Glamping near Clarksburg, West Virginia offers diverse terrain across elevations ranging from 1,000 to 2,800 feet, with distinct seasonal temperature variations affecting camping options. Winter temperatures often drop below freezing between November and February, making heated accommodations particularly valuable. The region receives approximately 45 inches of annual rainfall with summer thunderstorms common from June through August.
What to do
Creek exploration and fishing access: At Five River Campground, visitors can enjoy riverside activities along Shavers Fork. "We utilized one of the rv sites with 50 amp service and full hookups... The location is amazingly located right on the Shavers Fork river on a section that was shallow and calm enough for our small children to enjoy it," notes Jamie R. The shallow sections are ideal for families with younger children.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The forested areas around campsites provide excellent wildlife watching. At Coopers Rock State Forest, camping areas are situated near diverse animal habitats. "Wake up early and watch the sunrise at the overlook I'm telling ya!" suggests Emily M. from Rhododendron Camping Area. Morning hours typically offer the best opportunities for spotting native wildlife.
Historical exploration: Several campgrounds provide access to historic sites within a 30-minute drive. "Stonewall is a resort with a very nice campground. The bathrooms are clean and they have nice showers. At the lodge there's some restaurants, indoor outdoor pool, spa, you can rent kayaks to paddle around. They also have a boat that will take you on a tour of the lake," explains Tracy S. regarding the resort amenities and historical tours available.
What campers like
Tent site selection: Experienced campers recommend choosing tent sites strategically. At Tygart Lake State Park Campground, site location makes a significant difference. "My girlfriend and I stayed at tent site 21 July 26th and 27th and was a good experience overall. We both agreed that we will only camp there if this particular site is open though. It is the tent site with the most privacy and it is the only one on that side of the road which made it nice," shares Dusty R.
Off-peak timing: Many campers report better experiences during weekdays or shoulder seasons. "We stopped though mid week in early May and the park was just about empty, one other RV sites used and no tents up. Several cabins were rented," notes Shane T. about Tygart Lake State Park, highlighting the benefit of visiting during less crowded periods.
Trail access: Direct trail connections from glamping sites remain highly valued. "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. Trails for campers to hike and great boating and fishing as well," explains WVa 0 regarding access at Tygart Lake.
What you should know
Water quality concerns: Some campgrounds have reported water issues that require preparation. At Flatwoods KOA, water quality has been problematic. "Make sure you run the water lines to clear them out before hooking up. The water quality is very poor. We filled up a jug of water for travel day without the filters when leaving and it was completely contaminated," cautions Laura H.
Uneven sites: Level sites can be challenging to find at certain locations. "Just stayed here for one night with our 5th wheel when traveling home. I wasn't too impressed. I thought it was expensive. The site was difficult to back into because everything was so narrow," reports Tadd and Justin about their experience at Stonewall Resort State Park.
Campground layouts: Some areas have unusual configurations that affect camping experience. "This is a very oddly laid out campground... 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 loops are like that," explains Cynthia K. about Blackwater Falls State Park, noting how site orientation impacts functionality.
Tips for camping with families
Swimming access options: Families should research swimming areas before booking. At Bulltown Campground, there are multiple swimming options. "Our site was nice sized and not on top of another. We had a picnic table, some shade, electric and a fire pit. There's a boat ramp with fishing and swimming areas within the campground as well as a beach area and fishing about half mile away," explains Elaine L.
Wildlife awareness: Families should prepare for wildlife encounters. "The campground is clean and cared for. There's a historical area that's really neat and a country store with things you may have forgotten - the ice cream and pizza are great too! We saw deer and a skunk came up to our site twice," notes Elaine L. from Bulltown, highlighting the importance of proper food storage.
Local attractions: Planning day trips enhances family glamping experiences. "We went swimming in lake two days and drove down to Flatwoods for some of the best ice cream you can find at The Spot (UFO and alien sighting location lol)," shares Jeremiah S., describing family-friendly activities near Bulltown Campground.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: RVers recommend specific site sections at various campgrounds. At Blackwater Falls State Park Campground, site location significantly impacts experience. "The handicapped sites are in the first loop by the bathroom. There's a dump that's in the middle of the first loop. You have to go the wrong way on a one way road to dump. Campsite 40 I would avoid since it's close to the dump," advises Cynthia K.
Power issues: Some glamping areas experience electrical fluctuations. "My surgeguard shut off the power in the evening due to high voltage. It was showing 137 volts at one time," reports Tadd and Justin about Stonewall Resort State Park, suggesting RVers bring surge protection equipment.
Weather preparation: Severe weather occurs in the region and requires preparation. "A huge storm rolled through with 40/50 mph winds. We had a little heads up thanks to buying a day of WiFi but most people were caught flat footed. We saw 30 plus awnings and canopies destroyed," recounts Jeremiah S. about their Bulltown Campground experience, highlighting the need for weather monitoring.
