Stephen R.
Guide
GuideStonecoal Dispersed Camping
Great place
Nice camping here with great views of the river .
Camping near Grafton, WV
121 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
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The Monongahela National Forest region surrounding Grafton, West Virginia provides a range of camping experiences from developed state parks to more remote forest service sites. Tygart Lake State Park Campground offers cabin accommodations and tent camping with lakefront access just north of Grafton, while Audra State Park Campground, approximately 20 miles south, features riverside sites along the Middle Fork River. Both locations support mixed camping styles including tent sites, RV hookups, and cabin rentals. Additional options extend into nearby areas like Coopers Rock State Forest and Blackwater Falls State Park, which provide more extensive trail systems and scenic overlooks within an hour's drive.
Most campgrounds in the region operate seasonally from mid-April through October, with limited winter accessibility. Road conditions vary significantly throughout the area, with some forest service roads requiring high-clearance vehicles, particularly after rainfall. According to one visitor, "West Virginia is packed with some of the best hiking, climbing, rafting, biking, canyons, mountains, rivers, valleys, and forests in the U.S...and the beauty is few people take advantage of it." Cell service remains limited in many camping areas, though some state parks have begun adding WiFi near central facilities. Reservations are recommended for weekend stays during summer months, especially at popular waterfront sites. Elevation changes affect temperatures significantly, with higher elevation campgrounds like those near Spruce Knob experiencing cooler nights even in summer.
Riverside camping locations receive consistently positive reviews, with the Middle Fork River at Audra State Park and Tygart Lake offering popular water recreation opportunities. Campers frequently mention wildlife sightings, particularly deer, throughout the region's campgrounds. Several visitors noted the quality of hiking trails connecting to camping areas, with Blackwater Falls and Coopers Rock providing exceptional scenic overlooks accessible from their respective campgrounds. A camper wrote, "The views of Seneca Rocks were welcomed, when it wasn't raining (a common occurrence in WV)," highlighting the region's variable weather patterns. Primitive camping options in the higher elevations provide greater solitude but require more preparation for temperature fluctuations and limited facilities. Many campgrounds feature updated bathhouses with hot showers, though more remote forest service campgrounds typically offer only vault toilets and hand pumps for water.
Best Campgrounds near Grafton (121)
1. Tygart Lake State Park Campground
"There was a bathroom close by with running water and showers. It was beautiful and very close to the lake."
"Trails to lakeside/shore where campers do swim although no swimming from shore is "not" allowed. Just be respectful and clean up after yourselves and usually no drama involved."
2. Audra State Park Campground
"Audra State Park, is a bit off the beaten path but well worth the journey. Tucked away, just outside of Buckhannon, WV...home of West Virginia Wesleyan College."
"v=VLUEBlIxHpo) Trails undulate with the terrain. The short trail within the campground area is steep in areas but offers some nice views."
3. Coopers Rock State Forest- McCollum Campground
"This is the largest state forest in West Virginia, it has a total of 25 sites that vary in their privacy. Each site has electrical hookups, picnic tables, fire grates, and utility post."
"There is also a small laundry room with dishwashing sink behind the bathhouse. Both ice and firewood are sold onsite."
from $25 - $48 / night
Check Availability4. Camp Ara
"Beautiful lake for canoeing and fishing and the hiking and mountain bike trails are amazing! Cant wait to go back!"
from $20 - $150 / night
Check Availability5. Family Fishing N' Camping
from $10 - $150 / night
Check Availability6. Five River Campground
"This is a hidden gem right outside of town. We utilized one of the rv sites with 50 amp service and full hookups."
"It sets at the end of a side street (Walnut St) at the edge of town (Parsons). A small, quaint mountain town."
from $15 / night
Check Availability7. Blackwater Falls State Park Campground
"Blackwater State Park, Davis, WV https://wvstateparks.com/park/blackwater-falls-state-park/ Camping anywhere in West Virginia is a highlight, but this area offers hiking views aplenty."
