Best Campgrounds near Craigsville, WV

Craigsville, West Virginia serves as a gateway to numerous camping options throughout the Monongahela National Forest and surrounding areas. The Cranberry River region provides multiple developed campgrounds including Cranberry Campground, Big Rock Campground, and Bishop Knob Campground, all offering primitive sites for tent and small RV camping. Mountain Lake Campground and Cabins features more amenities with full RV hookups, cabin rentals, and glamping opportunities. Summersville Lake accommodates water-oriented camping with sites at Battle Run and Summersville Lake Retreat. Most campgrounds maintain a rustic character with basic facilities, while offering proximity to fishing, hiking, and water recreation.

Access to many campgrounds requires travel on gravel Forest Service roads with limited cell service, particularly in the Cranberry River area. The camping season typically runs from April through October, with some sites available year-round. "This area of Monongahela was lovely, there were tons of great spots along the Cranberry River to explore," noted one visitor about the campground options. Travelers should prepare for cool mountain temperatures even in summer, as elevation changes can significantly impact weather conditions. Many campgrounds operate on a first-come, first-served basis with self-registration, particularly at Forest Service sites like Bishop Knob and Big Rock. Bear activity is common throughout the region, requiring proper food storage practices at all camping locations.

The Cranberry River draws fishermen and outdoor enthusiasts seeking remote experiences with excellent trout fishing opportunities. Campers consistently praise the quiet, wooded settings and river access available at Cranberry and Big Rock campgrounds. A visitor remarked, "If you're looking for a weekend getaway or a week-long rest, look no further. The fishing here is the best around." Summersville Lake provides a contrasting experience with swimming, boating, and more developed facilities. Many sites offer picnic tables, fire rings, and vault toilets, though amenities vary significantly between Forest Service campgrounds and private operations like Mountain Lake Campground. The surrounding wilderness areas provide additional backpacking opportunities with shelters available along trails. Campgrounds near water tend to fill quickly during summer weekends and fishing season, especially those with direct river or lake access.

Best Camping Sites Near Craigsville, West Virginia (139)

    1. Mountain Lake Campground and Cabins

    19 Reviews
    Summersville Lake, WV
    13 miles
    Website

    "We took site 269 for the proximity to one of the little playgrounds and easy walk to bathrooms. We had a great time and it was easy to let our 3 year old play while we setup."

    "I used to love Mtn Lake because of their secluded primitive camping where deer often visit and provided a quiet place away from the busy RV sites, however they gave into demand and now have overrun the"

    2. Battle Run

    15 Reviews
    Keslers Cross Lanes, WV
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (304) 872-3459

    $24 - $40 / night

    "Whether it's weekend camping with friends/ family or some where to crash after a long day on the lake/ river you won't regret staying in beautiful West Virginia."

    "The restroom & shower facilities were easily within walking distance. The facilities could use a deep clean but overall were fine."

    3. Cranberry River Sites NF Campground

    4 Reviews
    Richwood, WV
    8 miles
    +1 (304) 636-1800

    "long path along river, very beautiful area"

    "The fishing here is the best around with beautiful waterfalls like big ruff and the ducks are so colorful like no other. Been going for 3 years now and always an awesome getaway."

    4. Gauley Tailwaters Campground — Gauley River National Recreation Area

    10 Reviews
    Summersville Lake, WV
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (304) 465-0508

    "there are bathrooms and tap water, but no electrical or showers. you park right next to your tent. you can walk down to the gauley river. you may see many white water rafters here for this reason."

    "You can hike trails to the river, even to a beautiful swimming spot just below the dam and camping sites!"

    5. Summersville Lake Retreat & Lighthouse

    8 Reviews
    Summersville Lake, WV
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (304) 872-5975

    $40 - $56 / night

    "Dave and Kim are great people, have a beautiful and well cared for campground very close to the Gauley River."

    "Summersville is a pretty lake. Fayetteville is close & a really cute town. Bridge Day happens at a near bye bridge over the New River."

    6. Bishop Knob Campground

    4 Reviews
    Camden-on-Gauley, WV
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (304) 636-1800

    7. Cranberry Campground

    4 Reviews
    Richwood, WV
    11 miles
    Website

    "Cranberry Campground is located in West Virginia close to the town of Richwood on the Cranberry River. All the sites are rustic."

    "We found a good tucked in site (#27) that was close to the water pump and was surrounded by the woods. "

    8. Beaver Lakes Campground

    1 Review
    Craigsville, WV
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (304) 618-7399

    $33 / night

    "We're so excited to have Beaver Lakes Campground on our platform. Hop in your RV, or bring a tent!"

