Looking for a place to cabin camp near Buckhannon? Cabin camping is an adventurous and unique way to experience the city. Each cabin rental offers quick access to one or more of Buckhannon's most popular destinations.
This recreation area is part of Stonewall Jackson Lake
This recreation area is part of Tygart Lake
This KOA is close to the interstate exit, yet a world away. The campground is perfect for an easy-in/easy-out overnight stay. Or extend your visit to enjoy the beautiful region and outlet shopping. You'll find free Wi-Fi, paved roads with long gravel pull thrus, a superclean bathhouse, laundry facility, playground for the kids, hiking trails and a game room. All sites are full hookup. This KOA is directly behind its sister property, a 200-room Days Inn & Suites (where you check in), with amenities available to registered campers that include indoor and outdoor pools, a restaurant, tavern, exercise room, gift shop and business center. Shopping is available at the nearby Flatwoods Center. Ready for a different experience? Flatwoods KOA also offers a two-bedroom/one bathroom Deluxe Cabin for rent. Enjoy the view from your own front porch swing. Pool (outdoor): Memorial Weekend - Labor Day Weekend. Max pull thru: 85 feet.
$55 / night
$16 - $60 / night
$10 - $150 / night
$20 - $45 / night
Camp Ara is a beautiful 113-acre property in Fairmont, WV. Located in the Allegheny Mountains about 20 minutes south of Morgantown, WV, and West Virginia University. It is close to major cities like Pittsburgh, Washington D.C., Columbus, Cincinnati, and many others. The property has been run as a Christian camp for over 60 years, serving and changing the lives of countless youth along the way. There is a large number of foster children in and around the area that are currently in great need of programs that connect them with nature, help them to grow individually, and help teach them life skills to prepare them for transitioning out of the foster care system. In addition to running year-round programming, Camp Ara is home to 80+ acres of virtually untouched land. We have created 40 beautiful campsites that require various amounts of hiking to reach. No matter what site you choose, however, you will almost definitely feel as though you are alone with nature.
$20 - $150 / night
Scout
You can rent a cabin, camp in the woods, or rent a bunkroom or your group. Beautiful lake for canoeing and fishing and the hiking and mountain bike trails are amazing! Cant wait to go back!
Traveler
Beautiful campground, with full hookups and bath house. There are several beautiful hikes to take in the park. A restaurant with a view and gift shop with local products. The Seasons Cafe has great food for breakfast & lunch. The outside pool is large and heated. There is an inside pool and hot tub, small fee for camping guest. There is a scenic chair lift you can ride to the top of the ski mountain and hike back down to the bottom. There are several activities at the resort, something for everyone.
From Canaan Valley Resort State Park there are soooo many places to visit. Bear Rock and Dolly Sods for beautiful views and delicious berry picking (take empty clean milk jugs for easy picking buckets). Also great hiking here. Take a backpack of snacks, water and a cooler for lunch.
Spruce Knob is the highest peak in the state of WV. You can drive and take a short hike around the top or hike all the way.
There are waterfalls in many areas around Canaan. Blackwater falls, Douglas falls, Elakala falls is the 4 falls of Shays Run, Falls of Seneca, Red falls, the list goes on. Our favorite was Elakala, a great hike down blackwater canyon and view of some beautiful falls.
Seneca Rock is a long but worth it hike. We took a lunch and lots of water. There is an adventure company we highly recommend, NROCK. We did a canopy zip-line tour with them. Very fun, not super high and very professional.
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. Highland market has local raised foods. Take a cooler so you have something to keep your food cool while stopping to eat at one of the restaurants. There is an ice cream shop that is not to be missed!
I can't even tell you all you can do, just plan your trip and google activities for the area.
Legend
This was my first visit to Kumbrabow State Forest, but not my last!
Kumbrabow State Forest offers lots of great trails, rustic cabins, and a primitive campground. This historic recreation area, carved into this 9,500-acre forest by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930’s, is a wonderful place to unplug and unwind. It’s located at 3,000 feet above sea level on the western edge of the Allegheny Highlands, so it’s the highest state forest in West Virginia.
