Camping options near Peterstown, West Virginia include several state parks and private campgrounds scattered throughout the forested mountains of southern West Virginia and western Virginia. The region sits at elevations ranging from 1,600 to 3,500 feet, creating distinct seasonal camping conditions with cool nights even in summer. Access roads to wilderness campgrounds often require navigating steep terrain, especially at higher elevations after rain.
What to do
Hiking to waterfalls: Camp Creek State Park features multiple waterfall trails within walking distance of the campground. "The waterfalls were very sparse when we were there so not sure about other times of the year. There is an office with a small store. The hiking is difficult in some areas but spectacularly beautiful," notes a visitor to Mash Fork Campground.
Aerial tram rides: Take the tram at Pipestem Resort State Park for sunset views. "We rode the tram at sunset. We sat by the river in at the base of the tram and enjoyed the quiet serene views of folks fishing, deer grazing, and watched the sun go down," reports a reviewer from Bluestone State Park.
River tubing and fishing: New River Junction offers access to the New River for fishing and tubing. "Bring your fishing pole for some great catch and release fishing, or rent a inner tub or canoe and float down River to a shuttle bus that brings you back to the campgrounds," explains a visitor to New River Junction Campground.
Trail biking: Explore over 41 miles of trails at Kairos Wilderness Resort. "If you want to go ride dirt bikes or UTVs this place is definitely the spot," says a camper, noting the extensive trail system that allows for multi-day exploration across 1500 acres.
What campers like
Spacious sites: Campsites at Pipestem RV Park provide room to spread out. "We camped at Pipestem in a 37' travel trailer. We love this campground. Quiet, well spaced, nice roads for biking," shares a visitor to Pipestem RV Park & Campground, highlighting the campground's layout.
Clean facilities: Many campgrounds maintain high standards of cleanliness. "Clean, convenient sites off highway 81. Not much privacy between sites because they're quite close together but there are trees," notes a camper at Claytor Lake State Park.
Wildlife viewing: Dawn and dusk offer prime wildlife watching opportunities. "There were also TONS of deer all around (just hanging out eating vegetation) during our short one night stay," reports a visitor to Meador Campground, mentioning the easy wildlife spotting from campsites.
Stargazing: Clear mountain skies provide excellent stargazing conditions. "The night sky was amazingly clear and stars were bright," explains a reviewer about their experience at Pipestem Resort State Park, noting the minimal light pollution.
What you should know
Train noise: Several campgrounds near rail lines experience train noise. "The trains are awful for tent camping and I'm sure the thin-walled travel trailers too," warns a camper at New River Junction Campground, suggesting earplugs for light sleepers.
Seasonal facility closures: Some parks reduce services in off-season. "Even though the campground is open year round, the bathrooms are not. We were told there was one open bathroom however it was not made clear this was 1-2 miles away," cautions a visitor at Mash Fork Campground.
Site inclines: Check site descriptions for level information. "Watch the site descriptions for the incline. The sites seem small, but the perimeter sites face the woods. 44 is a large site, but the incline is severe, so appropriate for Class B or tents," advises a camper at Pipestem Resort State Park Campground.
Dog restrictions: While most campgrounds are dog friendly near Peterstown, restrictions apply. "The campground is dog friendly and they offer tubes for dogs too," notes a visitor at New River Junction, confirming that even water activities accommodate pets in some locations.
Tips for camping with families
Activity centers: Choose campgrounds with multiple recreation options. "If you're looking for a great game park with lots of activities for kids/families, you can't go wrong with Pipestem. Amenities include horseback riding, two pools, an r/c car track, aerial tram rides, and disc golf," recommends a family visitor.
Playgrounds: Many campgrounds feature play areas. "Kids loved biking around campground, very safe," shares a parent about their experience at Pipestem Resort State Park, noting the secure environment for children.
Splash zones: Water features provide summer cooling options. "They have zipling, axe throwing, disc shooting and archery, play grounds and splash water park," lists a family that visited Pipestem Resort State Park during peak season.
Ranger programs: Check for educational activities. "We hiked, played at the lake and attended the roving ranger talks. The bathrooms and shower facilities were clean and convenient to our campsite," explains a parent about their Claytor Lake experience.
Tips from RVers
Site navigation: Large rigs may face challenges at some parks. "Tight spots to maneuver with bigger camper," cautions an RVer with a 37-foot travel trailer at Pipestem Resort State Park, though they still rated their overall experience highly.
Hookup locations: Some parks have non-standard placement of utilities. "Electrical hook up was on the opposite side of where they should be and in the middle of the small area. Water pressure was good and there was sewage hookups," notes a camper at Pipestem Resort State Park.
Access roads: Steep roads can challenge larger vehicles. "The hill to climb to get there is SUPER sketchy but it's a gorgeous location," warns an RV camper at Kairos Wilderness Resort, suggesting careful driving, especially after rain.
Site selection for privacy: End sites often provide more seclusion. "We stayed in Meador site 14, which was the furthest away from the bath house (still only maybe 150 yards), but it was on the water & was the most secluded (just meaning it's at the end of the row not between other spots)," advises a camper at Meador Campground.
Legend
