Best Tent Camping near Letart, WV

Tent campsites near Letart, West Virginia include several options within driving distance across the Ohio-West Virginia border. The Chief Cornstalk Wildlife Management Area offers primitive tent camping with basic facilities, though reviews note the sites are not well maintained. Additional tent camping opportunities can be found in nearby Zaleski State Forest, which provides both established campgrounds and backpacking trails with designated tent sites approximately 35 miles northwest of Letart.

Most tent campgrounds in the region provide minimal amenities. Chief Cornstalk features old concrete picnic tables, fire pits, and an outhouse that one camper described as looking "like something from an 80's horror movie." Zaleski State Forest offers more developed facilities for tent campers with potable water available at designated backpacking camps. The Monday Creek OHV Dispersed area provides free tent camping with access to vault toilets and trash receptacles. Campers should pack in their own water and supplies, as drinking water is not consistently available at all sites. Many tent areas have 14-day stay limits and no reservations are required at most primitive sites.

The forested landscape provides varied terrain for tent camping experiences. Zaleski State Forest is particularly noted for its tent-friendly hiking loops. "I love Zaleski and have returned multiple times. These campgrounds and hiking trails are my go-to for a weekend backpacking trip," shared one visitor. Sites at established backpacking camps tend to fill quickly, especially on weekends, so arriving early is recommended. Monday Creek OHV areas can be busy with vehicle traffic into the evening, according to reviews, but camping spots are typically available. Many tent sites throughout the region offer good tree cover for shade and hammock setup options. The regional tent campgrounds provide access to multiple trail systems, fishing opportunities, and scenic natural areas with minimal development.

Best Tent Sites Near Letart, West Virginia (23)

    1. Chief Cornstalk Wildlife Management Area

    1 Review
    Point Pleasant, WV
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (304) 675-4380

    2. Zaleski State Forest

    17 Reviews
    Zaleski, OH
    33 miles
    Website
    +1 (740) 596-5781

    "There's a great loop hike in Zaleski State Forest. High quality trees, nice little hills, cool rock formations. Fine campground for tent-camping (my preferred camping method)."

    "Campsites fill up quickly & areas will be shared. Not all have fire rings. Camp 2 is very popular since it is the halfway point(ish) on the trail. Camp 1 is only a couple miles into the loop."

    3. Lavender Ranch

    Be the first to review!
    Guysville, OH
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (740) 300-0493

    $20 - $110 / night

    4. Camp Rotan

    2 Reviews
    Athens, OH
    29 miles
    Website
    +1 (740) 592-3325

    5. Timbre Ridge Lake

    1 Review
    Patriot, OH
    29 miles
    Website
    +1 (740) 534-6500

    6. Benton's on the Baileys

    4 Reviews
    Chauncey, OH
    39 miles
    Website
    +1 (773) 837-0847

    $40 - $125 / night

    "Extremely private primitive camping surrounded by Wayne National Forest and steps from the Baileys Trail System. Fire pit, picnic table and handmade hammock supplied for comfort and convenience."

    "Excellent campground that is tucked out of the way. You have to walk to the site, up a steep hill, but it is very private and quiet. The bathrooms are down the hill too, but very clean and private."

    7. Baileys Trail Tent Camping

    3 Reviews
    Millfield, OH
    38 miles

    "Wonderful little location. We drove for about 3 hours to get from where we are. Nice wide open space surrounded by woods."

    "Spent consecutive months at this location and couldn't have been happier with the host and accomodations. Great for that "far out" feel just outside of town."

    9. Monday Creek OHV Dispersed

    2 Reviews
    Nelsonville, OH
    44 miles
    Website

    "Camped at the west side of the vaulted toilet lot. Arrived about 5 PM and all 3 camping spots were empty. Lots of trucks and toy haulers heading up the various roads into the late evening."

    10. Pine Knob Loop Campground

    1 Review
    Pedro, OH
    42 miles
    Website
    +1 (740) 534-6500

    "We hiked in at this point near Lake Vesuvius in the Wayne National Forest. Found a secluded spot up the trail. Lots of fun and a good hike- easy enough for an 8 year old!"

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Tent Camping Reviews near Letart, WV

471 Reviews of 23 Letart Campgrounds


  • Eira T.
    Jul. 5, 2015

    Burr Oak Cove Campground

    Quiet campground in Wayne National Forest!

    We enjoyed walk-in site #3 during a holiday weekend. The walk-in sites afford more privacy and tree cover than the drive-up sites, where you can see your neighbors on all sides. No showers or sinks, just several vault toilets. Potable water available throughout the camp. Camp sites are $10 a night.

