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Best Campgrounds near Circleville, WV

636 Reviews

Circleville, West Virginia serves as a gateway to several campgrounds within Monongahela National Forest, particularly those near Spruce Knob, the highest point in the state. Seneca Shadows and Spruce Knob Lake Campground provide established camping options with amenities like picnic tables, fire rings, and vault toilets. For more remote experiences, Gandy Creek offers dispersed camping without developed facilities. The region includes opportunities for tent camping, RV sites, and even some glamping accommodations depending on the specific campground. Most established sites are located between 3,000 and 4,800 feet elevation, providing cool mountain air even during summer months.

Access to camping areas varies significantly by season, with most campgrounds operating from April through October. Spruce Knob Lake Campground typically opens from April to early October, while nearby sites like Seneca Shadows remain open until late October. The mountain roads leading to these campgrounds are often narrow and winding, with some sections unpaved. Cell service is extremely limited throughout the area, particularly at higher elevations near Spruce Knob. Water availability can be limited at some sites, and visitors should be prepared to filter or boil water from natural sources when camping at primitive locations. According to one visitor, "Download your maps before you come, because there's no cell service and you'll truly get away."

The high-elevation camping in this area provides exceptional stargazing opportunities due to minimal light pollution. Spruce Knob Lake is particularly noted for astrophotography and night sky viewing. Several campers highlight the solitude and quiet atmosphere at campgrounds throughout the region. The developed sites typically include fire rings and picnic tables, while dispersed camping areas require strict adherence to leave-no-trace principles. Hiking trails connect many of the campgrounds to scenic areas including Spruce Knob summit and various waterfalls along creek drainages. A recent review noted, "It's very remote, but you're at the top of a mountain so it's gorgeous." Wildlife viewing opportunities are abundant, with birds being particularly diverse during spring and fall migrations.

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Best Camping Sites Near Circleville, West Virginia (124)

    1. Seneca Shadows

    32 Reviews
    Seneca Rocks, WV
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (304) 567-3082

    $17 - $65 / night

    "I stayed here for a single night while I was exploring West Virginia, but I wish I had stayed longer. This is one of the most beautiful campgrounds I've ever seen."

    "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."

    2. Spruce Knob Lake Campground

    17 Reviews
    Riverton, WV
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (304) 567-3082

    $15 - $32 / night

    "It is about 5 miles from the summit of Spruce Knob (highest peak in West Virginia).  Tow campers smaller in size can certainly make it, although mostly tent camping which I like. "

    "The Spruce Knob Lake Campground offers extra-large camp sites with lots of shade and so much undergrowth I only saw my neighbors when I took a walk to check out the campground."

    3. Gandy Creek Dispersed Camping

    16 Reviews
    Whitmer, WV
    8 miles
    Website

    "Some you walk-in a short distance but are rewarded with amazing sites on the creek, secluded and wooded. Other places you can camp in your vehicle or park at the site."

    "Just camped there with two of my friends this past weekend, really cool site we were lucky enough to get a site next to the river! Get there early as it’s first come first serve!"

    4. Spruce Knob and Spruce Knob Observation Tower

    8 Reviews
    Circleville, WV
    6 miles

    "Spruce Knob is the highest point in West Virginia and offers great views."

    "Campground is less than 1 mile from Spruce Knob Lake. Lake has boat ramp for small boats and kayaks and a pier for fishing."

    5. Island Campground

    6 Reviews
    Durbin, WV
    13 miles
    Website

    "They only have 1 drive in campsite next to the creek but it was by far the nicest. Luckily we were the only people there and were able to grab it that day."

    "Good location next to stream and trail, Locust Springs right up the road."

    6. Laurel Fork Campground

    5 Reviews
    Glady, WV
    12 miles
    Website

    "Laurel fork campground is a nice place to go if you are looking to get away from the busy life. It’s not a very large camp ground or heavily populated. Finding a spot shouldn’t be a problem."

    "Biggest surprise, given the location on the creek and remoteness of the campground ( settled deep in the woods) , there were No Bugs to speak of! Tons of wildflowers and butterflies!"

    7. Brandywine Lake Campground — Shenandoah Wildlife Management Area

    9 Reviews
    Brandywine, WV
    17 miles
    Website

    $20 / night

    "This campground is mostly level, so bike riding for kids is great, walking to the lake or shower houses is very easy for those who have trouble with hills. The lake has a small but clean beach."

