Camping options within 30 miles of Napier, West Virginia range from rustic tent sites to lakefront RV camping in the Appalachian foothills. The region's elevation ranges from 1,000-2,500 feet, creating variable weather conditions with frequent summer afternoon thunderstorms. While summer temperatures typically reach 80°F during the day, evenings can drop below 60°F even in July.
What to do
Fishing the Elk River: Electric-only sites at Elk River Camp and RV Park provide direct river access. "Beautiful RV Park. Wonderful sites for parking your RV. The park is right on the beautiful Elk River where you can swim, float or kayak," notes Katrina B.
Historic exploration: Visit the Civil War battlefield at Bulltown Camp. "Civil War buffs and historians alike will thrive at this location! Research dates/times for Civil War battle re-enactments," recommends Dave V. The site includes historic buildings and interpretive trails explaining the battle for control of a critical supply route.
Waterfall hiking: Multiple cascades await at Holly River State Park. "The park has a total of 4 waterfalls to explore. They have basketball, tennis, and volleyball courts, and a pool for campers to enjoy," explains Hannah V. Upper Falls, Shupe's Chute, and Lower Falls are reached via wooden boardwalks and maintained trails.
What campers like
Secluded camping with amenities: DaLazyBear offers electric sites with a balance of wilderness and convenience. "Secluded with connivences nearby," writes Kristy, who appreciated the strong WiFi despite the remote location.
Water recreation: The surrounding lakes provide diverse activities. "Burnsville Lake and the Little Kanawha River. Another incredible Army Corp of Engineers Campground," notes Dave V. about Bulltown Camp. "I was parked next to a group of hunters who bagged a couple of does during the bow season," adds Jennifer B., highlighting the fall hunting opportunities.
Clean facilities: Campgrounds in the region maintain high cleanliness standards. "Clean bathrooms and showers. Well maintained grounds. Very friendly campers," reports Samantha L. about Flatwoods KOA, while another camper mentions, "The shower houses were cleaned three times a day" at Holly River State Park.
What you should know
Seasonal considerations: Most campgrounds operate April through November with limited services during shoulder seasons. "Every morning and every night it rained which made it difficult to swim and fish. The park workers said this is common year round," warns Elaine L. about Holly River State Park.
Access challenges: Mountainous terrain means challenging roads to some sites. As Gary F. notes about Elk River Camp and RV Park, "He met us and drove us to the camp park because it was so dark."
Payment systems: Cash remains the preferred payment method at several campgrounds. John R. mentions Elk River Camp has "No laundry, showers or wifi. The price was $40 a night full hookups," while another reviewer notes a "Cash only payment" policy.
Tips for camping with families
Playground options: Several campgrounds offer dedicated play areas for children. At Stonewall Resort State Park, "The lodge amenities are top notch with a heated pool that only costs a daily charge to use on top of camping," according to Jeremiah S.
Wildlife viewing: Kids can observe local animals in their natural habitat. "Every morning and night we had about 10 deer in our campsite eating the grass," reports one camper, while another mentions, "Feed the ducks once they are your visitors for the weekend" at Camp Holly.
Swimming areas: Designated swimming zones provide safe water recreation. "It was a beautiful place to camp in the month of October with the fall leaf colors reflected on the surface of the lake," shares Jennifer B. about Stonewall Resort State Park.
Tips from RVers
Site selection for RV sites near Napier, West Virginia: Choose sites based on access and hookup needs. "We'd recommend sites 1-5, 20, and 39," suggests Jeremiah S. about Stonewall Resort State Park, while at Flatwoods KOA, "The section for sites 1-10 is the shadiest section."
Leveling challenges: Be prepared for uneven terrain. "Very unlevel spot. Not sure if they are all like this, but it's a big ugh," notes Snooz H. about Flatwoods KOA. Another RVer adds, "The sites were flat but pretty unlevel, wasn't a huge concern."
Hookup availability: Check specific campground amenities before arrival. "Mix of wonderful water and electric sites with ok full hookups. Beautiful river spots," explains John R. about Elk River Camp, while at Bulltown Camp, "Each loop has its own showerhouse, remarkable children's playground, and pavilion."
