Several camping spots sit within driving distance of Morgantown, West Virginia. Blackwater Falls State Park draws many campers with its waterfalls and network of hiking trails. Not far away, Ohiopyle State Park has good spots for campers who want to try rafting or ride mountain bikes during their stay. Campers looking for quiet forest surroundings might prefer Laurel Hill State Park, which has well-kept sites among the trees. Red Creek Campground works better for campers who want a basic, no-frills experience with its simple sites. Most of these places can be reached without much trouble, though you'll drive some curvy roads to get to certain campgrounds. You should make reservations if possible, particularly if you're camping during busy times like summer weekends when spots fill quickly. Before heading out, check what each place has and what rules they follow. The Morgantown area offers a diverse selection of campgrounds ranging from fully developed sites with amenities to simple backcountry camping locations, making it an ideal destination for West Virginia camping adventures.
Compare 2 top campgrounds at a time to find your favorite!
Round 1 of 5
$25 - $35 / night
"There are wonderful, well maintained trails throughout. If you want to dive into nature within a 30 minute drive from Morgantown, this is your place to go."
"There is also a small laundry room with dishwashing sink behind the bathhouse. Both ice and firewood are sold onsite."
$20 - $54 / night
"The plan was to camp and hike throughout West Virginia, but when we visited Pathfinder outdoor retailer in Morgantown, WV the staff encouraged us to check out Ohiopyle, while we were so close."
"Very close to two Frank Lloyd Wright properties– Kentuck Knob and the more widely known Falling Waters."
"We love it here most of the time it’s close to Morgantown so it’s perfect for university events. Really close to campus. They have full hookups & partial hookups."
"There aren’t a whole lot of full hook up camping spots in the Morgantown area. Mylan park has a bunch of full hook ups in a parking lot convenient to I 79."
$46 - $55 / night
"Pull thru sites,full hookups,near I68,Morgantown and Coppers Rock. Activities for the kids and playgrounds. Great views. Minimal Interest noise."
"The outside roads of the park if you walk them all is roughly one mile and it feels like you’re hiking on a gravel path through the woods- well because you are."
$25 - $35 / night
"There is a bathhouse located closest to site 5 with trails from other sites to get there. The facilities are always clean- no shower available."
"It was walking distance to the beautiful overlook and a great price for what you get."
$20 - $90 / night
"Close to Cheat Lake and restaurants in Morgantown."
"Close enough to Cheat Lake."
"There are many tent sites at this location, as well as RV lodging. There is a pond you can swim and or fish at. There are both, modern and rustic cabins to rent. "
"There is a nice green space for running around. They have a small camp store and it's great for scout troups."
"There was a bathroom close by with running water and showers. It was beautiful and very close to the lake."
"Trails to lakeside/shore where campers do swim although no swimming from shore is "not" allowed. Just be respectful and clean up after yourselves and usually no drama involved."
"Kids enjoyed playing around the boat ramp. Clean restrooms."
ScoutThe biggest problem with the WV state parks is the cancellation policy. Make sure you check it out. Bath houses are decent. Shower had hot water and good pressure. Most of the sites are not level 1-9 are the best sites by far. Poor drainage when raining.
ScoutWe love staying in the yurts. Peaceful. Like camping with amenities. Has fire or wood! Rain doesn’t bother us here. Stay as often as we can when available.
GuideI come here at least twice a year for the wonder campground. The hiking trails, water falls and white water rafting. The town is small but filled with tons of great shops and outfitters. Campground is clean, every sight is nice and spacious, not all are private. Get gas on your way here, once here their are no gas stations for 40 minutes in every direction. Ice and wood at campground suck. Go into town for ice or see Butch out rt 381 on the left just outside the park boundary. Highly recommended.
ScoutThe surroundings are beautiful as is the Campground. No water or sewer so be prepared for that. The shower/laundry/bathroom building is centrally located and immaculate.
TravelerI’m a new car camper and my mom and I took a day trip out to check out the sites. When I tell you this is the most beautiful, secluded, peaceful camping site I truly couldn’t have asked for a better find!! I did however (like an idiot) end up going waaay too far down the trail (aka the whole 18 miles) and THANK GOD I drive a 4 runner!! That road gets pretty sketchy in most spots the further you go down but I somehow (by the grace of God) made it through the whole thing IN TWO WHEEL DRIVE!! ugh may never do that again but the camping is fantastic!! If you wanna check out more of the off-roading aspect I recommend checking out nolimitbmore on youtube! Will be spending most of my summer & fall here!!
