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The Monongahela National Forest surrounds Hambleton, West Virginia, providing a range of camping options from primitive dispersed sites to full-service RV campgrounds. Five River Campground in nearby Parsons offers full hookups for RVs and tent camping along the river, while Blackwater Falls State Park Campground provides developed sites with amenities including electric hookups, showers, and drinking water. Canaan Loop Road offers free dispersed camping options for those seeking a more primitive experience. The region also includes Lower Glady Dispersed Campground for backcountry camping and several established campgrounds with varying levels of amenities throughout the mountainous terrain.
Camping seasons vary significantly across the Hambleton area, with many developed campgrounds operating from April through October. Blackwater Falls State Park operates from late April to October, while some private campgrounds like Five River remain open year-round. "We absolutely love this campground. We have been and will be return campers. Not only is the campground quiet and inviting, but the owners are so kind, friendly, and amazing," noted one visitor about Five River Campground. Winter access becomes limited in higher elevations, particularly on forest roads like Canaan Loop Road. Cell service is generally available near towns like Parsons but becomes spotty in more remote areas. Many campgrounds require reservations, especially during summer weekends and fall color season.
Along the river's edge, several developed campgrounds provide exceptional water access for fishing, swimming, and paddling. Campers report high satisfaction with riverside sites, particularly at Five River Campground where sites back directly to the Shavers Fork River. The proximity to water consistently ranks as a top feature in reviews, with one camper noting, "We backed up to a large field and had a great view of the river! I didn't feel crowded at all! Our two dogs swam in the river, we took a hike to Douglas Falls on the Blackwater Canyon trail." The surrounding Monongahela National Forest offers numerous hiking opportunities, with Blackwater Falls State Park and Canaan Valley Resort State Park providing additional recreational activities within a short drive from most campgrounds. Tent campers particularly appreciate the primitive riverside sites that balance basic amenities with natural settings.
"Blackwater State Park, Davis, WV https://wvstateparks.com/park/blackwater-falls-state-park/ Camping anywhere in West Virginia is a highlight, but this area offers hiking views aplenty."
"This was our first stay in a state park campground in West Virginia and it was a great stay. Arrived during a steady downpour and rented a cabin for the first night but camped the second night."
from $50 / night
Check Availability"This is a hidden gem right outside of town. We utilized one of the rv sites with 50 amp service and full hookups."
"It sets at the end of a side street (Walnut St) at the edge of town (Parsons). A small, quaint mountain town."
from $15 / night
Check Availability"road is easy to drive on- some bumps but we were in a small kia sedan and it was fine, there are a lot of spots visible from the road but there are also some hidden a few steps away from the road that"
"The one downside, if you are into privacy, is that all of the sites are RIGHT NEXT to that dirt road, so others will be driving past your site."
"There is a trailhead on forest rd 162 with miles of hiking with a hand full of trails to choose. We arrived around 4PM on a Sunday. Plenty of sites to choose from. Was about half full."
"simply would not like it all, but might be ideal for your purposes, such as two or three areas where there is essentially a big field with a short loop road with maybe half a dozen campsites right next to"
"Campground Review: Canaan Valley State Park and Resort, Davis, West Virginia The Canaan Valley State Park and Resort is situated in a very popular outdoor activity area...for every season."
"West Virginia is a state for anyone who enjoys the outdoors!!!! There are tons of out door activities! We recently camped 3 nights at Canaan Valley! We had a great time!"
from $20 - $45 / night
Check Availability"Audra State Park, is a bit off the beaten path but well worth the journey. Tucked away, just outside of Buckhannon, WV...home of West Virginia Wesleyan College."
"v=VLUEBlIxHpo) Trails undulate with the terrain. The short trail within the campground area is steep in areas but offers some nice views."
"I stayed two nights at site 2 which is tucked away from most of the other sites, save for one close by."
"It is away from everything and it is surrounded by a ton of hiking trails. Great camping, great hiking."
