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.
What to do
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.
What campers like
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.
What you should know
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.
Tips for camping with families
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.
Tips from RVers
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.
