Chapmanville, West Virginia sits at 682 feet above sea level in the Appalachian Mountains, surrounded by forest land and mining communities. The area experiences warm, humid summers with temperatures reaching into the 80s and cool winters where temperatures can drop below freezing. Camping options range from full-service RV parks to more primitive tent sites, with several locations also offering cabin and yurt accommodations for those seeking alternatives to traditional camping near Chapmanville.
What to do
Hiking trails: Twin Falls Resort State Park offers numerous hiking trails with varying difficulty levels. The Cliffside Trail is particularly popular, with one camper noting, "This park has surprised us every single day. They have an abundance of trails with varying difficultly levels. We were here for almost a week and had the time only to get in about half of them. The Cliffside Trail is an absolute must!" The park remains open year-round, allowing for seasonal hiking experiences.
Swimming and water activities: Ole Henry's Camping Retreat provides creek access for swimming during hot summer days. According to a visitor, "The creek nearby offers up a good, safe swimming hole for all the kids and adults." This makes it an excellent option for cooling off when temperatures climb into the 80s during July and August.
Golfing: Twin Falls Resort State Park Campground includes a golf course as part of its amenities. A camper mentioned, "There's tons to do at this campsite from beautiful trails, to a golf course and they even had a resort at a different portion of the park as well." Green fees vary seasonally, with typical rates around $30-40 per round.
What campers like
Privacy at secluded sites: Rifrafters Campground offers different site options, including more secluded ones. A camper shared, "It would be a nice little place to spend the night if you were in the area doing other things...there's a back section of the campground that looked very new and sites had more space and scenery." These sites provide a quieter experience away from busier camping areas.
Family-friendly amenities: Ole Henry's Camping Retreat features numerous kid-focused attractions. A visitor described, "The playground area has a nice swing set and a couple big wooden play structures. There is drain pipe slides coming off one of the hillsides that is a kid favorite. They also have a little 55 gallon barrel train ride for little kids." These amenities keep children entertained throughout their stay.
Wildlife viewing: Breaks Interstate Park Campground offers opportunities to observe local wildlife in their natural habitat. One reviewer noted, "White tail deer are frequent, and very tame." Morning and evening hours typically provide the best wildlife viewing opportunities, with dawn being ideal for bird watching.
What you should know
Seasonal limitations: Several campgrounds have restricted operating schedules. A reviewer of Jenny Wiley State Park Campground warned, "The marina was very busy and you could call and reserve boats but we had no service so we just went in person." The park operates from April 1 to October 31, so plan accordingly.
Road conditions: Access to some campgrounds requires navigating challenging mountain roads. A Twin Falls Resort visitor cautioned, "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." This is particularly important for those traveling with RVs or trailers.
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