Best Campgrounds near Hendricks, WV

The Monongahela National Forest surrounding Hendricks, West Virginia provides numerous campground options within a region known for its mountainous terrain and river valleys. Established campgrounds like Blackwater Falls State Park, Canaan Valley Resort State Park, and Five River Campground offer amenities ranging from electric hookups to hot showers, while dispersed camping areas such as Canaan Loop Road and Lower Glady provide more primitive experiences. The region supports tent camping, RV sites with hookups, and cabin rentals, with accommodations spanning from basic sites to glamping options in areas like Dolly Sods Wilderness, which sits at higher elevations approximately 15 miles east of Hendricks.

Most campgrounds in the area operate seasonally, with many sites closed during winter months except for Canaan Valley Resort and Five River Campground, which remain open year-round. Road conditions can be challenging, particularly when accessing dispersed sites or during wet weather. The region experiences significant elevation changes, with some areas reaching nearly 5,000 feet above sea level, resulting in cooler temperatures even during summer months. Reservation requirements vary by location, with established campgrounds like Seneca Shadows and Blackwater Falls requiring advance booking during peak seasons, while dispersed areas typically operate on a first-come basis. A review noted that "The Canaan Valley area is beautiful and is one of West Virginia's State Resorts, offering far more than just a campground."

Public lands throughout the region feature abundant wildlife viewing opportunities, especially deer that "meander through the primitive tent sites with their fawns each morning and evening." Several campgrounds provide scenic views of notable landforms, particularly Seneca Shadows, which offers panoramic vistas of Seneca Rocks. Water features represent significant attractions, with campgrounds like Audra State Park situated along rivers and offering refreshing swimming opportunities during warmer months. The heavily forested environment creates varied camping experiences depending on elevation, with higher locations like Spruce Knob Lake Campground featuring "extra-large camp sites with lots of shade and so much undergrowth." Visitors frequently mention the region's extensive trail networks connecting camping areas to scenic waterfalls, rock formations, and wilderness areas throughout the Monongahela National Forest.

Best Camping Sites Near Hendricks, West Virginia (132)

    1. Blackwater Falls State Park Campground

    52 Reviews
    Davis, WV
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (304) 259-5216

    $50 / night

    "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."

    2. Five River Campground

    27 Reviews
    Parsons, WV
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (304) 478-3515

    $15 / night

    "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."

    3. Canaan Loop Road Dispersed

    10 Reviews
    Davis, WV
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (304) 478-2000

    "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"

    "Big site, good fire ring, paths the walk right from the site. The moss was like walking on carpet"

    4. Canaan Valley Resort State Park Campground

    12 Reviews
    Red Creek, WV
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (304) 866-4121

    $20 - $45 / night

    "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!"

    5. Lower Glady Dispersed Campground

    7 Reviews
    Harman, WV
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (304) 636-1800

    "No one next to me. There were a couple of small groups, like two rigs together. Nice and quiet. A few friendly fishermen each day, sharing local knowledge."

    "I didn't pull in until close to 11 PM, but a couple notes on what I could see. There is a very sharp turn if you come in from the south on Sully Road, which seems to be the primary way to get there."

    6. Red Creek Campground

    19 Reviews
    Cabins, WV
    17 miles
    Website

    "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."

    7. Seneca Shadows

    32 Reviews
    Seneca Rocks, WV
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (304) 567-3082

    $17 - $65 / night

    "I stayed here for a single night while I was exploring West Virginia, but I wish I had stayed longer. This is one of the most beautiful campgrounds I've ever seen."

    "West Virginia is packed with some of the best hiking, climbing, rafting, biking, canyons, mountains, rivers, valleys, and forests in the U.S...and the beauty is few people take advantage of it."

    8. Horseshoe Recreation Area

    5 Reviews
    Thomas, WV
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (304) 478-2481

    $20 - $85 / night

    "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"

    9. Dolly Sods Backcountry

    11 Reviews
    Red Creek, WV
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (304) 257-4488

    "We hiked in in warm weather and once we reached the top of a long entrance road (where one trailhead was) we found snow."

    "Having visited Dolly Sods numerous times at the Red Creek Campground, using that as the base camp to launch off to explore the myriad of trails."

    10. Audra State Park Campground

    33 Reviews
    Volga, WV
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (304) 457-1162

    "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."