I stayed in space #7, located next to Mill Creek, where I enjoyed the relaxing sound of this gurgling stream all night long. Each camping spot has a picnic table, fire ring and lantern holder. There are pit toilets and a pump for fresh spring water in the campground. Two-miles down the road, there’s a bathhouse next to the Kumbrabow forest headquarters.
If you hike the 2-mile Potato Hole Trail, you'll arrive at the top of Rich Mountain and an overlook with a fantastic view. You can also park at the Kumbrabow gun range and hike the longer, but less strenuous, Rich Mountain Fire Trail which intersects with the Potato Hole Trail.
Make sure you check out Mills Creek Falls and admire the really cool CCC-built rustic cabins. The cabins don’t have water or electricity, but offer gas lights, gas refrigerator, fully-equipped kitchen, wood fireplace, and outside grill and firepit. My 99-year old mom and her siblings stayed here for their "sister parties" years ago and loved the cabins at Kumbrabow.
I suggest a side trip to the Highland Scenic Highway where you can admire the Falls of Hills Creek, Cranberry Glades, and colorful foliage during the fall season.
Guide
Camp Holly is a beautiful campground in the mountains of West Virginia.. Off grid but they do offer Wifi.
You can choose between hammock, tent, cabin or RV camping, I would recommend tenting it down by the beautiful rivers. The owners are super sweet and more than accommodating.
This campground has a shop where you can buy necessities you may have forgotten, ice, snacks and fishing gear are also available. The bathrooms are the cleanest and well kept camp bath houses I have ever seen.
The location is near quite a few waterfalls and about an hour away from the National Forest.. some small towns are nearby as well and worth the visit. Definitely give it a shot! We can't wait to go back!
We did have some GPS issues on Google Maps, so I would recommend a Garmin or calling for directions before getting lost like we did. It wasn't actually hard to find, but GPS messed with us..
Guide
We stayed in a cabin this time. One of the pioneer cabins. Let me say it was awesome, wood stove, gas light, outhouse and had to get your own water. The cabin was well put together and the staff has you set up to enjoy your stay with everything from soap to cut wood. There was a lake a minute walk from our cabin and greenbrier was close. I would recommend this to anyone.
Traveler
If you’re looking for a place to camp in West Virginia, don’t even bother with this campground, head over to Audra State park instead.
We generally love most camping experiences and make it work, but this one was so bad we left 3 days early. When I kindly called to cancel, the nice Park ranger said he completely understood and would actually refund us for our entire trip (which we didn’t even mention or ask for).
The only good things about this campground were the friendly staff and the updated bathrooms.
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. We had site 33 (probably the worst site). The entire site was on a slant and covered in rocks, I tried to capture it in a picture, but it just doesn’t look as slanted as it feels when you are standing there. There was no flat spot for our 10 x 20 tent, so we had to sleep on an angle. (I felt like I was falling out of bed the whole night!) 33 should NOT be a site.
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. Our dog barked the entire night as the racoons kept coming up to our site and even our tent. At one point they even put holes in the outside of our $300 tent!! The next day we tried to make the best of our trip and decided to check out the lake. We had left our cooler and a couple small Rubbermaid bins of food on the table while we headed down for an hour. The car was far and incredibly hot during the day, and we didn’t want to give them any incentive to go after our tent again, so we had no other option. While we were gone the raccoons tore open our cooler, ate some of our food, and scattered the rest of our food and water in the woods. (This is probably why there is so much food that can been seen scattered near the campsites).
The lake was pretty but there was a ton trash all around it, such a shame. I had to pick up a bunch of pieces of glass on the shore of the campground so my dog wouldn’t get hurt. You technically aren’t allowed to swim in the non-beach/swimming area unless you are jumping off a boat, but people were doing it anyway. You cannot bring dogs in the designated swimming area.
While the bathrooms were nice they are a very far walk from any of the shaded/non-electric sites, and you are not permitted to drive up to them. There are only 2 showers. Both were kept clean but had 100’s of little green bugs and a ton of months and mosquitos on the. To get to the bathrooms you must park at the top of the hill and walk down (not a big deal for us, but may be for some).
