154 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
The mountainous terrain surrounding Brandywine, West Virginia encompasses diverse camping options within the Monongahela National Forest and nearby public lands. Brandywine Lake Campground in the Shenandoah Wildlife Management Area provides established sites with showers and basic amenities, operating from May through early December. Just a few miles away, Switzer Lake Dispersed Camping offers free primitive sites for those seeking a more rustic experience. Seneca Shadows Campground, approximately 30 miles north, features both RV sites with hookups and a memorable tent-only section with views of Seneca Rocks. Spruce Knob Lake Campground, situated near West Virginia's highest peak, provides a remote camping experience with extra-large, shaded sites and access to numerous hiking trails.
Road conditions vary significantly throughout the region, with many campgrounds accessible only via narrow, winding gravel roads that may challenge larger vehicles. As one camper noted, "Once you turn onto Switzer Lake Road, be prepared to drive another 2 miles on a single lane and very bumpy dirt road. Go slow as there are several sharp corners with huge drops." Cell service is limited or nonexistent in most areas, requiring advance planning. Summer brings afternoon thunderstorms that can arrive suddenly, while higher elevations remain cool even during warm months. According to visitors, "In June, you can anticipate random, short afternoon or evening cloudbursts. Nights were cool and most mornings I wore a long-sleeve Merino shirt."
Wildlife encounters rank high among camper experiences, with deer commonly seen at dawn and dusk. A visitor to Brandywine Lake noted, "Amazing doesn't even describe how beautiful this place is. A short walk from your campsite to the lake to enjoy kayaking, fishing, swimming and picnicking." The area's natural features draw outdoor enthusiasts year-round, with fishing particularly popular in stocked lakes and streams. Campers consistently praise the cleanliness of facilities at established campgrounds, while those seeking solitude gravitate toward dispersed sites in the national forest. Bear activity requires proper food storage throughout the region, with several campgrounds providing bear-proof trash receptacles rather than dedicated food storage.
"I stayed here for a single night while I was exploring West Virginia, but I wish I had stayed longer. This is one of the most beautiful campgrounds I've ever seen."
"West Virginia is packed with some of the best hiking, climbing, rafting, biking, canyons, mountains, rivers, valleys, and forests in the U.S...and the beauty is few people take advantage of it."
from $17 - $65 / night
Check Availability"Once you turn onto Switzer Lake Rd from U.S. 33 and find the parking area to the lake on your left, be prepared to drive another 2ish miles on a single lane and very bumpy dirt road."
"Some things to note- the lake front campsites fill up quickly and they are not drive in. Since I sleep in my Jeep, I needed a drive in spot."
"A short walk from your campsite to the lake to enjoy kayaking, fishing, swimming and picnicking. The camp has a bath house with showers. The camp host is very nice and keeps the campground spotless."
"This campground is mostly level, so bike riding for kids is great, walking to the lake or shower houses is very easy for those who have trouble with hills. The lake has a small but clean beach."
from $20 / night
Check Availability"There’s plenty of camp spots close by with some cover from trees. Very spaced out. Everyone you run into is nice and welcoming."
"I drove to Switzer Lake first and from there stayed on the trail all the way to Flag Pole. The drive took a few hours but was a ton of fun."
"It is about 5 miles from the summit of Spruce Knob (highest peak in West Virginia). Tow campers smaller in size can certainly make it, although mostly tent camping which I like. "
"The Spruce Knob Lake Campground offers extra-large camp sites with lots of shade and so much undergrowth I only saw my neighbors when I took a walk to check out the campground."
from $15 - $32 / night
Check Availability"The first camp sites are easy to get to are close to bathrooms and a creek if you keep going down the road the road does get pretty rough and I wouldn’t recommend any cars or less the 4 wheel drives at"
"Hiking,trout fishing & wheeling close by."
from $5 / night
Check Availability"The main reason I'm reluctant to give it five stars(I gave it 4) is because nearly all of its many campsites cannot be entered by vehicle; you have to park next to the dirt road that runs north-south through"
"Some you walk-in a short distance but are rewarded with amazing sites on the creek, secluded and wooded. Other places you can camp in your vehicle or park at the site."
"Forest, West Virginia."
"The campground is situated in the middle of a bowl in the canyon(you're surrounded by mountains)."
from $27 - $50 / night
Check Availability"Walked the dogs to the river and had a blast. Had the place all to ourselves.
Dark sky and silence.
Six sites now. Owners told me they are planning to expand a little at some point."
"Good little spot, used to go here a lot in college, the drive in can be done by a sedan but I’d definitely recommend AWD/4WD."