    9. Summit Lake Campground

    4 Reviews
    Richwood, WV
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (304) 636-1800

    $10 / night

    "Walking trails to the lake and what a lake! We shall return at some point when it doesn't snow between 80 degree weeks."

    10. Big Rock Campground

    1 Review
    Richwood, WV
    7 miles
    Website

    "Big Rock Campground is a small heavily-wooded campground, with five-spaces, located next to the Cranberry River in Nicholas County, WV.  Each site has a picnic table, fire ring and lantern pole."

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Recent Reviews near Craigsville, WV

617 Reviews of 139 Craigsville Campgrounds


  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 5, 2025

    Babcock State Park Campground

    Spacious campground. Near RiverGorge National Park

    The facilities were clean and well maintained. Babcock State Park has access to trails, a scenic drive, grist mill, and souvenir store. WIFI is slow but there is a WiFi lounge at park store. No food store or restaurants nearby. Limited large rig sites and roadways are very narrow.

  • Aly E.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 3, 2025

    Grandview Sandbar Campground — New River Gorge National Park and Preserve

    Great area!

    This was near the water with pit toilets available but not in good condition. Areas to fish and good camping areas spaced apart. Friday night and there was only a few campers. If it’s full glade creek is four miles up the road and our personal favorite. So plenty of options and both great spots!

  • Aly E.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 3, 2025

    Glade Creek Campground — New River Gorge National Park and Preserve

    New favorite!

    This area is our favorite we have been in all of the eastern states. So the sites all have fire pits and picnic tables and there’s tons of wood around to burn. There’s two pit toilet restrooms on both sides of the campground and a full area by the water for walk in tent camping. Boat ramp for anyone wanting to kayak and a big beach area to play in the water so perfect for my dog and kid. No one was around so we had the place to ourselves but each area is well spaced.

  • SkywaystoHighways.com Y.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 30, 2025

    Babcock State Park Campground

    All the Amenities and then some!

    We truly enjoyed our stay at this park. Its peacefully serene setting was exactly what we needed after a weekend long festival. Ya just can’t beat a free hot shower with great water pressure and affordable laundry facilities! Ya know?! Nice trails to forage and nearby Gristmill to top it all off. If we’d had the time, we would’ve stayed an extra night.

  • TangoRomeo 8.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 30, 2025

    Sherwood Lake WV

    Lake Sherwood Dispersed Camping

    Around a dozen sites with Rick fire rings, some are RV sized others are tent only. These are located along the road to Lake Sherwood in Neola WV off Rt. 92. First come first serve. Lake Sherwood Day use recreation area with seasonal pay sites is located at the end of the road. All within Monongahela National Forest

  • Brac S.
    Sep. 25, 2025

    Gauley Tailwaters Campground — Gauley River National Recreation Area

    Don’t understand the positive reviews

    We headed here based on the reviews, there were other campers that were there for rafting (Sept release season) but camping was literally a parking lot with fire pits around it. We stayed just up the road at Battle Run, which was a beautiful place (paid of course).

  • Ronnie B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 22, 2025

    Mountain Lake Campground and Cabins

    Nice place

    Trails were never nicely marked and well cleared. Good size spaces and distance between each camper.

  • Sonder B.
    Sep. 21, 2025

    Dispersed camping at Mower Basin

    Clean, Remote, Pristine, off the beaten path = Mower Basin

    I chose for this trip to pay a visit to the Monongahela Nation Forest in West Virginia. I plan on dispersed camp in the Mower Basin for seven days. 

    The first three I would be solo and on that Friday my partner in crime would come to camp. I went to the primary camp site, and it was occupied. 

    I had four other camp sites chosen and continued to the other four. I found that other campers were on the other spots. I went to the last one and found it to be open. In setting up camp I found two piles of bear scat. 

    One pile was clearly fresher than the other, but still two piles! The attached photo is the last dispersed camp site. It was a little over a mile from the other site. I was dispersed camping in the Mower Basin. You can drive right up to your camp site, but don’t be fooled, this is primitive camping. 

    You need to bring everything with you and take it all out with you.

    Nearest Cell tower is here 38.688719,-79.979097

    Fuel &  small gocery store can be found here 38.710707,-79.979095

    Minor Automotive shop and tire repair here 38.713085,-79.979352


Guide to Craigsville

Camping near Craigsville, West Virginia centers around access points to the Monongahela National Forest and surrounding water bodies at elevations ranging from 1,400 to 3,000 feet. The region experiences typical mountain climate patterns with temperature drops of 10-15 degrees from daytime highs, even during summer months. Campsites along forest service roads FR76 and FR86 provide varying levels of amenities depending on their proximity to water sources.

