Primitive camping opportunities abound within the Appalachian highlands surrounding Keyser, West Virginia. The region sits at elevations ranging from 700-3,000 feet, creating varied microclimates and camping experiences throughout the seasons. Winter temperatures often drop below freezing at higher elevations, while summer brings moderate 80°F days with cooler nights, making extended camping trips comfortable with proper preparation.
What to Do
Hiking diverse trail systems: New Germany State Park Campground offers multiple trails with clear markings and varying difficulty levels. "The trails are easy to medium and are open to cross country skiing in the winter months," notes Bill G., who appreciates the well-maintained pathways.
Swimming in natural settings: The 5-mile trail around Lake Habeeb at Rocky Gap State Park Campground provides access to swimming areas. "A fair amount of gnats and other bugs but no mosquitoes to speak of. Clean, well run camp store. Nice beach area with volley ball nets. Lots of paddle boards and canoes for rent," shares Jeff H.
Fishing in stocked waters: Several locations offer fishing opportunities throughout the year. "We have three children who absolutely loved petting and feeding Mules and Donkeys! Short drive down the mountain to get to the ponds but my husband and oldest son had a blast catching fish in their ponds!" writes Kayla M. about Middle Ridge Campground.
Stargazing opportunities: Sites at Savage River State Forest provide excellent dark sky viewing. "We did have a spectacular firefly display at night," mentions Veronica S., highlighting the natural nighttime attractions in more remote camping areas.
What Campers Like
Privacy between sites: Many campers value space between sites. At Middle Ridge Campground, visitors appreciate "large campsites with good spacing between guests, which makes your site feel private," according to Englebright H., who describes it as "secluded, wooded, and not over crowded."
Water features: Swallow Falls State Park Campground offers scenic waterfalls and river access. "The falls are beautiful and the trails are well kept. My kids love the swings and playground also," comments Dale O. about the park's diverse attractions.
Woodland camping experience: The heavily forested sites throughout the region provide a true nature immersion. "The tent sites were completely level with no need to worry about rolling down a hill in my sleep, I slept great. The campground was so close to the nature that we wanted to see," explains Mike B. about Swallow Falls State Park.
Historical connections: Some areas feature interesting historical elements. "Henry Ford, Thomas Edison, Harvey Firestone, and John Burroughs camped on the site in 1918, and 1921," notes Marcandpatti B. about Swallow Falls, adding historical significance to camping experiences.
What You Should Know
Seasonal limitations: Many campgrounds in the region have restricted operating seasons. "Swallow falls is awesome year round. In the winter the snow and ice is beautiful, fall is lovely and summer is fun," explains Marcandpatti B., though services may be limited outside peak months.
Cell service varies widely: Connectivity depends on location and elevation. At Savage River State Forest, "we had no cell service at all for most of the area," reports Chris F., indicating the need for offline planning.
Wildlife awareness: Bears are active throughout the region. "Deer are dense in these parts, and bears frequent the area," notes Bill G. about New Germany State Park, requiring proper food storage.
Campground differences: Facilities vary significantly between locations. "There is a bathhouse in each loop; although the building itself appeared somewhat dated, the toilets and sinks have been updated to be automatic," reports Lee D. about Robert W. Craig - Jennings Randolph Lake.
Tips for Camping with Families
Kid-friendly sites: Robert W. Craig campground includes activities designed for children. "Make sure to bring bicycles for your kids to ride around the loop. There is also a pond that you can hike to for fishing. It is far enough that your children would not wonder there on their own," advises Christina W.
Beach access considerations: Rocky Gap State Park offers designated swimming areas. "The campground beach is fun. There is a 5 mile trail that goes all around the lake. Lots of lake to paddle," shares Marcandpatti B., highlighting multiple water activities for families.
Safety planning: With limited cell coverage, prepare alternative communication methods. "The park is full of very tall pine trees. The campground is well maintained and the Rangers were very friendly," reports Michele F. about New Germany State Park.
Educational opportunities: Several parks offer ranger-led programs. "There was movie night on Saturday night and a ranger talk on Saturday morning," mentions Lee D. about Robert W. Craig campground's organized activities.
Tips from RVers
Access challenges: Some roads near camping areas are unsuitable for larger vehicles. "We approached the campground from the southeast through the town of Keyser. DO NOT do this if you have a large RV... the road was narrow, hilly, and winding," warns Lee D. about approaches to Robert W. Craig campground.
Site selection: CUMBERLAND MD. CAMPGROUNDS. 1 & 2 offers RV-friendly options. "Arrived at 10pm after a bust on our original spot for the night... spoke to the owner and he said c'mon up and we'll get you set up. Ended up staying 2 nights as the views were great. Flat spots with very little work to set up a class c," shares T N T.
Hookup availability: Electric options are limited at most public campgrounds. "There are only a couple sites with electricity in each of the two loops," notes Marcandpatti B. about Swallow Falls State Park.
Leveling considerations: Many sites require adjustment for larger rigs. "Sites in the Delphia and George Beckman loops are very quiet but some sites in the other two loops are closer to the road so you will hear road noise," reports Lee D. about Deep Creek Lake State Park.
