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Best Campgrounds near Parsons, WV

663 Reviews

Parsons, West Virginia serves as a gateway to diverse camping experiences in the Monongahela National Forest and surrounding areas. Five River Campground, located directly in Parsons, offers year-round access with tent, RV, and glamping options. Horseshoe Recreation Area, situated about 5 miles north of town, provides developed sites with electric hookups. The region includes both established campgrounds with modern amenities and dispersed camping opportunities like Canaan Loop Road Dispersed and Lower Glady Dispersed Campground, where primitive sites offer a more secluded experience.

Weather conditions and seasonal considerations significantly impact camping experiences throughout the area. Many campgrounds operate seasonally, with several closing during winter months. Blackwater Falls State Park Campground, approximately 15 miles east of Parsons, operates from late April through October. According to one visitor, "This is bear country, so don't leave any food sitting out," highlighting the importance of proper food storage. Road access to some dispersed camping areas may require high-clearance vehicles, particularly after rainfall when forest roads can become muddy and difficult to navigate. Cell service is limited throughout the region, especially in more remote camping areas, making advance planning essential.

Campers consistently praise the natural beauty and wildlife viewing opportunities near Parsons. The area's rivers and streams provide popular recreation spots, with several campgrounds situated along waterways. A review mentioned that "Deer meandered through the primitive tent sites with their fawns each morning and evening," describing the wildlife experience at Canaan Valley Resort State Park. Developed campgrounds in the region typically offer amenities such as picnic tables, fire rings, and access to drinking water, while dispersed sites provide more solitude but fewer facilities. The higher elevation campgrounds, particularly those near Canaan Valley and Blackwater Falls, offer cooler temperatures during summer months, making them popular destinations when lower elevations experience heat and humidity.

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Best Camping Sites Near Parsons, West Virginia (131)

    1. Blackwater Falls State Park Campground

    52 Reviews
    Davis, WV
    10 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
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (304) 478-3515

    $15 / night

    "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."

    "We stayed in site F (definitely snag it if possible) and had a great grassy end just steps from the river."

    3. Audra State Park Campground

    32 Reviews
    Volga, WV
    21 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."

    4. Canaan Valley Resort State Park Campground

    12 Reviews
    Red Creek, WV
    13 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. Canaan Loop Road Dispersed

    9 Reviews
    Davis, WV
    11 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"

    "Still snow on the ground and very wet in early April, but great dispersed car camp and walk-in camp sites."

    6. Lower Glady Dispersed Campground

    7 Reviews
    Harman, WV
    10 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."

    7. Horseshoe Recreation Area

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

    $17 - $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"

    8. 5 Rivers Campground

    3 Reviews
    Parsons, WV
    1 mile
    Website

    $15 / night

    "Beautiful location with the river flowing beside the campground. Great for floating, fishing, kayaking or cooling off on a hot day. We love the owners who take great care of their campers!"

    9. Brooklyn Heights Riverfront Campground

    3 Reviews
    Hendricks, WV
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (703) 328-1840

    $20 - $55 / night

    "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"

    10. Bear Heaven Campground

    6 Reviews
    Bowden, WV
    11 miles
    Website

    "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."

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Recent Camping Photos near Parsons, WV

373 Photos of 131 Parsons Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Parsons, WV

663 Reviews of 131 Parsons Campgrounds

  • Alia
    Sep. 7, 2025

    Kick Back n Camp

    Last Minute Getaway

    My husband and I went on a spontaneous camping road trip. We called the campground, and they had availability for walk-ins! Usually, you’d have to book in advance. The campsite was a semi-private spot, and it cost less than $30 a night, without electricity. They also have sites with electricity. We were fortunate enough to have no campers around us, making it quite private.

    The campground had a picnic table, a fire pit, and they even delivered our firewood directly to our site. They had separate sites for RVs and tent camping, so we could choose the one that best suited our needs. The owners were incredibly friendly and outgoing, making our stay even more enjoyable.

    If you forget anything, the campground office had everything you needed for purchase. They also had a well-organized brochure that showcased the campground’s amenities and offerings. And let’s not forget their delicious ice cream! They had a variety of flavors, and I highly recommend trying them all.

