Best Campgrounds near Paw Paw, WV

Camping near Paw Paw, West Virginia encompasses a mix of state parks, forests, and established campgrounds nestled in the Appalachian foothills. The region features several notable camping destinations including Coopers Rock State Forest and Tygart Lake State Park, both within driving distance of Paw Paw. These areas provide options for tent camping, RV sites, and cabin rentals amid the rolling mountains and river valleys that characterize this part of West Virginia. According to campers, Coopers Rock State Forest offers "incredible views of the Cheat River Gorge" and serves as an excellent base for exploring the surrounding natural attractions.

Most campgrounds in the Paw Paw area operate seasonally from April through October, with limited winter accessibility. Coopers Rock State Forest is typically open April 1 to October 31, while Tygart Lake State Park operates from mid-April to October. Cell service can be unreliable throughout the region, with one reviewer noting that "most of WV has 'no service' emblazoned across your phone," though some locations like Coopers Rock surprisingly offer WiFi. Weather conditions vary significantly by season, with spring bringing frequent rainfall that can cause river levels to rise rapidly. Summer temperatures are generally moderate at these higher elevations, making it a popular time for visitors seeking relief from hotter lowland areas.

The camping experiences around Paw Paw range from more developed sites with amenities to simpler accommodations. RV campers will find electrical hookups at several locations, though visitors with larger rigs should check accessibility beforehand as some campgrounds have narrow, winding roads with rocky outcroppings that can be difficult to navigate. Families and groups can take advantage of riverside camping at places like Audra State Park, where sites are positioned along the Middle Fork River. Wildlife encounters are common, with one visitor to Tygart Lake warning about "a huge raccoon problem" that requires careful food storage. Reservations are recommended during peak season, especially for weekend stays when locals frequently fill campgrounds.

Best Camping Sites Near Paw Paw, West Virginia (99)

    1. Coopers Rock State Forest

    32 Reviews
    Dellslow, WV
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (304) 594-1561

    $25 - $35 / night

    "This is the largest state forest in West Virginia, it has a total of 25 sites that vary in their privacy. Each site has electrical hookups, picnic tables, fire grates, and utility post."

    "There is also a small laundry room with dishwashing sink behind the bathhouse. Both ice and firewood are sold onsite."

    2. Tygart Lake State Park Campground

    20 Reviews
    Grafton, WV
    19 miles
    Website

    "There was a bathroom close by with running water and showers. It was beautiful and very close to the lake."

    "Trails to lakeside/shore where campers do swim although no swimming from shore is "not" allowed. Just be respectful and clean up after yourselves and usually no drama involved."

    3. Mylan Park

    5 Reviews
    Cassville, WV
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (304) 983-2383

    "Decent sized “parking spaces” Available on holiday weekend Good price ($40/night) Full hookups (bring your long sewer tube, I used 3 x15’ as it’s at the tail of the spot) Fields & Grassy area adjacent"

    "We love it here most of the time it’s close to Morgantown so it’s perfect for university events. Really close to campus. They have full hookups & partial hookups."

    4. CAMP73ROCKST☆R

    1 Review
    Morgantown, WV
    8 miles

    $35 - $65 / night

    5. Camp Ara

    2 Reviews
    Grafton, WV
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (757) 652-4777

    $20 - $150 / night

    "Beautiful lake for canoeing and fishing and the hiking and mountain bike trails are amazing! Cant wait to go back!"

    6. Indian Meadows Campground

    1 Review
    Cassville, WV
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (304) 879-5526

    "The rate for a tent spot is 17 and there are spot for 50,30 amps RVs The owner is a nice guy There is a near gas station"

    7. Kentuck Campground — Ohiopyle State Park

    80 Reviews
    Ohiopyle, PA
    42 miles
    Website
    +1 (724) 329-8591

    $24 - $72 / night

    "The plan was to camp and hike throughout West Virginia, but when we visited Pathfinder outdoor retailer in Morgantown, WV the staff encouraged us to check out Ohiopyle, while we were so close."

    "Very close to two Frank Lloyd Wright properties– Kentuck Knob and the more widely known Falling Waters."

    8. Mason - Dixon Historical Park

    1 Review
    Cassville, PA
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (304) 291-7257

    "Kids enjoyed playing around the boat ramp. Clean restrooms."

    9. Family Fishing N' Camping

    3 Reviews
    Grafton, WV
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (304) 265-1000

    $10 - $150 / night

    10. Rhododendron Camping Area

    3 Reviews
    Dellslow, WV
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (304) 594-1561

    $25 - $35 / night

    "There is a bathhouse located closest to site 5 with trails from other sites to get there. The facilities are always clean- no shower available."

    "It was walking distance to the beautiful overlook and a great price for what you get."