"This was our first stay in a state park campground in West Virginia and it was a great stay. Arrived during a steady downpour and rented a cabin for the first night but camped the second night."
from $50 / night
Check Availability8. CAMP73ROCKST☆R
from $35 - $65 / night
9. Kentuck Campground — Ohiopyle State Park
"The plan was to camp and hike throughout West Virginia, but when we visited Pathfinder outdoor retailer in Morgantown, WV the staff encouraged us to check out Ohiopyle, while we were so close."
"Very close to two Frank Lloyd Wright properties– Kentuck Knob and the more widely known Falling Waters."
from $20 - $54 / night
Check Availability10. Morgantown / Mylan Park KOA Holiday
"Decent sized “parking spaces” Available on holiday weekend Good price ($40/night) Full hookups (bring your long sewer tube, I used 3 x15’ as it’s at the tail of the spot) Fields & Grassy area adjacent"
"We love it here most of the time it’s close to Morgantown so it’s perfect for university events. Really close to campus. They have full hookups & partial hookups."
Drive Time
- 28 min from Morgantown, WV
- 1 hr 35 min from Pittsburgh, PA
- 1 hr 35 min from Wheeling, WV
- 1 hr 43 min from Weirton, WV
Recent Camping Photos near Grafton, WV
324 Photos of 121 Grafton Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Tygart Lake State Park Campground
Kick Back n Camp
Audra State Park Campground
Coopers Rock State Forest- McCollum Campground
Five River Campground
Tentrr Signature Site - Creekside Camp Signature Site at Whitewater Preserve
Sand Springs Campground
Brooklyn Heights Riverfront Campground
Possum Tail Farm CampJ
Stuart Recreation Area
Stuart NF CampgroundR
Blackwater Falls State Park Campground
Recent Reviews near Grafton, WV
690 Reviews of 121 Grafton Campgrounds
Sarah J.GuideCoopers Rock State Forest- McCollum Campground
Beautiful location
The spots are spread out and the trees are beautiful. The people are so nice. The drive in is tight narrow lanes. We stayed one night at #49, pull through with water and electric, no sewer. We booked #43 but Becky moved us to 49 cuz it’s more level.
Sandra P.
ScoutCoopers Rock State Forest- McCollum Campground
Very calm campground
We stayed 2 nights. People are very nice. Bathrooms and Laundry are clean.
Spaced spots surrounded by the forrest. Some trails directly from the camp.
- KKevin F.
TravelerKentuck Campground — Ohiopyle State Park
Restrooms, showers and visitor center get an F
Stayed one night. Close to Fallingwater and Fort Necessity. The campsite was terrible; close to water and buggy, steep grade required lots of blocking to level the camper and challenging to hook up to the vehicle. Thick canopy kept Starlink from working. The worst part was the bathrooms. The one closest to our spot had no hot water. So we had to walk about a half a mile to two other restrooms and showers within 100 yards of each other. Makes no sense. Anyway, both bathrooms were filthy, had paint peeling everywhere, lots of black mold growing on the ceilings, growing everywhere. No place to hang clothes while taking a shower. One of the two toilets in each of the men’s room was probably 3 feet off the ground. Made for giants I guess! And good luck finding the visitor center. It’s hidden from view and parking is terrible. You’ll have to walk 150 yards from the nearest point of the parking lot to find it. To walk there from the bus and RV parking, add an additional 1/4 mile each way. Be aware that the visitor center store does not accept credit cards. Cash or check only. Who does that? It’s 2026 Pennsylvania!
Cristina L.ScoutCurtisville Lake and Campground
Love this place
Very quiet and private. Beautiful views, fishing, and picnic areas are clean.
Shelby H.TravelerYough Lake Campground at Tub Run
Fantastic for Family
We love it here so much we almost never leave. There is a creek, playground and games for the kids year round. The lake is great for fishing, boating, swimming and more from March-August usually but even longer this year it seems. They are INCREDIBLY strict about 5mph and I LOVE THAT! My 8 year old can run around and be a kid at camp like I was without me being panicked. They even have events once a month. They are constantly adding and upgrading around the campground. Everything from walk to primitive sites to full hook ups and dry cabins.
