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Mountwood Park Family Campground offers 87 campsites suitable for tents, trailers and recreational vehicles. The campground has 16 full hookup sites, 64 sites with electric/water and 7 primitive sites. Each site has a picnic table and fire ring. Multiple bathhouses are located throughout the campground offering hot showers and clean restroom facilities. Firewood, ice, souvenirs and camping supplies are available from the campground host while on duty. Families can enjoy a variety of campground activities throughout the season. A playground and New Nature Trail are also available for registered campers.
Want to go camping but not in a tent? Then try one of Mountwood’s Primitive Cabins located in Mountwood Family Campground. Each cabin comes equipped with electric, two sets of bunk beds, ceiling fans/lights and a table with four chairs. Each Primitive Cabin has a fire ring and a charcoal grill and is located near the bathhouse and playground. Maximum occupancy is four pe
Do you want to have a lake view from your tent? Do you want to step outside your campsite into your boat and start fishing at the morning first light? If so, one of Mountwood’s five Lakeside Campsites is for you. Each site has a picnic table and a fire ring. The Lakeside Campsites are rented on a first come/first serve basis and are available for rent year round.
We have a horse camp too!
$20 - $40 / night
Primitive camping is allowed at no charge at the trailhead, but only during the horse and mountain bike riding open season.
There are 78 primitiive campsites and one group site available for organized groups. Latrines, waste drains, picnic tables and fire rings are provided 10 sites are available for campers with pets
$20 - $35 / night
Guide
Was a “okay” small area to stay at for free. There was a lot of bees, yellow jackets. The bathroom was clean, but the "non-flush" toilet was just gross.
TravelerParking for regular cars is 100 yards before restroom (the others are for horse trailers only). Close to the restroom there’s a picnic table, tentspots and a manual water pump. A lot of insects, humid and dense deciduous forest surrounding the trailhead. The Kinderhook trail was overgrown. The Paw Paw trail on the other hand was very smooth, dry and wide. The trail leads to the top of the hill.
ScoutArea is dedicated to horse trail riding. Nice clean area just off main road.Can camp here in certain spots. Not much area to camp. No fire rings, one picnic table. Definitely only for very small camper, car camp, or tent, small group. Nice trails. Seem to be well maintained. Does have a small hand pump water spigot. Has no flush vault toilet. No hook-ups of any kind. I did not camp here due to severe weather warnings. With att had 2 to 3 bars cell service.
Guide
Lots of elevation to summit and water to cool you off after exploring.
LegendStopped here for 2 days on our way home. Nice sites they have; full hookups, water and electric, some just electric, and they also have boondocks sites near the waterfall.
Bathrooms were good, (as I have posted before, I've seen worse), store had basics, sites were decent size with a nice fire pit.
They also give a military discount.
There are trails and gravel roads all around the campground. I received a map at check in, and decided to ride my mountainbike to the top of "Neely Knob". It was quite a climb! I came down the east side of Bear Marsh and found out quickly that there were water crossings and deep mud sections. I got a great workout and would definitely explore more of the trails on our next visit.
GuideThis is a very beautiful campground!! Very peaceful and the staff are very friendly. We stayed at Blue Jay tent site 3. The reason for the warning is that if you visit Campbell falls, BEWARE it is extremely slippery. The brown algae makes it very slick and no shoe will handle it. There’s no real entrance to the water to swim. We literally had to slide down like a water slide haha. But when we got down there the water was freezing cold and we had to get out which was very very difficult. There is only a STEEP bank. This is the same way for Mash Creek Falls, the rocks are extremely slippery. Ankle breaker rocks. Make sure to come early also to visit the mash fork creek campground office to get your firewood! The nearest store is very far. We had to go all the way to Tractor supply in Beckley because we came too late. Also visit the marsh creek bathrooms for showers! Like I said it’s gorgeous here and especially when it’s a breezy day. The walk down to the creek behind our campsite is very easy and only a few steps. Have fun!!
Scout
Only stayed for a night but it was very quiet and only a handful of other campers. All the sites seemed relatively level. Some of the electric hookups had damage but being able to choose your spot upon arrival helped. We arrived in pouring rain and had no issues with our campsite when we could see it in the morning lol.
Bathrooms and showers were relatively clean and accommodating.
Seemed a lot like a hidden gem and I definitely recommend. Especially if you have a dog. Across the street, the park portion of this campground has a dog park, playground, historical site and pond for fishing
FYI . Most of the sites seemed small so it might be best for smaller setups. Also I did not see any pull through sites.
