The Philippi area sits in the Appalachian foothills of West Virginia at elevations between 1,300-2,500 feet, creating distinct microclimate zones throughout the region's valleys and ridges. Temperature variations between campgrounds can reach 15 degrees, with river valley sites typically remaining cooler than those on higher terrain. Most campgrounds remain open from mid-April through October, though many privately owned campsites near Philippi, West Virginia offer year-round options.
What to do
**Whitewater adventures: Near Audra State Park Campground, the Middle Fork River transforms during rainfall. "I met several whitewater paddlers that convened on Audra during this rainfall to run the rapids. Paddlers from all over the country...and one from Germany. Pretty cool stuff," notes one camper.
**Winter activities: While summer offers obvious appeal, winter months provide unique opportunities. At Tygart Lake State Park, the facilities adapt seasonally: "The campground closes in the late fall, but some cabins, and the lodge, are open year-round."
**Mountain biking: Forest trails around Bear Heaven Campground offer excellent terrain for riders of various skill levels. "The area has several great hiking and mountains biking trails. Just a few miles up the mountain you can go to Bickles Knob firetower and get one of the best views in the state."
Scenic rock exploration: Bear Heaven features unique geological formations beyond camping. "Right beside the camp ground is a really cool area to explore unique boulders and rock structures. You can either walk through or climb these boulders."
What campers like
**River access: At Five River Campground, waterfront camping provides multiple recreational options. "We backed up to a large field (spot 3) and had a great view of the river! I didn't feel crowded at all!! Our two dogs swam in the river, we took a hike to Douglas Falls on the Blackwater Canyon trail."
**Wildlife viewing: Campgrounds throughout the region offer excellent chances to observe native species. At Bear Heaven, the natural setting creates wildlife viewing opportunities in a secluded environment, helping inspire campers: "This place helped inspire my love of camping and being outdoors."
Music festivals: Seasonal events draw international visitors to certain campsites. "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."
Night sky viewing: The region's limited light pollution creates exceptional stargazing conditions. One camper at Blackwater Falls State Park Campground noted: "The sky was absolutely perfect to view from the campground - you could bring a telescope!"
What you should know
Site layouts matter: Many campgrounds feature unusual configurations that require planning. At Blackwater Falls, "This is a very oddly laid out campground... You back in & your door is facing the correct way, but your picnic table & fireplace are on the wrong side! A lot of sites on this loops are like that."
Wildlife precautions: Some campgrounds experience significant wildlife interactions requiring preparation. "There is a HUGE raccoon problem here, even during the day. I wish we were warned ahead of time. Many people bring an extra tent to keep their food in."
Bathhouse considerations: Facility quality varies significantly between campgrounds. At Stuart Recreation Area, "They still have plumbing issues and the showers are still non-functional, but we brought our own anyway."
Cell service variability: Connectivity differs dramatically between locations. One Five River Campground visitor noted, "It is a pretty level area so riding bicycles around the campground and even into town are doable. It has great cell signal for most carriers and even offers wifi and cable."
Tips for camping with families
Swimming spots: Look for designated swimming areas with shallow entry points. "There's a HUGE field that the kids enjoyed kite flying" at one campground, while another notes "Across the road is a day use area for swimming and tubing - bring your own or rent one."
Playground access: Some campgrounds feature dedicated play structures. At Audra State Park, "The camp has a decent bath house and playground. We plan on going up early in the morning hoping to snag a spot."
Educational opportunities: Several campgrounds offer nature programming. "There's a nature center by a small lake. You can fish there & they have kayaks to rent" at Blackwater Falls State Park.
Town proximity: Consider campgrounds near small towns for additional family activities. In Parsons near Five River Campground, "There's a wonderful park nearby that has a walking/biking trail, splash pad, and a large playground."
Tips from RVers
Site limitations: Larger RVs face significant challenges at several campgrounds. "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."
Levelness issues: Prepare for significant grading challenges at many sites. At Tygart Lake, "Almost all sites are on a hill. The pictures do not accurately show this."
Water access planning: Water hookup availability varies significantly. "There's water at the bathhouse which is inconvenient. You can't drive close to the bathhouse, There's pedestrian paths."
Winter options: For year-round RVers, Kick Back n Camp provides full-service sites regardless of season. "The campsite was full hookup and very inexpensive. Plenty of trees providing shade."