"includes 14 camping sites(firepits, slabwood benches, parking, and future picnic tables), 5 primitive shelter cabin sites(10x`12 lofted barn cabins with hasp for your padlock), and a 5 short term RV sites near"
from $20 - $55 / night
Check Availability"Great place to connect with family in the wide open spaces of West Virginia. Very nice bathroom facilities,no bath house but plenty of water."
"If you use solar, ironically, the sites around the loop/with electric, are your best bet as there is a large open field in the middle; a second loop contains more primitive sites and some walk-in sites"
from $20 - $125 / night
Check Availability"It’s a nice base camp if you don’t mind driving to other trails nearby. Visit in spring with mountain laurel, rhododendrons, etc. are blooming in the nearby lands, it’s like nothing else!"
"You can either walk through or climb these boulders. The area has several great hiking and mountains biking trails."
ScoutThis campground is very basic. The area is very remote. Make sure you bring supplies. Going out to eat is at least a 30-minute drive. Floating the loop at Big Bend is one of the best things you can do without traveling away from the camping area. Seneca Rocks, Smoke Hole Caverns, and Seneca Caverns are all within an hour drive.
GuideI stayed at the non electric campsite area and it was nice. Very wooded and lots of trails to explore
GuideFull hookup, accessible after office hours. Friendly staff.
ScoutI wish I could give this campground zero stars. Like the reviews below us stated, we were also verbally attacked by the little man on the golf cart. This campground should be embarrassed by the way it treats families. We were supposed to stay Thursday through Sunday with our best friends and our six children. Instead, we packed up and left Saturday after returning from our planned trip to Ohiopyle with our kids. What was supposed to be a fun, relaxing family camping weekend turned into an experience that left us shocked, disappointed, and completely disrespected. We are experienced campers and have spent years creating memories with our children at campgrounds. We are respectful guests, we follow rules, and we have never had an experience like this. Unfortunately, this campground chose poor communication, intimidation, and selective enforcement over basic customer service. During our stay, we had a truck briefly drive down to the swimming area to unload and later reload chairs, coolers, and supplies for our six children. There are no signs stating that vehicles are prohibited on the grass. In fact, there were multiple golf carts in the same area throughout the day, including staff members and seasonal campers, which led us to believe this was permitted. We understand vehicles are heavier than golf carts, but there were zero signage stating no cars allowed. To preface, there was zero damage done to the grass area due to our truck, we took photos prior to leaving the campground to protect ourselves since management is so emotionally unstable. Mind you: this is an army corp engineers campground, by Under federal law(36 CFR§ 327.2), motorized vehicles, including golf carts, UTVs, ATVs, and standard cars, must remain strictly on designated paved or gravel roads and parking lots. We found this rule after we got home and did our research. There were about 5 golf carts AND a gator in and out of the beach area through out the day. If someone had simply approached us and kindly explained that vehicles were not allowed there, we would have apologized. Instead, staff chose to sit back after someone complained, watch my children swim for hours, wait for us to clean up and bring the truck down to reload, then turn a simple misunderstanding into a confrontation. A staff member approached the truck in a golf cart, speeding up and hopping out(this is all on video) while my minor daughter was inside, reached into our vehicle and took our tag then proceeded to yell at us to pack our“shit” and prepare to leave. The way this was handled was completely unnecessary and unprofessional. Our children were present, witnessed this, and were left scared and confused over a situation that could have been resolved in less than a minute with a respectful conversation. We were also told there is a strict 5 mph speed limit and that radar is used because of a serious incident involving a child in the past, He was hit and life flighted. Yet seasonal campers continued driving golf carts around at unsafe speeds while drinking. Rules and safety expectations should apply equally to everyone, not only when management decides to enforce them against certain guests and not their buddies who pay for a seasonal spot. We went to the office in good faith to discuss what happened and believed the situation had been resolved. We stayed another night, only to be told the following morning that we were no longer welcome back. To permanently ban a family over a first time issue involving a rule that was never communicated is absolutely unacceptable. A well run campground understands that communication and respect go both ways. Instead, this campground made paying guests feel unwelcome and disposable. Management needs to take a serious look at how they handle conflicts because this was not customer service, it was an unnecessary escalation. We will never return to this campground, and after this experience, we strongly encourage other families to think twice before booking a stay here. Especially with young children.