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Recent Reviews near Paw Paw, WV

514 Reviews of 99 Paw Paw Campgrounds


  • Alia
    Sep. 7, 2025

    Kick Back n Camp

    Last Minute Getaway

    My husband and I went on a spontaneous camping road trip. We called the campground, and they had availability for walk-ins! Usually, you’d have to book in advance. The campsite was a semi-private spot, and it cost less than $30 a night, without electricity. They also have sites with electricity. We were fortunate enough to have no campers around us, making it quite private.

    The campground had a picnic table, a fire pit, and they even delivered our firewood directly to our site. They had separate sites for RVs and tent camping, so we could choose the one that best suited our needs. The owners were incredibly friendly and outgoing, making our stay even more enjoyable.

    If you forget anything, the campground office had everything you needed for purchase. They also had a well-organized brochure that showcased the campground’s amenities and offerings. And let’s not forget their delicious ice cream! They had a variety of flavors, and I highly recommend trying them all.

    One of the standout features of the campground was the bathhouse. It was spotlessly clean and felt like a spa. The showers were comfortable and had hot water, making it our highlight

    Overall, we had a fantastic time at the campground. It was a great place to unwind and connect with nature. If you’re looking for a peaceful and affordable camping experience, I highly recommend this campground.

  • Aileen C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 3, 2025

    Blackwater Falls State Park Campground

    Clean Campground in a Beautiful Park

    This is one of our favorite places. The park is beautiful, and so are the nearby Canaan Valley Wildlife Refuge and Canaan Valley State Park.

    The campground is better suited to tents and small to medium size camping units. I think the person who designed it was not familiar with camping units other than tents. Loop 1-30 is one way going clockwise. Loop 31-65 is one way going counterclockwise. But in both loops, to have your door facing away from the street, you have to drive counterclockwise if your site is on the outside of the loop, and clockwise if your site is inside the loop.  In some sites, the electric pedestal is on the wrong side, so you'll have to use a long cord and take it under your unit to reach your electric hookup.

    There are two water fill stations, one at the camp store where you check in, and the other at a water fountain near the bathhouse in loop 31-65. They are supplied supplied with a green garden hose, not a white potable water hose, so we unscrewed the hose and used our own. The water tastes unusually good.

    The dump station is in a section of loop 31-65. You have to go the wrong way on a one way road to be close enough for your slinky to reach it. The non potable rinse water is across this road from the dump station and it has a white hose--beware--this is not the drinking water! You stretch this hose across the road to rinse your gray and black tanks and slinky.

    Some of the sites are not very level, and many of the pull thru sites share some driveway space with another pull thru site or a back in site. There are two pairs of sites that share a pull thru--OK for people traveling together, but otherwise a headache if you're arriving and leaving at different times.

    Once you have dealt with all this inconvenience and oddness, you'll find you're within walking distance of the falls, a small lake, hiking trails that go through beautiful forests with rhododendrons, hemlocks, spruce, and hardwoods. The camp store is limited, but the staff is very friendly and helpful. The nature center is one of the best I've ever visited, and park naturalists provide programs on weekends. There are kayak rentals in summer. The lake has a swimming beach, but you can pay to use the swimming pool at the lodge for better swimming. The lodge also has a huge lobby with a cabinet containing jigsaw puzzles. We worked on one on a rainy day when we didn't want to be outside. Davis and Thomas have some interesting shops and good restaurants.When you get back after a day of adventures, you'll find clean restrooms with hot showers that are actually hot. And the T-Mobile service was good enough for my husband to stream a movie while I sent photos to my family. The park was very busy for Labor Day weekend, but it was a family atmosphere and after dark, there were few lights and little noise.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 1, 2025

    Whispering Pines Family Campground

    Lake Wateree

    Lovely GEM in the heart of Carolina. Nestled in a quiet area full of smiling faces. And the staff were extremely accommodating.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 1, 2025

    Whispering Pines Family Campground

    Nee Meadow Creek campground

    Beautifully set in midst of a 360* view of mountains. Site are nicely spaced and are blessed with constant gentle breeze. Lovely wild flowers surrounded during my brief visit.

    However I was deceived seeing post and electrical hookup. Pretty sure none of them function.

  • scott K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 23, 2025

    Gladwin Dispersed Camping

    Go a little further

    Decided to try it even though other review said private property- and seems they were correct but incorrect. Initially you do come to private land with several campsites and campers present. But if you go down the dirt road a little to the low water bridge you will find a wonderful site on the right with several fire pits. Or another 100 yards after bridge was another nice site on the left

  • Sophia Z.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 17, 2025

    Gladwin Dispersed Camping

    Spot is on Private Property

    Spot is amazing, but we got told to leave due to it actually being private property, not part of the national forest camping.
    There is a private property line next to the entrance, so we thought we were in the clear being away from it, but locals, although incredibly friendly, kindly asked us to leave.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 10, 2025

    Sand Springs Campground

    Remote wilderness

    Was a nice campground. Wish I would have picked a better spot. Was tricky backing in. Lots of tress. Was off season so felt like I had the place to myself. Gets some crazy fog but lot of parks and trails close by.

