Watoga State Park features both Riverside and Beaver Creek campgrounds within the mountainous region of southern West Virginia. The park spans 10,100 acres at elevations ranging from 2,000 to 2,600 feet, offering cool summer nights even when daytime temperatures reach the 80s. Riverside Campground sits directly on the Greenbrier River while Beaver Creek Campground occupies a forested setting with a creek running through many sites.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Bolar Mountain Recreation Area provides access to Lake Moomaw with multiple fishing spots. "This is a great campground on a beautiful lake. Well off the beaten path, it takes a little time to get there but it's worth the trip," notes one camper. The lake offers both bank fishing and boat access.
Mountain biking: The region offers extensive trail systems suitable for cyclists of all skill levels. "Fun trails to go ride around on your bike all day," mentions one visitor to Douthat State Park. Most trails open April through November, with some closures during hunting season.
Trout fishing: Gathright Dam Area below Lake Moomaw provides excellent trout fishing opportunities. "The spillway located down in the bottom of the dam offers great trout fishing area as well," a Morris Hill camper explains. The West Virginia DNR stocks several streams in the area between March and May.
What campers like
Primitive camping experience: Seneca State Forest offers sites without electricity that provide a more rustic experience. "I'm sure this is an amazing campsite, but it was a little too rustic for my liking. There is no cell service within 30 miles," shares one visitor. The forest maintains 23 primitive sites open from April through early December.
River access: Williams River Sites provides dispersed camping alongside the river. "I always go to camp site #7 or #8 just a personal preference just like the rent but they are all equally amazing. Not to mention you're by the river with both of these sites so if you like to swim that's a plus," notes a satisfied camper. Sites require no reservations and operate on a first-come, first-served basis.
Dark night skies: The lack of light pollution makes stargazing exceptional in this region. "Watching storms roll in across the mountain tops...fog settling into the valleys like white foaming rivers...being perched beside rainbows...moonlight piercing the night through your curtainless windows...and reveling in the surreal sunrises and sunsets did it for me!" describes one Seneca State Forest visitor. Clear nights typically occur more frequently in early fall.
What you should know
Limited cell service: The area has significant gaps in cellular coverage. "Because this entire area of WV is in the National Radio Quiet Zone, there is zero cellular service with 1-2 hours drive in any direction. If you can't get the weak WiFi service, you won't be using any data services," explains a camper at Riverside Campground. Download offline maps before arriving.
Water access points: Many campgrounds offer direct water access. "We stayed at the Riverside. The campsites are very spacious. Each of them have a picnic table and a fire pit," notes a visitor. Water levels in rivers can fluctuate seasonally, with highest flows typically in spring.
Booking requirements: Some unique accommodations require significant advance planning. "We splurged and rented the Thorny Mountain fire tower. Reserve well in advance," advises a Seneca State Forest visitor. Reservations for specialized glamping close to Buckeye, West Virginia open 12 months in advance for most properties.
Tips for camping with families
Multiple playgrounds: Mountain Lake Campground and Cabins features several play areas. "We took site 269 for the proximity to one of the little playgrounds and easy walk to bathrooms. We had a great time and it was easy to let our 3 year old play while we setup," shares one parent. The campground maintains three separate playground areas across the property.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Deer sightings are common throughout the area. "Encountered 19 deer, 1 bear, and several other small creatures," reports a Seneca State Forest camper. Dawn and dusk provide the best wildlife viewing times, with summer offering increased deer activity.
Swimming options: Natural water features provide cooling opportunities during hot days. "The water was beautiful, temperature perfect for swimming. There's a separate beach that you can drive to that is roped off for swimming purposes but we rather enjoyed walking to the water from our site and having what seemed like our own little swimming spot," explains a visitor to Bolar Mountain.
Tips from RVers
Site sizes vary significantly: Beaver Creek Campground offers sites for different sized vehicles. "Along Allegheny Trail and Greenbrier Trail, lots of wildflowers, dense forest, rolling hills, streams. Some campsites are by a playground, avoid those if you don't have kids yourself. Sites are all shaded, in the trees, semi-private," notes one camper. Most sites accommodate rigs up to 32 feet, with a limited number of sites for larger vehicles.
Dump station access: Many campgrounds offer dump stations even without full hookups. "There is a dump station for your tanks, equipped with a wash hose to wash your drain hose out," explains a Morris Hill Campground visitor. Dump stations typically remain open throughout the camping season from April through October.
Limited level sites: The mountainous terrain creates challenges for leveling. "The cons most sites are not level at all," points out a Mountain Lake camper. Bringing extra leveling blocks is recommended, particularly for larger rigs over 30 feet.
