High View, West Virginia sits at approximately 830 feet above sea level in Hampshire County, surrounded by the forested ridges of the Appalachian Mountains. The area experiences four distinct seasons with particularly vibrant fall foliage from mid-October through early November. Camping options range from basic dispersed sites to full-service campgrounds, with most facilities open from April through October.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: The Cacapon River provides excellent fishing access at Camp Cacapon, where campers can enjoy clean water conditions. "The river water were so clean and fun to swim in," notes Itai, who enjoyed both fishing and swimming during their visit.
Trail exploration: Several miles of hiking trails span throughout the region with varied difficulty levels. At Elizabeth Furnace Family Campground, visitors can access "several trails with a variety of difficulties, including the challenging Maneka Peak Trail and Signal Point loop, or more tame options in and around the site," according to Ryan O.
Shooting sports: Some campgrounds offer unique recreational activities beyond standard camping. Ben M. shares that at The Cove Campground, "This Campground had everything I wanted. Shooting range, ATV trails, fishing, hiking and great campsites."
What campers like
Rustic setting with basic amenities: Many campers appreciate the balance between wilderness and comfort. At Middle Ridge Campground, visitors enjoy "spacious level sites in the woods. Great place to get away... Road to access the campground was good with some tight turns up the hill the last couple of miles," according to Stephen H.
Animal encounters: The presence of farm animals adds charm to certain camping experiences. Nancy L. mentions The Cove Campground features "Free range, friendly goats wander around, which is kinda fun," making for memorable interactions, especially for families with children.
Water recreation: Lake and river access rank highly among camper priorities. At Shenandoah River State Park, Laura N. notes the "campground access to the Shenandoah River," making it easy for visitors to enjoy water activities without long travel distances.
What you should know
Cell coverage limitations: Most rural campgrounds have restricted connectivity. At Buffalo Gap Retreat, campers should expect minimal cell service, making it "a great place to experience the outdoors" according to Brian M., who stayed there with a large church group.
Road conditions: Some campgrounds require navigation of unpaved access roads. Giselle P. advises about Hawk Campground: "The road in is a single lane dirt road with parts of it partially washed away. I would not want to drive on this in the rain. There are minimal turning points."
Shower availability: Bathroom and shower facilities vary significantly between locations. Nancy L. reports at The Cove Campground: "The showers are even farther-like a 15-20 minute walk with bad signage directing to. The view from the showers were breathtaking, but the showers themselves left much to be desired."
Tips for camping with families
Beginner-friendly fishing spots: Look for stocked fishing areas where children can build confidence. Michael H. recommends Elizabeth Furnace Family Campground which has "a stocked trout stream, will keep the kids and kids at heart busy."
Playground access: Some campgrounds offer dedicated play areas. Daniel T. found Candy Hill Campground has "new pool and nice playgrounds" making it a "nice campground for families and couples."
Educational trails: Several locations feature informational displays along trails. Christine T. notes that Elizabeth Furnace includes "hiking complete with billboards describing the hike," making nature exploration more engaging for young learners.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling considerations: Many mountain campgrounds have sloped sites. Christopher K. found at The Cove Campground that "campsites were spacious and mostly level. The road is gravel and could use some work, I'd recommend 4x4 drive."
Hookup limitations: Water access can be restricted at some locations. Christopher K. also notes: "There are 4 water spigots in camp 1. However all the travel trailers hooked up, which means you either had to make friends or disconnect their water in order to have access."
Vehicle size restrictions: Larger RVs may struggle at certain campgrounds. Stephen H. advises about Middle Ridge Campground: "The campground itself is gravel roads that were pretty tight gettin in and out of and fairly steep with trees on all sides. Made it in and out no issue taking it slow, but not sure I would try anything longer than about 36' fifth wheel or 34' travel trailer."
