Hacker Valley, West Virginia sits in the Allegheny Mountains at approximately 2,500 feet elevation, creating distinct seasonal camping conditions. The region contains several rivers and streams, including the Laurel Fork which runs through Holly River State Park. Campers visiting from April through November find moderate temperatures, while winter camping options remain limited to year-round facilities like Flatwoods KOA.
What to do
Waterfall exploration: Holly River State Park contains four waterfalls accessible via hiking trails of varying difficulty. "The Potato Knob trail is awesome...plan it for a day...bring a full hydration pack and trekking poles...it is strenuous but rewarding," notes a camper at Holly River State Park Campground.
Fishing opportunities: Multiple locations provide fishing access within a short drive of Hacker Valley. "Beautiful river spots" are available at Elk River Camp and RV Park, where one camper mentioned they could "swim, float or kayak" on the "beautiful Elk River."
Civil War history: Within 30 miles, Bulltown Historic District preserves the site of a Civil War battle. "Civil War buffs and historians alike will thrive at this location! Research dates/times for Civil War battle re-enactments," advises a visitor. The historic buildings offer tours on select days.
What campers like
Lake access: Burnsville Lake provides popular boating opportunities. "Beautiful area to relax and unwind. Spots for all - shaded areas as well as sunny sites near the water," reports a visitor to Bulltown Camp. Many waterfront sites include boat mooring posts.
Clean facilities: Campgrounds near Hacker Valley maintain high standards for bathhouses. "The shower houses were cleaned three times a day," noted a Holly River State Park visitor. Another camper at Bulltown Camp remarked about "impeccably clean" facilities, stating "great pride has been taken to keep this campground a showcase."
Swimming options: Several campgrounds provide swimming areas. "The park has a pool and other activities available," mentions a Holly River camper. At Camp Holly, visitors appreciate the "beautiful rivers" for swimming, with one camper noting it's "a beautiful campground in the mountains of West Virginia."
What you should know
Cell service limitations: Beyond the existing coverage notes, visitors report complete disconnection in some areas. "There was no phone signal at all for Verizon service, so a nice place to disconnect," reports a Holly River camper.
Mountain roads: Access to several campgrounds requires careful driving. As one visitor to Battle Run warns, "If you are coming from route 19 north about 10 miles from interstate 79 past the Stonewall Resort there is a huge dip in the road. I missed part of the huge dip that swallowed my camper and left it bouncing around the road."
Weather patterns: Rainfall varies significantly by location. "Every morning and every night it rained which made it difficult to swim and fish. The park workers said this is common year round," reports a Holly River visitor. Some areas earn the nickname "rainforest of the east."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Multiple campgrounds offer play areas for children. At Stonewall Resort State Park Campground, "The lodge amenities are top notch with a heated pool that only costs a daily charge to use on top of camping."
Wildlife viewing: The region supports diverse animal populations. "There was a lot of wildlife to enjoy as you go through the park: deer, Turkey," notes a Holly River visitor. Bird watching opportunities exist across multiple campgrounds.
Activity options: Beyond standard camping, facilities offer varied recreation. "This campground has plenty to offer for the whole family. The privacy of each site varies, on the weekends it is very busy though," cautions a Holly River visitor. "The park has basketball, tennis, and volleyball courts, and a pool for campers to enjoy."
Tips from RVers
Site selection: RV campers should research specific sites before booking. At Flatwoods KOA, one camper reported, "The sites were decent spacing and plenty long enough. Our site was flat but pretty unlevel, wasn't a huge concern."
Water quality concerns: Water hookups at some campgrounds require filtration. "Make sure you run the water lines to clear them out before hooking up. The water quality is very poor," advises a visitor to Flatwoods KOA.
Electric service variation: Voltage issues occur at certain campgrounds. "My surgeguard shut off the power in the evening due to high voltage. It was showing 137 volts at one time," reports a Stonewall Resort visitor. Consider bringing a surge protector when RV camping near Hacker Valley, West Virginia.
