Camping in West Virginia's Monongahela National Forest region puts you at elevations ranging from 1,000 to 4,800 feet, creating distinct temperature variations even during summer months. French Creek sits at approximately 1,572 feet elevation in an area characterized by rolling hills, hardwood forests, and numerous waterways. Nights often drop 15-20°F cooler than daytime temperatures, especially at higher elevation campgrounds, so layering is essential even for summer luxury camping experiences.
What to do
Wildlife viewing at dawn and dusk: Bulltown Campground provides excellent deer spotting opportunities, particularly along Loop C. "Loop C did have a few visits from a skunk but he didnt bother anyone," reports one camper, highlighting the campground's abundant wildlife interactions.
Kayaking on multiple waterways: Five River Campground offers direct river access for paddlers. "The river is fantastic and holds trout and smallmouth for those that like to fish. A popular spot on the weekends and gets busy with all types of travelers," notes a camper who appreciated the convenient water access.
Explore historic sites: The Civil War history at Bulltown offers educational value. "There's a historical area that's really neat and a country store with things you may have forgotten - the ice cream and pizza are great too!" writes one visitor who enjoyed the historical elements beyond just camping.
Mountain biking on forest trails: Trails around Tygart Lake State Park Campground offer varying difficulty levels. One visitor mentioned, "A lot of hiking trails to choose from and fishing, boating and swimming in the lake. Good place for a weekend trip."
What campers like
Luxury amenities at moderate prices: Stonewall Resort State Park Campground offers upscale facilities not typical of state parks. One camper explained, "What you get for the extra cash is a well-staffed, beautifully-maintained resort with every imaginable amenity including boating, fishing, swimming, a Palmer golf course, disc golf and tennis."
Riverfront camping with privacy: Five River Campground allows tent campers to select their own spots along the river. "You simply locate a spot of your choosing along a half mile grassy stretch of river and set up camp, give Joyce a call and they come to you," explains a reviewer describing the relaxed setup process.
Dark skies for stargazing: Spruce Knob and Spruce Knob Observation Tower provides exceptional night viewing. A camper noted, "It gets darker than dark and the stars go on forever..." making it ideal for astronomy enthusiasts looking for glamping close to French Creek, West Virginia.
Year-round availability: Flatwoods KOA remains open throughout winter when many other glamping options close. "We had a nice stay, very clean and nice rv sites. Each site has a firelight and picnic table," notes a winter visitor, appreciating the year-round accessibility.
What you should know
Road conditions vary significantly: Access to Spruce Knob and Spruce Knob Observation Tower requires navigation consideration. "2 access roads to Spruce Knob. Road from Rt. 33 near Harman will be gravel and windy after the first few miles. The other (better) choice is from Rt.33/28 between Seneca Rocks and Circleville."
Weather extremes demand preparation: Temperature variations are significant at higher elevations. "If you visit in the fall bring long sleeves because it is windy and quite a few degrees cooler then down below," warns a Spruce Knob visitor.
Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies dramatically between sites. Five River Campground offers "cell service and wifi," while at Seneca State Forest, "There is no cell service within 30 miles, so for an outsider who doesn't know the area, it was difficult to find the campsite."
Storm preparedness: Severe weather can impact camping experiences. A Bulltown Campground camper reported, "A huge storm rolled through with 40/50 mph winds. We had a little heads up thanks to buying a day of WiFi but most people were caught flat footed. We saw 30 plus awnings and canopies destroyed."
Tips for camping with families
Choose sites with kid-friendly amenities: Bulltown Campground offers multiple recreation options for children. "Family friendly. Very relaxing, family friendly place to camp! Visited here several times and the campground is always clean. If you have a boat, the lake is a lot of fun play on," reports a regular visitor.
Look for bike-friendly areas: Flat terrain makes some campgrounds better for children. "Good area for kids to ride bikes. Some sites were tight fit for our tent but we still enjoyed it. Took our kayaks we stayed right next to lake," notes a family camper at Bulltown.
Consider campground layout: Site selection can significantly impact family experiences. A camper at Bulltown recommended, "I'd recommend c1-c5 if you have kids," highlighting specific sites that work better for families seeking luxury camping near French Creek.
Evaluate bathroom proximity: For families with small children, bathroom location matters. At Tygart Lake, "Site 18 is right by the ranger shack and closest to the bath house, nice for night time walking to bathroom," notes a camper who appreciated the convenient location.
Tips from RVers
Watch for unlevel sites: Flatwoods KOA has some challenging spots. "Very unlevel spot. Not sure if they are all like this, but it's a big ugh..." warns one RVer, suggesting this is worth checking before booking specific sites.
Research check-in procedures: KOAs sometimes have unique check-in locations. "Campground is labeled as a journey but with the addition of amenities at the Days Inn this is a great place for a couple of days. Remember to check in at Days Inn, signage is small," advises a camper who nearly missed this important detail.
Understand site orientation: Blackwater Falls State Park Campground has some site design quirks. "This is a very oddly laid out campground... You back in & your door is facing the correct way, but your picnic table & fireplace are on the wrong side! A lot of sites on this loops are like that."
Check water quality: Water systems vary between campgrounds. "Make sure you run the water lines to clear them out before hooking up. The water quality is very poor," cautions an RVer at Flatwoods KOA who experienced water issues.