ScoutHonestly I would not go here. Its a beautiful spot great for fishing and swimming. I wish it was doable. But no. We been here for 4 days for the holiday. We wanted something affordable and full of nature. We really thought this place would be like other campsites. But other than taking out trash (which most people just burn making it stinky the entire time and every single fire pit you probably shouldnt cook on) there are no rules no regulations. People can be in your site looking into your tent and they do not care here. People just go where they want and fish around kids swimming rather than going somewhere else. Music can be blared so loud theres nowhere to go without hearing it. Dogs do not have to he on leash despite the sign at the entrance. (Told essentially to get over it) the dogs will roam everywhere. Its completely taken over by "locals" who aren't actually locals at all. They are just people from other states that stay here all the time and take over during the holidays. If youre already established at this camp you are good to go. But if you are highly respectful people who respect nature and want the peace of real camping. Do not go here. We are packing and leaving 5 days early and will not be back.
GuideCoopers Rock State Park is an absolute gem and easily deserves 5 stars. The RV lots are large and easy to navigate, making setup stress-free and comfortable. The staff was very friendly and helpful, which made the whole stay even better. The new washrooms were clean, modern, and well maintained, and the scenery is breathtaking everywhere you look. It’s the perfect place to relax, enjoy nature, and take in the beautiful views.
GuideThis place is gorgeous and very quiet. The shower house and bathrooms were well maintained, and even had a laundry room and large sink around the back for dishes. Laundry costs $2 in quarters per load, 4 quarters for the washer and 4 quarters for the dryer. They are quick as well, took maybe an hour and 15 minutes all together. Campsites are spaced apart so you're not directly on top of eachother, but you can still see most of the other campers. Lots of trails in the area. We had electrical hook up and a lantern pole, and the is a dump and water station on the way in/out. Highly recommend this site.
TravelerWe are here a couple days . Staff and facilities are great. Lots of hiking trails of various types and lengths. June 9 and only 2 other RVs on our loop. The “new” loop has great single occupancy bath facilities.
TravelerThis place is beautiful! I loved seeing all the wildlife! My daughter and I enjoyed walking the entire campground looking for Bigfoot.😉 we loved waking up the next morning to having squirrels, chipmunks, deer and birds on our campsite. We stayed on site 14
Camping spots near Hambleton, West Virginia range from 1,500 to 3,800 feet in elevation with a humid continental climate that brings frequent precipitation year-round. The Monongahela National Forest encompasses over 919,000 acres in this region, with camping options scattered throughout mountainous terrain that's often wet from April through October. Weather can change rapidly, with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F during days and dropping to 45-55°F at night.
Whitewater adventures: 11-mile paddle trips from Five River Campground put you on the Shavers Fork river with gentle flows suitable for beginners. "I really love Five River Campground in Parsons, WV. The owners are amazing! This campground is paved up to the campground. It has 120 RV sites many with full hook-ups," notes a camper who found it ideal for riverside recreation.
Rock climbing at Seneca Rocks: Just 45 miles south of Hambleton, these 900-foot formations offer technical climbing routes. A reviewer at Seneca Shadows mentioned, "Clean and serene campground that wasn't too busy on a drizzly June weekend. Not sure if you can get a first come first served site every weekend, but there were several empty ones near me at site 13."
Wildlife viewing in Dolly Sods: High elevation meadows offer diverse ecosystems and habitats. "We saw plenty of wildlife! There were many private camp sites to choose from but none are marked... you just find a fire ring and flat ground and pitch your tent," shared a visitor at Red Creek Campground, though they cautioned about extreme wetness with "mud up to our knees."
