Camping sites near Pipestem, West Virginia feature diverse terrain that combines wooded mountain areas with riverfront settings. Elevations in the region range from approximately 1,500 to 3,000 feet, creating distinct microclimates that affect camping conditions throughout the year. Most campgrounds in the area require campers to secure trash properly due to active wildlife populations, particularly raccoons that frequent sites after dark.
What to do
Waterfall hiking: Multiple falls accessible from Camp Creek State Park. The park features several waterfall hikes, including trails to Campbell Falls. "The waterfalls are easily accessible. Did notice people leaving trash and clothing around them. Garbage cans are all over but people just don't care," noted one visitor to Mash Fork Campground.
Aerial tram rides: Unique mountain-to-river transportation. The tram at Pipestem offers both recreation and practical transportation. "We rode the tram at sunset. We sat by the river at the base of the tram and enjoyed the quiet serene views of folks fishing, deer grazing, and watched the sun go down," reported a camper who stayed at Pipestem Resort State Park Campground.
Lake activities: Bluestone Lake provides multiple water-based options. The lake supports fishing, boating and swimming opportunities. A visitor to Meador Campground observed, "This campground rests by Bluestone Lake, which is where the Bluestone River runs into the New River. Meador CG is up the Bluestone portion of the lake and the backwaters do have a swampy appearance."
What campers like
Spacious sites: Many campgrounds offer good separation between campsites. Campers frequently mention the generous site sizing at several area campgrounds. A reviewer at Brushcreek Falls RV Resort noted, "Nice campground. Like a lot of private RV parks, the sites tend to be very close to each other. Beautiful backdrop of the mountains with mist and low clouds. Gravel parking pads."
Creek-side camping: Multiple locations offer sites with running water sounds. Many campers appreciate falling asleep to the sound of flowing water. At Blue Jay Campground, a visitor shared, "Each campsite has a fire pit and a lantern pole. Except of one, all other campsites are directly next to a beautiful creek. It was very calm and peaceful."
Wildlife viewing: Common deer sightings throughout the region. Wildlife encounters add to the camping experience for many visitors. "There were also TONS of deer all around during our short one night stay," reported a camper at Meador Campground.
What you should know
Bathroom facilities vary widely between campgrounds. Maintenance and quality of bathhouses differ significantly across the area. At Little Beaver State Park Campground, a camper found "Cleanest bathrooms and showers I've seen," while another at Blue Jay Campground reported, "The toilets were kinda messy. They suppose to have water but for some reason it was not turned on."
Campsite accessibility varies with rig size. Many campgrounds have limitations for larger RVs and trailers. A visitor to Glade Creek Campground advised, "The drive in is best suited for cars, trucks, and smaller trailers," and another noted the five drive-in sites "filled and vacated several times throughout the weekend."
Cell service gaps exist throughout the region. Coverage varies considerably between carriers and locations. At Glade Creek Campground, a camper reported, "There's no AT&T service upon arrival. A few spots you could locate a bar to send a message, but that's it."
Tips for camping with families
Playgrounds: Multiple parks offer play areas for children. Family-friendly amenities are available at several locations. A visitor to Pipestem RV Park & Campground shared, "Quiet, well spaced, nice roads for biking. We enjoyed lots of the amenities, including the horseback riding, nature center and giant water inflatables."
Safe biking roads: Paved paths accommodate young riders. Several campgrounds feature roads well-suited for children learning to ride. At Meador Campground, a camper noted, "All the roads are paved making it easy for the little ones to ride bikes."
Inflatable water features: Summer water activities for children. Seasonal water recreation options exist specifically for families. A Pipestem RV Park visitor mentioned, "We enjoyed many of the parks amenities including a horseback ride on the trails, the giant inflatables at the lake, the nature center & hiking."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Some campgrounds require significant work to level. RVers should come prepared to address uneven sites. At Little Beaver State Park, a camper advised, "Many sites looked like it may take some work to get level. We were in site 20 with a 23 ft TT and got level fairly easily but a longer rig may have difficulty in that site."
Hookup placement: Electric and water connections not always optimally positioned. Some sites have awkwardly placed utility connections. A visitor to Pipestem Resort State Park Campground noted, "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."
Road access considerations: Some access roads present challenges. Campground approaches may require careful navigation. At Brushcreek Falls RV Resort, a visitor with a large rig shared, "We're a triple axl so we had to take it nice and slow getting there with the road and even navigating the property but it was fine."
