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Best Campgrounds near Dryfork, WV

688 Reviews

Camping in the Dryfork area of West Virginia centers around the diverse Monongahela National Forest lands, with both established campgrounds and remote dispersed options. Several campground options extend throughout the region, including Canaan Valley Resort State Park for developed camping with full hookups, and primitive sites at dispersed areas like Lower Glady and Canaan Loop Road. The terrain varies significantly from accessible valleys to remote mountain locations, accommodating tent campers, RVs, and those seeking backcountry experiences in the Appalachian highlands.

Road conditions and seasonal access create significant planning considerations for Dryfork-area camping. Forest roads leading to dispersed camping areas often require careful navigation, particularly after rain or snow events. "We arrived in the late afternoon and found a very pleasant back-in spot about a mile or so in. Hiked a few of the nearby trails. Very, very damp," noted one visitor to Canaan Loop Road. Winter camping remains popular but requires proper preparation as snowfall can be substantial at higher elevations. Most established campgrounds like Blackwater Falls State Park operate seasonally from April through October, while dispersed sites may be accessible year-round depending on conditions. Cell service is limited throughout much of the region, making advance planning essential.

The camping areas near Dryfork provide excellent access to outdoor recreation and scenic mountain environments. Wildlife viewing opportunities abound, with deer frequently spotted in campgrounds and hiking areas. One camper at Lower Glady Dispersed Campground reported, "Nice and cool. 4 to 8 other campers. No one next to me. There were a couple of small groups, like two rigs together. Nice and quiet. A few friendly fishermen each day, sharing local knowledge." Many camping areas provide access to fishing in nearby streams and proximity to hiking trails. Visitors frequently mention the stargazing opportunities and mountain views as highlights of the experience. Several mixed-use campgrounds in the area allow for both tent and RV camping, though amenities vary significantly between established and dispersed sites. Weekend crowding can occur at free dispersed sites during peak summer months.

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Best Camping Sites Near Dryfork, West Virginia (140)

    1. Blackwater Falls State Park Campground

    52 Reviews
    Davis, WV
    10 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."

    2. 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."

    3. Five River Campground

    27 Reviews
    Parsons, WV
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (304) 478-3515

    $15 / night

    "This is a hidden gem right outside of town. We utilized one of the rv sites with 50 amp service and full hookups."

    "It sets at the end of a side street (Walnut St) at the edge of town (Parsons). A small, quaint mountain town."

    4. Red Creek Campground

    19 Reviews
    Cabins, WV
    11 miles
    Website

    "I stayed two nights at site 2 which is tucked away from most of the other sites, save for one close by."

    "It is away from everything and it is surrounded by a ton of hiking trails. Great camping, great hiking."

    5. Canaan Valley Resort State Park Campground

    12 Reviews
    Red Creek, WV
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (304) 866-4121

    $20 - $45 / night

    "Campground Review: Canaan Valley State Park and Resort, Davis, West Virginia

    The Canaan Valley State Park and Resort is situated in a very popular outdoor activity area...for every season."

    "West Virginia is a state for anyone who enjoys the outdoors!!!! There are tons of out door activities! We recently camped 3 nights at Canaan Valley! We had a great time!"

    6. Dolly Sods Backcountry

    11 Reviews
    Red Creek, WV
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (304) 257-4488

    "We hiked in in warm weather and once we reached the top of a long entrance road (where one trailhead was) we found snow."

    "Having visited Dolly Sods numerous times at the Red Creek Campground, using that as the base camp to launch off to explore the myriad of trails."

    7. Canaan Loop Road Dispersed

    10 Reviews
    Davis, WV
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (304) 478-2000

    "road is easy to drive on- some bumps but we were in a small kia sedan and it was fine, there are a lot of spots visible from the road but there are also some hidden a few steps away from the road that"

    "Big site, good fire ring, paths the walk right from the site. The moss was like walking on carpet"

    8. Gandy Creek Dispersed Camping

    16 Reviews
    Whitmer, WV
    14 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!"

    9. Spruce Knob Lake Campground

    17 Reviews
    Riverton, WV
    15 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."

    10. Lower Glady Dispersed Campground

    7 Reviews
    Harman, WV
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (304) 636-1800

    "No one next to me. There were a couple of small groups, like two rigs together. Nice and quiet. A few friendly fishermen each day, sharing local knowledge."

    "I didn't pull in until close to 11 PM, but a couple notes on what I could see. There is a very sharp turn if you come in from the south on Sully Road, which seems to be the primary way to get there."

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Recent Camping Photos near Dryfork, WV

380 Photos of 140 Dryfork Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Dryfork, WV

688 Reviews of 140 Dryfork Campgrounds

  • G
    Sep. 29, 2025

    Middle Ridge Campground

    Private

    If you’re looking for quiet and privacy, this is the place.  they laid out the sites so that you’re not side by side. They are all on an angle which moves you further away from anyone on both sides.  The angled site also was great for driving just past you’re site and practically backing straight back into you’re site.  Decent bath house and friendly, low key staff.  Great rates per night.

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 28, 2025

    Audra State Park Campground

    Quiet

    A beautiful park located on a river very quiet. Campsites are small only electric is available bathhouse clean. The roads are very narrow with sharp turns.