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Recent Reviews near Hendricks, WV

679 Reviews of 132 Hendricks Campgrounds


  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 26, 2025

    Middle Ridge Campground

    Quite and comfortable in the woods.

    Hosts are great.  Bathhouse was very clean.  Fall folliage was perfect.  The campgound is really 1.6 mi from rte 50 but feels longer the first time due to narrow roads and hills.  For being on the side of a mountain, the sites were suprisining level.  Only needed a few blocks under the wheels.  We chose one of the pull throughs.

    Don't forget to plug in well pump or you won't have water!

    30' TT

  • E
    Oct. 26, 2025

    Middle Ridge Campground

    Terrific

    Just got home from a lovely week in Romney.  We found the perfect campground, a mile or so off route 50, deep in the woods.  Each campsite surrounded by trees.  Since we have a popup, Shelly recommended a site not far from the bathhouse.  Perfect.  We were in Romney to ride the Potomac Eagle, but Shelly also recommended other experiences in Romney (Fort Mill Ridge, Indian Mound Cemetery, historic David House).  A very nice autumn week.

  • Gina T.
    Oct. 19, 2025

    Middle Ridge Campground

    Loved it!

    This was our first experience camping.  We just retired and rented a camper for a trial run and we just loved it.  It was quiet there and I slept like a baby.  Very positive experience.

  • R
    Oct. 10, 2025

    Middle Ridge Campground

    Good place to stay for a night

    This is a good place to stay in an area along Hwy 50 where there aren’t many other options. The host was friendly and helpful. The campground is clean and safe. The bathrooms are fine with a good shower and hot water. There is a swimming pool although it was closed for the season when I was here.

  • G
    Sep. 29, 2025

    Middle Ridge Campground

    Private

    If you’re looking for quiet and privacy, this is the place.  they laid out the sites so that you’re not side by side. They are all on an angle which moves you further away from anyone on both sides.  The angled site also was great for driving just past you’re site and practically backing straight back into you’re site.  Decent bath house and friendly, low key staff.  Great rates per night.

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 28, 2025

    Audra State Park Campground

    Quiet

    A beautiful park located on a river very quiet. Campsites are small only electric is available bathhouse clean. The roads are very narrow with sharp turns.

  • Sonder B.
    Sep. 21, 2025

    Dispersed camping at Mower Basin

    Clean, Remote, Pristine, off the beaten path = Mower Basin

    I chose for this trip to pay a visit to the Monongahela Nation Forest in West Virginia. I plan on dispersed camp in the Mower Basin for seven days. 

    The first three I would be solo and on that Friday my partner in crime would come to camp. I went to the primary camp site, and it was occupied. 

    I had four other camp sites chosen and continued to the other four. I found that other campers were on the other spots. I went to the last one and found it to be open. In setting up camp I found two piles of bear scat. 

    One pile was clearly fresher than the other, but still two piles! The attached photo is the last dispersed camp site. It was a little over a mile from the other site. I was dispersed camping in the Mower Basin. You can drive right up to your camp site, but don’t be fooled, this is primitive camping. 

    You need to bring everything with you and take it all out with you.

    Nearest Cell tower is here 38.688719,-79.979097

    Fuel &  small gocery store can be found here 38.710707,-79.979095

    Minor Automotive shop and tire repair here 38.713085,-79.979352


Guide to Hendricks

Camping near Hendricks, West Virginia takes place in steep mountainous terrain with elevations that produce cooler microclimates across the region. The Monongahela National Forest's diverse ecosystems span from river valleys at 1,700 feet to alpine-like conditions at higher elevations approaching 4,000 feet. Temperatures in this region can drop 20 degrees from daytime highs, even during summer camping season.

What to do

Fishing opportunities: 15 miles from Hendricks at Horseshoe Recreation Area, the Cheat River provides excellent catch-and-release fishing. "There are vault toilets and some flush toilets. No cell service (Verizon). Sites are equipped with a picnic table, fire ring with grate, and lantern post."

Waterfall exploration: Multiple cascades can be reached via short hikes from campsites. At Blackwater Falls State Park, "There's a nature center by a small lake. You can fish there & they have kayaks to rent. Skiing must be very popular in the winter."

Bird watching: Spring migration hotspot throughout the region, particularly in higher elevation areas. "We were thrilled to visit when 'Bird Banding' is taking place and enjoyed searching for migrating birds caught in the netting on the east side of the road opposite the campground."

