Jefferson Lake State Park and nearby state forests provide numerous equestrian camping options near New Manchester, West Virginia. The region features rolling hills with elevations ranging from 700 to 1,200 feet throughout the Ohio River Valley. Primitive camping areas often require self-registration and accommodate both horse trailers and standard camping setups on sites with variable terrain.
What to do
Trail riding on multi-use paths: At Beaver Creek State Park Campground, trails connect directly to the North Country National Scenic Trail. "Direct access to the North Country National Scenic Trail and trails through main park," notes Tracy H., highlighting the connectivity to larger trail systems.
Fishing at small lakes: Fish for bass and other species in the parks' waterways. "Bass fishing is really fun because we caught a few nice ones!!" reports Mike T. about his experience at Beaver Creek State Park.
Visit historic sites: Explore pioneer villages and historical buildings within park boundaries. "The best part about the area was the history that surrounds it. There is a pioneer village near the park office that offers some picnicking areas around it. It also has original buildings from the pioneer days (church, school, etc)," shares Shay D.
Wildlife viewing: Dawn and dusk offer the best times for spotting local wildlife. "We laid in our tent dozing off to the sounds of owls and coyotes!" relates Matt H. about his camping experience at Beaver Creek.
What campers like
Spacious sites for privacy: Many campers appreciate the generous site sizing. At Hidden Hollow Campground, "22 total sites, never more than 4 people camping here, including us," reports Donald F., noting the uncrowded conditions.
Night sky viewing: Rural locations offer excellent stargazing opportunities. "The sky was dark enough to see far more stars than you'd see near any larger towns or cities," notes Matt H. about his experience camping at Beaver Creek.
Free camping options: Budget-conscious campers can find no-cost sites. "All paved sites with picnic tables. Most have fire rings. All free but you must fill out a registration card," explains Karen W. about Hidden Hollow Campground.
Clean facilities: Despite being rustic, many campgrounds maintain their amenities well. "Clean vault toilets are maintained daily," one camper noted, while another mentioned, "Probably the nicest pit toilets I have experienced."
What you should know
Water limitations: Many equestrian camping areas near New Manchester operate on well systems. At Jefferson Lake State Park Campground, "Only 5 electric sites. Very clean pit toilets. Well maintained campground. A few equine sites. Only 2 electric eq sites," reports Eddie, offering important details for horse owners.
Site leveling challenges: Be prepared for uneven terrain when tent camping. "You need to be careful when booking, especially if you are trying to pitch a tent, as some sites are quite sloped," warns Kimberly at Jefferson Lake State Park.
Limited supplies nearby: Stock up before arrival as stores are scarce. "Not very many restaurants or grocery nearby. Better make sure you have what you need bf you travel," advises Eddie about Jefferson Lake.
Seasonal conditions: Water activities may be restricted during certain periods. "Lately there has been no swimming because of blue green algae," notes Teri A. about Jefferson Lake State Park.
Tips for camping with families
Choose sites near playgrounds: Some parks offer recreational areas for children. At Beaver Creek State Park Campground, "We got a site near the playground, which my 3 year old enjoyed. The campground wasn't busy and we had a lot of privacy," shares Matt H.
Pack activities for rainy days: Weather can be unpredictable in this region. "Unfortunately, it had been raining a lot so we weren't able to explore the trails," one camper noted about their experience.
Consider cabin options: For families seeking more comfort, some parks offer structures. At Moraine State Park, "Moraine State Park is beautiful. It offers many camping styles including Group Tenting, Adirondack shelters for backpacking, and Cabins," explains Mitchel R.
Wading areas for children: Shallow water access points provide safer water play. "Small lake for wading with the kiddos, fishing near the dam or skip rocks in the creek," recommends Theresa Tittle R. about Jefferson Lake.
Tips from RVers
Electric hookup locations: Know where power connections are situated. At Jefferson Lake, "Electric is a little far behind pad. We almost needed extension cord," warns Eddie, providing practical advice for RV setup.
Bridge and road conditions: Be aware of potential detours when towing. "Bridge out in Bergholtz (sp) had a backroad detour," mentions Eddie about traveling to Jefferson Lake State Park.
Water fill challenges: Prepare for non-standard water connections. "All water full up towers only have those spigots that are not threaded. Had to hold hose over spigot about 20 min to fill 35 gal," reports Eddie about Jefferson Lake, detailing a common frustration for RVers with equestrian camping needs near New Manchester.
Level site selection: Research specific site numbers for the most level options. "Perfect for our little Scamp trailer. Only 5 big electric sites," notes Teri A. about Jefferson Lake, emphasizing the importance of selecting appropriate sites.
