Camping options around Dunbar, West Virginia range from secluded forest settings to riverside locations with mountain views. The region sits within the Appalachian foothills between 600-1,200 feet elevation, creating microclimates that affect camping conditions. Most campgrounds in this area feature gravel sites with varying degrees of shade, and access roads often follow winding creek beds.
What to do
Hiking and biking trails: Kanawha State Forest offers extensive trail systems for various skill levels. "Tons of hiking and biking (mountain and road) opportunities available. Don't forget to do your laundry in the facilities during the sweltering WV summers," notes a visitor at Kanawha State Forest.
Target shooting: Kanawha State Forest maintains a designated shooting range for visitors. As one camper mentioned, "They have a nice target range and trails," making it a good option for outdoor enthusiasts who enjoy both hiking and shooting sports.
Water activities: The region offers several rivers suitable for kayaking and fishing. A camper at New River Campground shared, "Beautiful night along the New River! I love bringing my kayak here to paddle around!" The campground provides direct river access for boating and fishing.
Coal River float trips: Located near Ole Henry's Camping Retreat, the Coal River provides options for float trips during warmer months. This waterway offers a less crowded alternative to the more popular Kanawha River.
What campers like
Waterfront access: Riverside camping is highly rated by visitors. "From bumper of my TT to the river was about 30ft. Shade trees and a light morning mist on the river made a beautiful sunrise," explained one camper about their experience at New River Campground.
Convenient locations: Many campgrounds provide proximity to towns while maintaining a natural setting. At Saint Albans Roadside Park, campers appreciate the location: "It is across street from restaurants and stores," and "There's a grocery store directly across the street with a grocery store and other amenities."
Swimming options: Several campgrounds offer water recreation for families. At Ole Henry's Camping Retreat, "The creek nearby offers up a good, safe swimming hole for all the kids and adults," according to a recent visitor.
Camp stores: On-site supplies save campers trips to town. "Not to mention they have a store where you can buy almost anything you might need in case you forget something," mentioned a camper at Ole Henry's Camping Retreat.
What you should know
Road conditions: Access roads to some campgrounds can be challenging. A visitor to New River Campground stated, "The drive from Rt 19 to the campground is 8% grades both uphill and down, with twists, turns, and practical u-turns with my 35ft. Fun for me, not for my wife."
Train noise: Campgrounds along rivers may experience train noise. "The railroad is right across the river, so pretty nice to watch but at night it can be a little loud if you need silence to sleep," noted a camper at New River Campground.
Cellular reception: Signal strength varies significantly by carrier and location. One visitor to Huntington / Fox Fire KOA reported, "Great cellular for TMobile and AT&T," while Kanawha State Forest campers often find limited service: "Don't expect to have signal. I'm on tmobile and I had an occasional bar."
Reservations: Best places to camp near Dunbar, West Virginia often require advance booking, especially for weekend stays from April through October. During weekdays, more availability exists at most campgrounds.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds offer dedicated play areas. At Fox Fire KOA, one visitor mentioned, "Seemed like it had lots of nice amenities for kids," while another noted Ole Henry's "has a nice swing set and a couple big wooden play structures."
Swimming areas: Water features keep children entertained during summer months. At Rippling Waters Church of God Campgrounds, "There is a pool on site," and the campground also features "a big lake with a small dock."
Kid-friendly activities: Campgrounds offer varying amenities for children. According to a visitor at Fox Fire KOA, "They had so much for kids to do: a swimming pond with inflatables, gem mining, banana bikes, and more. They showed a movie at 9pm on a big inflatable movie screen outside."
Site selection: Request sites away from roads when possible. One camper at Huntington/Fox Fire KOA advised, "We had one of the back in sites which was nice because there was nothing but woods behind us."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling: Prepare for varied terrain at camping spots near Dunbar. At Rifrafters Campground, one RVer reported, "Our site was plenty large and the concrete pad was perfectly level," but others found less consistent surfaces elsewhere.
Electric hookup variety: Check amperage requirements before booking. A visitor to Saint Albans Roadside Park noted, "Free electricity (30 amp). 3 spots available, first come first serve, no reservation. 2 nights max."
Road clearance: Some campgrounds require navigating steep grades or tight turns. A camper at Rippling Waters Church of God Campgrounds cautioned, "It is very much built into a big hill- I was a little worried our Avion (similar to airstream) that had low clearance would bottom out as we came in and out of entrance hill to road but we had no issue."
Site dimensions: RV length limitations vary by campground. At Kanawha State Forest, a visitor warned, "The GPS led us up a gravel road with no signs for miles... The sites are on top of windy uphill mountain roads... I do not recommend for campers of any size."