GuideThe campground is very close to I77 which makes it convenient. The sites are right next to the creek which is very unique and beautiful. The sites are also big enough.
Scout
Stayed 2 nights at camper cabin in April. Lake Hill Cabins runs the campground and boat rentals. The prices advertised on their website are not accurate. Expect to pay about 25% more. The cabins are supposed to have solar lighting. There is a handwritten sign saying the lights don’t work taped to the light switch.
Legend
Late arrival for overnight stay. Mark, the owner & host, ask us to call & he’d meet us at local gas station so we could follow him to our site. Narrow gravel road to get to the newly developed portion of campground. We arrived during heavy rains & muddy site conditions.
Pros: 50 amp hook-up Water Sewer Mark is a great host
Cons: Gravel pad One lane road in & our Under construction 42’ 5th wheel drug bumper to/from campground Cash only payment
GuideThis is an extremely primitive place that is not run by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. It is run by the same woman who runs the boat rentals at several other state parks in SE Ohio- this is her business. There are very few amenities here. There are pit toilets, potable water towards the front, and that's it. There is a road that runs alongside the entire length of the campground, right at the edge, so you can hear cars and coming and going, especially at night. I was here in late October, so I can't attest to whether this place has a loud party atmosphere like many other state parks, but it seemed pretty chill, probably due to the fact that you can't reserve a site in advance- you pay when you arrive, and pick your spot then. The boat house's hours said they were still open for the season, but I arrived long after they were supposed to open according to their hours listed on the door, and I never saw a person all day. So I went to go rent a boat at a different place. All in all, the campground is fine, just the traffic along the road was a bit annoying, and the sites are not very wide- you are close to your neighbors and there is nothing separating the sites.
ScoutSites are only rented in person once you arrive, they have clear instructions at the entrance. Sites were nice and level, but a bit on the smaller side. Plenty of trails for hiking around the park.
RangerI stayed one night at the group site for the Thunderbunny trail races. It was raining and I was prepared and just slept in my car, as many others did. Group site is set off from the main campground which is nice - it was quiet and felt remote. Just one portajohn. I'm not sure if there was water because I didn't need it. Strouds is a beautiful park for trail running, during all seasons, I love it! Also great spot for kayaking!
ScoutA place of wonder
GuideWe stopped here on Thanksgiving on our way South. Self paying, off season was $15. But the restrooms were closed. There were only 3 other sides occupied. Nice little campground in the Appalachian Foothills. Be aware that Google maps doesn't send you to the campground but to a parking lot at the Lake (25 min detour). So make sure you follow the State Park signs.
ScoutSuper friendly camp host. He met us and drove us to the camp park because it was so dark. Spacious sites, and he is making amazing improvements to the park. Beautiful river setting.
TravelerThe campground was pretty much empty. There are a few permanents there but we had it all to ourselves. Covid still has every other site coned off. It was clean though. Went for a hike on the park side around the lake. Several trails. Alot of ATV and dirtbikes came in on the weekend.
Ranger
Stayed: 9/6/2020 - FREE
Site: Left fire pit facing toilet
This campground is the equestrian Kinderhook Trailhead within Wayne National Forest.
I didn't know what to expect for a dispersed campground at a trailhead. We pulled in and there was one couple setup at a designated site (picnic table and fire pit). As we drove around the trailhead, we found a second designated site. The forest website says dispersed camping is allowed and fires are allowed with a 10 foot clearance and a ring of rocks. So when we pulled up and saw picnic tables and fire pits provided, I was a little confused. I'd assume you'd also be allowed to create your own site, if the two designated sites are taken. There's not a ton of room, but I'd say another 5 sites could setup and be somewhat spread out. It is an open area, so there wouldn't be physical privacy, although the tall trees provide shade.
With it being an equestrian trail, there were a lot of horses and trailers throughout the day. Before sunset, everyone cleared out and only campers remained.
One vault toilet and perfect AT&T and Sprint cell service.
#DareToEverywhere
RangerThe lake and the beach are very nice! Sometimes the water isn’t very clean. Often times the beach is littered with goose droppings. The beach area can sometimes be crowded in the summer. The trails are worth it though! Lots of mountain bikers and trail runners frequent the trails. Strouds is a great place to rent a paddle board, kayak, canoe, or pontoon. There are pic nic tables, a beach volley ball area, and bathrooms. The bathrooms are sub par but all you would really need anyway.
TravelerBeautiful RV Park. Wonderful sites for parking your RV. Very well lit with very modern water and electric hook ups. All slips have a fire pit, bar-b-que grill and picnic tables. Pavilions have great lighting and dimmers for a softer light. They also have commercial metal tables to use to prepare and serve meals. One is equipped with a sink for easy cleanup. The park is right on the beautiful Elk River where you can swim, float or kayak. I love this park!!