The electric sites have no shade or privacy, and they are all on top of each other.
Legend
Ashley here with The Dyrt. We're so happy to have your host, Vince, on our platform. 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 a 5 short term RV sites near the river(RV's 30 foot or less recommended). Check them out and leave them some love.
RangerWe booked the Thorny Mountain Fire Tower two months in advance, it is pretty popular, so if you want to stay there you will have to book it in advance. It is $75 a night, which is pricey, but is well worth it.
To get to the fire tower you will want to take the Loop Road, it is gravel and there are pot holes on the edges of the road so you will want to be careful of those. The fire tower is secluded, so you will not have to worry about neighbors or noise while staying there. At the base of the tower there is a fire pit, picnic table, and a pit toilet. The toilet is part of a small shed that has already split wood on the other side for you to use. But no electrical hookups at the base or in the tower. They do have a shower house behind the rangers station, it is very nice and clean. The website says the tower can house up to four people, however, there are only two cots, so you will want to bring sleeping mats if you plan on having more than two people. The 360 degree views are breathtaking. One night we had two different storm systems blow through the mountains and the lightning show was amazing to watch. You will definitely want to watch a sunrise as well, absolutely stunning.
Seneca State Forest is one of the oldest forest in West Virginia, it has a small pond/lake you can fish at and even take small boats onto. They have plenty of hiking trails, which also allow mountain biking on most. They have cabins on the lake for rent as well and have plenty of tent camping spots.
Scout
It was wonderful for our RV and family staying in their beautiful cabins
Scout
The Holly River runs clear through the Park, right beside a good many of the of the sites and hanging a hammock and listening to the water, can’t be beat! The staff/Rangers are so wonderful! A small restaurant, gift shop, pool, waterfalls, cabins, trails, it is so calming and relaxing! Love it!
LegendWe spent several days in Seneca State Forest. I want to highlight the Thorny Mountain Fire Tower for this review.
Renting and staying in the Thorny Mountain Fire Tower is a special opportunity...and I believe everyone should enjoy its uniqueness and solitude...for several reasons. One selfish reason is so that perhaps other State and National Forests would do the same thing...refurbish, but leave rustic remaining fire towers and rent them out like a campsite or cabin. There is much history and lore that is behind every fire tower.
The Thorny Mountain Fire Tower was built by the CCC sometime around 1935...and is erected at an elevation of 3458 ft. Nearly 70 steps up the structure brings you to 3507 ft (by my gps). From that height, you get to enjoy long mountain views in both West Virginia and Virginia. The tower cabin structure has 360 views...11 windows and a windowed door...so you don't miss any of the show! It is not insulated, but then again it is not available during the winter months. There are no, I repeat, no amenities in the tower...but that's half the allure..only two spring cots/mattresses...four folding wooden chairs...and two tiny nightstands. Four can stay...but only two have the beds. My back preferred the floor. At the base of the tower there is a lockable structure that houses a pit latrine on one end and plenty of dry firewood on the other end. You do have a picnic table and fire ring on a gravel pad north of the tower base. No running water...period. So all water must be acquired 15-20 minutes down the mountain at the Park Headquarters (which also has the only showers/bathrooms(2)...and laundry room...super clean!). The State Park employees that operate the headquarters there are the most kind, gracious and hospitable folks you will find. You will need to reserve a spot far in advance...so don't leave it to the last minute.
Our stay was memorable and pleasurable. While some might balk at the expense per night...it is the rare opportunity you are paying for. And...I will do it again in the future!
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! Your closest neighbor is waaay down the mountain.
Note: Do not make my mistake and not listen closely to directions up to the tower. I took the first gravel road right...well...dirt road. It happens to be an unmaintained alternate service road to the tower...not good. Ordinary vehicles will be damaged...and two-wheel drive probably won't make it. My SUV survived, but I was questioning my sanity at times. The roads are gravel most the way up Thorny Mountain...and the last bit up to the tower had experienced recent washout from storms, so the going was rough but very doable.
