! Clean.

• 

  Bobbie B.

  Scout

  

  Sep. 10, 2020

  Audra State Park Campground

  Quit and very Covid specious

  My parents took me and my sister to Audra every summer and wks at a time and camping in a tent,it was the best memories i have as a child and yes im now 42,fulltime grandma of 4yr old axel w austism, i have worked m.j y butt off w him 2yrs straight to get his fits calmed down..yes he has had 1since last oct and that is because i figured out what was triggering them but so proud of him..i him..I wanted to take grandson sonewhere where ppl are friendly and say hi to axel where felt cummy and not get upset and hide...my neice  ended uo going last mth,she invited us up to test axel out because this b a huge thing for him to do..oh my Aurda was still beautiful, clean, ppl so nice,there was no camp site available so we stayed till 7pm and went home..def a place to take kids w disabilities, ppl understand, do not stare and its alot of fun for kids,quit,gorgeous place to camp..wish they had a site open and it be kool to win a few days of camping..

• 

  Kassie F.

  Guide

  

  Sep. 17, 2020

  Seneca Shadows

  Great location!

  Great location for fly fishing & hiking. The tent camping area has a view of Seneca Rocks while the camper trailer/RV sites are wooded.

• k

  keri S.

  Traveler

  

  May. 15, 2024

  Broken Wheel Campground

  Family camping

  I recently went tent camping with my two children and 2 dogs it was a wonderful experience! The catch and release pond was a wonderful place to take kids to learn and gaurentee to catch a fish with worms. We also found newts! Plenty of trash cans around and a nice park to play at. We tied our doggos between two trees and let them run. Firewood for sale. None to gather around not even sticks so be prepared for that. The tent camping sites arnt marked you kind of just go anywhere which was fine since we were the only ones there. We loved it!

• M

  Mark B.

  Traveler

  

  Oct. 11, 2020

  Riverside Cabins and RV Park

  Really a nice place!

  We stayed here in October 2020. Nice family campground with cabins, tent sights and RV slots. We tent camped and Steve (owner) took us down to the bank of the south branch of the Potomac. Perfect!

• A

  Abra L.

  Traveler

  

  Jul. 31, 2019

  Big Bear Lake Camplands

  Great place for quiet and fun. Place you can find community and solitude.

  Privately owned. Golf carts for rent. Fabulous mtb trail network - worth paying for a pass to ride. Beautiful tent camping...mossy but not too buggy. Bring your own toilet paper.

• 

  Jeff S.

  Scout

  

  Jun. 5, 2020

  Tea Creek Campground

  Trout Fishing Paradise

  This is a great place for pull-type campers or tent camping. Campground is always clean and access is directly off the scenic highway. Several hiking trails nearby. First photo is 100 yards from the campground.

• 

  Randel B.

  Guide

  

  Nov. 27, 2020

  Broken Wheel Campground

  The host was great

  The bedroom water had a lot of iron in it. The tent sites are far from rest rooms. It's a bit muddy win it rains

• T

  Tracy S.

  Guide

  

  Apr. 13, 2019

  Stonewall Resort State Park Campground

  Very nice campground and park

  Stonewall is a very nice campground with full hookups. Campsites have blacktop pads to park on. Campsites are level tent sites have platforms. Has bathrooms with showers.

• k

  keri S.

  Traveler

  

  May. 18, 2024

  Family Fishing N' Camping

  AS OF 5/18/2024

  This establishment does NOT offer tent sites anymore! 5/18/2024. I called to make a reservation and they said they do not do that anymore as of a few years ago.

• 

  Ed M.

  Scout

  

  Sep. 1, 2018

  Bear Heaven Campground

  Quiet and clean Campground

  Nice campground that is seldom full. About ten tent sites with firepit, picnic table, clean concrete vault toilt. No running water or showers. Close to Elkins and half hour from Davis. Very nice area and primitive campsites to base your outdoor adventures from!

• K

  Kathryn G.

  Scout

  

  Jul. 27, 2022

  Swallow Falls State Park Campground

  Great camping near falls

  Clean, beautiful and quiet (occasional barking dog or children playing loudly). The basic tent sites each have a picnic table, fire pit w/ grill, and lantern post. The trails to the beautiful falls are a short walk from the campgrounds.

• 

  Kenneth K.

  Guide

  

  Nov. 19, 2018

  Kumbrabow State Forest

  Peaceful creekside

  Beautiful tent sites along the creek! I was there in late summer, but I plan to return in late spring when the rhododendrons would be in bloom. Access is by about 6 miles of dirt/rock road. There are many trails at all hiking levels.

• 

  Dusty R.

  Traveler

  

  Aug. 22, 2019

  Tygart Lake State Park Campground

  Nice Campground with Lake Access

  My girlfriend and I stayed at tent site 21 July 26th and 27th and was a good experience overall. We both agreed that we will only camp there if this particular site is open though. It is the tent site with the most privacy and it is the only one on that side of the road which made it nice. Along with the privacy it is also was right beside a trail that went directly to the lake but it is about 200 yards downhill. We took our kayaks along but opted to drive to the boat launch instead of carrying our kayaks down the trail. It is an option though. The park staff was very friendly and the bath house was pretty clean. Our only complaint is that some of the other campers where throwing food in the woods which attracted raccoons but that isn't the campgrounds fault.

• 

  Zondra W.

  Traveler

  

  Jun. 16, 2020

  Holly River State Park Campground

  WV heavenly spot

  Love this place. Only wish is that the tent sites were more wooded for shade. And to hang lights and hammocks.
  The staff were great, bathrooms super clean. Love all the hiking trails and just the beauty of the are. Will be returning soon.

• M

  Marty T.

