Whether you're a tent camper, an RVer, or just passing through, Jennings Randolph Lake, WV has a lot to offer. Camping, hiking, biking: however you want to spend your days near Jennings Randolph Lake, you'll find great campgrounds with The Dyrt. At The Dyrt, campers like you share their favorite spots, plus tips and photos. No matter where you're headed in Jennings Randolph Lake, you'll find the best spot for you and your camping crew.
$10 - $55 / night
"The best spots are in the woods adjacent to the stream. You can set up your camp chair and enjoy the creek sounds."
"Unfortunately, someone moved our picnic table to the next site. Too lazy to move it. Pit toilets were pretty clean. Stream was incredible and lively with trout and crayfish."
$10 - $30 / night
"Primitive campsites are $10 a night. Small cabins are $35 a night, with larger cabins going at $56 a night. There is electricity in the cabins."
"Had my wedding 2022 at Jennings picnic area and then after that spent the whole weekend away from everyone and everything!"
$28 / night
"Tented a cabin for two nights to hide from bad weather. Cabin had electric service, a microwave, electric heater, refrigerator and lights. The campground had no other guests during our stay."
"Surrounded by a white water stream, this is the perfect place to relax and unwind. This really is a such a peaceful environment, and the ideal property to re-connect with nature."
$10 - $20 / night
"Due to location in-between the tall mountains there is absolutely No CELLPHONE SRRVICE past the first couple campsites and only very spotty at those campsites as well."
$55 / night
"We're happy to welcome this property to our platform. Camp in the heart of this farm close to a pond. Book your stay and come back here to leave them some love."
"We camped here on a winter road trip fully prepared for the worst weather and this mountain top dispersed site delivered."
"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"
$20 / night
"Set your tent up on the lawn, up on the stage, or under the long lean-to, if you want to get out of the weather. It’s all up for grabs for the night."
$20 / night
"Basic tent camping sites. Portable bathroom facilities only. Only a mile from the historic paw paw tunnel. Tunnel is very fun to travel through. Kids and adults alike enjoy the tunnel."
"Close to the Paw Paw Tunnel towpath. The Portapotties were in bad shape, but it was winter so hopefully they get serviced more often in season."
LegendSmall, primitive campground with 12-sites. There were a surprising number of trailers and small RVs when I visited, especially when you consider visitors have to drive about 10-miles on a graded dirt road to get there.
There are some walk-in tent sites for more privacy and you have the option of pure wilderness camping in the surrounding 17,400 acres of Dolly Sods as long as you use existing campfire rings, or use a backpack stove when you can't find one.
No cell phone service or Internet… No electricity, pit toilets, and a busted water pump, but there is a fresh-water spring. Each site has a picnic table, fire ring and lantern pole.
The camp hosts are super mellow and also lead the volunteer bird-banding that takes place just across the road from the Red Creek Campground.
The plant life and weather at Dolly Sods are similar to Northern Canada, so bring some extra layers. It was at least 15-degrees cooler than the valley when I reached the peak of the Allegheny Plateau. Add the wind and I had to put my sweatshirt after sweating in a T-shirt at Seneca Rocks that same day.
Bring a backpack and good hiking boots so you're prepared to experience some of the most amazing scenery and wildlife you’ve ever seen!
First-come, first-serve only and often full on weekends.
*Word of caution: Dolly Sods was used for military training during WWII, so there are artillery and mortar shells still being found in this wilderness. Don’t touch any shells you might find, note the location and report to authorities.
LegendIf you're a fan of hiking and rock climbing at Seneca Rocks, Seneca Shadows is absolutely the best campground near this fantastic rock formation.
It’s located in the Monongahela National Forest near the North Fork South Branch of the Potomac River with nearby peaks ranging from 1,000 feet to nearly 5,000 feet above sea level. Seneca Shadows campground offers a view of the famed Seneca Rocks and puts you within walking distance of the visitor’s center, hiking and climbing trails, plus the quaint town of Seneca Rocks where you buy gas, food and gifts.
