Campgrounds near Gilbert, WV range in elevation from 800 to 2,500 feet, creating significant temperature variations between valley locations and mountaintop sites. Winter temperatures regularly drop below freezing from November through March, with summer highs averaging 80-85°F. Many campgrounds maintain gravel access roads that can become rutted after heavy rainfall.
What to do
Hiking to waterfalls: Camp Creek State Park offers multiple trail options to waterfalls within walking distance of the campground. "The waterfalls are a short walk from the campground. Firewood is available and they deliver it to your site. The bundles are quite generous in size," notes a camper at Mash Fork Campground.
Wildlife viewing: Elk reintroduction efforts near Chief Logan State Park provide seasonal viewing opportunities. "Nearly 100 elk have recently been reintroduced in and around Chief Logan State Park. I plan a return trip in the fall when naturalist Lauren Cole offers tours during the mating season," shares a visitor.
Water recreation: Twin Falls Resort State Park offers both indoor and outdoor swimming options regardless of weather. "Great golf course, decent restaurant and resort rooms, outdoor and indoor pool, tennis/basketball courts, and so many more things," according to a camper at Twin Falls Resort State Park Campground.
What campers like
Proximity to ATV trails: Many campgrounds provide direct access to the Hatfield-McCoy trail system. "The staff was awesome. They were kind and helpful. We tent camped and there were only a couple RVs in the park so it was quiet besides the motorcycles and RVs up and down the main road," notes a visitor at Backwoods Camping & RV Park.
Affordable cabin options: Multiple Gilbert WV campgrounds offer cabin rentals at lower rates than nearby tourist areas. "I stayed in a 2 bedroom cabin and it was super affordable at 120 per night and it comes with your own personal wifi and full kitchen. One of the best spots in WV," reports a Twin Falls visitor.
Trail connectivity: Numerous campgrounds feature hiking trails connecting directly to campsites. "The site we stayed at had a small babbling brook right behind it and also a trail head that climbed up and back down right into the campground. Very nice trail for the dogs and I to get some exercise on," writes a camper from Mash Fork.
What you should know
Seasonal facility closures: Many campgrounds maintain limited services outside summer months. "We were told there was one open bathroom however it was not made clear this was 1-2 miles away which was not exactly convenient. The website information is not accurate so definitely call," advises a Mash Fork visitor.
Cell service limitations: Coverage varies significantly between campgrounds and providers. "No service for Verizon users... Sites have wifi but I could only get it to work 20% of the time," reports a camper from Mash Fork Campground.
Unpredictable weather patterns: Mountain locations experience rapid weather changes that affect camping conditions. "We had a great time all weekend with hiking, picnics, campfires and ghost hunting. However, on Sunday night a strong storm came through that brought down trees with its fierce wind and torrential rain," shares a Twin Falls camper.
Tips for camping with families
Animal exhibits: Some parks offer wildlife viewing opportunities beyond natural sightings. "The wildlife exhibit is a fun detour ($2/person). We saw a water slide, putt-putt, and enjoyed the restaurant at the lodge," notes a visitor at Chief Logan State Park Campground.
Recreation centers: Several state parks provide indoor facilities for rainy days. "We went over to the lodge and was able to swim in the pool and hot tub as part of the price of our campsite," shares a Chief Logan camper.
Playground access: Many campgrounds feature play areas for children. "Great park. Nice playgrounds, clean lots, 30 and 50 amp service as well as boondock sites," reports a Mash Fork visitor.
Tips from RVers
Site selection considerations: RV sites vary significantly in levelness and accessibility. "We were in site 1 by the bathrooms/showers. There are pretty good sites, but watch the site descriptions for the incline," advises a state park visitor.
Navigation challenges: Access roads to many campgrounds require careful driving. "The GPS led us up a gravel road with no signs for miles. Internet and cell service cut out within a mile up that road and we were not sure we were going the right way," warns a visitor at Kanawha State Forest.
Limited supply availability: Many campgrounds are distant from major shopping areas. "The things one must take into consideration is that you need to bring ANYTHING you might need for groceries and there is limited cell coverage," notes a camper at Breaks Interstate Park Campground.