ScoutThis place is beautiful! I loved seeing all the wildlife! My daughter and I enjoyed walking the entire campground looking for Bigfoot.😉 we loved waking up the next morning to having squirrels, chipmunks, deer and birds on our campsite. We stayed on site 14
LegendWe stayed in site #27 for two nights. It was a walk-in tent site, but the car was very close. The site offered plenty of privacy. We could see the other sites, but they weren't close. We had a nice bear box and good hammock trees, plus a picnic table and decent tent sites. Lots of deer walked through our site in the morning, and we had easy access to several trails.
ScoutSuper remote camp spot! The drive to the forest road was a little tight and windy for an inexperienced mountain driver as myself. Wouldn't want to do it at night.
Most camp spots are on loops of more group camping with 4-6 sites at each loop and I believe there were 3 or 4 loops. Not my cup of tea, too fish bowl for me and way too exposed. Outside of the loops, there were 8-10 sites that were more my style, with the one we stayed at was just right! The most perfect spot in the whole place (for our preferences) we were literally on a babbling creek. Couldn't get any closer. Had direct access to water for washing and other needs. However I read in a brochure to not drink the water without boiling for 3 minutes because the area has giardia.
Saw a lot of people headed further down creek to fish for trout. No cell service for about 20 minutes. We had to drive back to route 33 and the halfway to Elkins to catch a sliver of cell service.
If you are staying at camp and brought everything you need, you're golden. There are lots of things to occupy yourself with exploring. There is a trailhead on forest rd 162 with miles of hiking with a hand full of trails to choose.
We arrived around 4PM on a Sunday. Plenty of sites to choose from. Was about half full. When we got up the next morning to leave, most spots were open. We stayed until mid day on Friday. Action was definitely picking up. Saw more people, more kids and louder noises. We are definitely Sunday to Thursday campers. I want to camp without knowing the neighbors are there. When leaving on Friday most sites were taken.
Had no problems finding plenty of fallen kindling for our fire. We found a great roadside house on route 33 that was selling firewood in their front yard for only $10 a "row" as they called it. We got 2 rows because we werent sure what to expect when we got there. We built a good hearty fire every morning and every evening and still had firewood we left there since there was so much accessible resources.
We ended up doing a lot of "tourist" experiences that was a bit of a drive to get to due to my inexperience in driving in the mountains. The drives were usually 30 minutes to an hour and a half. But well worth the drive.
Elkins is the closest place to "civilization" (north on 33) we went there for cheap gas, ice, and the grocery store. Didn't explore Elkins as it was too "city" for us. We wanted more remote experiences.
Harman was the next closest place (south on 33) not much for exploring, but they have a dollar general (what remote town doesn't have a dollar general?) and a place for gas
Continue on 33 south and hit Seneca Rocks! Such a beautiful sight to see! Also have the oldest general store built in 1902 and Yokums country store. Its like going back in time. Both tourist traps but worth the experience. We went to the recreation area with river access so beautiful to see the cliffs upclose and personal. If you are a climber this is the place for you. We are hikers. But enjoyed the views.
Continuing on 33 south there is smoke hole caverns. Another tourist trap but fun. For $20 you get a cavern tour tack on a little more if you want to go gem "panning" and get a bag of dirt to find gems. Or putt putt. Giant gift shop. Someone said it was the largest gift shop in West Virginia.
From Seneca Rocks if you head west on 28 it will take you past Seneca Caverns. They were closed for the summer due to blasting nearby.
Continuing on 28 west you then come to one of my favorite spots. Spruce Knob. The highest elevation in all of West Virginia, gorgeous views all around! Terrible observation tower that you cant see anything due to trees. Nice picnic area. Going down the other side of the mountain Spruce Knob lake, lots more trail heads AND a fantastic dispersed camping area! Seneca Creek backcountry. Didn't camp here. Will camp here next time. All dirt roads down the other side of the mountain. But so worth the adventure!
From camp and going to Harman take 32 east and that will take you to Canaan Valley state park, didn't explore too much but access to a lot more hiking
Then you come to Davis WV one of the cutest little towns ever! Very developed for back country but very very quaint. The davis depot has some camping/hiking clothes and lots of tourist items with t-shirts stickers and such. But great designs. Spent a hunk of change here. Has a grocery store and a dollar general. And a hiking, camping, backpacking store. Has gear, clothes, shoes, you name it. Had an issue with my hiking boots. Got good quality boots here! There are several small boutique stores a couple of restaurants a brewery and a bicycle shop.