    "A short walk from your campsite to the lake to enjoy kayaking, fishing, swimming and picnicking. The camp has a bath house with showers. The camp host is very nice and keeps the campground spotless."

    8. Big Bend Campground

    14 Reviews
    Cabins, WV
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (304) 358-3253

    $27 - $50 / night

    "Forest, West Virginia."

    "The campground is situated in the middle of a bowl in the canyon(you're surrounded by mountains)."

    9. Blackwater Falls State Park Campground

    52 Reviews
    Davis, WV
    31 miles
    Website
    +1 (304) 259-5216

    $50 / night

    "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."

    10. Gatewood Group

    1 Review
    Circleville, WV
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (304) 567-3082

    $60 / night

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Recent Camping Photos near Circleville, WV

388 Photos of 124 Circleville Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Circleville, WV

636 Reviews of 124 Circleville Campgrounds

  • Alia
    Sep. 7, 2025

    Kick Back n Camp

    Last Minute Getaway

    My husband and I went on a spontaneous camping road trip. We called the campground, and they had availability for walk-ins! Usually, you’d have to book in advance. The campsite was a semi-private spot, and it cost less than $30 a night, without electricity. They also have sites with electricity. We were fortunate enough to have no campers around us, making it quite private.

    The campground had a picnic table, a fire pit, and they even delivered our firewood directly to our site. They had separate sites for RVs and tent camping, so we could choose the one that best suited our needs. The owners were incredibly friendly and outgoing, making our stay even more enjoyable.

    If you forget anything, the campground office had everything you needed for purchase. They also had a well-organized brochure that showcased the campground’s amenities and offerings. And let’s not forget their delicious ice cream! They had a variety of flavors, and I highly recommend trying them all.

    One of the standout features of the campground was the bathhouse. It was spotlessly clean and felt like a spa. The showers were comfortable and had hot water, making it our highlight

    Overall, we had a fantastic time at the campground. It was a great place to unwind and connect with nature. If you’re looking for a peaceful and affordable camping experience, I highly recommend this campground.

  • Aileen C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 3, 2025

    Blackwater Falls State Park Campground

    Clean Campground in a Beautiful Park

    This is one of our favorite places. The park is beautiful, and so are the nearby Canaan Valley Wildlife Refuge and Canaan Valley State Park.

    The campground is better suited to tents and small to medium size camping units. I think the person who designed it was not familiar with camping units other than tents. Loop 1-30 is one way going clockwise. Loop 31-65 is one way going counterclockwise. But in both loops, to have your door facing away from the street, you have to drive counterclockwise if your site is on the outside of the loop, and clockwise if your site is inside the loop.  In some sites, the electric pedestal is on the wrong side, so you'll have to use a long cord and take it under your unit to reach your electric hookup.

    There are two water fill stations, one at the camp store where you check in, and the other at a water fountain near the bathhouse in loop 31-65. They are supplied supplied with a green garden hose, not a white potable water hose, so we unscrewed the hose and used our own. The water tastes unusually good.

    The dump station is in a section of loop 31-65. You have to go the wrong way on a one way road to be close enough for your slinky to reach it. The non potable rinse water is across this road from the dump station and it has a white hose--beware--this is not the drinking water! You stretch this hose across the road to rinse your gray and black tanks and slinky.

    Some of the sites are not very level, and many of the pull thru sites share some driveway space with another pull thru site or a back in site. There are two pairs of sites that share a pull thru--OK for people traveling together, but otherwise a headache if you're arriving and leaving at different times.

    Once you have dealt with all this inconvenience and oddness, you'll find you're within walking distance of the falls, a small lake, hiking trails that go through beautiful forests with rhododendrons, hemlocks, spruce, and hardwoods. The camp store is limited, but the staff is very friendly and helpful. The nature center is one of the best I've ever visited, and park naturalists provide programs on weekends. There are kayak rentals in summer. The lake has a swimming beach, but you can pay to use the swimming pool at the lodge for better swimming. The lodge also has a huge lobby with a cabinet containing jigsaw puzzles. We worked on one on a rainy day when we didn't want to be outside. Davis and Thomas have some interesting shops and good restaurants.When you get back after a day of adventures, you'll find clean restrooms with hot showers that are actually hot. And the T-Mobile service was good enough for my husband to stream a movie while I sent photos to my family. The park was very busy for Labor Day weekend, but it was a family atmosphere and after dark, there were few lights and little noise.

