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Best Tent Camping near Nutter Fort, WV

391 Reviews

Tent campsites near Nutter Fort, West Virginia provide several established options for overnight stays. Camp Ara offers tent camping with amenities including drinking water, electric hookups, and shower facilities. Bear Heaven Campground in Monongahela National Forest provides a more primitive tent experience with vault toilets but no running water. These tent campgrounds are situated within West Virginia's varied landscapes, offering different levels of access and facilities.

Most tent sites in the region feature fire pits and picnic tables, though amenities vary significantly between campgrounds. Camp Ara provides more developed facilities with showers and drinking water access, while Bear Heaven Campground offers basic vault toilets and trash collection. Primitive tent camping areas like Canaan Loop Road Dispersed camping require campers to be self-sufficient, bringing their own water and supplies. Walk-in tent sites are available at several locations, providing more seclusion than drive-in options. Sites typically include established fire rings, though fire restrictions may apply during dry conditions.

Areas farther from Nutter Fort offer deeper wilderness experiences for tent campers. A visitor commented, "Bear Heaven is a really cool place with unique boulders and rock structures to explore right beside the campground." Canaan Loop Road Dispersed camping attracts backcountry tent campers looking for free sites without permits. These primitive tent locations often feature natural surroundings with streams nearby and access to hiking trails. Tent-specific sites generally provide more privacy than developed campgrounds, with walk-in tent sites offering the greatest seclusion. During peak summer weekends, arriving early improves chances of securing preferred tent campsites, especially at smaller campgrounds with limited capacity.

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Best Tent Sites Near Nutter Fort, West Virginia (13)

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12 Photos of 13 Nutter Fort Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Nutter Fort, WV

391 Reviews of 13 Nutter Fort Campgrounds

  • Jean C.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 31, 2021

    Horseshoe Recreation Area

    Fish, hike, relax or seek river adventures

    This is a remote riverside campground with great fishing opportunities for catch and release(check the requirements for license/stamps; I included a picture of a sign). One loop comes with water/electic hookups($7 more) the others are primitive. If you use solar, ironically, the sites around the loop/with electric, are your best bet as there is a large open field in the middle; a second loop contains more primitive sites and some walk-in sites with parking near the bathroom. Parking pads are large and generally level. There are vault toilets and some flush toilets. No cell service(Verizon). Sites are equipped with a picnic table, fire ring with grate, and lantern post. The prices for firewood are among the highest I’ve seen at$10/bundle. Camp store has limited hours, but ice and firewood are available. 

    You may have day visitors here to fish, swim, or picnic at one of the two pavilions. In addition to fishing, you may find it refreshing to swim/wade in the river, but I would definitely want water shoes to protect my feet. Interested in more adventure on the river? Head about 15 minutes down the road to St George where outfitters can set you up for both flatwater and whitewater activities on the Cheat River, depending on your preference, age, and water level.

  • Dave V.
    Sep. 4, 2020

    Canaan Valley Resort State Park Campground

    A State Park for all Seasons

    Campground Review: Canaan Valley State Park and Resort, Davis, West Virginia

    The Canaan Valley State Park and Resort is situated in a very popular outdoor activity area...for every season. Winter brings copious snowfall and the skiing here draws thousands...downhill and XC. The summer sees backpackers, hikers, mountain bikers, gravel grinders, car-campers and RVers. Not only do you have hiking trails here on the State Park location...you can drive up to the nearby Dolly Sods Wilderness Area for camping, day-hikes or multi-day backcountry trips; Blackwater Falls (10 miles north) offers memorable falls, great hikes with long gorge views (Lindy Point a favorite). Even Seneca Rocks and Spruce Knob are only 30 minutes or so away. Possibilities are endless in this neck of the woods. This very weekend was to be the Mountainbike Festival, but due to Covid-19, well you know the rest of that story. The Abe Run Trail was a pleasant trail leaving from the campground.

    The campground portion is not expansive but 34 sites are situated in three small loops (see photo of campground map). Primitive tent sites don't have water or electric and parking is roadside but you are within 100 yards of the "Comfort Station." The three "tent only" sites have only been around for a couple years...but sites 1 and 2 are in a nice grassy area away from the RV loop 2. Always verify current rates, but June 18, 2020...mid $30's nightly for nonresidents (WV residents get 30% off). Primitive tent sites were $17 a night.

    The Resort Lodge, Golf course, swimming pool and a covered ice skating rink (obviously the last three mentioned being seasonal) were further up the windy park roadway. (See rates on park website).

    The campground "Comfort Station," is a restroom/shower/laundry and soda machine building. The gender specific restroom/shower rooms each have two wooden stalled modern facility stools, two shower stalls (men's are separated by a shower curtain, women's by a wall); a separate unisex ADA restroom/shower sits adjacent to the men's and appears newer.

