Campsites near Princeton, West Virginia benefit from the area's mountainous terrain and natural waterways. Most camping options in the region sit at elevations between 2,000 and 3,000 feet, with moderate annual rainfall that supports lush forest growth. Local campgrounds remain accessible from April through October, with some facilities offering year-round camping options despite winter temperatures that regularly drop below freezing.
What to do
Trail access: Camp Creek State Park offers multiple hiking options from 19 sites spread across its three campgrounds. Blue Jay Campground provides direct trail access from most sites. "From our campsite we had access to very pretty trails. You can hike to one of the waterfalls or along the creek," notes Katrin M., who visited in early spring.
Water activities: For water recreation during summer months, Pipestem RV Park & Campground provides access to swimming and boating. "We enjoyed lots of the amenities, including the horseback riding, nature center and giant water inflatables," reports Molly F., who camped there in a 37-foot travel trailer.
Mountain biking: Several camping areas connect to regional mountain biking trails. If traveling with off-road vehicles, several local options cater specifically to this activity. "Hilltop Escape is the place! The campground is literally on several trails," Linda R. explains about one specialized location that welcomes off-road enthusiasts.
What campers like
Creek-side sites: Many campers prefer locations with running water nearby. "Site 8 backed up to the creek and was quite private with the exception of the trail on the other side of the creek," Julie B. notes about her fall camping experience at Mash Fork Campground. Several campsites throughout the region offer similar creek access.
Bath facilities: Modern facilities remain important to many campers visiting the Princeton area. "Showers were the best of any campground I've seen- water gets as hot as you'd like, with great water pressure and plenty of hooks and towel racks," Nicole M. reports about Mash Fork Campground, noting its laundry facilities and camp store.
Privacy levels: Site separation varies widely across regional campgrounds. At Walnut Flats, a free dispersed camping area about 35 miles from Princeton, "5 sites with grill fire rings level gravel drive with tent pad and lantern pole" provide a quiet experience, according to SomadNomad M., who stayed nearly two weeks.
What you should know
Seasonal availability: While some campgrounds operate year-round, facilities may be limited in off-seasons. Jessica D. cautions about Camp Creek: "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."
Cell service: Connectivity varies significantly throughout the area. For some sites like Stony Fork Campground, which sits just 4 miles from Interstate 77, service remains reliable. At more remote locations, service becomes limited. At Walnut Flats, "There is no internet access but there is enough signal you can get text sometimes. You need to drive about ten minutes to the gas station to get dependable coverage," according to Alice S.
Campground layout: Site arrangements vary significantly between campgrounds. At Pipestem Resort State Park, "The water/electric sites surround a large field. These sites tend to be sunny. 1-49 are in the woods," notes Cynthia K., providing details about the park's 82 available sites and their varying terrain.
Tips for camping with families
Campground amenities: For families seeking developed facilities, Meador Campground offers good access to both nature and conveniences. "The area is gorgeous with tons to do at both Bluestone State Park, Pipestem State Park (short 20 min drive), and the broader New River area," Jeremiah S. explains, noting an "outdoor pool within walking distance of campground."
Wildlife awareness: Multiple campgrounds report regular wildlife visitors. At Meador Campground, Jeff E. notes the presence of "about a half dozen skunks" during his stay, which "kinda kept me on edge." Other campers mention frequent deer sightings throughout the Princeton area.
Biking opportunities: Several campgrounds feature paved surfaces suitable for young cyclists. "All the roads are paved making it easy for the little ones to ride bikes," Michael notes about Meador Campground, while Greg S. mentions that at Stony Fork, "the whole place is paved so it was great for scooters. It's a 3/4 mile loop around the campground."
Tips from RVers
Site selection: RV campers should research site dimensions carefully. At Brushcreek Falls RV Resort, "We had plenty of room to park our RV," notes Julie M., though she mentions shower facilities were limited with "one shower stall per gender." Many RV sites throughout the region accommodate larger vehicles but may have specific length or width restrictions.
Hookup availability: Full-hookup options exist at multiple campgrounds, but availability varies. Scott T. found Brushcreek Falls RV Resort "very clean and well kept," while Nicole M. at Mash Fork Campground notes that "sites have wifi but I could only get it to work 20% of the time."
Parking surfaces: Most RV sites in the Princeton area feature either gravel or paved parking pads. Kevin E. notes that at Mash Fork Campground, "The site was very level, as were most sites," while Eric H. describes Brushcreek Falls as having "gravel parking pads" amid beautiful mountain backdrops.
