Best Tent Camping near High View, WV
Tent campers find several primitive and established options near High View, West Virginia, with sites available in both George Washington National Forest and along the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park. Hawk Campground offers reservable tent sites in a forested setting, while Squirrel Hollow Road provides more dispersed, primitive tent camping approximately 5 miles southwest of High View. Most tent campgrounds in this region operate seasonally, with Hawk Campground typically open from early April through late December.
Sites throughout the area feature fire rings, picnic tables, and tent pads, though amenities vary significantly between established and dispersed locations. At Little Fort Campground, about 25 miles south, tent sites include flat tent pads, fire rings, and picnic tables, with vault toilets centrally located. A camper noted, "There are 9 campsites, each with at least one fire ring, a tent pad and a picnic table, and there is a vault toilet in the middle." Cell service is limited or nonexistent at most locations, particularly at higher elevations or in deeper valleys. Dispersed tent sites typically lack potable water, requiring campers to filter from streams or bring sufficient supplies.
Walk-in tent sites at Sky Meadows State Park, though slightly farther from High View, offer a backcountry camping experience with a moderate one-mile hike to reach the campground. Based on reviews from The Dyrt, these sites provide bear boxes, fire rings, and non-potable water pumps, making them suitable for campers seeking a wilderness experience without a lengthy backpacking trip. Many tent campgrounds in the region sit along ridgelines or near water features, providing scenic views and natural white noise. Tent campers should be prepared for variable weather conditions, particularly at higher elevations where temperatures can drop significantly at night even during summer months.