    The grounds are well-maintained and manicured as are all WV State Parks. Trails are scattered throughout the park. some are foot traffic only, others permit bicycles. The Back Hollow Trail was predominantly a mown grass trail but occasional wooded sections were rocky two-track. This is Wet Virginia, so expect to experience rain and bring foul weather gear in the summer months. I have mastered the fine art of campsite tarping due to West Virginia camping. It also still gets chilly in these mountains during the early summer months.

    Deer meander through the primitive tent sites with their fawns each morning and evening. A kid's playground is situated beside (separated by a field) primitive tent sites 1 & 2.

    We spent three days in June and experienced afternoon rain showers daily, but arranged our hikes and bikes around them.

  • Dave V.
    Aug. 27, 2017

    River Run Campground — North Bend State Park

    Deer Heaven

    North Bend State Park is about 10 miles south on Rt 16 off of Rt 50...east of Parkersburg, WV.

    When you slowly wind your way along twisty backcountry roads, through a small town, you'll ultimately find yourself entering North Bend State Park.

    Immediately to the right is Cokely Campground. Initially, you don't see it...you must drive up and over a roller. At the top of the hill, you observe a handful of picnic tables and fire rings, a porta-potty and a small woodshed with a water spigot alongside. Very little delineation from site to site and more of a mown field. Only the top two locations are the only quasi-level sites along a narrow tree line. No electric. These sites are $16 nightly.

    Traveling over the hill and turning to the right you see the main Cokely Campground with newer showerhouse/restroom building and playground. Campsites are blacktop with water and electric, apparently for large RV/Campers. These sites are $28 nightly.

    If you were to bypass the RV/Camper location, you would continue down the side road to the boat ramp and lake.

    The grounds and restrooms were clean, maincured and well maintained. Midweek the RV sites were already filled.

    We decided against Cokely Campground and returned to the main park road deeper into the State Park to River Run Campground.

    You pass the Lodge/Restaurant and the huge "L" shaped outdoor pool on your right as you descend (Note: the pool is seasonal and with college aga lifeguards that exit for school early, it was closed mid-August).

    Winding down to River Run, deer in abundance were lining the the roadway, so use care. River Run Campground runs along a river...imagine that!

    Tent sites are situated between the roadway and the river on the left...then additional tent sites are around a small half acre pond on the right. Most the roadside tent sites are level, but sit at a lower level, so when it rains (and it does in WV)...it gets soggy. No visible distinction or foliage between tent sites. One porta-potty sits at the crossroads across from the office.

    Saturday it was quiet with only one other tent camper, but rain was forecasted...although a pumphouse, located at the entrance to River Run, kicks on periodically with a low, annoying droning. Being at site 45, it was quite noticeable, as I imagine with all sites in the 40's. The tent specific sites are non-electric with central water spigots ($22 nightly). As you pass the tent sites and the office, you enter a loop of paved RV/Camper sites with blacktop drives, water and electric ($28 nightly). The Showerhouse/restrooms are located in the center of this area...and are very clean and maintained. The coveted RV/Camper sites are along the bank of the river and offer more distance between neighbors. On the inner ring, a split rail fence separates neighbors.

    While the sun didn't shine during our visit, it appears the thick forest canopy keeps all river sites shaded. The grounds and facilities are neat at clean.

    All the trails bisect this campground, some foot only, others multipurpose. River Run also has a nice playground for the kids. Trails have difficulty drying out, so rocks and roots were muddy and slick, but still enjoyable.

    Note: Mountainbike races are often held here, so campgrounds can get crazy and packed. Additionally, because of the pool, this is a very busy campground. Be forewarned that the pool is 58 steps up from the parking lot to the pool area.

    There were a lot of trails I did not get to travel, and I'll bring my bike next time for the Rails-to-Trail. Nice but popular campground,

  • Olivia M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 31, 2019

    Coopers Rock State Forest

    Beautiful Mountains

    We often do dispersed, leave no trace, primitive camping throughout the state forest. There are wonderful, well maintained trails throughout. If you want to dive into nature within a 30 minute drive from Morgantown, this is your place to go. Take the scenic hike to raven’s rock for views that will not disappoint.

  • Danielle S.
    Apr. 16, 2019

    Coopers Rock State Forest

    Go all the way up the hill

    We stayed here 9/2018 at site #10 and can't wait to return. There is a small campground just by the entrance that has a small store and electric sites with RV hookups. Site 10 was at the campground at the top of the hill, sparsely populated, and had beautiful views beyond the trees. There were toilets and drinking water, but no electricity.  The bathrooms do not have lighting so bring a headlamp or flashlight. Each site had a fire ring and a picnic table. Trails were well maintained, but be warned that the overlook is crowded.

