RV camping near Chapmanville, West Virginia places travelers within West Virginia's southwestern hills where elevations range between 700-1,200 feet. The region experiences mild winters with occasional snow and hot, humid summers with temperatures frequently reaching the upper 80s. Most area campgrounds operate year-round, though some services and amenities become limited between November and April.
What to do
Fishing access: 3 Small campsites at Saint Albans Roadside Park offer direct access to the Kanawha River. The park provides a boat ramp just 100 yards from campsites. "If you're a boater there is a boat slip a hundred yards away to get onto the kanawha river," notes one visitor.
Mountain biking trails: Kanawha State Forest contains over 9 miles of dedicated bike paths with varying difficulty levels. A camper explains, "Tons of hiking and biking (mountain and road) opportunities available. You can also purchase ice and firewood."
Skydiving experiences: The airstrip at Robert Newlon Airpark hosts skydiving operations, allowing campers to observe or participate. "The campground is small. Has a nice dog park. Pickle ball courts. Cafe Sky diving right here. The Ohio river is visible," reports one reviewer.
What campers like
Affordability: Budget-conscious travelers appreciate Backwoods Camping & RV Park for its reasonable rates. A guest shared, "Several cabins, RV spots and grassy tent areas. The staff are very easy to work with - they will sell and chop the wood you need, let you put your tent in any of the open grass areas around the lot."
Water activities: The artificial lake at Oasis Point RV Resort & Adventure Lake features multiple water attractions. "They have a large pond that has a nice beach, a huge slide and a zip line. They have kayaks, paddle boards and floats first come first serve," explains a visitor.
Quiet surroundings: Despite highway proximity, many area campgrounds maintain peaceful environments. "We have been here for a month. It's very quite, they have a beautiful lake for fishing only. Highly recommend if you need a quite spot to just relax," notes a camper.
What you should know
Cell service limitations: Coverage varies significantly throughout the region. At Kanawha State Forest, "Don't expect to have signal. I'm on tmobile and I had an occasional bar. Starlink worked allright if ai aimed it properly through the trees."
Access challenges: Narrow, winding roads limit accessibility to some campgrounds. "The GPS led us up a gravel road with no signs for miles. Internet and cell service cut out within a mile up that road and we were not sure we were going the right way."
Seasonality factors: Many campground amenities operate on seasonal schedules. The busy season typically runs May through September, with swimming areas and organized activities available primarily during this period. Some campgrounds close entirely between November and March.
Tips for camping with families
Water park proximity: Little Coal River Campground sits across from local water attractions. "This is across the main highway from the water ways water park. Others camp here to be close to the Hatfield McCoy ATV trail system."
Playground facilities: Multiple campgrounds feature dedicated play areas for children. Saint Albans Roadside Park offers "a fenced in playground that is very nice," while other facilities maintain basketball courts and recreation fields.
Educational opportunities: Family-oriented campgrounds often schedule organized activities during summer weekends. "The sites are all located along a winding road that parallels a river. Some sites are better than others! Site hosts were very nice!"
Tips from RVers
Supply access: Camping near Chapmanville provides convenient resupply options. Rifrafters Campground offers ideal positioning: "We needed a place close to the town and gorge for a basecamp. The fact that they had reliable WiFi throughout the park was a huge bonus for a remote worker."
Site selection: When booking campsites, request specific location information. "We stayed in site 19 which was roomy and level. The owners were friendly. The playground was great for our daughters to burn off some energy."
Leveling considerations: Many regional campgrounds feature uneven terrain requiring leveling blocks. At one campground, "Our site was very hilly and the picnic table and fire pit were a bit treacherous to get to. Don't stay in 35 with a tent or mobility issues."