GuideGreat private campground right on the river! The camper spots are across the road from the river and next time we will reserve a camper spot and a tent spot right on the water!
TravelerFun beginner trail, nice dispersed camping spots. Went there when it was dry so it was an easy drive. Very close to Blackwater Falls so you have all the trails there also have trails down the road with nice lookout points
TravelerWe came in late Friday & could tell from the 7+" snow covered road in that no one else was going to be here (unless they'd been parked for two days of snowfall). We parked on a site be the creek on a big loop near a vault toilet (nothing better than a 20° toilet seat to wake you up in the morning). These sites were easy to recognize as safe driving spots under the blanket of snow. The road was well marked. The hairpin turn at entrance was wide enough that it was not a problem to navigate in the snow / icy road. Main roads had been plowed thoroughly. Anyway, great stay. Could not see stars but the moonrise was beautiful.
RangerOne of the advantages of this particular campground is that it's not far from the town of Elkins, so you can go back into town if you don't feel like campsite cooking— lots of good restaurants and entertainment opportunities in Elkins.
While this is truly primitive camping, you are not so primitive that you need to dig a hole to go to the bathroom— they do have porta-potty's. It's also noteworthy that this is likely not available year-round. The road becomes impassable in winter when there is a lot of snow, and they start maintaining it, often even blocking the road with gates during the winter. Understandable but unfortunate, since it is beautiful added is not always snowing even in winter, right?
The campground is not free but also not very expensive. I think the senior citizens price is under five dollars, or at least it was when I camped there a couple years ago(2023). The sites themselves are first-come first-served, the kind of camping ground where you simply go back up to the entranceway to fill out a form and state where you are and make the payment in a box. While the campground is at a fairly high altitude, most of the sites don't have expansive views, and I think only a couple of the sites even have an expansive view down below. But that's okay if you are into wooded views, because there's plenty of that all around, and even a small rock climbing area for you and your kids to scramble on the rocks.
Camping spots near Morgantown, West Virginia span from dense forests to lakeside settings within the Allegheny Mountains. The region sits at elevations ranging from 800 to 2,500 feet, creating varied camping conditions across seasons. Most campgrounds remain open from April through October, with limited winter camping options at lower elevations.
Fishing and swimming access: At Tygart Lake State Park Campground, the ten-mile lake offers multiple recreation options. "The lake is beautiful as we kayaked Saturday afternoon," says Jere G. The park features boat launches near the campground area and trails leading to the shoreline. "Trails to lakeside/shore where campers do swim although no swimming from shore is 'not' allowed. Just be respectful and clean up after yourselves," advises a camper.
Rock climbing opportunities: Coopers Rock State Forest provides climbing routes suitable for beginners and intermediate climbers. "I have been going her for years and I always love to climb this area. The pitches arent too high (50ft) but great just to get out there an enjoy life!" reports Nick P. The climbing areas remain accessible from April through late October.
Trail networks: The Kentuck Campground connects directly to the Great Allegheny Passage trail system. "We loved being able to access the GAP trail right from the campground," according to one reviewer. The trail provides both hiking and biking options with relatively flat terrain suitable for families.
Spacious sites: Sand Springs Campground offers generous camping spaces with natural buffers. "The sites are very large. From our site to the next camper was about 60ft," notes Laura H. The campground maintains substantial rock fire rings "big enough for 10 people at every site" and provides new picnic tables.
Forest atmosphere: Campers appreciate the wooded settings at Rhododendron Camping Area. "This is one of my favorite campgrounds! It is quiet and the sites are spacious," writes Sienna L. Sites include access paths to facilities while maintaining natural surroundings. "Wake up early and watch the sunrise at the overlook I'm telling ya!" suggests Emily M.
Clean facilities: Many campgrounds maintain well-kept bathhouses and common areas. At Coopers Rock State Forest, "The bathrooms were clean and heated to a comfortable level. Showers had great pressure as well," according to Mike G. The campground has recently upgraded amenities, including "a new section with water and electric" as reported by Josh W.
Site conditions vary significantly: Some campgrounds feature challenging terrain. At Mylan Park, "the park itself is essentially a big parking lot" according to Philip T., though sites are "level and the spots are pretty large." Conversely, at Tygart Lake, one camper reports, "almost all sites are on a hill" with some being unsuitable for tents.
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds fill quickly during peak season (May-September), particularly on weekends. Molly F. notes that Sand Springs "gets booked up for holiday & football weekends because of limited full h/u in area." Weekday availability improves substantially, especially in spring and fall.
