Camping options near Mathias, West Virginia feature diverse terrain with elevations ranging from 1,000 to 5,000 feet above sea level. The region sits within the Monongahela National Forest watershed, characterized by limestone geology and crystal-clear waterways. Winter closures typically run from late December through April, with many facilities locked and inaccessible during the off-season.
What to do
Hiking trails for dogs: Big Bend Campground offers pet-friendly hiking options with mountain views. "This place is not just a big pond where you can fish but also it has tons of cool hikes all around it," notes Jonny D.
Tubing with pets: At Big Bend Campground, the river creates a natural lazy river loop around the campground. "A natural lazy river surrounds the campground and is a great location for fishing and river activities... The entire loop took a little over an hour to complete, then a 2 minute walk, and start again," shares Jon C.
Rockclimbing access: Seneca Shadows provides easy access to climbing routes. "You can just roll in, set up & hit the most amazing trails!! Wonderful view of Seneca Rocks. We did a little climbing & bouldering over the weekend," says Chris E.
Cave exploration: Endless Caverns offers guided tours with educational components. "The cavern tour (discounted for guests at the RV park) was lovely. Marked well, lighted, relaxed. Our tour guide, Haley, was a sweetheart, taking time for the two little kids, and still giving the information older people like," explains Clark P.
What campers like
Clear geological features: Lost River Campground offers unique limestone formations. "The owners are awesome! They provided a BBQ dinner and had a corn hole competition. They gave a tour of their farm next door and the meat they sell was out of this world," reports Laure D.
Abundant wildlife: Many campers report seeing wildlife at Endless Caverns RV Resort. "The 'resort' features include a pool, laundry, pickleball courts, volleyball courts, disk golf, horseshoes, picnic tables and fire rings, a kid's activity area, a rec center that includes an arcade, swings, and tables," describes Sara M.
Spacious sites: Space between campsites is a consistent positive mention. "Wonderful size lots. We were early in the camping season so we had no one around us. The size of the lots were amazing, plenty of room. We had so much fun, we didn't even leave our camping sites the entire time!!!" shares Priscilla M.
Stargazing conditions: The region's minimal light pollution creates optimal viewing. "This is a quiet campground, with no street lights, and quiet hours from 11PM to 8AM. Definitely not a party campground, which totally endeared this place to us," notes Clark P.
What you should know
Cell service limitations: Prepare for communication challenges throughout the region. "No cell service. We went to the visitor center and connected to the WiFi if we needed to do something online," advises Veronica S.
Weather fluctuations: Andy Guest/Shenandoah River State Park experiences variable conditions. "It was an especially cold night hitting a low of 14F. Very happy for the nearby heated restrooms with hot running water," reports Carol B.
Road conditions: Many campgrounds require navigation on unpaved roads. "The roads are gravel and can be a bit steep, 4-wheel drive is helpful," warns Clark P.
Seasonal closures: Verify opening dates before traveling. "The area closes completely (entrance gate is locked) from Dec 21 - May 1," shares John B.
Tips for camping with families
Swimming options: Rivers Edge Campground offers natural water features. "They have an honest to goodness swimming hole! If you are looking for the newest, biggest, and most attractions, then this is not the place," says The C.
Educational opportunities: Several campgrounds feature ranger programs or interpretive displays. "Camp Hosts were present and helpful! Highly recommend this campground if you are a tent camper, smaller RV, or if you just prefer less of a glamping experience," advises Laure D.
Wildlife viewing with kids: Deer sightings are common throughout the region's dog friendly campgrounds. "This campground surprised me...You will definitely see deer in the campground as they walk through and browse the understory. They are unafraid of humans unless directly approached," notes Veronica S.
Insect considerations: Be prepared for seasonal bug activity. "The bugs when we got here were kinda crazy. They don't bite but they swarm your head and try to enter every orifice for some reason. A head net was helpful to get the tent and screen room set up," warns Veronica S.
Tips from RVers
Hookup limitations: Harrisonburg Shenandoah Valley KOA offers better amenities than many regional campgrounds. "It's a typical KOA. Well managed, clean, friendly staff. The sites are large enough and level enough. The power pole is well positioned," reports Dale Y.
Navigating steep terrain: Many campgrounds require careful driving. "While convenient to II 81, the campground is far enough away that there is no outside noise at all. Cell signal and camp wifi are bad. I was just able to get a decent signal with Starlink by carefully pointing at a small gap between trees," adds Dale Y.
Water management: Consider water weight when navigating inclines. "Sites in section E appear tighter with less shelter. The higher sites might require your TV have 4WD. Be very particular with your site selection!" advises Sara M.
Winter amenities: For cold-weather camping, verify which facilities remain open. "We stayed here on the night of December 11, 2020. No problem finding a spot, campground was about half full when we got there around 4pm...Water and electrical available at all the spots even though it was winter," explains John B.