  • Sienna L.
    Jul. 22, 2025

    Blackwater Falls State Park Campground

    The Best Campground

    This campground was amazing! 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! I would absolutely come back to stay for a few days!


Guide to Paw Paw

Camping near Paw Paw, West Virginia, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and outdoor activities. Whether you're looking to hike, fish, or just relax by the campfire, there are plenty of options to choose from.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Explore the trails around Blackwater Falls State Park Campground. "The Black Water Falls were also within walking distance and beautiful to see," shared a camper who enjoyed the easy access to nature.
  • Rafting: If you're feeling adventurous, head to Kentuck Campground — Ohiopyle State Park for some rafting fun. One visitor mentioned, "Stayed here one weekend and rafted down the Ohio Pyle river. Very convenient to the river and town."
  • Fishing: Check out Tygart Lake State Park Campground for fishing opportunities. A reviewer noted, "It was beautiful and very close to the lake," making it a great spot for anglers.

What campers like:

  • Clean facilities: Campers appreciate the cleanliness of the campgrounds. One visitor at Audra State Park Campground said, "The bathrooms were spotless with tiled floors and walls."
  • Privacy: Many sites offer a sense of seclusion. A reviewer at Coopers Rock State Forest mentioned, "Lots of trees between campsites to help with privacy."
  • Friendly staff: Campers often rave about the helpfulness of the staff. At Five River Campground, one visitor said, "The owners are amazing and so helpful. They go out of their way to make sure you have a wonderful time."

What you should know:

  • No alcohol allowed: Some campgrounds, like Swallow Falls State Park Campground, have strict rules against alcohol. A camper noted, "I like that the campground is dog friendly, but didn’t realize the park is not."
  • Limited amenities: Campgrounds like Red Creek Campground are more primitive. A reviewer mentioned, "There are vault toilets in the center of the loop, but bring your own water."
  • Seasonal access: Many campgrounds, such as Laurel Hill State Park Campground, are only open from mid-April to October. A visitor advised, "The site numbering is a bit wonky on the door loop so make sure you look at your map before you start driving the loops."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Activities for kids: Look for campgrounds with amenities like playgrounds. One family at Audra State Park Campground enjoyed, "The campground also offers playground, flush toilets, and hot showers."
  • Plan for meals: Bring easy-to-cook meals or check if the campground has firewood available. A camper at Kentuck Campground — Ohiopyle State Park mentioned, "Fire wood is overpriced but accessible."
  • Safety first: Keep an eye on kids near water. A reviewer at Tygart Lake State Park Campground noted, "Watch for deer! We saw more deer than usual."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check site sizes: Some sites can be tricky for larger RVs. A camper at Coopers Rock State Forest warned, "Backing into some of the sites can be tricky with the angles and the ditches along the road."
  • Electric hookups: Make sure to confirm if your chosen campground has electric hookups. A visitor at Five River Campground appreciated, "Full hook up sites were amazing."
  • Plan for waste disposal: Check if the campground has a sanitary dump station. A reviewer at Blackwater Falls State Park Campground mentioned, "Bathhouse is located in the center of the campsites," which can be handy for RVers.

Camping near Paw Paw, West Virginia, has something for everyone, from families to seasoned RVers. Just remember to plan ahead and enjoy the great outdoors!

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there RV rental options available in Paw Paw, West Virginia?

RV rental options aren't directly available in Paw Paw, but nearby areas offer alternatives. Consider renting from larger towns like Morgantown and driving to RV-friendly campgrounds in the region. Coopers Rock State Forest offers electrical hookups at all 25 sites and can accommodate larger RVs on some sites. For family-oriented camping with RV rentals, check out Audra State Park Campground, which provides a wonderful off-the-beaten-path experience. When planning, call campgrounds ahead to confirm RV size restrictions and reservation requirements, as many West Virginia state parks have limited availability for larger rigs.

Where can I find camping sites in Paw Paw, West Virginia?

While Paw Paw itself has limited camping options, the surrounding region offers several excellent opportunities. Horseshoe Recreation Area is a hidden gem nearby, known for being quiet and remote with nice bathroom facilities and plenty of water access. It's perfect for families looking to enjoy tubing, swimming, and fishing in West Virginia's natural beauty. For more camping options within driving distance, Blackwater Falls State Park Campground offers both electric and non-electric sites at the highest elevation campground in West Virginia, with 65 total campsites featuring picnic tables and fire pits.

What camping is available near Paw Paw, WV?

According to TheDyrt.com, Paw Paw, WV offers a wide range of camping options, with 99 campgrounds and RV parks near Paw Paw, WV and 4 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Paw Paw, WV?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Paw Paw, WV is Coopers Rock State Forest with a 4.4-star rating from 32 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Paw Paw, WV?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 4 free dispersed camping spots near Paw Paw, WV.