  Traveler

  

  Aug. 21, 2024

  Bennie’s Beach Campground

  Cool spot by the creek

  Bennies has a cool spot by the creek for tent camping.  I was the only one there - after having driven through the aging RV neighborhood.  Check-in was mystical, but finally reached the groundskeeper by phone and left money in a mailbox.  "$40 cash money..."  Way overpriced considering the unsanitary (gross) showers and restrooms.  I think I felt cleaner before the shower.  If you don't need a shower and don't mind dropping $40 for a place to pitch your tent then Bennies may be for you.

• C

  Christina

  Scout

  

  Oct. 26, 2021

  Seneca Shadows

  Great campsite after a hike up Seneca Rock

  Very nice campground. The facilities were conveniently located and clean. The car Camp sites were spacious and well separated from other camp sites. If you don’t need your vehicle at your campsite I would highly recommend the walk-in tent sites because the view of Seneca Rocks is incredible. Less privacy than the vehicle sites from other campers but a really beautiful open space.

• 

  Dave V.

  Legend

  

  Aug. 26, 2017

  Five River Campground

  Hidden Oasis at the edge of town

  Five River Campground, Parsons WV...a hidden oasis!

  John and Joyce, are wonderful owners, caretakers and hosts (and have travelled to many an interesting and exciting destination themselves if you can get them to sharing).

  Interestingly, they bought this parcel of land 14 years ago purely to host Bluegrass festivals...(which, by the way, they do quite successfully... nominated this year of "2017" as one of the five finalists as the best Bluegrass Festivals in the world, not yet decided at the time of this review).

  If you are a BG fan, you can join thousands of attendees here at Five River Campground from over ten countries (seriously! Like Tahiti, Sweden, Germany, Holland and such), if not, choose a different week to visit...because they jam 24/7. Over 3500 festival attendees, 1500 camped at this campground.

  We visited two weeks after said festival and were one of two tent campers along Shavers Fork River (one of the feeders that comprise the Cheat River).

  The Five River Campground is not huge, nor comprised of vast acreage but appears visually large. If you are a tent camper, it's perfect on slow days and weekends. My thought is, with so many big name sensational campgrounds in WV to chose from and absent advertising, Five River Campground rarely gets a second look.

  It sets at the end of a side street (Walnut St) at the edge of town (Parsons). A small, quaint mountain town. As we made the turn off 219, a group of townsfolk were involved in a cakewalk outside a historic community building. Gotta love close, small town community.

  There are no actual designated tent sites which is part of its beauty. You simply locate a spot of your choosing along a half mile grassy stretch of river and set up camp, give Joyce a call and they come to you. At this writing, tent sites are $15 nightly. They drop off a fire ring and grate...and firewood ($5 a bundle) should you desire).

  with our tent sitting five feet off a gurgling river with mountains as your backdrop, well...it just doesn't get much better or tranquil.

  The RV/Camper section is separate and two rolling knolls away so you neither see nor hear them if you are camped on the river.

  A meticulously clean showerhouse/restroom/laundry building is centrally located and closer to the RV/Camper sites. RV/Camper sites have power and water. Tent sites do not. In fact, tent sites might be considered primitive, possessing no picnic table...perfect for me! Water spigot and outside dish washing sink are also located by the shower house.

  We chose a small cluster of trees beside the river so I could string a tarp and hammocks (it does seem to shower quite a bit in WV).

  It should be noted, the tent sites along the river do not offer much privacy from each other in the way of foliage or natural visual barriers...distance is your privacy.

  We visited on a weekend and there was only one other tent camper, quite a distance away in the other cluster of trees.

  The river melody is loud enough to drown out most other distant noises. Our stay was peaceful and serene.

  Fishing on the river is popular (and successful) with a WV license. The Shavers Fork river (a Cheat River tributary) is also ideal for rafting, tubing and paddling. Most will take out 11 miles downriver before class 3 rapids (and higher) begin.

  Five River Campground was the ideal choice for a weekend stay before venturing to Dolly Sods Wilderness for a long backpacking trip. Plus it is one of the only campgrounds in all of WV where you have cell service...and wifi!

  A campground I will definitely look forward to returning to.

• 

  Simon S.

  Ranger

  

  Jan. 1, 2022

  Deep Creek Lake State Park Campground

  Deep Creek Lake is beautiful

  Camp site(Tent camping)

  Camp site was pretty small and close to each other. The forest where the camp site was situated was beautiful. We were lucky enough to witness a spectacular light show put up by thousands of fireflies at night.

  It is Maryland so watch out for poison ivy when walking through bushes.

  Facilities/ Amenities

  Bathrooms were clean.

  Surrounding area

  Walking distance to the huge beach / lake. The area was overcrowded but maintained well and clean.

• 

  Amanda H.

  Guide

  

  Jun. 28, 2016

  Blackwater Falls State Park Campground

  Stay the night, enjoy the water falls!

  This is great camping at a low cost! They have tent sites available and camping with electric! Plenty of trees and great amount of shade!!! You will enjoy the wildlife in this park! There are a bunch of trails to explore! There are a few over looks that provides a beautiful view!!!! And of course there are gorgeous waterfalls!!! Take a hike you can get pretty close to a few of them! Happy Camping!!!

• 

  GoWhereYouAreDraw N.

  Legend

  

  May. 21, 2021

  Big Ridge Campground

  Quiet and off the beaten path

  The campsites are pretty close to each other so there's not a lot of privacy if there's a lot of campers present. If you like rugged camping, this place might do the trick. Fire pits and tent sites are not in good condition. 

  The bathhouse is "rustic" but they were clean for their condition. Showers do have hot water which is nice. 

  Good views nearby! Cell signal however isn't great in this area.