Camping near Clarksburg, West Virginia positions visitors within the north-central region of the state at elevations ranging from 1,000 to 2,000 feet. The mountainous terrain creates variable weather conditions that shift quickly in spring and fall, with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F during peak camping season. Many campgrounds in this region operate from mid-April through October, making advance planning essential for the limited operating window.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Stocked waters and varied fishing environments exist throughout the region. At Family Fishing N' Camping north of Clarksburg, the focus is on angler access. "There is great fishing and the staff and people are very accommodating," notes reviewer Tosha M. While tent camping is no longer available as of 2024, the site continues to draw fishing enthusiasts.
Trail hiking: The region offers diverse hiking terrain from riverside paths to mountain trails. Audra State Park Campground features a unique trail experience about 25 miles from Clarksburg. "The terrain is undulating and also traverses a wooden boardwalk under a natural outcropping (thus the name, Alum cave trail). The views of various parts of the river were spectacular," explains reviewer Dave V. The trail network connects camping areas to scenic river views.
River recreation: Water activities range from calm paddling to whitewater adventures depending on rainfall. "We took our kayaks along but opted to drive to the boat launch instead of carrying our kayaks down the trail. It is an option though," shares Dusty R. from Tygart Lake State Park. At Audra State Park, "Each day we were able to get out and explore," noting opportunities for swimming and tubing during warmer months.
What campers like
Riverside settings: Many campers prioritize sites with direct water access. "Our tent sitting five feet off a gurgling river with mountains as your backdrop, well...it just doesn't get much better or tranquil," writes one reviewer about Five River Campground in Parsons. The campground offers tent sites along a half-mile grassy stretch of river where campers can choose their own spot.
Clean facilities: Well-maintained bathhouses receive consistent positive mentions. "The bathrooms were nice they are a very far walk from any of the shaded/non-electric sites, and you are not permitted to drive up to them," observed one camper at Tygart Lake. At Broken Wheel Campground, a visitor noted "The host was great," though mentioning "The bedroom water had a lot of iron in it. The tent sites are far from rest rooms."
Seasonal beauty: Fall colors draw significant visitor traffic. "This is a beautiful park located on a river very quiet. Campsites are small only electric is available bathhouse clean," notes Robert H. about Audra State Park. At Coopers Rock State Forest, a reviewer shared "This is my absolutely favorite go-to weekend exploration spot. She never looks the same, and every season has a new vista to offer."
What you should know
Site sizing and layouts: Campground configurations vary considerably, affecting privacy and functionality. "The non-hook up camp sites are VERY close together," noted one Tygart Lake visitor, while at Blackwater Falls State Park Campground, "Many of the pull thru sites are situated in the wrong direction with the electric hookup on the wrong side." Some campgrounds like Audra State Park feature "Campsites small only electric is available."
Wildlife management: Raccoon activity requires proper food storage at several campgrounds. At Tygart Lake, reviews mention challenges with wildlife: "There is a HUGE raccoon problem here, even during the day. I wish we were warned ahead of time. Many people bring an extra tent to keep their food in." Other campgrounds report more manageable wildlife encounters.
Varying amenities: Facility access and conditions differ between campgrounds and site types. Five River Campground offers unique amenities including "cell signal for most carriers and even offers wifi and cable." At Broken Wheel Campground, "I recently went tent camping with my two children and 2 dogs... plenty of trash cans around and a nice park to play at. Firewood for sale. None to gather around not even sticks so be prepared for that."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds offer dedicated play areas for children. "There is a playground for the kids and plenty of room for them to play," reports a visitor to Coopers Rock State Forest. At Broken Wheel Campground, a family camper noted "The catch and release pond was a wonderful place to take kids to learn and guarantee to catch a fish with worms. We also found newts!"
Kid-friendly water features: Water activities provide entertainment for younger campers. Blackwater Falls State Park "There's a nature center by a small lake. You can fish there & they have kayaks to rent." At Five River Campground, a visitor observed "We were the only family on the river! We walked up river to the end of the property and were able to tube down to the lower end of the property."
Multi-day planning: Weather variability means packing for changing conditions. "In mid-May 2018, electric was in the process of being run to nearly all the inner loop and most river sites," notes a Blackwater Falls visitor, while another camper warns "anytime after mid September can be quite cold overnight. But the foliage is totally worth it!"
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: Identifying suitable sites based on hookup locations and space is crucial. At Stonewall Resort State Park, one RVer reported "The site was difficult to back into because everything was so narrow. I like to have a little bit of space when camping, but there were tent campers all around us." At Blackwater Falls, another advised "Choose your site wisely!" noting that some sites had picnic tables and fire rings positioned awkwardly.
Power management: Several campgrounds have electrical challenges to monitor. "My surgeguard shut off the power in the evening due to high voltage. It was showing 137 volts at one time," reported an RVer at Stonewall Resort State Park Campground. Many campgrounds are upgrading electrical systems, with Blackwater Falls noting they "just ran new electrical so there is a lot of mud and soft spots throughout the campground."
Road navigation: Narrow campground roads present access challenges. At Audra State Park, "The roads are very narrow with sharp turns," while at Coopers Rock, visitors recommend "Big/long RV's (driven or pulled) have difficulty navigating this narrow, curvy campground road pocked with rocky outcroppings. Park in the day use parking by the bridge or picnic area and scout it out first."
Traveler
