Salem camping areas provide a range of outdoor accommodations across the Allegheny Mountain foothills in north-central West Virginia. The region sits at elevations between 1,200-2,500 feet, creating a moderate summer climate with temperatures typically 5-10 degrees cooler than surrounding lowlands. Campsites near Salem are primarily situated around the area's lakes and rivers, with several locations offering direct water access.
What to do
Fishing opportunities at Tygart Lake: The ten-mile lake offers excellent fishing conditions throughout the camping season. One camper mentioned, "The lake is beautiful as we kayaked Saturday afternoon. All in all a good choice."
Historical exploration near Bulltown Campground: Located 30 minutes from Salem, the campground includes a Civil War historical area with preserved structures. A visitor noted, "There's a historical area that's really neat and a country store with things you may have forgotten - the ice cream and pizza are great too!"
Adventure activities at Grand Vue Park: This facility features an adventure park with ziplines reaching over 2,000 feet long. A camper shared, "Grand Vue has many things to do including games, climbing, and of course those huge zip lines (the longest over 2000 feet)."
Hiking at Coopers Rock State Forest: Located within an hour's drive of Salem, the forest offers numerous trails of varying difficulty. "There are a limited number of tent sites, with wooden platforms, tucked into the woods where kayak or canoe access would be right outside your tent flap. There are a half-dozen hiking trails, mostly easy to moderate difficulty, with a total of 16-miles to explore."
What campers like
Clean facilities at Stonewall Resort State Park Campground: Campers consistently praise the cleanliness of this campground. One reviewer said, "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."
Riverside camping at Five River Campground: Many campers appreciate the ability to set up directly beside the Shavers Fork River. A reviewer noted, "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."
Quiet surroundings at Rhododendron Camping Area: For those seeking a more secluded glamping experience near Salem, West Virginia, this campground offers peaceful sites. A camper shared, "This is one of my favorite campgrounds! It is quiet and the sites are spacious. There is a bathhouse located closest to site 5 with trails from other sites to get there."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Campsites throughout the region offer chances to observe local wildlife. At Bulltown Campground, a visitor reported, "We saw deer and a skunk came up to our site twice."
What you should know
Seasonal availability varies: Most campgrounds near Salem operate from April through October, with limited year-round options. A visitor to Coopers Rock State Forest noted the season runs "April 1 to October 31."
Water quality concerns: Some locations have issues with water quality. One camper at Flatwoods KOA warned, "Make sure you run the water lines to clear them out before hooking up. The water quality is very poor."
Wildlife management needed: Several campsites require careful food storage. A camper at Tygart Lake State Park Campground advised, "There is a HUGE raccoon problem here, even during the day. I wish we were warned ahead of time. Many people bring an extra tent to keep their food in."
Cell service variability: Connectivity varies significantly between locations. At Five River Campground, a visitor observed, "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!"
Tips for camping with families
Playground access at Bulltown: The campground features dedicated play areas for children. A visitor mentioned, "We stayed at the waters edge this time. It was nice and quiet, close to the bath house, water fountain and playground."
Swimming options at multiple lakes: Several campgrounds offer lake swimming for children. A camper at Bulltown Campground shared, "We went swimming in lake two days and drove down to Flatwoods for some of the best ice cream you can find at The Spot."
Bike-friendly areas: Some campgrounds have terrain suitable for children's bicycles. One camper at Bulltown noted it's a "good area for kids to ride bikes" and another called it a "Family friendly site. A lot of bike paths."
Site selection for families: When booking at Stonewall Resort State Park, consider specific sites based on your needs. A camper suggested, "I'd recommend sites 1-5, 20, and 39."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Many campgrounds in the mountainous terrain have uneven sites. At Flatwoods KOA, a camper warned, "Very unlevel spot. Not sure if they are all like this, but it's a big ugh."
Quality hookups at Grand Vue Park: The newer facilities offer reliable services for RVs. One reviewer stated, "Grand Vue has a brand new rv camping park. 40 spots with full hookups. A gated campground with a paved main road running through. The lots are gravel and somewhat level."
Accessibility considerations: Some campgrounds have challenging terrain for larger vehicles. At Tygart Lake, "Almost all sites are walk-ups, which is NOT noted on their site. Also, almost all sites are on a hill. The pictures do not accurately show this."