Last point of interest I'll address, on the other side of Davis, Blackwater State Park. Easy in intermediate hiking here did most of our hiking here. Gorgeous falls. 3 to be exact. Nice overlooks. Nice recreation center for the kids. Near Canaan loop rd.[Canaan loop rd has dispersed camping too. This is where I had planned on camping when we came to WV and ended up over in Glady. However, I was told by the guy at the camp store in Davis that it was closed. I cannot confirm this. But just definitely check into it before solidifying plans]
My preferences for camping are not usually the whole tourist thing. But WV has so much to offer I just couldn't get enough! So we kept trekking out to see more. The drive is a lot and was a whole day's journey round trip with spending time at those locations but so worth it. Not that far of a drive in the scheme of things
Will come back to this area over and over for all the dispersed camping options and for all the sights and experiences packed in such a small area.
ScoutShowers are well removed from the center of activity
Also the personalities at the office are extremely short
TravelerVery nice spot, good tent setup pads and fire rings at all the sites, my one complaint is that it is right next to the road that while not frequently used, the occasional car can often take away from the remote experience. There are some sites a little further in but the diff is minimal. Overall very great, well maintained spot
TravelerThere were at least 12 numbered sites. Free dispersed camping. 14 day limit. Most sites had sun so you could have solar. Some sites were very private tucked far off the gravel road. All sites were very spaced out. Very quiet.
TravelerI used the coordinates and it took me to a campground that charges $15 a day. They weren’t private being right on the gravel road. There were tables,pits and the shepherds hook in each one. There were some that were on the river. There were toilets. I didn’t use them so I can’t say anything more about them. Not much sun thru the dense trees for solar. I kept driving around the forest on FR227 and came upon a whole nother set of labeled dispersed campsites that were very private and have open areas for solar. They were numbered. There were at least 12 that I saw.
ScoutThis KOA was quiet and perfect for a short stay. We enjoyed our time here. The staff was friendly.
GuideI chose Big Meadows to stay at because my traveling companion is definitely a bit bougie and was anxious about camping in the mountains of a NP. Due to this site having showers, toilets, a laundromat, camp store(s) and even a lodge/taproom, they felt more comfortable. We stayed at site D142, right near the entrance by the registration office and showers. I didn’t expect the site to be so nice and quiet and still feel quite private despite the location! We checked out the loops and besides the tent sites, I actually preferred our site. We stayed the week before Memorial Day weekend and I was pleased with how quiet it was. Quiet hours were strictly adhered without rangers having to ask, other campers were respectful toward each other and we had no issues. The NP staff were awesome and the concession employees for the showers, camp store, and the Wayside grill were genuinely friendly and obviously cared about their jobs, which I sincerely appreciate. Wayside grill with attached camp store was fun and had some great gift items as well as some pretty solid quality hiking and camping items. The grill even had a beyond burger which I greatly appreciated! The lodge was funky but not my cup of tea, the taproom was ok, although the employees were really nice.
It did rain half the time we were there with extremely heavy fog so we only did a few hikes but they were still a lot of fun. We didn’t see any bear either! The number one animal we had invade our campsite on the regular were birds. Two catbirds regularly tried to involve themselves in everything, including landing on a pot of oatmeal I was actively cooking and standing next to! We followed leave no trace of course but any chance the birds got, from catbirds, robins, brown thrashers, towhee, and even a redstart, they would try to investigate.
There is clean drinking water listed on the campsite maps, there are utility sinks for grey water (don’t use the bathroom sink!), bathrooms were always clean and bathrooms and showers are open 24/7 and are well lit. I didn’t buy the firewood so I’m unsure how much it is but the little camp store was open from 9-6 (right by the bathroom) for firewood, ice, and other various supplies.
Only downsides to the site are 1) showers are not cheap ($5 for 10 mins) and don’t stay warm for long so you’re showering in chilly water. Some stalls last a bit longer than others. 2) The biggest issue though was surprisingly the bear boxes. They are quite large and fit a lot of stuff which is great. However, you are expected to keep your cooler in them. I have a bear proof cooler (IGBC) so I’ve never had to experience this situation before. The bear box being made of metal, heated everything up in it which caused rapid melting of ice. Despite pre-chilling it and my ice usually lasting for days and days, we had to refill it daily. The camp store thankfully sold ice (10 lb bags for $5) but it was frustrating that there was no other option for bear proof items. I didn’t fight the rangers regarding it because it’s their rules, it’s for the safety of the bears and people, and the rangers and park staff have enough stuff to deal with.
All in all, I’ve never really glamped before so it was quite a luxurious trip even with the rain and fog for half the trip. I’ll most definitely be back and would even stay at the same site or a tent only site with no driveway.
Camping sites near Brandywine, West Virginia range from established facilities with amenities to remote dispersed locations requiring more preparation. The area sits at elevations between 1,000 and 4,800 feet, creating significant temperature variations. Nights remain cool even in summer months, with temperatures often dropping into the 30s during spring and fall at higher elevation campgrounds.
