85 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Several campgrounds within a 25-mile radius of Spencer, West Virginia provide access to tent, RV, and cabin camping opportunities in this part of the Appalachian region. Rippling Waters Church of God Campgrounds, approximately 20 miles west of Spencer, features lakefront sites with full hookups, while Cedar Creek State Park Campground to the northeast offers a more traditional state park camping experience. The area campgrounds typically accommodate various camping styles, with many facilities supporting both tent and RV camping, plus cabin rentals at select locations.
Road conditions and campground accessibility vary throughout the region, particularly after heavy rainfall common in spring and fall. "The road isn't nearly as bad as some have said. It has places for caution but isn't scary," noted one visitor about access to Rippling Waters. Most established campgrounds provide water and electric hookups, with some offering full sewer connections. Cell service can be spotty at many locations, particularly at Cedar Creek State Park where multiple reviewers mentioned no cell service available. The camping season generally runs from April through October at many facilities, though some like Rippling Waters and Flatwoods KOA remain open year-round.
Waterfront camping receives consistently positive reviews from visitors to the region. At Rippling Waters, campers appreciate the lake views and fountain feature. One reviewer described their lakefront site as "the longest I've ever seen" with "the view everything you'd imagine and more." Cedar Creek State Park earns praise for its quiet atmosphere, hiking trails, and clean facilities, with one camper noting it has "plenty of playgrounds for the kids" and "good access to hiking trails." Forked Run State Park Campground across the Ohio border features a 400-foot sand beach on its lake. Some campgrounds in the area like Statts Mills have received mixed reviews regarding maintenance and upkeep of facilities, highlighting the importance of researching specific locations before planning a trip.
"We tent camp, but walking around, the camping trailers did not appear to be crowded together. For us this is a fantastic place to overnight and will return again when traveling through the area!!"
"We had a pull thru site by the lake, it had to be about 100 yards long and nicely graveled."
from $55 - $155 / night
Check Availability"Plenty for the kids to do and great hiking trails. Ridge walkers are known to be in the area (Bigfoot) avoid making eye contact during breeding season."
"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. sites have water and electric."
from $15 - $200 / night
Check Availability"On the border with West Virginia. There aren’t really sites on the water but there’s a nice path to the lake from the camp sites and lots of deer."
"Yes, it's a bit rough around the edges. We liked that it wasn't crowded. The attendant said the park was full over Memorial Day weekend."
from $25 - $40 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $25 / night
Check Availability"Initially, you don't see it...you must drive up and over a roller."
"North Bend State Park is located at the halfway point of the 72-mile North Bend Rail Trail, so it’s a great camping spot for hikers, bikers and horseback riders who want to explore this scenic trail which"
"Good access to hiking trails. Will definitely return"
"Hiking trails nearby. Nice fishing ponds, but you have to drive to them."
"Tucked away in the middle of the mountains, surrounded by the constant reminder of wildlife around. I stayed for the very start of spring. The world was covered in the brightest green moss."
"Kanawha state forest is nestled in the mountainous Hills of West by God Virginia right on the outskirts of Charleston. There is plenty of hiking in Kanawha state forest."
from $35 - $40 / night
Check Availability"Nice small town in beautiful West Virginia."
"It’s behind a hotel. Our site had room for our 26’ hybrid with 3 beds, plus two cars, chairs, and our two dog tie outs."
from $55 / night
Check Availability
TravelerThis is a core engineer built Park sites are fairly level. Bath houses are old but clean. Electric only at sites. There’s water and a dump station at the entrance of the park. Which makes a little difficult if you here more than a few days and need water, you have to store everything in your motorhome pull in the electric cord, drive out and fill up with water and then come back and get leveled again.
ScoutWe thoroughly enjoyed our stay at Camp Creek State Park Campground. We had an electric only site along the creek, but they have sites with electric and water and sites with full hookup. It was level and we liked hearing the small creek flowing. We found several good places to hike with access in the campground and two nice waterfalls. The campground was not accessible the Camp Creek Road turnoff from I-77 because the exit was closed coming from the south for roadwork. Therefore, we had to get off near Princeton and the road was quite curvy and slow going for about 15 miles. Going back south was no problem getting on I-77. Hopefully the road work will be completed soon. We enjoyed enough that we would go back again, especially as a stop over on a longer trip.
GuideFull hookup. $55 per night. Possibly to enter after office working hours. Bathrooms. Very friendly staff
ScoutMy family and I had an absolute blast at Battle Run! The campsite offered an incredible view of the lake, and if boating is your passion, you can even secure your boat right at your campsite! Although the weather was a bit rainy, the temperature remained comfortably in the 70s. We’re already planning our return next summer.
ScoutMy fiance booked our stay at Tawney Farms back in May for the two of us plus her parents. When her parents arrived to the camp they were already checked in when we first arrived. My my inlaws proceeded to our camp site. Once they got to the site theywere greeted by the male owner speeding up the trail in his truck almost hitting his own wife and began yelling at my inlaws stating theybhad no business being on their property and to get off. My inlaws tried explaining to them that they were with us and they we had paid for them. The male owner continued yelling at them aggressively and swearing at them to the point both of my inlaws were concerned that owner was going to do something physical. My inlaws ultimately left and called us and told us what happened. We dropped what we were doing and drove back to the property in hopes to resolve the confusion. My fiance and I showed them the reservation recipt showing that they were paid for. They maintained that they are being kicked out stating that they did not stop at the shack that no one was at. They were already checked in so there was no reason to need that. in fact it wasnt necessary last year then stated that they were drunk which they were not. They had just finished a 4 hour drive from PA after working their shift. They would not listed to reason. They then went into a shack to look at their paperwork and realized once again that theybare wrong and rather than a simple appology they maintained kicking them out and stated they were going to "let us go". At this point its about 10pm and we had to pack up our campsite and find an alternative short notice on july 3rd... $500 later for a hotel room we got lucky. They almost cost us our vacation because of their inability to reason or even listen.
