Romney's camping options extend beyond the immediate area, with alternative sites found within a 30-mile radius in surrounding counties. The region sits at elevations ranging from 700-1,500 feet in the Potomac Highlands, creating diverse camping conditions. Many campgrounds in the area provide access to both mountain terrain and water features, with several offering fishing opportunities in stocked ponds and natural waterways.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Rocky Gap State Park Campground provides excellent fishing in Lake Habeeb. "A lot to do here! Great way to see all sides of the park. Across the lake from the campground is a casino and resort," reports Jeff H. The campground beach area also offers water recreation with "volley ball nets. Lots of paddle boards and canoes for rent."
River activities: At Millesons Walnut Grove Campground in Springfield (20 miles from Romney), visitors can enjoy riverside camping from April through November. "The sunset is breathtaking!" notes Dylan B. This smaller campground appeals to tent campers, with one reviewer mentioning, "We really Enjoyed the spot, there aren't a lot of tent sites, it's mostly RV sites."
Hiking trails: The surrounding area offers extensive trail systems connecting to various waterways. Green Ridge State Forest provides "huge trail miles, great fishing at the Potomac River and both 15 mile and Flintstone creeks," according to Bill G. For shorter walks, some campgrounds maintain their own trail systems, like Middle Ridge Campground where campers enjoy "a ton of walking paths."
What campers like
Private, wooded sites: Many campers appreciate the seclusion offered by Green Ridge State Forest sites. "With the exception of the Kasekamp sites that cater more to river floating and the nearby C&O Canal, most of them have no neighbor within half a mile," explains Bill G. The forest offers nearly 100 primitive campsites with just picnic tables and fire rings.
Water views: Riverside camping ranks high on campers' preference lists. At Wapocoma Campground, visitors enjoy direct river access. "Our spot had an amazing view looking over the South Branch river," writes Melissa L. The campground provides "river access for tubing, kayaking and fishing."
Wildlife encounters: Some campgrounds feature unexpected animal interactions. Middle Ridge Campground campers frequently mention the resident donkeys. "We have three children who absolutely loved petting and feeding Mules and Donkeys!" writes Kayla M. Another unique animal experience awaits at The Cove Campground, where "free range, friendly goats wander around, which is kinda fun."
What you should know
Seasonal availability: Most campgrounds in the area operate from April through October, with limited year-round options. At Hawk Recreation Area Campground, campers can stay "up to 21 days at a time" according to Jakob D., making it suitable for longer visits during its operating season.
Cell service challenges: Connectivity varies significantly across the region. At Middle Ridge, one camper reported, "Starlink was sketchy at best, Verizon had one bar and slightly usable, ATT was best with a couple of bars and ok speeds." For those seeking to disconnect, Green Ridge State Forest offers true isolation, though "on Verizon, you can find phone service in a few of the campsites."
Water access: Different campgrounds provide varying water facilities. Spring Gap Campground offers basic access with "hand pump" water sources as noted by Roger W., while others provide full hookups. At remote sites, mineral content can affect water quality, as one camper noted about Hawk Recreation Area: "I did not use the water, but have read elsewhere that it may come out looking rusty, presumably from the mineral content."
Tips for camping with families
Beach access for kids: The Cove Campground offers a small beach with recreational amenities. "The beach is large and clean," notes Christopher K. The campground also features "a volleyball ball sand court, a dock, you can fish in the lake, rent non motorboats," making it versatile for families with different interests.
Animal interactions: Children often enjoy the animal encounters at several campgrounds. At Middle Ridge, "Seeing the equine daily was a huge plus; they were super sweet and funny," according to Nastausha H. These interactions provide entertainment beyond standard camping activities.
Playground facilities: Rocky Gap State Park includes "a nice playground near shade for parents to watch," according to Katie H. The park's layout connects camping areas to recreation zones, as "there are trails from the camp loops to the beach," allowing families to move between activities easily.
Tips from RVers
Road conditions: Access to many campgrounds requires careful driving. At Middle Ridge, campers note the "road to access the campground was good with some tight turns up the hill the last couple of miles." For larger rigs, Stephen H. cautions, "Not sure I would try anything longer than about 36' fifth wheel or 34' travel trailer."
Site spacing: The Great Escape of Romney offers RV sites with reasonable spacing. Similarly, at Middle Ridge, George M. explains, "They laid out the sites so that you're not side by side. They are all on an angle which moves you further away from anyone on both sides." This configuration creates "decent space between campers."
Water pressure considerations: RVers should be prepared for variable utility performance. At Middle Ridge, one camper noted, "Water pressure was just a bit weak and used our water tank and pump during our stay. Best we could get for water pressure out of the hose was 25-20 psi. No issues with power or sewer."
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