Camping spots near Spencer, West Virginia offer diverse terrain across the Appalachian foothills. Most campsites sit between 700-1,200 feet elevation, creating moderate temperature variations between valleys and ridges. Summer daytime temperatures typically reach 85°F with overnight lows around 65°F, while spring and fall can bring significant precipitation that affects trail and campground conditions.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: At Statts Mills Campground, campers can enjoy proximity to O'brien Lake. "Right beside the area for camping is the parking lot where you can put in boats into O'brien Lake. There seems to be an abundance of deer in the area," notes Andrew S.
Rail trail biking: The 72-mile North Bend Rail Trail runs through River Run Campground at North Bend State Park. "This humble campground is located on the 'Haunted' North Bend Rail to Trail. It was easy check in with a friendly staff," shares William B. The trail features 35 bridges and 11 tunnels through scenic countryside.
Beach access: Forked Run State Park features a 400-foot sand beach on its lake, making it popular for summer swimming. One camper mentioned, "We drove through loop 1 on our way out and it looked to be kept up better and cleaner. The lake was nice but I am not sure if they recently had some weather that caused it to be pretty brown/muddy, or if that's normal."
Target shooting: Kanawha State Forest offers target range access for visitors. As one reviewer noted, "They have a nice target range and trails." The forest also provides numerous hiking options across varied terrain.
What campers like
Privacy and spacing: At Rippling Waters Church of God Campgrounds, sites are spacious and well-spaced. "Our site is the longest I've ever seen, it's basically a long driveway that leads back out to the road, that's pretty awesome," according to Larry. Another visitor observed, "The campground was very quiet and peaceful... We had a pull thru site by the lake, it had to be about 100 yards long and nicely graveled."
Lake views: Many campers appreciate the waterfront sites at Rippling Waters. "We stopped for the night on our way home from Tennessee and were placed in a pull thru on the lake. What a spot!! We watched the resident swan swim around the fountain and I got to play with my camera perfecting my skills with day and night shots of the Chapel," shares Debbie F.
Dark sky viewing: Kittie Wilson Campground offers excellent night sky visibility. One reviewer noted it has "Free fire wood for campers and each site has a grill and fire ring... Nice people and great night time sky watching. Easy to get any size rig in."
Honor system camping: Several campgrounds in the area operate on simpler payment systems. Bethany R. mentioned that at Kittie Wilson, "the honor system is how they do business. 20 bucks a night!"
What you should know
Variable water quality: Water systems can vary significantly between campgrounds. At Rippling Waters, one camper cautioned, "Water also had a strong odor of chlorine. After showers I felt like I was just getting out of a pool. So keep that in mind, might want a filter besides the typical blue filters."
Cell service limitations: Cedar Creek State Park Campground has limited connectivity. "Campground is nice and quiet no cell service so dont be shocked, but that makes it that much better," reports Gunnar M. This is common throughout the region's more remote camping areas.
Road access challenges: Kanawha State Forest requires navigating narrow mountain roads. One visitor warns, "Expect narrow twists and turns to reach the park, the park itself isnt nearly as bad as the stretch between highway and park enterence." Another camper noted, "It is isolated with tight hairpin turn so I wouldn't recommend anything over 28'."
Seasonal variations: While some campgrounds like Flatwoods KOA operate year-round, most have limited seasons. Cedar Creek State Park operates from April 15 through October 15, making fall and spring planning necessary.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Flatwoods KOA offers family-friendly facilities. "They have a nice play ground for kids and a kamp k-9 for the dogs," one camper shared. The campground's association with the adjacent hotel means "most hotel amenities are available for campers."
Swimming options: Multiple swimming areas serve families camping in summer months. At Flatwoods KOA, "Kids loves the pool. It was nice to during the hottest week of the year so far!" according to one visitor. The pool is located at the connected hotel property.
Quiet atmosphere: Cedar Creek State Park receives consistent praise for its peaceful environment. "Cedar Creek is quiet and clean. The trails are decently marked, and the fishing is on point," reports David F., who adds, "I definitely recommend this spot if you have kids."
Wildlife viewing: Many campgrounds in the region offer wildlife encounters that appeal to families. At Rippling Waters, campers note that "the local wildlife is fun," while Statts Mills visitors frequently spot deer near the camping areas.
Tips from RVers
Leveling requirements: Site levelness varies widely between campgrounds. At Flatwoods KOA, one camper noted, "Our site was flat but pretty unlevel, wasn't a huge concern." At River Run Campground, a visitor mentioned, "I was at site 2, which is on a slight incline, but it didn't matter too much because I camp in a teardrop so keeping it level isn't an issue."
Water filtration: RVers should come prepared with adequate water filtration systems. At Rippling Waters, the recommendation is clear: "The water is pretty strong so you may want to use a regulator. Water also had a strong odor of chlorine."
Site selection: At River Run Campground, specific sites get consistent praise. One camper recommends, "I would also recommend sites 10, 11, 17, 19, 13, and 14." Another noted, "We were at site 13, right on the water. Check-in was easy and the staff was very friendly!"
Utility hookup variations: Not all campgrounds offer full hookups. Cedar Creek State Park provides electric and water, while Rippling Waters offers "water and electric hookups, with some offering full sewer connections." This information helps RVers plan for dump station needs.