Wildlife considerations: Several campgrounds report raccoon activity. At Tygart Lake, one camper explains, "There is a HUGE raccoon problem here, even during the day. Many people bring an extra tent to keep their food in." Proper food storage practices prove essential at most forested sites.
Kid-friendly water features: Chestnut Ridge Park and Campground offers accessible pond areas popular with children. "There is a sandy beach where kids are often found collecting newts and fishing. There is a nice green space for running around," notes Christina W. The ponds maintain shallow areas suitable for younger children.
Playground access: Several campgrounds maintain play areas for children. At Sand Springs, "There is an awesome kids playground towards the office," according to Laura H. Similarly, at Kentuck Campground, "There is a playground for the kids and plenty of room for them to play," reports Kevin H.
Trail difficulty ratings: When hiking with children, consider trail ratings carefully. At Coopers Rock, Lindsay W. reports, "Many hiking trails of all sizes and kept clear. My dog is mostly weenie dog, and his little legs made it everywhere. Also had 12yr old son with me and he had a great time." Most campgrounds provide trail maps with difficulty indicators.
Hookup availability: Full hookup camping sites near Morgantown remain limited. Molly F. notes that at Mylan Park there "aren't a whole lot of full hook up camping spots in the Morgantown area." The camp offers "full hookups (bring your long sewer tube, I used 3x15' as it's at the tail of the spot)."
Accessing sites: Some campgrounds present challenges for larger RVs. At Sand Springs Campground, Tony C. advises, "About 3 miles from the interstate, narrow roads. Big rigs probably hard to back in." Similarly, at Coopers Rock, newer sections may accommodate larger vehicles while older areas have more restrictions.
Leveling considerations: Campsite terrain affects setup requirements. Karen notes at Sand Springs it was "challenging to level because the big gravel rocks on the site." At other campgrounds, sites may require substantial leveling blocks due to sloped terrain, particularly at primitive sites.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there any state parks with camping facilities near Morgantown, WV?
Yes, there are several state parks with camping facilities near Morgantown. Coopers Rock State Forest is just 30 minutes from Morgantown and offers 25 sites with electrical hookups, picnic tables, and fire grates. As the largest state forest in West Virginia, it features well-maintained trails and scenic views. Within driving distance, Tygart Lake State Park Campground provides additional camping options. For those willing to venture a bit further, Blackwater Falls and Canaan Valley Resort State Parks are popular destinations within 1-2 hours of Morgantown, offering diverse camping experiences in the beautiful West Virginia mountains.
What are the best campgrounds near Morgantown, WV?
The Morgantown area offers several highly-rated camping options. Horseshoe Recreation Area receives excellent reviews for its quiet, remote setting that's perfect for connecting with family while enjoying West Virginia's outdoors. The area offers nice bathroom facilities, plenty of water, and activities like hiking, tubing, swimming, and fishing. Another top option is Chestnut Ridge Park and Campground, a Monongalia County Park that provides convenient access to Morgantown amenities while still offering a natural setting. For those willing to drive a bit further, Blackwater Falls State Park and Canaan Valley Resort offer spectacular mountain settings with extensive recreational opportunities.
Where can I find family-friendly camping near Morgantown?
Families looking for camping near Morgantown have several excellent options. Audra State Park Campground is highly recommended for families, offering a more enjoyable experience than some other parks in the region. For a closer option, Mylan Park provides family-friendly facilities near Morgantown. Coopers Rock State Forest is another popular choice just 30 minutes from town, with spacious campsites that accommodate families well. Most sites in the region provide kid-friendly amenities like picnic tables and fire rings. For families seeking water activities, campgrounds near rivers or lakes offer swimming, fishing, and tubing opportunities that children particularly enjoy. Always check reservation requirements, as popular family weekends can fill up quickly during peak season.
What amenities are available at Morgantown campgrounds?
Campgrounds around Morgantown offer a range of amenities to suit different camping styles. At Blackwater Falls State Park Campground, you'll find two loops - one with electric sites and one without - at reasonable rates ($25 for electric sites). The park features excellent bathroom facilities and access to stunning hiking trails. Canaan Valley Resort State Park Campground provides full hookup sites at affordable prices with plenty of shade trees. Many campgrounds in the region offer basic amenities like picnic tables, fire rings, and lantern poles, while some feature playgrounds for children. Water availability, electrical hookups, and bathroom facilities vary by location, so it's advisable to check specific campground details before planning your trip.
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