    Neighbors were fairly quiet, and there is one trail that leads down to Burr Oak lake. The trail is 1 mile, but it seems to link up with some longer yellow and green-blazed trails that go around the lake. The campground is also a short drive from the Wildcat Hollow trail head in the Athens Unit of Wayne National Forest

  • B
    Oct. 23, 2021

    Forked Run State Park Campground

    Bad for tents

    Went there in October. No attendance around and not many campers. Sites are very bad for tent camping and not the bet for RV’s. Back ins are sort and most sites have no level ground even for the picnic table or fire ring. Showers were clean but cold. Vault toilets only and stuck to high Heaven. Not serviced well at all. Hiked the lake view trail, poorly maintained. The upper loop from the beach end is very hard to find and not marked at all. Even more disappointing than Hope Lake which has its own site problems for tents.

  • Alex M.
    Jul. 20, 2022

    Krodel Park Campground

    Nice park, awful bathrooms

    This is a strange campground, but not a bad one. It is minutes away from downtown Point Pleasant. I had spent the afternoon exploring the town and didn't feel like driving further. There aren't many campgrounds nearby, so this place came to the rescue.

    The park's main feature is a lake that looks to be artificial. Maybe an old gravel quarry? The terrain around the lake is nicely landscaped. There is a paved path along the shore, along with picnic tables and shelters. Kayak rentals are available and the lake is stocked with fish.

    Most of the campground is RV focused, but I stayed at a primitive tent site. These are located closer to the entrance. There are no site numbers. Just pull your car up onto the grass and set up wherever. A few picnic tables and electrical outlets are spaced out along the road. There were a few other campers here when I visited, but there was enough room for us to maintain good separation. No shade trees or shrubs for privacy, though.

    This is not a particularly quiet or restful campground. The day use area around the lake was hopping, with people coming and going well into the night. No closing time, or just not enforced? Not sure. Having so much traffic was a little uncomfortable from a safety standpoint, but nothing untoward happened while I was there. There was also quite a bit of noise from the nearby road and railroad.

    The biggest problem with this campground was the bathroom. It was one of the worst I've seen. It may very well have been cleaned recently, but it was so dark and dingy that I couldn't tell. No windows and just a single bare incandescent bulb for illumination. Reminded me of a gas station toilet. The sink barely drained, the toilet barely flushed, and the urinal looked like it was about to fall off the wall. I have used vault toilets that were much, much nicer than this. I found myself wishing for one of those. Gross.

    There is only one other bathroom located closer to the RV area, and this looked to be just as bad. To be clear, there are only two single occupancy men's rooms for the ENTIRE campground. Yes, there are a few porta potties scattered around as well, but this is ridiculous. This place needs to invest in better facilities.

  • Shari  G.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 9, 2018

    Lane Farm Campground

    Free, clean, and close to town!

    A cute little place, just 4 campsites and a vault toilet that is relatively clean and well-stocked. This roadside campground is near homes and a small town, so not much traffic during the day, but quite a bit during the morning and evening commuting time. Within the national forest, you will find some historic covered bridges and quite a few hiking and horse trails. The town of Marietta is just 5 miles away, and has all the things you need.

    Each site has a picnic table, fire ring, and lantern pole. It’s designed for tent camping, but Hamlet (our small camper) fit fine with some strategic parking. No drinking water is available and the creeks are quite muddy, so come prepared with water! No privacy between sites and not much shade, which worked fine in May but probably wouldn’t be much fun in the heat of the summer. It is completely FREE, though, and you can stay for up to 14 days. There are quite a few small campgrounds in the area just like this one. There is no phone service within 4-5 miles of the campground.

    Note: We have noticed that people stop by or drive through in the evening. Sometimes they stay for a couple of minutes and other times for just a couple of hours. Due to its location, this campground could be a meeting spot of sorts, but didn’t witness any shenanigans.

  • Dave V.
    Oct. 31, 2019

    Hocking Hills State Park Campground

    Close proximity to natural attractions

    Hocking Hills State Park, Oh-Site 89. https://thehockinghills.org/

    Hocking Hills State Park offers close proximity to most of the popular natural attractions...Old Man’s Cave, Ash Cave, Cantwell Cliffs, etc....but for a tent camper that prefers solitude and space, I found it unappealing.

    I did arrive late on a Monday evening, mid-October and got one of the last available sites. Packed on a Monday night!