Berry picking: July through September at several high-elevation locations. "Bear Rock and Dolly Sods for beautiful views and delicious berry picking (take empty clean milk jugs for easy picking buckets). Also great hiking here. Take a backpack of snacks, water and a cooler for lunch."

What campers like

Clear mountain rivers: The waterways near camping areas provide natural cooling during summer months. At Five River Campground, "The location is amazingly located right on the Shavers Fork river on a section that was shallow and calm enough for our small children to enjoy it. We figured the river would be a crowded place since the campground was nearly full and it was hot but we were pleasantly surprised that most of the week we were the only family on the river!"

Dark night skies: Minimal light pollution creates exceptional stargazing conditions. "With no ambient light, the night skies are amazing...though cloud cover always seem to plague my visits at night. Though one evening we drove down toward Bear Rocks and laid in an open field to stargaze one evening to enjoy a wonderful light show from shooting stars."

Local art communities: Several small towns within 30 minutes offer cultural attractions. "Spent the day in Thomas looking at local art & antiques. The evening in Davis eating at hellbender burritos. Hiked some cool trails in the park and to see the falls."

Mountain vistas: Multiple overlooks accessible from camping areas provide long-range views. "Seneca Shadows Campground, Parsons WV...a hidden oasis! The campground is a short drive from Seneca Rock. Wind back into the woods for camping in a quaint quite setting (A-D) or camp in the meadowlands with Seneca Rock in the background."

What you should know

Unpredictable weather patterns: Mountain conditions change rapidly regardless of season. At Red Creek Campground, "Know that it will likely rain on you in Dolly Sods, so always bring rain gear. Also realize, that with climate and conditions similar to the Canadian Tundra, temperatures and winds vary and fluctuate often, any time of year."

Limited cell coverage: Most campgrounds lack reliable service. "No cell service (Verizon). Sites are equipped with a picnic table, fire ring with grate, and lantern post."

Rough access roads: Many campgrounds require navigating unpaved routes. "There is a very sharp turn if you come in from the south on Sully Road, which seems to be the primary way to get there. My Subaru Forester didn't have any issues, but if you're driving an RV or have a trailer, you may have a struggle."

Seasonal operating periods: Many sites close during winter. "With a season of Mid-April through the beginning of December, be assured that weather is always a factor. Family has been thwarted at Thanksgiving by unpassable snow without a 4x4."

Muddy trail conditions: Higher elevation areas often remain wet year-round. "It is SO WET. I'm talking mud up to our knees. We were prepared to be wet, but this was totally unavoidable and by day 3 our feet were soaked beyond belief."

Tips for camping with families

Wildlife viewing opportunities: Early mornings provide best animal sightings. At Canaan Valley Resort State Park Campground, "There are full hookups. Lots of trails and wildlife."

Swimming holes: Natural water features provide safer areas for children. "There is a huge field that the kids enjoyed kite flying! There is a ton of wildlife in this state park! Deer galore! Someone saw a black bear on the trail (we did not)! Beautiful birds with tons of color!"

Playgrounds and activities: Several campgrounds offer structured recreation. "You have access to the pool at the resort (near the hotel). Older playground, but good enough for kiddos. Mini golf course, rock wall, and civil war reenactments when we came."

Kid-friendly trails: Multiple short hiking routes suitable for younger campers. "We spent three days in June and experienced afternoon rain showers daily, but arranged our hikes and bikes around them."

Tips from RVers

Limited turning space: Many campgrounds have tight access roads. "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."

Site orientation issues: Some campgrounds have poorly designed hookup placement. "Many of the pull thru sites are situated in the wrong direction with the electric hookup on the wrong side. The dump station is in a weird spot and the only water available is the same used for flushing."

Off-grid preparation: For dispersed camping, self-sufficiency is essential. At Canaan Loop Road Dispersed, "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."

Seasonal closures: Many campgrounds close in winter, but alternatives exist. "There are numerous disbursed camping sites at this location. We arrived on a Sunday and found all the sites near the vaulted toilet empty. The campsites are boarded by boulders. The toilet was one of the cleanest I have seen."

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Hendricks, WV?

According to TheDyrt.com, Hendricks, WV offers a wide range of camping options, with 132 campgrounds and RV parks near Hendricks, WV and 21 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Hendricks, WV?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Hendricks, WV is Blackwater Falls State Park Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 52 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Hendricks, WV?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 21 free dispersed camping spots near Hendricks, WV.