North Bend State Park offers a range of camping options within 510 square miles of rural West Virginia countryside. The park sits at elevations between 700-1,200 feet, with seasonal temperature variations from summer highs around 85°F to winter lows near 20°F. Campers should prepare for humidity during summer months, with June typically recording 5-7 inches of rainfall.
What to do
Mountain biking on forested trails: The park's trail system provides varied terrain for bikers of all skill levels. "North Bend State Park is about 10 miles south on Rt 16 off of Rt 50...east of Parkersburg, WV. Winding down to River Run, deer in abundance were lining the roadway, so use care," notes a camper at River Run Campground.
Paddling on North Bend Lake: The 305-acre lake offers peaceful waters surrounded by forested hills. "I paddled on the North Bend Lake which was extremely peaceful and beautiful, with the colors of fall surrounding me on all sides. I brought my own kayak, but they had boats for rent," shares a visitor.
Exploring historic tunnels: The rail trail passes through multiple tunnels from the former railroad. "The North Bend Rail Trail provides excellent pet exercise opportunities with access directly from the campgrounds. I highly recommend this trail to hikers because the scenery is spectacular, the wildlife plentiful, and the tunnels are really cool," reports a camper at Cokeley Campground.
What campers like
Riverside camping spots: Sites along the water are particularly popular. "We had a wonderful time. The Park is great and we have stayed at lodge 4 times before but this was first camping trip. We stayed during historic heat wave but kept cool in the river, the pool, and with the ice cream store nearby," reports a recent camper.
Convenient campground store: On-site supplies eliminate trips to town. "Great place to stay! We were at site 13, right on the water. Check-in was easy and the staff was very friendly! Plenty of ice and firewood at the store and a cute little gift shop," notes a visitor to River Run Campground.
Historical exploration: The surrounding area features preserved buildings from oil boom towns. "The trail passes through some quaint towns such as the former oil boom-town of Cairo where many of the buildings from the late 1800's and early 1900's are still standing," explains a visitor at Mountwood Park Family Campground.
What you should know
Choosing the right entrance: Park access varies significantly by direction. "Do not follow GPS to get to North Bend SP(Cokeley or River Run) Call the park office directly. 304-643-2931. GPS took us up some nasty horse-shoe hills! Park personnel said some GPS will bring campers up a bad gravel road!"
Seasonal facilities: Not all amenities operate year-round. "Note: the pool is seasonal and with college age lifeguards that exit for school early, it was closed mid-August," explains a visitor, noting the importance of checking facility schedules.
Dog-friendly policy variations: While dog friendly campgrounds near Harrisville generally welcome pets, Cedar Creek State Park Campground provides additional options within driving distance. "Nice clean campground. Plenty of playgrounds for the kids. Good access to hiking trails," reports a camper, noting the pet-friendly environment.
Tips for camping with families
Pool access for summer visits: The park's swimming facilities provide relief during hot months. "North Bend State Park would be good for kids because they have playgrounds, mini-golf and an outdoor swimming pool (closed when I visited in October, but looked really nice)," shares a visitor.
Playground locations: Multiple play areas serve different camping sections. "The campground was pretty much empty. There are a few permanents there but we had it all to ourselves. Went for a hike on the park side around the lake. Several trails," notes a visitor to Mountwood Park Family Campground.
Site selection for families: Certain spots offer better arrangements for groups with children. "We had a wonderful time. The property was very clean and family oriented. Nice spacing at our site in particular. I would also recommend sites 10, 11, 17, 19, 13, and 14," advises a Backwoods Campground & Winery guest.
Tips from RVers
Accessibility considerations: Not all campgrounds accommodate larger vehicles. "There are two campgrounds in North Bend State Park…one is Cokely and the other is River Run. Neither are easy to get to when you have a big rig! We picked Cokely Campground as it has 50 amp power and water hook-ups. It's a good thing too as we now know that getting to River Run would have been very, very tricky!"
Site spacing variations: RV sites differ significantly in privacy levels. "Beautiful campground but all giant RVs with lights like a Walmart lot at night. We camp in a tear drop and will not camp here again," cautions one visitor, highlighting the importance of site selection based on your camping style.
Hookup availability: Different campgrounds offer varying utility options. "Most of the sites are not shaded, ours had partial shade. Wi-Fi worked!" reports a Cokeley camper, noting the tradeoff between shade and connectivity that affects Hune Bridge Campground and other pet-friendly sites near Harrisville.
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