    I found the camping sites a bit cramped both in depth and width. Site 89 and 90 shared the same parking pad. Limited flat locations existed for a tent and my tent footprint is fairly small. You do have a firepit and picnic table with all three in fairly close proximity, so you must be extremely cautious with wind direction when deciding for a fire, else you’ll have embers dotting your tent and picnic table. Even though the neighbors were trying to be respectfully quiet...you heard every conversation and saw their every move.

    No electric, which is fine in my book...the water spigot is centrally located on the loop and happened to be next to my site.

    The restroom/shower facilities were not well cared for upon my visit. The floors were very muddy and trash was piled up in the corner of one stall and out of necessities.

    Construction and dump truck noise started early with a project behind the restrooms.

    The visitor’s center was well-stocked and the employee was pleasant. Cell service is unavailable and even sketchy at the visitor’s center. Wood can be purchased at the visitor’s center.

    Close proximity to local attractions and a swimming pool are likely the big draw.

    Knowing that I prefer solitude and distance when camping, I’ll likely not return but choose nearby Lake Hope State Park for my local visits.

  • Dave V.
    Aug. 27, 2017

    River Run Campground — North Bend State Park

    Deer Heaven

    North Bend State Park is about 10 miles south on Rt 16 off of Rt 50...east of Parkersburg, WV.

    When you slowly wind your way along twisty backcountry roads, through a small town, you'll ultimately find yourself entering North Bend State Park.

    Immediately to the right is Cokely Campground. Initially, you don't see it...you must drive up and over a roller. At the top of the hill, you observe a handful of picnic tables and fire rings, a porta-potty and a small woodshed with a water spigot alongside. Very little delineation from site to site and more of a mown field. Only the top two locations are the only quasi-level sites along a narrow tree line. No electric. These sites are $16 nightly.

    Traveling over the hill and turning to the right you see the main Cokely Campground with newer showerhouse/restroom building and playground. Campsites are blacktop with water and electric, apparently for large RV/Campers. These sites are $28 nightly.

    If you were to bypass the RV/Camper location, you would continue down the side road to the boat ramp and lake.

    The grounds and restrooms were clean, maincured and well maintained. Midweek the RV sites were already filled.

    We decided against Cokely Campground and returned to the main park road deeper into the State Park to River Run Campground.

    You pass the Lodge/Restaurant and the huge "L" shaped outdoor pool on your right as you descend (Note: the pool is seasonal and with college aga lifeguards that exit for school early, it was closed mid-August).

    Winding down to River Run, deer in abundance were lining the the roadway, so use care. River Run Campground runs along a river...imagine that!

    Tent sites are situated between the roadway and the river on the left...then additional tent sites are around a small half acre pond on the right. Most the roadside tent sites are level, but sit at a lower level, so when it rains (and it does in WV)...it gets soggy. No visible distinction or foliage between tent sites. One porta-potty sits at the crossroads across from the office.

    Saturday it was quiet with only one other tent camper, but rain was forecasted...although a pumphouse, located at the entrance to River Run, kicks on periodically with a low, annoying droning. Being at site 45, it was quite noticeable, as I imagine with all sites in the 40's. The tent specific sites are non-electric with central water spigots ($22 nightly). As you pass the tent sites and the office, you enter a loop of paved RV/Camper sites with blacktop drives, water and electric ($28 nightly). The Showerhouse/restrooms are located in the center of this area...and are very clean and maintained. The coveted RV/Camper sites are along the bank of the river and offer more distance between neighbors. On the inner ring, a split rail fence separates neighbors.

    While the sun didn't shine during our visit, it appears the thick forest canopy keeps all river sites shaded. The grounds and facilities are neat at clean.

    All the trails bisect this campground, some foot only, others multipurpose. River Run also has a nice playground for the kids. Trails have difficulty drying out, so rocks and roots were muddy and slick, but still enjoyable.

    Note: Mountainbike races are often held here, so campgrounds can get crazy and packed. Additionally, because of the pool, this is a very busy campground. Be forewarned that the pool is 58 steps up from the parking lot to the pool area.

    There were a lot of trails I did not get to travel, and I'll bring my bike next time for the Rails-to-Trail. Nice but popular campground,

  • A
    Oct. 18, 2020

    Burr Oak State Park Campground

    Nice trails, not so nice campsites

    Most of the sites at this state park campground are very small and don’t have much level ground. Even the sites meant for RVs and trailers are right on top of each other. It’s almost like they took what should have been one site and made it two. There’s a handful of sites that offer a little space and level ground for tent campers. You may or may not have a picnic table and fire ring with a grill at your campsite when you arrive. According to staff, people take the fire rings and I guess there’s nothing they can do. Bathrooms were clean. The lake view trail was nice and accessible from the campground.

