Dunmore, West Virginia sits at roughly 2,500 feet elevation in the Allegheny Mountains, where temperatures can drop significantly at night even during summer months. The surrounding Monongahela National Forest covers over 900,000 acres with numerous remote camping options for visitors seeking both developed campgrounds and primitive experiences. Camping areas throughout this region typically open from April through December with limited accessibility during winter months.
What to do
Fishing access: Seneca State Forest offers direct access to multiple fishing spots. "Our site was across the road from the lake but there was a trail that lead to the water. The water was beautiful, temperature perfect for swimming," notes one visitor to nearby Bolar Mountain Recreation Area.
Biking trails: The 80-mile Greenbrier River Trail connects to several campgrounds in the region. A camper at Riverside Campground — Watoga State Park shared, "The Greenbrier River was right at the back of our site. People were floating and fishing and paddling. The Greenbrier River Trail, an 80 mile long rail trail is just across the river, accessible two mile from the park, we rode our bikes to the trail."
Night sky viewing: With minimal light pollution, the region offers exceptional stargazing. "Watching storms roll in across the mountain tops...fog settling into the valleys like white foaming rivers...being perched beside rainbows...moonlight piercing the night through your curtainless windows...and reveling in the surreal sunrises and sunsets did it for me!" reports a camper who stayed at Seneca State Forest.
What campers like
Secluded sites: Many campers appreciate the privacy between sites at Tea Creek Campground. "Campsites are nice and private, with the majority having sites that are pretty good sized and mostly flat. There are great hiking trails, a good place to ride a bike, nice places to play in the water, and fantastic trout fishing."
Wildlife viewing: Animal sightings are common at campgrounds around Dunmore. One camper at Seneca State Forest reported: "Encountered 19 deer, 1 bear, and several other small creatures. Short drive or hike to Lake with boat rentals and fishing. Campground is only 10 sites with plenty of canopy for shade."
Clean facilities: Despite their remote location, many campgrounds maintain well-kept bathhouses. A visitor to Beaver Creek Campground — Watoga State Park noted: "Nice sites for tent camping. Clear skies and a decent bathhouse."
What you should know
Cell service limitations: Most camping areas have extremely limited connectivity. One camper at Riverside Campground stated: "It's in a valley, so there's no cell service. The wash houses have wi-fi, but it's not great and you have to be either in the building or sitting at the bench outside to use it."
Road conditions: Access to many campgrounds requires driving on gravel or dirt roads that can be challenging after rain. A visitor to Poor Farm Dispersed Recreation Area shared: "Wasn't too hard to get there and park in our van. Peaceful for the most part (a few campers were there). No signal, so make sure you have a map or know which way you came."
Weather preparedness: Temperature fluctuations can be significant. "The bathrooms were incredibly clean and heated. Showers were terrific as well," noted a November camper at Douthat State Park Campground, highlighting the importance of being prepared for cold nights.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature dedicated play areas for children. "There is a very nice playground and a pet exercise area. You can fish in the lake though we didn't catch anything," reported a visitor to Walnut Hills Campground.
Educational opportunities: The area offers numerous learning experiences about nature. "The visitor's center has a nice collection of Native American artifacts and a cool video of the Army soldiers who trained here before WWII," shared a camper at Seneca Shadows.
Swimming spots: Kid-friendly water access varies by location. "Bathrooms were the cleanest I've ever seen at any campground and were a very short, convenient walk from our site! The site itself was very clean and had an oversized, solid picnic table," reported a camper at Bolar Mountain who appreciated the nearby swimming areas.
Tips from RVers
Hookup variations: RV campgrounds near Dunmore, West Virginia offer different levels of service. A camper at Walnut Hills Campground reported: "Our site 112 had water, 50amp and cable. Dump station on premises. Nice dog park for our fur babies and doggie duty stations with bags in several locations throughout the park."
Site leveling: Many RV sites in the mountainous terrain require leveling. "Access was easy. The campground was busy and everything was clean and neat. The sites were a little tight. I parked a little goofy it seems so I needed a little extra footage for my electrical hookup. They were kind enough to loan us a 25' extension," noted one RVer.
Winter camping considerations: Some RV campgrounds in the area remain open year-round with adapted services. "We use a teardrop camper so we appreciated the water and electric hookup (although we disconnected the water at night to prevent freezing)," shared a November camper at Douthat State Park.