Make sure you visit Harper’s Old Country Store, a 4th generation family run business, operating since 1902. The visitor’s center has a nice collection of Native American artifacts and a cool video of the Army soldiers who trained here before WWII.
Seneca Shadows Campground is a modern campground with paved parking, flush toilets, showers and an amphitheater. Each site has a picnic table, fire ring and lantern post. Seneca Shadows is part of a growing trend where a private concessionaire is a running a public camp-ground. I’m not a huge fan since it often mean higher fees, but I must say that the campground was spotless and well-run by a delightful couple who obviously enjoyed their summer job.
Seneca Shadows Campground has three loops to chose from:
The A& B Loops are for tents or RVs with no electric service.
The C-Loop has electricity.
There's also a group camping area and a "tent-only" camping area with walk-in sites from a nearby parking lot.
Spruce Knob and Dolly Sods are nearby and both deserve a spot on your outdoor adventure“bucket list” in West Virginia.
LegendThis is a remote riverside campground with great fishing opportunities for catch and release(check the requirements for license/stamps; I included a picture of a sign). One loop comes with water/electic hookups($7 more) the others are primitive. 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 with parking near the bathroom. Parking pads are large and generally level. 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. The prices for firewood are among the highest I’ve seen at$10/bundle. Camp store has limited hours, but ice and firewood are available.
You may have day visitors here to fish, swim, or picnic at one of the two pavilions. In addition to fishing, you may find it refreshing to swim/wade in the river, but I would definitely want water shoes to protect my feet. Interested in more adventure on the river? Head about 15 minutes down the road to St George where outfitters can set you up for both flatwater and whitewater activities on the Cheat River, depending on your preference, age, and water level.
LegendGeneral: Smallish (68 sites) campground near Jennings Randolph Lake, which is not directly accessible from the campground (you need to drive there). Roads and camper pads are all paved, and the sites are in two loops– the Front Loop (Sites 1-30) and the Back Loop (Sites 31-68). All sites have electric hookups, and have a picnic table, fire ring, and lantern ring. There are multiple hosts in each loop.
Site Quality: All camper pads are paved, and most appeared to be level. They are of varying lengths with 53, 55, and 64-68 having the longest pads. The sites are generous in size and are spaced a reasonable distance apart; there are varying degrees of foliage to provide privacy between sites. You would be hard-pressed to pick a “bad” site; perhaps Site 31 would be the least desirable as it is near the intersection of the two loops.
Bath/Shower: There is a bathhouse in each loop; although the building itself appeared somewhat dated, the toilets and sinks have been updated to be automatic. The showers looked a bit sketchy, but I didn’t use them.
Activities/Amenities: There are several short-distance hiking trails; the trail heads are very well marked and, once on the trail, the blazes are very easy to spot. I hiked the Sunset Trail, and it was shorter than advertised but the bench swing at the overlook was a very nice surprise. There is also archery, basketball, fishing, and a boat launch for the small lake. There is a playground in each loop. There is also a camper store in the Front loop that sells ice, firewood, and basic sundries; it is run by volunteers, so the hours are different each day based on availability. Kalbaugh Pond is ADA-accessible for catch-and-release fishing. Shaw Beach has swimming access. There was movie night on Saturday night and a ranger talk on Saturday morning.
We generally shy away from campgrounds on weekends, especially in the summer months but surprisingly, the campground was only about ¾ full on a Friday in June. The volunteers make this park shine. We were greeted by Alma, who was very welcoming and said all of the volunteers are proud of “their” little campground. Of note: We approached the campground from the southeast through the town of Keyser. DO NOT do this if you have a large RV. There are multiple signs saying that the road was not safe for large trucks; although our 18-foot camper van had no problems, the road was narrow, hilly, and winding.
RangerKooser State Park is a small campground nestled in the Laurel Highlands, close to Hidden Valley and Seven Springs ski resorts. The park has great amenities just a short walk from all sites. All sites have fire rings, with grills, however note they are double walled so do not expel a lot of heat outward. Great for cooking however.