  • David M.
    Oct. 13, 2025

    Lane Farm Campground

    Quiet little campground for only $10.

    It is getting difficult for travelling motorcyclists to find a campground to sleep for the night as most that call themselves campgrounds are RV parks and don't allow tent camping.  Lane Farm is a gem for travelling motorcyclists.  We stayed there a week after labor day.  The rate as of 2025 is $10 and it is first come, first served for the 4 sites.  We were the only ones there.  The  amenities there are a vault toilet (it was clean and stocked with toilet paper), trash bin by the toilet building, picnic tables, camp fire ring with cooking grate, and lantern post.    It is right on Ohio state route 26, but there was very little traffic noise.  The entire campground is paved and the parking spots and sites were very spacious. There are parking spots in front of the toilet building.  As with many rustic national/state forest campgrounds there is no potable water there.  That didn't bother us as we came prepared with our own water and toilet paper.  The Little Muskingum river on the east side of the campground was very shallow and slow moving in September.  I don't know what it would be like earlier in the camping season.  All four sites are close to the river.  I was surprised to find that a week after labor day weekend there was still plenty of laying dead wood in the woods available for camp fire wood.  The forest service changed their web site structure and you'll find most of the links posted online won't take you directly to the campground page.  The current working link for the campground is  https://www.fs.usda.gov/r09/wayne/recreation/lane-farm-campground

  • Lee D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 4, 2022

    Hocking Hills State Park Campground

    Beautiful scenery!

    General: 172-site state park with a mix of full hook-up, electric, and no hook-ups in separate areas plus a 33-site family hike-in camp, two group camps, and three cabins. All sites need to be reserved – no walk-ins are allowed. There is a beautiful visitor center, and the camp office has a small store as well. There is a very nice coin-operated laundry room. Don’t count on cell service– with a fleeting one bar of Verizon, it was just enough to tease us, but the break was also a welcome respite. 

    Site Quality: Standard issue for state parks with paved driveways, picnic table, and fire ring, however, there are a few things to note: Some sites are decidedly not level (#105 is very sloped). 103 and 101 meet at a V at the back end and this impedes the separation between the sites. Our site (103) had a drop-off between the driveway and the rest of the site that could pose a tripping hazard if you are not careful. All of the restrooms emit a hum, but the wastewater treatment facility is very loud and is located directly behind the first 9-10 full hook-up sites. 

    Bathhouse: The restrooms were clean, but the showers were just adequate (not the worst camp shower but definitely not the best I have experienced) but at least there was hot water. 

    Activities: We came for the hiking, and we were not disappointed. This park is gorgeous! We hiked the Blue trail (Grandma Gatewood Trail) to Cedar Falls, taking in Upper and Lower Falls, and Old Man’s Cave along the way, and returned via the Rim Trail, which was much easier (fewer roots and up and down). We received a color-coded map of the trails upon check-in but had difficulty deciphering it, especially the mileage. We went to the Camp Office before starting our hike to get clarity. Once on the trails, they were well-marked with either signs or blazes. While you could do a long hike (12 miles one-way) from one end of the park to the other), don’t miss Ash Cave – we drove there the next morning before leaving. There are also mountain biking trails, two playgrounds (the one more centrally located is a bit dated and does not look very safe but there is a newer, larger one at the very end of the road (near the lake trail) and there are also horseshoe pits and a volleyball net there. In season, there is a large swimming pool. 

    The campground itself gets 3 stars for some of its flaws but the scenery is so beautiful, 4 stars are merited, in my opinion. I would recommend reserving in one of the “spurs” as there would be less traffic.


Guide to Letart

Letart, West Virginia sits along the Ohio River at approximately 600 feet elevation with seasonal temperature swings from winter lows in the 20s to summer highs in the 80s. The surrounding region offers tent camping opportunities across both West Virginia and neighboring Ohio, with many sites located within Wayne National Forest's 250,000+ acres. Campers typically find more developed facilities on the Ohio side while West Virginia offers more primitive options.

What to do

Trail exploration: The Zaleski State Forest trail system provides multiple backpacking options ranging from short overnight trips to multi-day excursions. "The trail is diverse and great for beginners and experienced hikers. The campsites have privies, spigots for water, and a lot of different sites for different sized groups," reports Matt S.

Mountain biking: Benton's on the Baileys provides direct access to the Baileys Trail System with over 30 miles of purpose-built mountain biking trails. "This campsite is near the Baileys Bike System," notes Keith B., making it convenient for riders wanting early trail access.

