Camping options near Nutter Fort, West Virginia range from scenic riverside sites to mountain forest retreats. Most campgrounds sit at elevations between 1,000-1,800 feet, creating distinct seasonal temperature variations with summer averages in the mid-80s and winter lows often below freezing. Raccoon encounters are common at several campsites, with campers frequently reporting the need for secure food storage, especially at locations like Tygart Lake where visitors note that "many people bring an extra tent to keep their food in."
What to do
Fishing opportunities: 5 miles to 15 miles away from Nutter Fort, numerous campsites feature stocked fishing areas. Family Fishing N' Camping offers a catch and release pond that's especially good for children. As one camper noted, "The catch and release pond was a wonderful place to take kids to learn and gaurentee to catch a fish with worms. We also found newts!"
Water recreation: Multiple access options exist at Tygart Lake State Park Campground, where visitors can rent boats or bring their own. "The main attraction is Tygart Lake which is ten-miles long, so it's good for boating, swimming, fishing, kayaking, etc. The launch ramps and parking lot at Tygart Lake have been expanded recently, so there's easy access for boaters," reports one reviewer.
Hiking trails: Various difficulty levels available at Audra State Park with well-marked routes. "Alum Cave reminds me of Ohio's Ash Cave near Hocking Hills...as both are very similar. Alum Cave has experienced erosion. Water constantly passes through the sandstone, so when it freezes it can cause large chunks of rock to fracture and drop," warns one experienced hiker.
What campers like
River access: Direct water proximity at several camping spots near Nutter Fort. Five River Campground offers tent sites along Shavers Fork River. A reviewer shares: "You simply locate a spot of your choosing along a half mile grassy stretch of river and set up camp, give Joyce a call and they come to you. At this writing, tent sites are $15 nightly. They drop off a fire ring and grate...and firewood ($5 a bundle) should you desire."
Clean facilities: Upgraded amenities at multiple parks. Blackwater Falls State Park impresses visitors with its maintenance: "The shower and bathrooms were spotless. Some sites were closer together than others but we didn't mind since we just had a tent. There were trails to walk pets. The sky was absolutely perfect to view from the campground - you could bring a telescope!"
Fall foliage: Late September to mid-October offers spectacular views. Coopers Rock State Forest is particularly noted for autumn colors. "This is my absolutely favorite go-to weekend exploration spot. She never looks the same, and every season has a new vista to offer," explains one regular visitor.
What you should know
Seasonal closures: April-October operation for most campgrounds in the region, with limited winter availability. "This campground is located in the foothills of the Allegheny Mountains, so the scenery is spectacular. The campground has 36 sites, 10 with electric and 26 standard sites for RV or tent camping. The campground closes in the late fall, but some cabins, and the lodge, are open year-round," notes a Tygart Lake visitor.
Campsite terrain: Significant slopes at certain locations. One camper at Tygart Lake warned: "Almost all sites are on a hill. The pictures do not accurately show this. We had site 33 (probably the worst site). The entire site was on a slant and covered in rocks...There was no flat spot for our 10 x 20 tent, so we had to sleep on an angle."
Wildlife management: Food storage critical at most sites. Broken Wheel Campground offers more protected sites, though one visitor mentioned "The bedroom water had a lot of iron in it. The tent sites are far from rest rooms. It's a bit muddy win it rains."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly fishing: Under-12 focus at multiple locations. One family at Family Fishing N' Camping shared: "I recently went tent camping with my two children and 2 dogs it was a wonderful experience! The catch and release pond was a wonderful place to take kids to learn and gaurentee to catch a fish with worms."
Playground access: Equipment for various ages available at certain parks. Camp Ara receives praise for its family amenities: "You can rent a cabin, camp in the woods, or rent a bunkroom or your group. Beautiful lake for canoeing and fishing and the hiking and mountain bike trails are amazing!"
Bathroom proximity: Strategic site selection matters with children. A visitor to Coopers Rock advises: "The bathrooms do not have lighting so bring a headlamp or flashlight. Each site had a fire ring and a picnic table."
Tips from RVers
Site access limitations: Road conditions vary across camping spots near Nutter Fort. At Audra State Park, RVers caution: "Big/long RV's (driven or pulled) have difficulty navigating this narrow, curvy campground road pocked with rocky outcroppings. Park in the day use parking by the bridge or picnic area and scout it out first to avoid frustration and personal property damage."
Electrical hookups: Check amperage availability before booking. Stonewall Resort State Park provides modern facilities but campers note specific issues: "I wasn't too impressed. I thought it was expensive. The site was difficult to back into because everything was so narrow. My surgeguard shut off the power in the evening due to high voltage. It was showing 137 volts at one time."
Distance from amenities: Water access planning required at some locations. "The RV lots were well maintained and all the asphalt seems to have been redone recently. The spots were well spaced out and pretty spacious, the site we were in had electric hookup for 50a/30a/20a but no water at the site but there was water near the bathroom area," shares a Cooper's Rock visitor.