What to do

Fishing access points: Most campsites along the Cranberry River offer direct water access for trout fishing, particularly during spring stocking season. "The fishing here is the best around with beautiful waterfalls like big ruff and the ducks are so colorful like no other," notes a visitor to Cranberry River Sites NF Campground.

Hiking trails: Multiple trail systems connect campgrounds to wilderness areas and scenic viewpoints. At Mountain Lake Campground and Cabins, visitors appreciate the trail options: "Trails were never nicely marked and well cleared. Good size spaces and distance between each camper," writes one reviewer.

Scuba diving: Summersville Lake provides clear water conditions for underwater exploration, with depths reaching 327 feet. "It is one of the clearest lakes in the east, so scuba diving is also very popular here," according to reviews of Battle Run Campground, making it a unique activity option not available at most mountain camping destinations.

What campers like

Quiet woodland settings: Many campsites offer secluded spots away from crowds. A camper at Big Rock Campground notes, "This campground is popular for remote fishing when the Cranberry River is up and it gives hikers access to numerous trails in the Cranberry Wilderness."

Lake swimming opportunities: Summersville Lake provides beaches and swimming areas with clear water. "The lake is amazing, clear and has so many visual gems that I highly suggest a visit," reports a camper at Mountain Lake Campground and Cabins.

Wildlife viewing: Multiple campgrounds report regular deer sightings and other wildlife encounters. At Gauley Tailwaters Campground, campers appreciate "waking up to the sound of the river and then paired with the most gorgeous view. unbeatable. way worth the drive to get there."

What you should know

Limited cell service: Most campgrounds have minimal or no cellular connectivity. "You can't be online at the cabin. Just enjoy disconnecting," advises one camper visiting the area. Prepare for limited communication options throughout much of the region.

Weather changes: Mountain elevations cause significant temperature drops after sunset. "Packing gear for the hot of the day and the cool of the night is essential even in July," notes a visitor to Cranberry Campground.

Bear activity: All campgrounds report black bear presence requiring proper food storage. "This is bear-country, so food needs to be kept out of reach of black bears," warns a camper at Cranberry Campground. Use provided bear-proof trash containers where available or store food in vehicles.

Tips for camping with families

Playground proximity: Select sites near play areas for easier supervision. "Our camp site was right next to one of the playgrounds and that was definitely a plus! Our little boy could play while we watched from our site," shares a visitor to Mountain Lake Campground and Cabins.

Swimming options: Summersville Lake offers family-friendly beach areas with gradual entry points. A camper at Battle Run reports, "We visit this campground every year and have for the past 20 years. Great lake access for your boat from the campground. Our favorite family vacation spot."

Kid-friendly activities: Some private campgrounds offer additional recreation options. "Sites are big, easily accessible, clean, and not too close to your neighbors. Decent showerhouses with hot water! Cute little store with ice cream, firewood, ice, knick knacks, and a few grocery items. Weekend activities for the kids, putt putt, a pool, several swingset/play areas," notes a Mountain Lake visitor.

Tips from RVers

Site leveling challenges: Many campgrounds have uneven terrain requiring leveling blocks. "Most sites are not level at all," warns a camper at Mountain Lake Campground, suggesting RVers bring adequate leveling equipment for comfort.

Power limitations: Several campgrounds report occasional electrical issues during peak demand. "A/C power was an issue. 1 camper had 30 amp breaker blow 2 days in a row and my 50 amp ran A.C. units fan but didn't cool all day," reports an RVer at Mountain Lake Campground.

Road access considerations: Forest service roads to campgrounds may present challenges for larger rigs. "The road to 4 was horrendous to be pulling a camper. Had to use 4Low to creep out. It should be paved, no exceptions for that hill," cautions an RV camper, indicating the importance of researching road conditions before arrival.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Craigsville, WV?

According to TheDyrt.com, Craigsville, WV offers a wide range of camping options, with 139 campgrounds and RV parks near Craigsville, WV and 12 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Craigsville, WV?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Craigsville, WV is Mountain Lake Campground and Cabins with a 4.3-star rating from 19 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Craigsville, WV?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 12 free dispersed camping spots near Craigsville, WV.

What parks are near Craigsville, WV?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 23 parks near Craigsville, WV that allow camping, notably Summersville Lake and Sutton Lake.