  • 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

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 18, 2025

    Canaan Loop Road Dispersed

    Great dispersed sites!

    We only drove down to the second site, but it was awesome! Big site, good fire ring, paths the walk right from the site. The moss was like walking on carpet

  • AThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 14, 2025

    Middle Ridge Campground

    Large wooded sites

    The owners are so friendly and personable. The sites are actually in a wooded area not just a big field. Each site has full hookups. We will definitely return.

  • 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.

  • M
    Aug. 30, 2025

    Middle Ridge Campground

    Perfect Site

    This was the perfect little site. Super friendly and accommodating, beautiful walking paths, great campsites. We really enjoyed our stay.

Guide to Dryfork

Camping near Dryfork, West Virginia, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventure-filled getaway, this area has something for you.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Explore the numerous trails around the campgrounds. Many campers enjoy the hiking trails accessible from the Blackwater Falls State Park Campground. One reviewer 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 shared, "Right on the River. Perfect for floating."
  • Sightseeing: Don’t miss the stunning views at Seneca Shadows. One camper said, "Seneca Rocks was majestic and lots of fun outdoor areas to explore in the area."

What campers like:

  • Clean facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained bathrooms and showers. At Audra State Park Campground, a reviewer noted, "The bathrooms were spotless with tiled floors and walls."
  • Spacious sites: Many campgrounds offer roomy sites that provide privacy. A visitor at Red Creek Campground mentioned, "The sites aren’t huge or majorly spread out, but there is just something about them that makes it nice."
  • Friendly staff: Campers often rave about the helpfulness of campground staff. One camper at Five River Campground said, "The owners are amazing and so helpful."

What you should know:

  • No cell service: Many campgrounds, like Spruce Knob Lake Campground, have limited or no cell service. A camper advised, "Download your maps before you come, because there's no cell service and you'll truly get away."
  • Reservations: Some campgrounds do not accept reservations, so plan accordingly. A visitor at Red Creek Campground mentioned, "These sites are non-reservable."
  • Primitive camping: If you prefer a more rustic experience, check out Gandy Creek Dispersed Camping. One camper said, "Quiet location with clean sites along Gandy Creek."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Kid-friendly activities: Look for campgrounds with playgrounds or nearby swimming spots. At Audra State Park Campground, a reviewer noted, "The campground also offers playground, flush toilets, and hot showers."
  • Plan for meals: Bring easy-to-cook meals and snacks. A camper at Five River Campground mentioned, "The campgrounds are neat, clean and well maintained."
  • Nature exploration: Encourage kids to explore nature. One camper at Seneca Shadows shared, "We lucked out and showed up on a mostly empty week... and got the perfect walk-in site."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check site sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A visitor at Blackwater Falls State Park Campground said, "Parking spots are generally level and the sites all have tables and fire rings."
  • Electric hookups: Look for campgrounds with electric hookups if you need them. At Tygart Lake State Park Campground, a camper noted, "Not terrible unlevel RV spots with water and electric."
  • Plan for waste disposal: Ensure you know where to dump waste. A reviewer at Five River Campground mentioned, "You can get ice and firewood right at the sights."

Camping near Dryfork, West Virginia, is a great way to enjoy the outdoors with family and friends. With beautiful campgrounds and plenty of activities, you're sure to have a memorable experience!

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Dryfork, WV located and how do I get there?

Dryfork, WV is located in the scenic highlands of eastern West Virginia, in Randolph County. It sits in proximity to the Monongahela National Forest, offering access to some of the state's most beautiful wilderness areas. To reach Dryfork, most visitors travel via US Route 33 or WV Route 32, which connect to smaller local roads. The area is about a 3-hour drive from Pittsburgh, 4 hours from Washington DC, and 3.5 hours from Charleston, WV. Nearby landmarks include Spruce Knob Lake Campground, which is about 5 miles from Spruce Knob, the highest peak in West Virginia, and Kumbrabow State Forest, which offers additional wilderness access.

What camping facilities and amenities are available in Dryfork, WV?

The Dryfork area offers a variety of camping options with different amenity levels. Eagle Rock Campground provides riverside tent camping for just $10 per night with self-registration (drop money in a slot). For more amenities, Canaan Valley Resort State Park Campground offers full hookup sites with electricity and water at reasonable prices, plus shade trees and a children's playground. The area also features more primitive options like Gandy Creek Dispersed Camping near Whitmer, which is free but has minimal facilities. Most developed campgrounds in the region provide toilet facilities, while some also offer shower houses, potable water, picnic areas, and fire rings.

What outdoor activities can visitors enjoy near Dryfork, WV?

The Dryfork area is an outdoor enthusiast's paradise with year-round recreational opportunities. During warmer months, visitors can enjoy hiking, mountain biking, fishing, and swimming. Seneca Shadows offers access to some of the most beautiful landscapes for hiking and world-class rock climbing at nearby Seneca Rocks. Horseshoe Recreation Area provides excellent tubing, swimming, and fishing opportunities. In winter, the region transforms with heavy snowfall, particularly around Blackwater Falls State Park and Canaan Valley, which becomes a popular destination for downhill and cross-country skiing. Wildlife viewing, photography, and stargazing are excellent year-round activities in this relatively remote part of West Virginia.

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