  • Lee G.
    Sep. 2, 2025

    Big Bend Campground

    Big Bend Campground…Definitely Worth the Experience

    Big Bend Campground is a beautiful place with a great family atmosphere. The campsites are large and accommodate RVs and/or multiple tents. The best part about this place is the nearly 360° lazy river tubing experience. This place has no cell service and you’ll have to travel along a 2 1/2 mile dirt road to finally get to the campground. The Camp Hosts were great and offered a lot of local information and tips. While this is a great location and provides memorable adventures, it would be great if the picnic tables and some of the fire rings could be updated as they’re nearing the end of their service life. However, this is simply a great place to unhook from the daily grind.

  • scott K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 23, 2025

    Gladwin Dispersed Camping

    Go a little further

    Decided to try it even though other review said private property- and seems they were correct but incorrect. Initially you do come to private land with several campsites and campers present. But if you go down the dirt road a little to the low water bridge you will find a wonderful site on the right with several fire pits. Or another 100 yards after bridge was another nice site on the left

  • Sophia Z.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 17, 2025

    Gladwin Dispersed Camping

    Spot is on Private Property

    Spot is amazing, but we got told to leave due to it actually being private property, not part of the national forest camping.
    There is a private property line next to the entrance, so we thought we were in the clear being away from it, but locals, although incredibly friendly, kindly asked us to leave.

  • madison F.
    Aug. 17, 2025

    Walnut Hills Campground & RV Park

    WALNUT

    first arrived weary of storm headed our way only to find out our campsite was the only in our section that wasn’t a flood zone.

    saw some liquid being pumped into naturally flowing creek water??! also if you want to see ducks… stay close to the pond.

    super honorable mention - lower bathhouses did not have warm water and had to hike up the hill to use, extremely nicer, bathhouse.

    POOL had a “tlc makeover” only to have a surmount of chemicals still not diluted by 5pm - MURKYYYYYYY

    also had a campsite that was placed between three trees - super tight but made it work.

    only stayed in passing - get what you get

  • madison F.
    Aug. 13, 2025

    Endless Caverns RV Resort & Cottages

    Tracy Knows What’s Up

    This resort has EVERYTHING!! clean showers/bathrooms, pool, pickleball, volleyball, playgrounds, hiking trails, full hookup with water pumps at EACH site, laundry (paid), arcade, and a rec center. so cool staying on top of the caverns

  • Gene H.
    Aug. 12, 2025

    Alpine Shores Campground

    Great Music on holiday weekends!

    This is a clean, beautiful location ran by wonderful, kind folks.  My band, The Fridley Boys plays there on the 4th and Labor Day weekends.  The crowd and atmosphere is always amazing.  It is definitely our favorite venue!!!  Crowd and band are out of the weather.  Love this place!

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 22, 2025

    Smalltown Campsites LLC

    We love this place.

    We love it here. Quiet and simple with gorgeous views. Did I mention full hook ups? Our 40 ft jayco fits here just fine. Don’t know if there is a max… I doubt it.

    Proprietors are very friendly and responsive via email and text.

    Wifi on-site, cell service is spotty in the whole region, so the wifi is an awesome perk.

    Walked the dogs to the river and had a blast.

    Had the place all to ourselves.

    Dark sky and silence.

    Six sites now. Owners told me they are planning to expand a little at some point.

    We will be back.

    Highly recommended if all the above is your kinda thing.

Guide to Circleville

Camping near Circleville, West Virginia, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and outdoor activities. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventure-filled getaway, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Explore the trails around Blackwater Falls State Park Campground. One camper mentioned, "Hiking trails accessible by foot from the campground is a plus for us so we don’t have to pack up each time we venture out."
  • Fishing: The Five River Campground is right on the river, making it perfect for fishing. A visitor said, "Right on the River. Perfect for floating."
  • Stargazing: At Spruce Knob Lake Campground, the dark skies provide excellent stargazing opportunities. One camper noted, "Great place for star gazing and disconnecting from reality for a bit."