RangerThe go to camping location for Athens. Many campsites, trails, and amenities. Anything from boat rentals, a small store, and docks to use near the lake. Strouds also has a beach with a volley-ball net! All walking and biking distance from most of the cabins.
GuideAwesome park! There are shelters with picnic tables at one stop, and a little beach and boating dock if you keep going! Kept going even more and found an abandoned train cart!
ScoutWe stayed one night at this campground in the primitive camping area. All of the campsites were on a slope. There were coke bottles and styrofoam plates in the burn pit. We had roaches up on our table checking out our food and had about 5 racoons constantly coming around to look for food.
On a positive note.....everyone smiled and waved as we drove by and people with RVs seemed content. I just wish I had not paid.
GuideThis out of the way, hard to find and get to park was once great. It is still a good place to camp, but there is little in the way of maintenance or upkeep going on other than what the volunteer groups are doing. The trails are generally good, some are great, hiking and mountain biking groups are keeping them in good shape. The geese are out of control, the beach is often filthy with goose crap. Fishing is hit and miss. I doubt you will see a Ranger or State Park employee, that can be a good thing or a bad thing, you decide. LOTS of Geocaching opportunities. Athens has a great deal of places to eat, nightlife, shows and any supplies you may need. The trails link into the city trails so it is possible to hike from town to the camp, but it is complex and quite a haul. Pets are allowed, but not on the swimming beach. The Group campsite it larger and has it's own pit latrine, parking and picnic tables. We have used it for Scout groups. A swingset is across the road in the main campground. There is one electrical outlet, near the entrance of the campground at the bulletin board. There is also a large wooden screen near the entrance where you can use your own projector to watch movies at night. Be advised, the cabins are tiny wood shacks.
LegendAs with any trip, do your research, read your reviews, peruse Google Satellite maps and talk to locals when you can.
Mountwood County Park http://www.mountwoodpark.org/about.html is located about 15 minutes east of Parkersburg on Rt 50. Heading east on Rt 50 from Parkersburg, WV you will arrive at Mountwood County Park on the right...but the campground portion is a mile further east on the left side of the road. Both are marked by road signage...but most would assume they are all in one location.
If you bring your quads, dirt bikes or mountain bikes with you when you camp, then Mountwood County Park is for you. Right off the back of Mountwood are plenty of ATV trails to keep you busy during your stay. If bombing mountain bike trails is your thing, then across the highway from the campground is your dream. If relaxing in a serene mountain or river valley campground atmosphere is what you desire...keep driving east on Rt 50 another 20 minutes to North Bend State Park.
The primitive tent sites ($20 nightly) are less than desirable and more of an afterthought...and I'm being gracious. There is patchy tall grass, dirt and rocks with no leveled areas. And you have to wander a distance to the restroom/showerhouse when needed. You can rent the tiny cabins ($40 nightly) up on the top of the hill if you desire. They were rented and filled during my visit, surrounded with trailers filled with quads (not a bad thing, just not what I was expecting). One of the main ATV offroad trail entrances is a hundred yards or so past the primitive tent sites so anticipate traffic and some noise. There were a few electric/water sites available for RV/Campers but the majority of them were filled.
It does appear that that there are several "long term campers" at numerous sites, as wooden steps and decks are built and attached to the campers. I would not describe the campground as neat and tidy, but fills a need.
The other portion of the county park lies across Rt 50 about 1/2 mile east. This is where you will find a nice 50 acre lake...shaped like a "T" on its side... for short paddles or fishing (no swimming permitted), a solid collection of varied ability MTB trails and a cool, little local WV Oil history museum. Being a bit of a history buff, I was fascinated by the museum...how the local town was created during the oil boon and then destroyed by fire...of an enormous wilderness mansion that sat where the campground now sits. Interesting stuff.
There is a nice dog park if you brought your pooch. Several picnic areas with picnic shelters, playgrounds, and decent shared hiking trails.
As stated, if your main purpose is to MTB or ATV, then you might be contented with Mountwood County Park Campground. As county parks go, Mountwood County Park, itself, is nice and has a lot to offer. If quiet camping is your objective, I would recommend NorthBend State Park just down the road a piece.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Cairo, WV?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Cairo, WV is Mountwood Park Family Campground(Wood County Park) with a 3.6-star rating from 5 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Cairo, WV?
TheDyrt.com has all 6 equestrian camping locations near Cairo, WV, with real photos and reviews from campers.