  • Dave V.
    Aug. 26, 2017

    Five River Campground

    Hidden Oasis at the edge of town

    Five River Campground, Parsons WV...a hidden oasis!

    John and Joyce, are wonderful owners, caretakers and hosts (and have travelled to many an interesting and exciting destination themselves if you can get them to sharing).

    Interestingly, they bought this parcel of land 14 years ago purely to host Bluegrass festivals...(which, by the way, they do quite successfully... nominated this year of "2017" as one of the five finalists as the best Bluegrass Festivals in the world, not yet decided at the time of this review).

    If you are a BG fan, you can join thousands of attendees here at Five River Campground from over ten countries (seriously! Like Tahiti, Sweden, Germany, Holland and such), if not, choose a different week to visit...because they jam 24/7. Over 3500 festival attendees, 1500 camped at this campground.

    We visited two weeks after said festival and were one of two tent campers along Shavers Fork River (one of the feeders that comprise the Cheat River).

    The Five River Campground is not huge, nor comprised of vast acreage but appears visually large. If you are a tent camper, it's perfect on slow days and weekends. My thought is, with so many big name sensational campgrounds in WV to chose from and absent advertising, Five River Campground rarely gets a second look.

    It sets at the end of a side street (Walnut St) at the edge of town (Parsons). A small, quaint mountain town. As we made the turn off 219, a group of townsfolk were involved in a cakewalk outside a historic community building. Gotta love close, small town community.

    There are no actual designated tent sites which is part of its beauty. 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).

    with our tent sitting five feet off a gurgling river with mountains as your backdrop, well...it just doesn't get much better or tranquil.

    The RV/Camper section is separate and two rolling knolls away so you neither see nor hear them if you are camped on the river.

    A meticulously clean showerhouse/restroom/laundry building is centrally located and closer to the RV/Camper sites. RV/Camper sites have power and water. Tent sites do not. In fact, tent sites might be considered primitive, possessing no picnic table...perfect for me! Water spigot and outside dish washing sink are also located by the shower house.

    We chose a small cluster of trees beside the river so I could string a tarp and hammocks (it does seem to shower quite a bit in WV).

    It should be noted, the tent sites along the river do not offer much privacy from each other in the way of foliage or natural visual barriers...distance is your privacy.

    We visited on a weekend and there was only one other tent camper, quite a distance away in the other cluster of trees.

    The river melody is loud enough to drown out most other distant noises. Our stay was peaceful and serene.

    Fishing on the river is popular (and successful) with a WV license. The Shavers Fork river (a Cheat River tributary) is also ideal for rafting, tubing and paddling. Most will take out 11 miles downriver before class 3 rapids (and higher) begin.

    Five River Campground was the ideal choice for a weekend stay before venturing to Dolly Sods Wilderness for a long backpacking trip. Plus it is one of the only campgrounds in all of WV where you have cell service...and wifi!

    A campground I will definitely look forward to returning to.

  • Shari G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 24, 2018

    Coopers Rock State Forest

    Quiet campground with easy access to outdoor fun

    This small campground is just a couple of miles from busy Hwy 68, but amazingly quiet. Sites are average to large, with a few that can accommodate larger RV’s. All have electricity, a picnic table, fire ring, and lantern pole.

    There is almost no privacy between sites, but sites are spacious. The campground is kept very clean. Bathrooms are older, but kept clean and have nice HOT showers. There is also a small laundry room with dishwashing sink behind the bathhouse. Both ice and firewood are sold onsite.

    There are many hiking trails in the area, including the very popular Raven Rock trail that leads to an incredible overlook of the Cheat River Valley and Canyon. Also very popular are both the Big Sandy and Cheat Rivers, both within 10 miles to the put ins. Lots of options nearby for just a few hours and/or a full day of whitewater fun.

    Morgantown, about 10 miles away, is the closest town and is filled with everything you need. We enjoyed a great cycling day on the Mon River Trail which runs along the Monongahela River, accessible from downtown Morgantown or Star City.

  • Lauren R.
    Jun. 16, 2020

    Five River Campground

    Family Friendly & Base for Outdoor Adventures

    This was our first trip to Five River Campground, and we loved it! Beautiful spot on the river— only tent camping in a huge field separated us from the water. The interior was more crowded and didn’t have a view; but Joyce helped us pick a beautiful spot when we called for reservation. 

    Everyone was super friendly and helpful as we learn to set up our new teardrop to the full hook ups. John delivered firewood right to our site, and they texted the hours of the trading post store. Lots of happy, courteous kids and well-behaved dogs on leashes. Our pups loved it, especially swimming! We appreciated the poop bags and trash cans convos fly located around the campground. There are a ton of hikes within 30 minutes, and we checked out Douglas Falls. Next time, we’ll visit Lindy Observation deck and more of Blackwater Falls State Park. Grocery store, gas station and a family dollar all within a 5 min drive or walk.

