The Monongahela National Forest region surrounding Seneca Rocks sits at elevations between 2,000 and 4,000 feet, creating a diverse ecosystem for camping across Pendleton County. Most campgrounds operate from April through October with limited winter options available. Cell service varies dramatically throughout the region with stronger signals in towns like Moorefield and Parsons, dropping to zero near many campsites.
What to do
Trout fishing access: Five River Campground offers direct river frontage for anglers. "A popular spot for those that like to fish. The river holds trout and smallmouth," notes a camper who appreciated the easy water access at this Parsons location.
Cavern exploration tours: Take guided underground tours at nearby limestone formations. "The cavern tour was lovely. Marked well, lighted, relaxed," describes one visitor who enjoyed the geological formations just steps from their campsite.
Stargazing opportunities: Clear mountain nights provide excellent astronomical viewing. "Dark sky and an open field for stargazing," reports a camper who visited Smoke Hole Caverns area, noting the minimal light pollution creates ideal conditions for night sky observation.
Mountain hiking trails: Access nearby wilderness areas with various difficulty levels. "We took a hike to Douglas Falls on the Blackwater Canyon trail," shares a Five River Campground visitor who appreciated the proximity to numerous trail systems just a short drive from their site.
What campers like
River proximity: Brooklyn Heights Riverfront Campground offers direct water access. "Rustic, clean porta johns, private, primitive spots on river. Community fire rings on beach area," explains a camper who enjoyed the simplicity of riverside camping.
Wildlife viewing: Morning and evening hours bring opportunities to observe local fauna. "Chipmunks everywhere you look and incredible sunrise birdsong," reports a visitor to Seneca Shadows who enjoyed the natural surroundings.
Night sky quality: The remote location provides exceptional stargazing. "It is very quiet and beautiful here," notes a camper about the peaceful evening environment that allows for clear astronomical observation.
Campground layout: Site spacing varies significantly between locations. "The property was clean and quiet other than the occasional diesel truck going down the road," comments a Brooklyn Heights camper about the natural feel of the grounds.
What you should know
Road navigation challenges: Mountain routes require careful planning and daylight travel. "We read signs about 'no pets', but they didn't ask when making the reservation, so we had no idea until a few days after being here," explains a visitor at Smoke Hole Caverns and Log Cabin/RV Resort, highlighting the importance of confirming policies before arrival.
Reservation timing: Peak seasons require advance booking, especially for holiday weekends. "This campground was very close to hiking trails in the area and was close enough to Elkins to quickly run into town," notes a Smokey Bottom visitor about location advantages for supply runs.
Elevation differences: Higher campsites can experience temperature swings of 15-20 degrees from valley floors. "The campground runs along the river and they even have a spot for you to get in and swim," explains a camper about the varied terrain options available.
Pet restrictions: Policies vary by campground. "It has the primitive feel, campsites are in the natural woods as opposed to a pristine tent pad," shares a Brooklyn Heights camper about the rustic experience.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Revelle's River Resort offers dedicated play areas. "They have weekend activities for guests, and a small convenient store that's well stocked with the basics," notes a visitor who appreciated the family-friendly amenities.
Swimming spots: Several campgrounds feature river access for supervised water play. "We had a camp site that was right against the river with full hookups," mentions a Revelle's visitor who enjoyed the water proximity with children.
Educational opportunities: Nearby historical sites provide learning experiences. "The camp store was nice with everything you need, and the staff and owners were friendly as well," reports a family who found the campground provided good information about local attractions.
Safety considerations: Most waterfront sites lack lifeguards and require careful monitoring. "If you have kids definitely get closer to the play ground, you won't regret it," advises a camper about site selection when traveling with children.
Tips from RVers
Full hookup availability: Endless Caverns RV Resort offers complete utilities for larger rigs. "Sites were large and easy to level out at...great for larger rigs," reports a visitor who appreciated the accommodation for bigger vehicles.
Dump station access: Some facilities charge additional fees for sanitation services. "Full hookups for RVs including cable. A little pricey for the area," notes one RVer about cost considerations when camping in the region.
Pull-through site locations: RV-friendly areas often have dedicated sections for easier parking. "Most sites are spaced enough to give some feeling of privacy, some are fairly close together," explains a camper about the varying site configurations for motorhomes.
Road grade warnings: Several access roads exceed 6% grade requiring appropriate vehicle capacity. "The RV sites at this campground are very spaced out, you have a lot of room to each side of your RV," shares an Outlanders River Camp visitor who appreciated the generous spacing between sites.