    One of the standout features of the campground was the bathhouse. It was spotlessly clean and felt like a spa. The showers were comfortable and had hot water, making it our highlight

    Overall, we had a fantastic time at the campground. It was a great place to unwind and connect with nature. If you’re looking for a peaceful and affordable camping experience, I highly recommend this campground.

  • Aileen C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 3, 2025

    Blackwater Falls State Park Campground

    Clean Campground in a Beautiful Park

    This is one of our favorite places. The park is beautiful, and so are the nearby Canaan Valley Wildlife Refuge and Canaan Valley State Park.

    The campground is better suited to tents and small to medium size camping units. I think the person who designed it was not familiar with camping units other than tents. Loop 1-30 is one way going clockwise. Loop 31-65 is one way going counterclockwise. But in both loops, to have your door facing away from the street, you have to drive counterclockwise if your site is on the outside of the loop, and clockwise if your site is inside the loop.  In some sites, the electric pedestal is on the wrong side, so you'll have to use a long cord and take it under your unit to reach your electric hookup.

    There are two water fill stations, one at the camp store where you check in, and the other at a water fountain near the bathhouse in loop 31-65. They are supplied supplied with a green garden hose, not a white potable water hose, so we unscrewed the hose and used our own. The water tastes unusually good.

    The dump station is in a section of loop 31-65. You have to go the wrong way on a one way road to be close enough for your slinky to reach it. The non potable rinse water is across this road from the dump station and it has a white hose--beware--this is not the drinking water! You stretch this hose across the road to rinse your gray and black tanks and slinky.

    Some of the sites are not very level, and many of the pull thru sites share some driveway space with another pull thru site or a back in site. There are two pairs of sites that share a pull thru--OK for people traveling together, but otherwise a headache if you're arriving and leaving at different times.

    Once you have dealt with all this inconvenience and oddness, you'll find you're within walking distance of the falls, a small lake, hiking trails that go through beautiful forests with rhododendrons, hemlocks, spruce, and hardwoods. The camp store is limited, but the staff is very friendly and helpful. The nature center is one of the best I've ever visited, and park naturalists provide programs on weekends. There are kayak rentals in summer. The lake has a swimming beach, but you can pay to use the swimming pool at the lodge for better swimming. The lodge also has a huge lobby with a cabinet containing jigsaw puzzles. We worked on one on a rainy day when we didn't want to be outside. Davis and Thomas have some interesting shops and good restaurants.When you get back after a day of adventures, you'll find clean restrooms with hot showers that are actually hot. And the T-Mobile service was good enough for my husband to stream a movie while I sent photos to my family. The park was very busy for Labor Day weekend, but it was a family atmosphere and after dark, there were few lights and little noise.

  • Lee G.
    Sep. 2, 2025

    Big Bend Campground

    Big Bend Campground…Definitely Worth the Experience

    Big Bend Campground is a beautiful place with a great family atmosphere. The campsites are large and accommodate RVs and/or multiple tents. The best part about this place is the nearly 360° lazy river tubing experience. This place has no cell service and you’ll have to travel along a 2 1/2 mile dirt road to finally get to the campground. The Camp Hosts were great and offered a lot of local information and tips. While this is a great location and provides memorable adventures, it would be great if the picnic tables and some of the fire rings could be updated as they’re nearing the end of their service life. However, this is simply a great place to unhook from the daily grind.

  • M
    Aug. 30, 2025

    Middle Ridge Campground

    Perfect Site

    This was the perfect little site. Super friendly and accommodating, beautiful walking paths, great campsites. We really enjoyed our stay.

  • Lyle & Stephanie H.
    Aug. 24, 2025

    Middle Ridge Campground

    Private - Quiet - Great Hosts

    We really enjoyed our stay.   Quiet camping on top of a mountain.   Beautiful wooded views.  Hosts were amazing and plenty of space between campers.  All the spots are shaded.

