Camping options near Ripley, West Virginia range across Jackson and surrounding counties, with elevations between 600-1000 feet and moderate humidity in summer months. The region sits within the Ohio River Valley with most campgrounds positioned near tributaries or small lakes, creating diverse fishing and water recreation opportunities throughout the camping season from April through October.
What to do
Disc golf course access: Forked Run State Park Campground offers an 18-hole course ideal for beginners and intermediate players. "There is a frisbee golf course. Overall, this part of the park is beautiful," notes Megan M., highlighting recreational options beyond typical camping activities.
Lake activities and rentals: The recreational lake at Huntington / Fox Fire KOA provides swimming and inflatable water features for families. "They had so much for kids to do: a swimming pond with inflatables, gem mining, banana bikes, and more. They showed a movie at 9pm on a big inflatable movie screen outside," reports Zach H.
Wildlife viewing: At Kanawha State Forest, campers can spot local fauna along hiking paths throughout the 9,300-acre forest. "Very pretty area! The sites are all located along a winding road that parallels a river," explains Jacqueline K., describing the natural setting that supports wildlife observation.
What campers like
Peaceful lakefront settings: The 44-acre lake at Krodel Park Campground gives visitors water views and recreation access. "This is a strange campground, but not a bad one. The park's main feature is a lake that looks to be artificial. Maybe an old gravel quarry? The terrain around the lake is nicely landscaped," describes Alex M.
Unique water features: O'brien Lake at Statts Mills Campground offers direct boat launch access for fishing enthusiasts. "It's a nice little campground on a hill. Right beside the area for camping is the parking lot where you can put in boats into O'brien Lake," says Andrew S. describing the water access.
Well-maintained grounds: Many campers appreciate the care taken at certain properties. At Kountry Resort Campground, visitors note the cleanliness despite older facilities. "Clean facilities, quiet campground," states George B. in his straightforward assessment of the property condition.
What you should know
Bathroom facilities vary dramatically: Many campgrounds in the area have aging or limited facilities. "Showers were clean but only central and shared between all loops," notes Shane T. about Forked Run facilities, while others report more challenging conditions at different properties.
Highway noise impacts: Several campgrounds sit near interstate highways, affecting noise levels. "The only downside was that the tent sites are close to the interstate, so there was A LOT of road noise all night," warns Zach H. about the Huntington / Fox Fire KOA.
Dog friendly campgrounds near Ripley: While most campgrounds accept pets, rules vary by location. Forked Run allows pets throughout their campground, but requires leashes at all times. "The campground features exceptionally long pull-through sites that provide ample space for dogs to remain leashed near RVs and tents," is a common campground policy throughout the region.
Tips for camping with families
Activity planning: For families with kids, Blue Heron Landing provides cabin options alongside tent and RV sites near water activities that children enjoy. The property offers electric hookups and allows pets, making it convenient for families with dogs.
Swimming options: Krodel Park Campground includes a splash pool specifically designed for younger children alongside the lake. "Nice lake and splash pool for the kids. Paved 1 mile path around the lake," notes Patricia C., highlighting family-friendly amenities.
Off-season considerations: School-year visits mean fewer children at campgrounds. "Most of the campers are there long term and were gone for the time we were there. My 25 year old son was the youngest person there, except for 2 hours when 1 year old came to visit his grandparents," explains Doug about his experience at a local campground.
Tips from RVers
Site selection challenges: Many campgrounds feature uneven terrain requiring careful site selection. "Sites are very bad for tent camping and not the best for RV's. Back ins are sort and most sites have no level ground even for the picnic table or fire ring," warns Bob L. about one local camping area.
Utility inconsistencies: Water quality varies across pet-friendly campgrounds in the Ripley area. "The water is pretty strong so you may want to use a regulator. Water also had a strong odor of chlorine. After showers I felt like I was just getting out of a pool," advises Larry about his experience at a campground near Ripley, suggesting RVers bring filtration systems.
Site length considerations: For larger RVs, back-in sites present challenges at several locations. "Some of the back in sites are REALLY short so we changed our originally reserved spot once we got there," shares Bobbi M., highlighting the importance of confirming site dimensions when traveling with larger rigs.