Most sites are not level, but very grassy. Firewood is available at the entrance for$5 bundle supporting a local club. A beautiful walk through the park leads you to the Kooser Lake, great for fishing. It is also close to the Laurel Hill State Park which is great for hiking and water activities. The park is close to the road so you will experience some road noise.
The park is 15min from Somerset. No phone reception at this one! They welcome all furry friends!
LegendI 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.
The front section of Seneca Shadows isn't all that interesting. There are standard sites here with gravel pads, water, and electricity, good for trailers and RVs. The sites are of an average size and have plenty of shade and privacy.
There is also a large tent-only section at the back of the campground. This is where I stayed, and this is what made Seneca Shadows memorable. The tent section is a giant meadow with picnic tables and tent pads arranged around the edges. There is also a picnic shelter here. Parking is adjacent; expect to carry your gear a few hundred feet. Many of the sites have shade trees, and a few have shrubs for privacy, but nearly all have an incredible view of Seneca Rocks, a magnificent geological feature.
There are vault toilets located close to the tent section, but these didn't smell great so I avoided them. There are real bathrooms with flushing toilets, running water, and showers located just up the road. These were nice and clean when I visited.
I intend to return someday for a closer look at Seneca Rocks. This place is a destination, not just a stopover.
ScoutClean, beautiful and quiet (occasional barking dog or children playing loudly). The basic tent sites each have a picnic table, fire pit w/ grill, and lantern post. The trails to the beautiful falls are a short walk from the campgrounds.
LegendCampground 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. Winter brings copious snowfall and the skiing here draws thousands...downhill and XC. The summer sees backpackers, hikers, mountain bikers, gravel grinders, car-campers and RVers. Not only do you have hiking trails here on the State Park location...you can drive up to the nearby Dolly Sods Wilderness Area for camping, day-hikes or multi-day backcountry trips; Blackwater Falls (10 miles north) offers memorable falls, great hikes with long gorge views (Lindy Point a favorite). Even Seneca Rocks and Spruce Knob are only 30 minutes or so away. Possibilities are endless in this neck of the woods. This very weekend was to be the Mountainbike Festival, but due to Covid-19, well you know the rest of that story. The Abe Run Trail was a pleasant trail leaving from the campground.
The campground portion is not expansive but 34 sites are situated in three small loops (see photo of campground map). Primitive tent sites don't have water or electric and parking is roadside but you are within 100 yards of the "Comfort Station." The three "tent only" sites have only been around for a couple years...but sites 1 and 2 are in a nice grassy area away from the RV loop 2. Always verify current rates, but June 18, 2020...mid $30's nightly for nonresidents (WV residents get 30% off). Primitive tent sites were $17 a night.
The Resort Lodge, Golf course, swimming pool and a covered ice skating rink (obviously the last three mentioned being seasonal) were further up the windy park roadway. (See rates on park website).
The campground "Comfort Station," is a restroom/shower/laundry and soda machine building. The gender specific restroom/shower rooms each have two wooden stalled modern facility stools, two shower stalls (men's are separated by a shower curtain, women's by a wall); a separate unisex ADA restroom/shower sits adjacent to the men's and appears newer.
The grounds are well-maintained and manicured as are all WV State Parks. Trails are scattered throughout the park. some are foot traffic only, others permit bicycles. The Back Hollow Trail was predominantly a mown grass trail but occasional wooded sections were rocky two-track. This is Wet Virginia, so expect to experience rain and bring foul weather gear in the summer months. I have mastered the fine art of campsite tarping due to West Virginia camping. It also still gets chilly in these mountains during the early summer months.
Deer meander through the primitive tent sites with their fawns each morning and evening. A kid's playground is situated beside (separated by a field) primitive tent sites 1 & 2.
We spent three days in June and experienced afternoon rain showers daily, but arranged our hikes and bikes around them.
Guide8/14/2025
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.
Tent camping near Jennings Randolph Lake in West Virginia offers a serene escape into nature, with a variety of campgrounds that cater to outdoor enthusiasts looking for a peaceful retreat.
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According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Jennings Randolph Lake is Big Run State Park Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 6 reviews.
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