I think eight of the windows still open, and they provide slide screens to insert so the cross breeze is amazing day and night. But they must be removed and the windows shut when the rain rolls in or you will get wet. The roof does not have enough overhang to keep the rain out...nor does it amply cover the walk-around deck...so it'll drip on your noggin'. But hey, your camping...you're gonna get wet.
Can't recommend the experience enough...who knows how long this type of opportunity will exist. Just Do It!
LegendThis campground is located in the foothills of the Allegheny Mountains, so the scenery is spectacular. The campground has 36 sites, 10 with electric and 26 standard sites for RV or tent camping. You also have the option to rent one of eleven cabins, or a room at the lodge which as great views of the lake. The campground closes in the late fall, but some cabins, and the lodge, are open year-round.
The main attraction is Tygart Lake which is ten-miles long, so it's good for boating, swimming, fishing, kayaking, etc. The launch ramps and parking lot at Tygart Lake have been expanded recently, so there's easy access for boaters.
One sad thing about Tygart Lake: There was lots of trash on the banks when I visited. When I spoke to the park superintendent, he says it washes in during the rainy winter months and becomes visible when the water recedes during the summer months. The U-S Army Corps of Engineers is responsible for the clean-up since the lake and Tygart Lake Dam are part of the local flood control efforts. They need to do a better job of trash removal!
RangerWe splurged and rented the Thorny Mountain fire tower. Reserve well in advance. You can drive up the mountain (any vehicle in summer, might need 4WD in mud or snow) or hike. Bring all your standard backpacking/camping gear, cots are provided. Maximum 4 people. There are also tent, RV, and cabin options for much less in the area, but this is absolutely worth it.
RangerWe splurged and rented the Thorny Mountain fire tower. Reserve well in advance. You can drive up the mountain (any vehicle in summer if the weather's good. You will need 4WD in mud or snow) or hike. Bring all your standard backpacking/camping gear, cots are provided. Maximum 4 people. There are also tent, RV, and cabin options for much less in the area, but this is absolutely worth it.
Scout
Stonewall Jackson State Park has been one of my favorite places to visit, especially for a weekend getaway, for a very long time. It was once the best RV or “car camp” camping spot around, but it has become a fairly popular tourist resort and the noise and light from the lodge can be disruptive to those seeking nature’s peaceful separation (hence 4 stars instead of five for camping). Aside from this, the park has much to offer for just about anyone. It has everything from an Arnold Palmer golf course, to hike/bike trails, to any type of water activity possible on a lake, as well as various indoor facilities to enjoy during inclement weather.
As I grow older, I find myself spending more time at the lodge than at the campground. Inside the lodge you will find an excellent restaurant and bar, an indoor/outdoor swimming pool, spa, equipment rentals, etc.
LegendStonewall Resort State Park is now the official name of this mountain retreat located around the edges of Stonewall Jackson Lake. It's not your typical WV state park because it's managed by a private developer which means that Benchmark Management gets to set the pricing for the lodge, cabins and campgrounds.
It's not outrageous, but I paid $55/night mid-week for a 30-amp site which could run about $35/night at a state-run resort such as Pipestem.
What you get for the extra cash is a well-staffed, beautifully-maintained resort with every imaginable amenity including boating, fishing, swimming, a Palmer golf course, disc golf and tennis. You can rent boats, kayaks, stand-up paddle boards, road bikes and even segways.
I would say the Stonewall Resort Lodge is geared to upscale out-of-state tourists, but l could see locals using it for anniversaries, romantic getaways, and special occasions.
The campground is upscale, as well, with 30 and 50-amp full-service RV sites, many with lake views and some with tie-ups for those who bring their own boats. I chose a spot under the pine trees where I was close enough to the lake's edge so I could hand-carry my kayak to the water for a peaceful paddle.
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.
If you get sick of camping, or would just like to sip an adult beverage, there's a boardwalk across the lake to the lodge patio where you can sample one of three restaurants or visit the outdoor bar.
TravelerBeautiful campground located in the middle of nowhere. Quiet and peaceful with a fantastic stream going through the campground to either fish or play in. Some of the campsites are smaller and less private than others. We stayed in campsite 11, and it had plenty of privacy and space. In all reality, that campsite could easily be made a double because it’s really good sized.