Highly recommend for a long or short get away.
Cari E.
RangerKentuck Campground — Ohiopyle State Park
Pick the loop for you
I stayed at two sites at Ohiopyle and I’ll say it again—picking the loop that best fits your equipment is key to enjoying your camping experience here. Not all loops are created equal! My second, and heavy favorite, was my site on Ivy Road. The sites were had more privacy and most importantly, were far more level and easier to access. This loop/road is also more central to the rest of the campground, the dumpsters, and had access to much nicer (still a smidge dingy), larger bathrooms. The cell service here was also decent as this road is in a less hilly area within the campground.
While the park and town are excellent for exploring, I found that the highlight of my trip was Fallingwater—it’s a Frank Lloyd Wright house (personally, I think his best) that offers tours and I was shocked to find that it was less than 10 minutes away. If you need a break from hiking and the river, I cannot recommend it enough!
- Cari E.Ranger
Kentuck Campground — Ohiopyle State Park
Great, but…
My happiness with Ohiopyle SP started off rocky from the start due to two factors, which can also impact your stay:
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No matter what Google Maps tells you, try to avoid taking Sugarloaf Rd into the park—it’s a very steep dirt road that is not at all direct, despite popping you out in the middle of town (which was widely surreal as I landed in the middle of some kind of festival), but most importantly there is no cell service which is frustrating when you’re unexpectedly routed down backroads as night approaches
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which loop you stay in really matters, more so than many other parks I’ve stayed at. My first few nights were on Hickory road and many were small and wildly unleveled—I saw one individual give up trying to get his small RV backed in due to the site being a basin shape. So you truly need to do your research and find a site that fits your equipment. The bathroom in this leg was also small and dingy, to put it nicely, but serviceable. Personally, I would not stay in Hickory again.
That said, this is a beautiful park with phenomenal hiking and water adventures. The town (which is in the park) was also quaint and lovely, with a variety of food and shopping options.
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Ethan W.ScoutDispersed Camping off Forest Road 227
one of the best sites i’ve ever been to
From what i can tell there is about 14 sites along about a 7-8 mile gravel road (some parts are rougher than other) each one different in size and shape. Some with astonishing nearly 360 views of the mountain ranges. Some small enough for 1-3 tent setups. This place is too cool, don’t ruin it with litter please. I have Verizon and was pleasantly surprised to see that from what i can tell sites 1-2 I was able to get a bar or two.
Guide to Grafton
Dispersed camping options expand beyond state parks in the Monongahela National Forest area surrounding Grafton, West Virginia. The region sits at the foothills of the Allegheny Mountains with elevations ranging from 1,000-2,500 feet, creating significant temperature variations between valley campgrounds and higher elevation sites. Most forest service roads require high-clearance vehicles and become particularly challenging after rainfall when muddy conditions can make access difficult.
What to do
Rock climbing experiences: Near Coopers Rock State Forest, climbers find beginner-friendly pitches under 50 feet high. "I have been going here for years and I always love to climb this area. The pitches aren't too high (50ft) but great just to get out there an enjoy life!" notes one visitor.
River activities: The Middle Fork River at Audra State Park Campground becomes a whitewater paddling destination during spring rains. According to a camper: "During other times the river is crystal clear with anglers trying to hook rainbow or golden trout. Locals flock to Audra S.P. Day Use areas on weekends to cool off at several park swimming areas."
Trail exploration: Kentuck Campground offers direct access to the Great Allegheny Passage trail. "Awesome campground right on the Great Allegheny Passage trail. We loved being able to access the GAP trail right from the campground," shares one visitor, who also noted its convenient proximity to Fallingwater.
What campers like
Waterfront access: Campers consistently praise the river camping at Audra. One visitor reported: "The whole thing is along a beautiful crystal clear river that runs along large rocks. There is great trout fishing in the area and great hiking trails within the park."
Wildlife spotting: At Tygart Lake State Park Campground, birdwatching opportunities abound. "The birds are active and wonderful to listen too!" notes one camper who visited in early May when the park was nearly empty.