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate the cleanliness of the facilities at Seneca Shadows. A reviewer stated, "It’s a nice campground. It has nice bathrooms."
  • Friendly Staff: Many visitors enjoy the welcoming atmosphere. At Five River Campground, one guest said, "The owners are amazing and so helpful."
  • Spacious Sites: Campers love the spaciousness at Blackwater Falls State Park Campground. A review mentioned, "Sites are spacious and well placed."

What you should know:

  • No Reservations: Many campgrounds, like Red Creek Campground, operate on a first-come, first-served basis. A camper shared, "The sites aren’t huge or majorly spread out, but there is just something about them that makes it nice."
  • Limited Amenities: Some sites, such as those at Dolly Sods Backcountry, are primitive with no modern facilities. A visitor noted, "This is a small rustic campground on the edge of the Dolly Sods wilderness."
  • Weather Variability: Be prepared for changing weather conditions. One camper at Seneca State Forest mentioned, "It was raining most of my stay so I was not able to fully experience the attractions around the park."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Kid-Friendly Activities: Look for campgrounds with nearby attractions. At Blackwater Falls State Park Campground, families can enjoy hiking and exploring the falls. One parent said, "The Black Water Falls were also within walking distance and beautiful to see."
  • Safety First: Always keep an eye on kids near water. A camper at Five River Campground advised, "The water level was a little low, but you could still float on your inner tube around the entire loop."
  • Pack Snacks: Having snacks on hand can keep everyone happy. A visitor at Seneca Shadows mentioned, "We drove up to Blackwater Falls and then Blackwater Outdoors Adventures to tube down the Cheat River."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Hookups: Make sure to choose campgrounds with the right hookups for your RV. Five River Campground offers full hookup sites, which one camper found "amazing."
  • Space Between Sites: Look for campgrounds with spacious sites for privacy. A reviewer at Big Bend said, "The sites are spaced far apart and are wooded."
  • Plan for No Cell Service: Many campgrounds, like Spruce Knob Lake Campground, have limited or no cell service. One camper noted, "You’ll have no clue what the weather is going to do unless you have access to a satellite source."

Camping near Circleville, West Virginia, offers a variety of experiences for everyone. Whether you're in a tent or an RV, there's something for you in this beautiful area.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where are the best camping spots in Circleville, WV?

Circleville and its surrounding area offer excellent camping opportunities in the beautiful West Virginia mountains. Seneca Shadows is one of the most scenic options, with stunning views and both standard sites with utilities and walk-in tent sites. For a more secluded experience, Spruce Knob Lake Campground provides a quiet atmosphere with fewer sites and is conveniently located near West Virginia's highest peak. Other notable options include Horseshoe Recreation Area for its remote setting and family-friendly atmosphere, and Eagle Rock Campground for affordable riverside camping. The region's combination of established campgrounds and primitive sites makes it ideal for various camping preferences, from RV enthusiasts to backcountry adventurers.

What is the best time of year to camp in Circleville, WV?

The ideal camping season in Circleville, WV typically runs from late spring through early fall (May through October). Summer offers warm days perfect for water activities, while Canaan Valley Resort State Park Campground shines with its shaded sites and full hookups during the hotter months. Fall is particularly magical as Blackwater Falls State Park Campground and surrounding areas display spectacular autumn colors, typically peaking in October. Winter brings heavy snowfall to the region, making most campgrounds inaccessible except for Canaan Valley, which remains a popular destination for winter sports enthusiasts. Spring camping can be beautiful but prepare for variable weather conditions and potential muddy trails as the snow melts.

What outdoor activities are available near Circleville, West Virginia?

The Circleville area is an outdoor enthusiast's paradise with diverse recreational opportunities. Hiking trails abound, with Kumbrabow State Forest offering miles of scenic paths through its 9,500-acre forest. Water activities are plentiful along the Greenbrier River Trail Milepost 63.8 Primitive Campsite, where tubing, swimming, and fishing are popular. Rock climbing at Seneca Rocks draws enthusiasts from across the country. Mountain biking trails weave throughout the region, including the renowned Greenbrier River Trail for bikepacking adventures. The area also offers excellent fishing opportunities, wildlife viewing, photography, and stargazing. During winter, nearby Canaan Valley becomes a hub for downhill and cross-country skiing. With its varied terrain and four distinct seasons, Circleville provides year-round outdoor recreation possibilities.

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