Picture of the waterfall is at the cabin area of the park. You would have to drive from the campground to there. Picture of the creek is down the hill from the campsite.
RangerThis campground has plenty to offer for the whole family. The privacy of each site varies, on the weekends it is very busy though. There are 88 campsites with electrical hookups, picnic tables, and fire ring. There are 2 sites with primitive campgrounds. They only allow one tent or trailer on a site. The campground has 4 bathhouses that are centrally localized, it contains flush toilets, hot showers, water spigots, and coin laundry. Dogs are allowed on a leash.
This park has lots of hiking trails, waterfalls, biking, fishing, and horseback riding. The park has a total of 4 waterfalls to explore. They have basketball, tennis, and volleyball courts, and a pool for campers to enjoy. They also have cabins to rent if you are not feeling up to camping.
Guide
We prefer state parks but had to stay here at a KOA because of availability (Labor Day Weekend). My biggest complaint with KOAs is the tightness of the sites - this one was not bad. They had concert pads for the picnic tables (loved that). But we were in the first loop and we were far from the shower house - only one for the whole campground. Now we did have full hookup - but there are 6 of us that need showers after a day of hiking.
We went to New River Gorge and hiked all day. The Rim and the Bridge were only 1 hour away. One of the hiked we did was 1.5 hours away - but we enjoyed it.
Go see the Flatwoods monster and the Dam. Nice small town in beautiful West Virginia.
LegendNorth Bend State Park is located at the halfway point of the 72-mile North Bend Rail Trail, so it’s a great camping spot for hikers, bikers and horseback riders who want to explore this scenic trail which crosses 35-bridges and cuts through 11-tunnels where the B&O Railroad used to travel.
I highly recommend this trail to hikers because the scenery is spectacular, the wildlife plentiful, and the tunnels are really cool. The trail passes through some quaint towns such as the former oil boom-town of Cairo where many of the buildings from the late 1800’s and early 1900’s are still standing.
North Bend State Park has a year-round lodge, year-round cabins and two campgrounds open from mid-April to mid-November.
The Cokeley Campground has 28-sites with both water and electricity, picnic tables and fire pits. The bathhouse includes a small coin-op laundry. It’s close to the boat dock at North Bend Lake. I didn’t select this campground because it doesn’t have much shade.
I stayed at the River Run Campground which has 49-sites along the shores of the North Fork of the Hughes River with electric and non-electric sites to choose from. Four sites are ADA accessible. Each site has paved parking, a picnic table and fire pit. The bathhouse was clean and nicely tiled with hand soap and paper towels provided. The on-site staff was extremely friendly and you get a generous wheelbarrow full of firewood, cut from local downed trees, for$5.
The lodge looked a little dated, but had a good home-style restaurant which was popular with travelers. The year-round cabins have been updated with ADA wheelchair ramps and wraparound decks. I may return and rent one after the campground closes so I can do some cross- country skiing on the North Bend Rail Trail this winter.
I paddled on the North Bend Lake which was extremely peaceful and beautiful, with the colors of fall surrounding me on all sides. I brought my own kayak, but they had boats for rent. There were several fishermen on the water and on the lakeside dock. They told me they catch bass and catfish at this 300-acre lake. The trail around the lake would be good for birders because I spotted ducks, hawks and wood-peckers.
North Bend State Park would be good for kids because they have playgrounds, mini-golf and an outdoor swimming pool(closed when I visited in October, but looked really nice).
GuideWest 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! The campsite was full hookup & very inexpensive!!!! Plenty of trees providing shade! There is a little park for the kids, it could use a little TLC! But we didn't spend much time there. There is a huge field that the kids enjoyed kite flying! The staff at the store/check in are very friendly and helpful with area attractions! There is a ton of wildlife in this state park! Deer galore! Someone saw a black bear on the trail (we did not)! Beautiful birds with tons of color! You have access to the pool at the resort (near the hotel)! The bathrooms are less than desirable, but you're good if you have an RV! There are tons of attractions in WV, you may just have to drive. We went to Smoke Hole Caverns and Seneca Rocks for the day, only a 45 minute drive! Well worth it! We will return! Only took off one star b/c of the playground & bathroom! Happy camping!