  • Olivia M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 31, 2019

    Blackwater Falls State Park Campground

    Iconic WV Waterfall

    There is dispersed camping throughout the state forest. As always, when practicing dispersed camping, ensure that you leave no trace. Stop by the visitor center to get your permit for camping.

Guide to Nutter Fort

Tent campsites near Nutter Fort, West Virginia range from primitive forest locations to farm-based sites with modest amenities. The region sits at the edge of the Appalachian Mountains, with elevations between 1,000-2,500 feet creating distinct microclimates. Summer temperatures typically range from 75-85°F during the day and 55-65°F at night, while spring and fall camping seasons experience frequent rainfall that requires waterproof gear.

What to do

Explore unique rock formations: Bear Heaven Campground features distinctive boulder formations perfect for exploring. "We had fun exploring around the campground climbing the boulders, and there were tons of trails nearby, plus overlooks with beautiful views," notes a camper who visited Bear Heaven Campground.

Visit nearby waterfalls: Several tent camping areas provide access to regional waterfalls. A visitor to Camp Ara shares, "We were pointed in the direction of the gorgeous Valley Falls which is only a few miles from camp." This makes for an excellent day trip from your campsite.

Winter camping options: While most visitors camp during warmer months, winter camping offers a different experience. "We camped here on a winter road trip fully prepared for the worst weather and this mountain top dispersed site delivered. It was muddy and snowy but our Subaru made it fine about half way into Canaan loop road," reports one winter camper.

What campers like

Privacy between sites: Many campers appreciate the layout and spacing at certain campgrounds. At Rhododendron Camping Area, "It is quiet and the sites are spacious. There is a bathhouse located closest to site 5 with trails from other sites to get there."

Accessible wilderness: Primitive camping areas offer wilderness experiences without requiring extensive hiking. "We found a nice site in the pine trees! Perfect for 2 vehicles and 5 people hammock camping!" reports a visitor to Canaan Loop Road Dispersed camping area.

Hospitality at private campgrounds: Family-run sites often provide additional hospitality. One camper notes about Camp Ara: "The hosts of this camp provide drinking water and warm hospitality. On our second night after taking a HOT shower in one of the lodges we were offered a warm meal and even warmer company from one of the families running the site."

What you should know

Water access varies significantly: Many primitive sites have no drinking water. At Conaway Run State Lake, a camper notes: "Pretty rustic. Porta potties are all that is available. No running water so you have to bring your own."

Road conditions for dispersed camping: Forest service roads can be challenging. "Road is easy to drive on- some bumps but we were in a small kia sedan and it was fine, there are a lot of spots visible from the road but there are also some hidden a few steps away from the road that are tricker to see while driving," explains a visitor to Canaan Loop Road.

Bathroom facilities: Expect basic facilities at most sites. A Kinderhook Trailhead camper reports: "One vault toilet and perfect AT&T and Sprint cell service," which is typical for many primitive sites in the region.

Tips for camping with families

Look for educational opportunities: Campgrounds with natural features provide learning experiences. One parent reported about Bear Heaven: "I camped here 20+ years ago when I (a city girl) had just started camping and I still think about how awesome this place was... This place helped inspire my love of camping and being outdoors."

Consider shower access: When camping with children, shower facilities become important. Possum Tail Farm Camp offers drinking water and showers, making it suitable for longer stays with families.

Morning activities: Plan for early morning adventures. At Rhododendron Camping Area, one visitor suggests: "Wake up early and watch the sunrise at the overlook I'm telling ya! Also the bathrooms at the overlook are better maintained than the campground bathrooms."

Tips from RVers

Size limitations: Most tent sites near Nutter Fort have limitations for larger vehicles. While some accommodate small trailers, few can handle larger RVs. "If you come in from the east, it's a very well maintained road for any vehicle (RVs may have trouble turning around), but the last mile or two you need a 4x4," notes a camper at Canaan Loop Road.

Weather preparation: Mountain weather changes rapidly. "It's very secluded and you need to definitely be self sufficient," warns a winter visitor to Canaan Loop Road, advice that applies year-round for RV campers in more remote areas.

Suitable campgrounds: Seek campgrounds specifically designed for vehicles. "There was a fire place and a picnic table and an area to park your car," notes a Rhododendron Camping Area visitor, indicating sufficient space for smaller RVs and vans.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Nutter Fort, WV?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Nutter Fort, WV is Camp Ara with a 5-star rating from 2 reviews.

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