Winter camping options: While most campgrounds close seasonally, Five River Campground remains open year-round. A camper explains: "I really love Five River Campground in Parsons, WV. The owners are amazing! This campground is paved up to the campground. It has 120 RV sites many with full hook-ups."
What you should know
Raccoon awareness: Tygart Lake has documented wildlife issues. A camper reported: "There is a HUGE raccoon problem here, even during the day. Many people bring an extra tent to keep their food in... At one point they even put holes in the outside of our $300 tent!!"
Cell service limitations: Most campgrounds have limited connectivity, but Five River Campground is an exception. "Ended up staying 2 weeks as the wifi service is the best we have had on the road," notes one camper, making it suitable for remote workers.
Tent site selection: Choose carefully at Blackwater Falls State Park Campground. According to a visitor: "You back in & your door is facing the correct way, but your picnic table & fireplace are on the wrong side! A lot of sites on this loop are like that."
Tips for camping with families
Playground proximity: At Coopers Rock State Forest, families appreciate the kid-friendly layout. "There is a playground for the kids and plenty of room for them to play," reports one camper who noted the campground wasn't overcrowded with RVs or noisy.
Swimming spots: Audra State Park offers natural water recreation for children. A visitor explains: "We were fortunate to find one along the river which was great to sit by a fire while the kids swam. Across the road is a day use area for swimming and tubing - bring your own or rent one."
Educational opportunities: Camp Ara offers a lake with multiple activities. "Beautiful lake for canoeing and fishing and the hiking and mountain bike trails are amazing!" notes one visitor, highlighting its appeal for active families.
Tips from RVers
Site spacing: At Coopers Rock, RV campers praise the newer section layout. "New section is spaced out with a berm of earth in between a lot of the sites," explains a camper who weathered a major storm there and noted the 50-amp service had no issues.
Hookup locations: At Tygart Lake, RVers should note site placement issues. "The electric sites have no shade or privacy, and they are all on top of each other," warns one camper who opted for a non-electric site for better privacy and lake access.
Urban convenience: When needing full hookups with easy highway access, Mylan Park offers RV-friendly convenience. "We have a 5th wheel that's 46' long... Lots of shopping and gas stations in and around the area," notes one visitor, though they recommend taking exit 155 rather than 152 for easier access with large rigs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the RV campgrounds in Grafton, WV near Tygart Lake?
Where are the RV campgrounds in Grafton, WV near Tygart Lake?
For RV camping near Tygart Lake in Grafton, Tygart Lake State Park Campground is the closest option, though reviews suggest checking other alternatives. Five River Campground near Parsons is another option with full RV hookups and is big-rig friendly. For a better camping experience with RVs in the general region, consider venturing a bit further to campgrounds that offer more amenities and spacious sites. Many RVers recommend calling ahead to confirm site availability and hookup options before making the trip.
What camping options are available at Family Fishing N' Camping in Grafton?
What camping options are available at Family Fishing N' Camping in Grafton?
Family Fishing N' Camping offers drive-in and walk-in camping opportunities with basic amenities including reservable sites, potable water, and toilet facilities. As the name suggests, this campground specializes in fishing experiences for families. For those seeking a more rustic camping option in the region, Spruce Knob Lake Campground provides a quiet alternative with fewer sites than most public campgrounds. Family Fishing N' Camping is ideal for those who prioritize angling opportunities while enjoying a straightforward camping experience without elaborate amenities.
What activities can families enjoy when camping near Tygart Lake in Grafton?
What activities can families enjoy when camping near Tygart Lake in Grafton?
Families camping near Tygart Lake can enjoy water activities including swimming, fishing, and boating on the lake itself. Horseshoe Recreation Area offers additional water recreation with tubing options. For hiking enthusiasts, Blackwater Falls State Park Campground provides scenic trails with stunning views within driving distance. The region features numerous hiking paths suitable for all skill levels, picnic areas, wildlife viewing, and photography opportunities. During summer months, ranger-led interpretive programs are often available for children, making it an educational experience as well as a recreational one.
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