LegendCampground 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.
RangerMy only complaint is that the sites are so close together. But boy did we love this park! Not terrible unlevel rv spots with water and electric. They have free wifi which works pretty well. An adorable camp store with some toiletries and other essentials like condiments and s'mores supplies. A few stuffed animals, tshirts/hoodies, stickers etc. I had to buy a hoodie since it was so ridiculously soft and normal priced at $39. Wood and ice available also along with a pepsi machine. Attendant was a very nice helpful young man. Actually every single worker there was super friendly and helpful and even had some great conversations. Also available are tent sites and gorgeously remodeled cabins we would love to come back and check out. Lovely nature center with a friendly and very knowledgable lady, some gifts and lots of things to check out including furs, microscopes, videos, a cute turtle and a blue hill fish and crayfish. Picnic area outside and playground as well. The lake was beautiful and the lodge was certainly a sight to see. We even checked out the marina and had lunch in the lodge restaurant. Food was good (like your average pub faire) and service was fantastic. Lodge also had quite the gift shop with the average memorabilia but also some things from local artists like candles, lotions, lip balms and soaps. Also some pottery/glass items. Will definitely return.
ScoutThis review reflect the campsite only, not the surrounding area or Dolly Sods, which is beautiful.
This is the most we have spent on a campsite anywhere ($50/night) and the worst. This is frustrating. The video is if site 3. You will notice the nonstop high-pitched whine in the background. It sounds like a leaf blower but is, in fact, a 24 hour a day pump that is working with the two large, rectangular, man made "ponds" directly behind the site, which I assume have something to do with septic. The ponds are surrounded by a tall chain linked fence with barbed wire on top, so this fence is what you see for you entire field of vision at the tent site. The picnic table and fire ring are down a hill and about 50' from the parking area. That could be overlooked, but there is no gravel pad and the picnic area is bare dirt so muddy in the morning. Thankfully it did not rain. Finally, the state employee here at the state park was not wearing a mask both times that we entered the recreation area to check in, but a few supplies, and then see if another spot was available. Just about everyone camping here is over 65 and West Virginia has a mask mandate. After 3 phone calls and 1 stop in at the lodge, we did get a phone call and one night was refunded back to us, which we did appreciate.
Scout
Great location for Cass RR or start or end of the greenbrier river rail trail. Privately owned. Grassy sites, “mostly “ . We camped in our Van. 110/30 amp service at most sites. Many seasonal rental spaces. “Simple “ plywood shower and toilet house. (Mens side not so clean) hot water shower. $30/night with or without electricity. Tight sites, we camped mid week before the Memorial Day holiday.
LegendAs most campgrounds in West Virginia, there is no straight, easy way to get there from here. But...you will be glad you made the extra effort.
I should preface each of my reviews for West Virginia campgrounds and state forests by stating...West Virginia has the nicest and friendliest people I've come across...and that is a pure pleasure in this day and age.
On our month long foray into WV camping and hiking, Holly River State Park was our last stop. We had just left a wonderful experience in Seneca State Forest...(read my review on Thorny Mountain Fire Tower)...drove over Snowshoe Mountain and wound our way down and around to Holly River.
I prefer all car camping at State or National Parks during the weekdays to avoid crowds...and try to stick to wilderness and remote areas during the weekends. So we arrived at Holly River State Park (HRSP) midweek. This is a very popular campground among West Virginians, so be prepared for a busy park during the summer. As luck would have it, school had just started two days earlier (late August 2016) and all of WV was getting hammered with daily rain. Due to those two ingredients, we had our pick of sites.
Upon arrival, there is no doubt in your mind why HRSP is referred to as the rainforest of the east...lush green, moss-covered, mushroom infested, thick ground cover and thick humidity.