  • scott K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 23, 2025

    Gladwin Dispersed Camping

    Go a little further

    Decided to try it even though other review said private property- and seems they were correct but incorrect. Initially you do come to private land with several campsites and campers present. But if you go down the dirt road a little to the low water bridge you will find a wonderful site on the right with several fire pits. Or another 100 yards after bridge was another nice site on the left

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 18, 2025

    Middle Ridge Campground

    Peaceful retreat in the woods on the mountain

    Nice full hook-up sites in spacious level sites in the woods. Great place to get away. Great value with a gracious host and hostess. Delivered wood to our site by the time I disconnected. The donkeys were fun to see. The town of Romney nearby has everything you might need. Highly recommend the small farmer markets with fresh fruit and veggies. Road to access the campground was good with some tight turns up the hill the last couple of miles. 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. Water pressure was just a bit weak and used our water tank and pump during our stay. Best we could get for water pressure out of the hose was 25-20 psi. No issues with power or sewer. Pool looked nice and clean, but we did not get a chance to use it. Hike down to the ponds is pretty steep. Would go back again if in the area. Starlink was sketchy at best, Verizon had one bar and slightly usable, ATT was best with a couple of bars and ok speeds.

  • Evan C.
    Aug. 18, 2025

    Robert W. Craig - Jennings Randolph Lake

    Great Tenting, Little Busy

    8/14/2025

    USACE-managed campground with hosts who are on-site all season. Nice sites (easy staking) with picnic tables and fire pits, plus a camp store for firewood and other supplies (got there too late to check it out though). A little crowded with what seemed like folks who stay there for a hefty chunk of the season, and the sites are pretty close together, but there weren't any issues with rowdy folks - it seems like the hosts keep things in order/enforce quiet hours if necessary. 

    Drinking water right next to the site (37) as well as a trail to a restroom - I think there's a shower on the other loop/section. 

    $22 for a basic (non-electric) tent site.

  • Sophia Z.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 17, 2025

    Gladwin Dispersed Camping

    Spot is on Private Property

    Spot is amazing, but we got told to leave due to it actually being private property, not part of the national forest camping.
    There is a private property line next to the entrance, so we thought we were in the clear being away from it, but locals, although incredibly friendly, kindly asked us to leave.

Guide to Parsons

Camping near Parsons, West Virginia, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and outdoor adventures. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an action-packed getaway, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Explore the trails around Red Creek Campground. One visitor shared, "There is SO much hiking from the campsite. My girlfriend and I were able to do a 15-mile loop." The area is known for its stunning views and diverse landscapes.
  • Water Activities: At Five River Campground, you can enjoy kayaking and floating on the river. A camper noted, "Right on the River. Perfect for floating."
  • Wildlife Watching: Many campers have spotted deer and other wildlife. One reviewer at Tygart Lake State Park Campground mentioned, "Watch for deer! We saw more deer than usual."

What campers like:

What you should know:

  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds, like Wolf Gap, have very few amenities. A camper mentioned, "The campground itself is in a bit of disrepair although the tent pads looked fine."
  • Crowded Weekends: Popular spots can get busy on weekends. A visitor at Swallow Falls State Park Campground said, "Great hikes to the falls. Went trout fishing all day. Gets crowded on the weekends."
  • Road Conditions: Some campgrounds are accessed via gravel roads that can be rough. One camper at Red Creek Campground warned, "The road on the way up is gravel, but has its share of potholes and bumps."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for places like Five River Campground, which is known for being clean and well-managed. A family shared, "The owners are amazing and so helpful."
  • Plan for Activities: Make sure to have a list of activities. One camper at Tygart Lake State Park Campground mentioned, "There was a shop where you could purchase wood and supplies."
  • Pack for All Weather: Be prepared for changing weather conditions. A visitor at Audra State Park Campground noted, "The camp store is well stocked and the employees are friendly."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: Some sites can be tricky for larger RVs. A reviewer at Coopers Rock State Forest cautioned, "Backing into some of the sites can be tricky with the angles and the ditches along the road."
  • Look for Full Hookups: Campgrounds like Five River Campground offer full hookups, which many RVers appreciate. One camper said, "Full hookup sites were amazing."
  • Plan for Limited Services: Some campgrounds, such as Wolf Gap, do not have electric hookups. A visitor mentioned, "The site did not have electric or water but the other loops were full service."

Camping near Parsons, West Virginia, has something for everyone, whether you're a family looking for fun or an RVer seeking adventure.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Parsons, WV?

According to TheDyrt.com, Parsons, WV offers a wide range of camping options, with 131 campgrounds and RV parks near Parsons, WV and 20 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Parsons, WV?

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

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

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 20 free dispersed camping spots near Parsons, WV.

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