ScoutWe scheduled our stay two months in advance for our Fourth of July weekend. My fiance and myself were scheduled one night earlier than my parents were supposed to arrive. We paid for everyone in our party and checked everyone in. We had been coming up to place to camp for five summers now, but this most recent experience was more than enough for us to NEVER come back. My fiancé and I were out off the campground to get ice when my mother called me to tell my the owners of the farm CHASED them out the campground, the husband almost running over his wife, insisting they were not welcome and had no business being at the farm when I prepaid everyone’s stay. My parents were terrified this man was going to pull a gun on them. The owners belittled my parents after they drove four hours from PA to spend time with us, screaming over them that they were drunk, speeding, and that my parents didn’t “stop” at the vacant building that they are supposed to be at to greet people. The owners would not even bother to check to verify my parents stay. When we got back to the site to try to reconcile the situation they still would not allow my parents to stay even after seeing that we did pay for my family to be there and were even hesitant to let us stay when we did NOTHING wrong. We had to pay an extra $500 to book a last minute stay at a hotel in Summersville when I already paid near $300 to stay at Tawny Farm. My fiance and I had to pack up our entire campsite in the dark because they would not let us stay over my parents being confused about where they were at. I still have not received any emails regarding a refund for the unwarranted behavior towards my parents. I would not bring your loved ones onto this property. The owners are unstable, unsafe, and unwilling to care about their customers.
ScoutI spent 28 nights at this laid‑back little campground from late May through June, and honestly, it was exactly the kind of no‑frills spot I love. Every site is a pull‑through, long enough for just about any rig and tow vehicle, with a simple grass‑and‑gravel setup that only needed minimal leveling. There’s no shade, so be ready for full sun, but the tradeoff is wide‑open views—especially if you snag sites 11 or 12, which overlook the river beautifully. Hookups were solid across the board: 30/50 amp electric, normal water pressure, and full sewer. Connectivity was fantastic, which made working remotely a breeze. Starlink ran between 250–300 Mbps, Verizon had five bars. I didn’t have a single issue streaming, attending meetings, or getting work done. Amenities are basically nonexistent—no bathrooms, no showers, no pool, and the laundry across the street was closed the entire month I stayed. But honestly, the price reflects that, and I wasn’t paying for extras I didn’t need. Pets are welcome, though there’s no dog park, and families might find it a bit dull since there’s nothing for kids to do. For me, the simplicity was part of the charm. The atmosphere is relaxed and quiet, with moderate road noise from Route 7 and occasional train and barge traffic along the Ohio River. I actually enjoyed the sounds—they added character. There’s also a nearby church whose bells I found lovely. Most of the other campers were long‑term workers who kept to themselves and were consistently respectful. I rarely saw anyone, which made the whole stay feel peaceful and private. The location is great if you need essentials: gas, ice cream, a post office, and even the occasional food truck. Scenic views and parks are close by, and I stayed here mainly because my family lives nearby and I’ve always loved the area. The staff made the experience even better. Paul greeted me when I arrived, helped me pick a great site, and even assisted with unhooking. Max, the owner, stopped by on the weekend with a packet of local attractions and chatted for a bit. Both were incredibly friendly and welcoming. As for pros, the location, views, and price are hard to beat. The cons are pretty mild—no trees to buffer the road noise and sites that could be a bit roomier—but nothing that ruined the stay. Remote workers, vacationers, and anyone craving a quiet retreat will feel right at home here. My work‑from‑RV score was excellent across connectivity, noise, and comfort, and I’d absolutely work remotely here again. In the end, I genuinely loved my time at this campground. The owner and manager were wonderful, the grounds were well maintained, and the no‑frills vibe fit me perfectly. I fully plan to make this a regular summer stop.
TravelerNice quiet campground. The staff was very nice and helpful. Beautiful area with two ponds. The pool looks like it was just redone...nice. The restrooms were very clean and looked freshly painted. Would give a 5 but needs a little more TLC.
ScoutWas very nice,quiet n peaceful.We had to leave unexpectedly but plan to go back when it’s not as hot we had 2 dogs with us one got sick but hoping to make it back there soon
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.
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.
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!"
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.
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.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Spencer, WV?
According to TheDyrt.com, Spencer, WV offers a wide range of camping options, with 85 campgrounds and RV parks near Spencer, WV and 1 free dispersed camping spot.
Which is the most popular campground near Spencer, WV?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Spencer, WV is Rippling Waters Church of God Campgrounds with a 4.7-star rating from 7 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Spencer, WV?
According to TheDyrt.com, there is 1 free dispersed camping spot near Spencer, WV.
What parks are near Spencer, WV?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 28 parks near Spencer, WV that allow camping, notably Sutton Lake and Wayne National Forest.
Keep Exploring
