Camp Creek is located in southern West Virginia at an elevation of approximately 2,100 feet within the Appalachian Mountains. The area experiences cooler mountain temperatures with lows in the 50s even during summer months. Camp Creek State Park encompasses 550 acres featuring two major waterfalls and multiple creek crossings that create a microclimate ideal for pet friendly camping throughout the year.
What to do
Zipline adventures nearby: At Pipestem Resort State Park Campground, located 30 minutes from Camp Creek, visitors can experience thrilling zipline courses among other amenities. "You can trout fish at the bottom of the mountain from the main lodge accessible by a four person tram ride. There is a couple nice restaurants on site and off site. Horseback riding, hiking, boating, a fire tower you can climb, and an outdoor movie theater on the wknds a few miles from pipstem," notes one camper.
Fishing opportunities: The waters around Camp Creek offer excellent fishing for those traveling with pets. At Meador Campground, anglers have direct access to Bluestone Lake. "We stayed in Meador site 14, which was the furthest away from the bath house (still only maybe 150 yards), but it was on the water & was the most secluded. It was freshly mowed, had a fire ring, picnic table, & was right on the water with nice views of the lake & mountains."
Explore multiple waterfall trails: The region features several cascades beyond those mentioned in Camp Creek State Park. "We spent time in the park and saw many of the local waterfalls (Pipestem Falls, Sandstone Falls, Brush Creek Falls, Mash Fork Falls, Campbell Falls). The night sky was amazingly clear and stars were bright," shares a visitor who camped in the area.
What campers like
Quiet creekside camping: At Blue Jay Campground, visitors appreciate the peaceful setting. "Each campsite has a fire pit and a lantern pole. Except of one, all other campsites are directly next to a beautiful creek. It was very calm and peaceful," reports one camper. The primitive setting creates an immersive nature experience for pets and humans alike.
Generous firewood bundles: Campers at Mash Fork consistently mention the value of firewood purchases. "Firewood is available and they deliver it to your site. The bundles are quite generous in size," says one reviewer. This convenience saves pet owners the hassle of searching for fire materials after a day of hiking.
Clean facilities with good amenities: Visitors to Little Beaver State Park Campground consistently praise the maintenance standards. "Cleanest bathrooms and showers I've seen. Cute little store for firewood...they bring to you. Daily trash pickup. Beautiful trails. Scenic lake," notes a satisfied camper. Another adds, "This campground is situated in the woods, near Lake. Has a good WFI everywhere, very clean and quiet."
What you should know
Limited cell service: Communication can be spotty throughout the Camp Creek region. At several campgrounds, visitors report minimal connectivity. "No service for Verizon users… Sites have wifi but I could only get it to work 20% of the time," reports one camper at Mash Fork.
Weather preparedness essential: The mountain climate can create rapid weather changes requiring extra preparation when camping with pets. "It rained the entire time I was there, yet I still enjoyed my stay," notes a visitor to Grandview Sandbar Campground. The campground's location along the New River means "during rains, tributaries flow into the New River causing it to overflow its banks with some regularity in the spring and early summer."
Seasonal bathroom closures: Even at year-round campgrounds, facilities may have limited access in off-seasons. "We were told there was one open bathroom however it was not made clear this was 1-2 miles away which was not exactly convenient. Rustic camping is fine when we have planned for it," explains one camper who visited during shoulder season.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Multiple campgrounds offer play areas for children. "They also had a nicely updated park for the kids to play," reports a family that stayed at Pipestem. At Little Beaver, a visitor noted, "A nice playground for children. Lots of deer about."
Biking-friendly campgrounds: Several parks feature paved roads ideal for children riding bicycles. "Kids loved biking around campground, very safe," mentions a family visiting Twin Falls Resort State Park. Another camper adds, "Plenty of places to bike ride for my family of young kids (4 & 8)."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Families camping with children often spot abundant wildlife. "We spent time in the park and saw many of the local waterfalls. There were also TONS of deer all around (just hanging out eating vegetation) during our short one night stay," notes a visitor, providing an educational opportunity for young campers.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Many campgrounds in the mountainous terrain require preparation for uneven sites. "Watch the site descriptions for the incline. The water/electric sites surround a large field. These sites tend to be sunny," advises an RVer who stayed at Pipestem.
Navigating narrow access roads: The mountain roads leading to many campgrounds can be challenging for larger vehicles. "Make sure your truck/vehicle towing is not underrated for what you're pulling as it is a lot of big uphill elevation and tons of windy roads and tight turns," cautions a camper at Twin Falls Resort State Park.
Dumping station logistics: When camping without full hookups, plan for dump station usage. "Dump site was a little different. Had to make a uturn to get in to dump," reports a visitor to Little Beaver State Park, highlighting the importance of scouting facilities before maneuvering large rigs.