Forested sites with river access: Campers appreciate spots where tent sites are set back from RV areas. "We backed up to a large field and had a great view of the river! I didn't feel crowded at all! Our two dogs swam in the river, we took a hike to Douglas Falls on the Blackwater Canyon trail," noted one Five River visitor, highlighting the dual benefits of open spaces and water access.
Well-maintained shower facilities: Despite being in remote areas, many campgrounds offer clean bathroom facilities. A camper at Blackwater Falls State Park Campground praised, "The shower and bathrooms were spotless. Some sites were closer together than others but we didn't mind since we just had a tent. There were trails to walk pets."
Stargazing opportunities: The lack of light pollution creates exceptional night skies. "The sky was absolutely perfect to view from the campground - you could bring a telescope! I would absolutely come back to stay for a few days!" shared one Blackwater Falls visitor, highlighting an activity that requires no special equipment beyond a clear night.
Seasonal road closures impact access: Winter conditions often make forest roads impassable without 4WD. A visitor to Canaan Loop Road Dispersed reported, "We camped here on a winter road trip fully prepared for the worst weather and this mountain top dispersed site delivered. It was muddy and snowy but our Subaru made it fine about half way into Canaan loop road."
Campsite availability fluctuates dramatically: Weekends from May through October fill quickly, especially at non-reservable locations. One Lower Glady camper noted, "We tried to get a spot this weekend and arrived around 430pm on Friday. Every single spot was taken with many people who look like they have been set up there all summer."
Expect mud and variable terrain: Trails and campsites often become soggy after rain. A Red Creek camper shared, "The landscape was serene and beautiful, the camping was great. The hike was diverse but a swamp in more parts than bearable. We were prepared for muddy washed out areas...this was needing knee high rubber boots to leisurely get through swamp areas."
Playground access at developed campgrounds: Several sites offer dedicated play areas for children. At Canaan Valley Resort State Park Campground, a visitor mentioned, "Older playground, but good enough for kiddos. Mini golf course, rock wall, and civil war reenactments when we came. Tons of Mountain Bike trails, indoor and outdoor pools."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Morning and evening animal sightings create memorable experiences. "Deer meander through the primitive tent sites with their fawns each morning and evening. A kid's playground is situated beside (separated by a field) primitive tent sites 1 & 2," noted a Canaan Valley visitor.
Water safety considerations: Rivers can rise rapidly after rain, affecting swimming areas. A visitor to Audra State Park Campground cautioned, "Riverside sites can and have flooded during high rain periods as the Middle Fork swells its banks," while also noting the campground's appeal: "The camp has a decent bath house and playground. We plan on going up early in the morning hoping to snag a spot."
Limited turning radius at some campgrounds: Many forest roads have tight turns that challenge larger rigs. "Big/long RV's (driven or pulled) have difficulty navigating this narrow, curvy campground road pocked with rocky outcroppings. Park in the day use parking by the bridge or picnic area and scout it out first to avoid frustration and personal property damage," advised an Audra visitor.
Electrical hookup availability: Power options vary significantly across the region. A Canaan Valley visitor noted, "The campground is absolutely beautiful. We stayed there for three nights in a trailer. All sites have full hook ups and a paved pad. The sites are far apart."
Dump station locations are limited: Plan for waste management before arrival. A Blackwater Falls camper reported, "There's a dump that's in the middle of the first loop. You have to go the wrong way on a one way road to dump. Campsite 40 I would avoid since it's close to the dump."
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Hambleton, WV?
According to TheDyrt.com, Hambleton, WV offers a wide range of camping options, with 137 campgrounds and RV parks near Hambleton, WV and 20 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Hambleton, WV?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Hambleton, WV is Blackwater Falls State Park Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 55 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Hambleton, WV?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 20 free dispersed camping spots near Hambleton, WV.
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