As one of the two tent campers in the park...and seeing only another ten RV campers...we had the run of the place. We chose what we thought was a flat site along the Left Fork River. No sooner did we loosely set up camp, a monsoon beset us...giving new meaning to "a river runs through it." Everything runs right off and into the river, which we were positioned next to. It rained every day but two, on our month of camping, so we were not dissuaded. I do recommend bringing additonal tarps to cover any and everything you desire to stay remotely dry.
HRSP offers great hiking throughout and nearby the park. Its hard to travel through WV without hitting a great trail a stone's throw away. Being in a "river valley," long views escape you...but the falls and cascades are beautiful and refreshing. You don't have to drive to the falls, but you had better plan a full day of hiking to get there and back. The Potato Knob trail is awesome...plan it for a day...bring a full hydration pack and trekking poles...it is strenuous but rewarding.
We drove a dirt/gravel road (perfect for the new genre of gravel bikes or MTB) to the parking area above Upper Falls/Shupe's Chute/Lower Falls. Honestly, I am always torn to give rave reviews of new "favorite" spots, for fear hoards will flock and ruin the peaceful serenity of the place. That said...these falls are gorgeous! We enjoyed the entire time alone...and that was near perfection. In speaking with the park ranger, she has worked there 18 years and never visited the lower falls...I found that remarkable...and was sad that she had missed the greater beauty.
The Upper Falls are reached by walking a newer wooden boardwalk and stairway. Masterfully done (much like Blackwater Falls)...but they are super slick...so be careful. You can see where someone had tried to pour something to eliminate the slick algae forming on the wood's smooth surface.
Upper Falls is a peaceful cascade, but not a high volume waterfall...even with all the rain we had experienced. I imagine it is even more impressive in the spring and early summer. We did spend an hour or so lingering, and walking along the river bed...seeking crawdads and counting various fish.
Walking down a wide and well maintained trail to Shupe's Chute, you have constant visual and great photo opportunities of the river. Shupe's Chute is just that, a natural chute water-carved through the rock, where the water picks up speed through the narrows and jettisons down the heights for yet another cascade into what appeared to be a very deep pool. I didn't brave the deep waters...only because I wasn't hot enough at the time. Several smaller cascades in that area. The well-maintained trail ends there. In fact, the trails are clearly and abundantly marked up to that point. There was an arrow indicating the Lower Falls further down the muddy, narrow trail that led to a river crossing...but nothing more on the far side.
Feeling adventurous, we slogged through the river and found the old, untraveled, overgrown trail went both directions along the river. We deduced that the Lower Falls...well...must be down river...so we followed the trail with the downward flow of the river. Deadfall was abundant, so you do have to shinny up and over downed and moss covered trees...or skirt around blazing new side trails. Though it probably wasn't really that far, it seemed it...but the sound of water crashing kept you going. Interestingly, just above the Lower Falls, there is a rock wall. Old and obviously precisely laid by man some time ago...but no indication why or when...and everywhere you turned was thick, dense forest. (more on that later)
You do have to scamper down a loose, muddy, root covered hill to actually get to and visibily see the Lower Falls. For the young...no problem...for older folks or those with knee injuries...be warned. The Lower Falls are far more beautiful, picturesque and refreshing than Upper Falls...but please, don't tell anyone. We played and relaxed there for quite a while.
The short jaunt did not seem so long or arduous on the return to the parking area...where I met an older gentleman that shared that he grew up in a "pretty good size town down there in that holler, we pulled coal from the ground." What??! There was actually a town down in there?? Well, that explains the rock wall...and definitely peaked my interest to return and explore for the remains of that town in the dense river valley forest.
You can check out the park's website at http://www.hollyriver.com/
I give the park an enthusiastic two thumbs up!
GuideSite 4 (non-electric) July 28-31, 2020 Average Daily Temp: 89 Average Nightly Temp: 78 One of the best when it comes to size of site, privacy, and remote feel. Firewood is available for small fee. Table, fire pit, and comfortable pad. Encountered 19 deer, 1 bear, and several other small creatures. Short drive or hike to Lake with boat rentals and fishing. Campground is only 10 sites with plenty of canopy for shade. One of my favorite spots to date.
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