Fishing at multiple skill levels: Brandywine Lake Campground offers accessible fishing with a dedicated dock and stocked waters. "The lake has a small but clean beach. There is no phone service. Cellphones will not work. You need to drive 10 minutes to local stores to call for help," notes Chris J.
Tubing around Big Bend: The unique geography at Big Bend Campground creates a natural lazy river experience. "A natural lazy river surrounds the campground and is a great location for fishing and river activities. The water level was a little low, but you could still float on your inter tube around the entire loop. The entire loop took a little over an hour to complete, then a 2 minute walk, and start again," shares Jon C.
Stargazing without light pollution: The remote locations provide exceptional night sky viewing. "The highlight of my stay here were the hundreds of fireflies around my campsite in the evening...sure, I've seen lots of fireflies in my time, but never so many, it was pretty cool," reports a visitor to Big Bend Campground.
Hike from your site: Several campgrounds offer direct trail access. "This campground is a great place to stay for a weekend full of hiking. There are a number of trails that leave from the campground giving you lots of options for hikes," explains Brittany B. about Hone Quarry.
Privacy between sites: Many campgrounds feature natural buffers. "The campground offers incredible views of nearby Seneca Rocks. While the crags are a short drive away for the lazy climbers, it's also possible to lengthen the approach and warm up the legs with a quick jaunt," shares Eric K. about Seneca Shadows.
Clean, well-maintained facilities: The quality of bathrooms ranks high in reviews. "The campground is very clean, with plenty of trash bins and protected drinking water spigots— almost every site has one nearby. The bathrooms were spotless, and the showers were hot— almost too hot! Definitely one of the best free showers we've had," reports Denis P. about Brandywine Lake Campground.
Creek-side camping options: Many campers value water proximity. "Each site is secluded and creek front. We stayed at the last site with the cliff over hang and it was magical. Several spots along the creek are deep enough for swimming," notes Sandra B. about Gandy Creek Dispersed Camping.
Diverse site configurations: From open meadows to heavily forested areas. "The A& B Loops are for tents or RVs with no electric service. The C-Loop has electricity. There's also a group camping area and a 'tent-only' camping area with walk-in sites from a nearby parking lot," explains Jennifer B. about Seneca Shadows.
Road conditions vary dramatically: Many campgrounds require driving on unpaved roads. "The road is a mix of gravel but also dirt so it can become muddy during rain. If you follow the road, there is a river crossing that will take you to additional camp spots. The road beyond the river can get more tricky for low clearance vehicles," advises Emil D. about Switzer Lake.
Cell service is minimal or non-existent: Plan accordingly for communication needs. "There's no cell service at the sites. Starlink users beware: 0/5— the entire campground is under heavy tree cover," notes Denis P. about Brandywine Lake Campground.
Wildlife awareness required: Bears and other wildlife are common. "There are bears here, so lock up your food in the car. We have encountered a bear at or around the campsite 3 times," warns Emil D. about dispersed camping areas.
Water levels fluctuate seasonally: Plan water activities accordingly. "If you are interested in tubing on the river, May, June & July are the best months. After that the river tends to get low," advises Chris J. about Big Bend Campground.
Consider tent-only areas for kids: Some specialized camping areas offer better experiences for families. "The first camp sites are easy to get to are close to bathrooms and a creek if you keep going down the road the road does get pretty rough and I wouldn't recommend any cars or less the 4 wheel drives at that point," suggests Breanna M. from Hone Quarry.
Check fishing options: Many sites offer family-friendly fishing. "Amazing place with tons of very primitive spots and privacy. If you travel back to U.S. 33 and drive 9.1 miles West you will find the Brandywine General Store on your left. They have kiln dried firewood, ice, bait, and supplies you may have forgot at home," notes Mike C. about Switzer Lake Dispersed Camping.
Find swimming opportunities: Look for designated swimming areas. "I love this campground because they have showers & toilets there, a fun beach on the lake for swimming and a fishing dock as well. There's actually woods around with you hiking trails unlike a lot of campgrounds ive seen recently," shares Rachel B. about Brandywine Lake.
Look for level camping areas: Some sites are more family-friendly. "This campground is mostly level, so bike riding for kids is great, walking to the lake or shower houses is very easy for those who have trouble with hills," notes Chris J. about Brandywine Lake.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Brandywine, WV?
According to TheDyrt.com, Brandywine, WV offers a wide range of camping options, with 154 campgrounds and RV parks near Brandywine, WV and 34 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Brandywine, WV?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Brandywine, WV is Seneca Shadows with a 4.5-star rating from 32 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Brandywine, WV?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 34 free dispersed camping spots near Brandywine, WV.
What parks are near Brandywine, WV?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 26 parks near Brandywine, WV that allow camping, notably George Washington & Jefferson National Forests and Shenandoah National Park.
Keep Exploring