Fishing opportunities: Timbre Ridge Lake offers bank and boat fishing opportunities for catfish and other species. Several small lakes throughout the region provide fishing access within short distances of camping areas. "There were fishermen coming and going several times through the night," observes Kenda A., highlighting the popularity of night fishing at some locations.

Shooting sports: The Chief Cornstalk Wildlife Management Area includes a public shooting range open during daylight hours. The range provides designated shooting stations with backstops for target practice, though users must bring their own targets and shooting supplies.

What campers like

Privacy and seclusion: The Baileys Trail Tent Camping area offers a sense of remoteness despite being relatively accessible. "Nice wide open space surrounded by woods. There were other campers but very friendly and had plenty of space to ourselves," writes Alex A.

Water availability: At backpacking campsites in Zaleski State Forest, the reliable water sources are highly valued. "All campsites have an outhouse and potable water all within easy reach from all camping areas," notes Bryn S. This eliminates the need to carry large quantities of water during summer hikes.

Wildlife viewing: The forests surrounding Letart host diverse wildlife populations including deer, wild turkeys, and various bird species. "We felt safe enough to leave our windows only screened," mentions Kenda A. about camping at Timbre Ridge Lake, where wildlife encounters are common.

Toilet facilities: Many primitive sites offer basic toilet facilities that campers appreciate despite their rustic nature. "Very nice bathroom/shower compared to what we expected," reports Alex A. about facilities at Baileys Trail Tent Camping, which exceed expectations for a rustic campground.

What you should know

Limited reservations: Most dispersed camping areas operate on a first-come, first-served basis. Popular backpacking sites fill quickly on weekends, especially in spring and fall. Arrive by mid-afternoon on Fridays for best site selection at non-reservable locations.

Water treatment needs: While some established campgrounds provide potable water, many primitive sites require campers to bring or filter their own. "Water is definitely well water tastes meh better off bringing a filter just in case," advises Lani R. from Zaleski State Forest.

OHV traffic: The Monday Creek OHV Dispersed area can experience significant vehicle noise during peak times. "Lots of trucks and toy haulers heading up the various roads into the late evening," reports Kevin C., suggesting that light sleepers should consider camping further from main access roads.

Cell service limitations: Most camping areas near Letart have limited or no cell reception. Download maps and information before arrival, especially for backcountry sites. "NO SERVICE PLAN ACCORDING make sure you have a map especially to get out of the park!!!!" emphasizes Lani R. about Zaleski Forest.

Tips for camping with families

Age-appropriate trails: The Pine Knob Loop Campground area offers hiking suitable for younger children. "Lots of fun and a good hike - easy enough for an 8 year old!" shares Carri D., indicating the trails are manageable for elementary school-aged kids.

Multiple day options: Zaleski State Forest's loop system allows families to customize hike lengths. "We did the South Loop at Zaleski - 10.9 miles. The hike was great. Lots of ups & downs, a pond & beautiful rock outcroppings," reports Renée C., who successfully completed the hike with an 8-year-old.

Educational opportunities: Visit the Athens Ranger District headquarters before camping to obtain junior ranger materials and educational resources about local ecology. The visitor center includes displays about local wildlife and plant species that can enhance children's outdoor experience.

Pack extra supplies: Facilities at many sites are minimal, requiring advance preparation. "Bring toilet paper" advises Renée C. based on her family backpacking experience, as even established outhouses may not be stocked regularly.

Tips from RVers

Limited hookup options: Most camping near Letart lacks electric, water, or sewer hookups. RVers should prepare for dry camping with adequate water storage and battery power. Generators are typically not permitted at primitive sites.

Access challenges: Many forest roads leading to camping areas have steep grades, tight turns, or rough surfaces. Larger trailers and motorhomes may have difficulty accessing remote sites, particularly after rain events when unpaved roads become slippery.

Alternatives for larger rigs: Camp Rotan provides one of the few accessible options for RVs in the immediate area, though it lacks formal amenities. "It's quite overgrown and unmaintained. Not many amenities, and is near residential housing," notes Ruby W., suggesting it works better for smaller, self-contained units.

Parking limitations: Most tent-focused camping areas have limited parking space that may not accommodate larger vehicles or trailers. Scout locations in advance or contact ranger stations for specific information about vehicle length restrictions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Letart, WV?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Letart, WV is Chief Cornstalk Wildlife Management Area with a 1-star rating from 1 review.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Letart, WV?

TheDyrt.com has all 23 tent camping locations near Letart, WV, with real photos and reviews from campers.