Camping sites near White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia sit within the Allegheny Mountains at elevations between 1,800 and 3,000 feet. The region experiences moderate temperatures with summer highs typically in the mid-80s and cool evenings dropping into the 60s. Many campgrounds in the area close seasonally from November through March due to harsh winter conditions and difficult road access.
What to do
Swimming in mountain waters: Lake Moomaw at Bolar Mountain Recreation Area offers designated swimming areas with sandy beaches. "The campsite was spacious and shaded, they do offer doubles for larger groups. The bathrooms are flush toilets and have a shower. We like going during the week in the summer, it can get busy on the lake on weekends," notes Nicole R.
Biking on forest roads: Roads through Greenbrier State Forest provide gentle routes suitable for road cycling. Douthat State Park offers more challenging mountain biking terrain approximately 45 minutes from White Sulphur Springs. "We did a decent amount of biking here, the main road is nice for road biking, we rode out about 15 miles and back, saw a black bear. Beautiful country roads. And the trails are great for mountain biking. Bring your legs, lots of climbing!" shares Robyn S.
Fishing for trout: Greenbrier River and its tributaries contain stocked rainbow trout from April through October. Moncove Lake State Park provides lake fishing with daily permits costing $8. "Moncove Lake is a State Park in West Virginia right over the Virginia border and about 40 mins from Lewisburg in Gap Mills, WV. This park is off the beaten path, so be prepared to drive a ways on country roads to get there," advises Katie M.
What campers like
Complete disconnection: Blue Bend Campground attracts visitors seeking a technology break. "Love the serenity of this small campground. Also cell phones don't work here, so if you are looking for quiet time, a beautiful stream and fresh air check out this campground," shares Missy C.
River-based activities: Visitors appreciate direct river access for tubing, swimming and fishing at Greenbrier River Campground. "We loved this park. Had so much fun there. Rented tubes and floated down the river. The staff was great and the grounds well kept. We will be putting this place on our list of parks to stop at every year," explains Anthony D.
Wooded privacy: Campers value the separation between sites and natural screening at many area campgrounds. "This is a pretty simple, straightforward campground in Greenbrier State Forest. Semi-private campsites with water and electric. They are very large sites and have lots of trees. The bathrooms are centrally located," describes Katie M.
What you should know
Road conditions: Access to Morris Hill Campground and other facilities requires navigation on winding mountain roads. "Bigger towns with Big Box stores about 30-45 minutes out, Hilly roads in and out of here but nothing the mini-van couldn't handle! Spots for RV's, Tents, And Vans are all accessible here," explains John R.
Limited facilities: Many campgrounds offer only basic amenities with restricted or no cell service. Showers may be limited or non-existent depending on location. "Most sites have electric hookups but no water or sewer. There wasn't a dump station but the bathhouse was very well maintained and had great shower," notes Jeremiah S.
Seasonal operation: Most campgrounds close during winter months. Blue Bend Campground operates from April 1 to November 30, while Greenbrier State Forest runs from the second Friday in April through October 31.
Tips for camping with families
Beach activities: Moncove Lake State Park offers family-friendly swimming areas. "The lake is so gorgeous! We brought our canoe and were able to row around the whole lake. They also offer kayak, boat and paddle boat rentals. There is a nice playground for the kids and some great hiking trails," reports Katie M.
Safety precautions: Prepare for limited connectivity and medical services. The nearest hospital to Greenbrier State Forest is approximately 15 minutes away in Lewisburg. "While this forest is very close to convenient amenities, we still felt away from the hustle and bustle of life," shares Sheila M.
Cash requirements: Many facilities require cash payment for activities or amenities. "Bring cash if you want to swim in the pool. There is no ATM at the campground and the closest town is like 40 mins away," advises a visitor to Moncove Lake State Park.
Tips from RVers
Water and power limitations: RV sites at Greenbrier State Forest offer electric hookups but require water access from central spigots. "Electric-only hookups, and no dump station on site. Water is available a short distance from the campsites. This small campground is nestled in the forest only a few miles off I-64 near Caldwell, WV," explains John H.
Height restrictions: Some areas have tunnels or low clearance points that can restrict larger vehicles. "Shortly after turning onto Harts Run Rd there is a small, narrow one-way-only tunnel that you must go through to enter the State Forest. There is a misleading sign indicating that the tunnel is only 9'2" tall, which is wrong. As one gets closer to the tunnel there is another sign that shows the maximum height to be 15'4"," notes John H.
Leveling challenges: Many campsites sit on uneven terrain requiring leveling blocks. "We reserved 35&36. 35 was pretty sloped but the gravel driveway wasn't too terribly unlevel. Only real issue was where our steps came out right into a sloped area and was hard to set them right and had to be careful coming in and out," reports Jennifer K.
