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Seneca State Forest and Monongahela National Forest provide diverse camping options within the mountainous Snowshoe area of West Virginia. Developed campgrounds like Seneca State Forest feature tent sites, RV hookups, cabin rentals, and even the unique Thorny Mountain Fire Tower accommodation. Dispersed camping opportunities exist at Mower Basin and along the Greenbrier River Trail. From primitive forest settings to established campsites with electric hookups, the region includes mixed-use campgrounds suitable for various camping styles.
Camping areas maintain seasonal operations, with most developed facilities open from April through early December. Seven Mile Campground and Tea Creek Campground offer tent and RV sites but differ in amenity levels and accessibility. The Greenbrier River Trail features several primitive camping areas with Adirondack-style shelters, pit latrines, and hand pump water access. Weather considerations significantly impact camping experiences, as the mountainous terrain experiences rapid weather changes. Limited cell service characterizes much of the region, particularly at remote sites. A visitor noted, "We stayed at site 9, which had a nice gravel pull through. The campground is fairly linear and quite narrow along a stream gradually ascending...likely termed a 'holler' to West Virginians."
Several campers highlight the exceptional views and wildlife viewing opportunities throughout the area. The Mower Basin dispersed camping area receives consistent praise for its privacy and scenery. As described in feedback on The Dyrt, "Words cannot describe how amazing this site was to camp in... The moon was bright but you could still see hundreds of stars." Campers frequently mention encounters with wildlife, including deer, bears, and various bird species. Primitive camping areas along the Greenbrier River Trail provide excellent opportunities for wildlife observation, especially at dawn and dusk. The combination of mountain vistas, river access, and forest settings creates varied camping experiences across the region. Proximity to Snowshoe Mountain Resort, Cass Railroad, and the Green Bank Observatory adds recreational value to camping trips in the area.
"To get to the fire tower you will want to take the Loop Road, it is gravel and there are pot holes on the edges of the road so you will want to be careful of those."
"There is much history and lore that is behind every fire tower. The Thorny Mountain Fire Tower was built by the CCC sometime around 1935...and is erected at an elevation of 3458 ft."
"I chose for this trip to pay a visit to the Monongahela Nation Forest in West Virginia. I plan on dispersed camp in the Mower Basin for seven days. "
"I do a lot of dispersed camping, and have done several dispersed camping sites in West Virginia recently. Mower Basin is, hands down, my favorite one so far."
"Nice well kept campground adjacent to the Durbin Rocket steam locomotive. They are doing a train robbery this week, robbers are riding horseback to steal a guarded shipment!"
"Very peaceful, surrounded by mountains. The campground had stables and catered to people with horses, but we felt very welcomed by the owners."
"Snowshoe Valley camping is close to Snowshoe resort, and also surrounded by protected forests, perfect for getting some hiking in! Check them out and make sure to share some pictures of your stay!"
from $20 - $85 / night
Check Availability"Campground is always clean and access is directly off the scenic highway. Several hiking trails nearby. First photo is 100 yards from the campground."
"This was a nice, secluded National Forest campground tucked away at the intersection of Tea Creek and the Williams River."
"GREENBRIER RIVER TRAIL MILEPOST 69.6 PRIMITIVE CAMPING AREA, Clover Lick, WV The Greenbrier River Trail is a converted C&O Railway that travels 80 miles from Cass Railroad Station, Stumptown,"
"Greenbrier River Trail Milepost 63.8 Primitive Campsite, Located between Clover Lick and Clawson, WV (south of Sharp's Tunnel) The Greenbrier River Trail is one of the most beautiful and often most"
"We arrived around 6pm on a Friday evening. A couple of the spots were taken but we found a lovely spot in the group campsite - there was no one else there!"
"Very very quiet location. You can collect fallen material for fires, and we marched off into the woodlands for a little hike."
ScoutOnly one campground on the east side of Summersville lake, run by private family. “Primitive “ sites have no paved area to park. Just picnic tables on the grass, close together, hilly, and no shade. $25-45/ night. Across the lake on the west side we stayed at Gauley Tailwaters cg, 18 drive-in sites, Army Corps of Engineers, Free. Access to swimming across the road at the winter boat ramp.
TravelerThis is a very accessible trail. We brought our 22ft Ember Overland Trailer down it with ease. While our trailer has high clearance and independent suspension.. you do not need that to get to some great sites!
We tried 3 different sites here and found campground 12 to be our favorite. It is secluded off the road, had amazing views, and tons of room for multiple cars or campers.
Hiking trails are also great and dog friendly!
ScoutWe were there for a short time Arriving on Aug. 17th. Our trip plan was to see the steam engine trains.
Camp grounds was very clean and well kept. The sites were grass with gravel pads where the camper was placed. We plan to come back again and stay longer. There are a lot of places to visit and enjoy the area site seeing.
The manager was very accommodating. We had a problem with a water line. The manager came over and helped us find parts and repair the water line.
ScoutBathrooms clean and spacious enough. Campsites close enough to access what water, trash, and other needs with still allowing for some privacy. The front has laundry, ice, firewood and tends to most needs. Dark skies and deer wandering around make for a peaceful and nice experience overall.
TravelerWe really enjoyed our one night visit there. It has a nice pond with a few hiking trails. The dispersed camping sites are fairly private. Each has a nice gathered rock fire ring. The pit toilets in the day area not at all clean. Trash cans were overflown, but we did arrive on a Sunday night so maybe it was a busy weekend? I think we would go back, love that area.
TravelerWhat a delight to rest here for two nights! The park is small (10 campsites, I think) and blanketed by a lovely green canopy. Amenities are few, but the nearby showers are clean, with hot water and electricity, and fresh water is available on site by a hand pumped cistern. The office and maintenance headquarters are also nearby, and the folks in the office are friendly and welcoming. I’ll visit here again!
ScoutWell maintained and very quiet. Plenty of room when I was there with 2 dogs. Fairly good privacy between sites. I chose a spot in the woods at the edge of a large field. Plenty of air moving through. No cell service.
ScoutIf you’re expecting service just don’t. I didn’t get service till i left and drove for about an hour till i finally got one bar. If that isn’t an issue for you this place is pretty great. Solitude yourself deep in the forest and if you’re lucky you can get a site near the creak. Unfortunately my site was absolutely littered with trash when i arrived. I’m talking beer bottles and trash all over the place, DIAPERS IN THE FIRE PIT… I mean get a grip people. Other than that it was amazing.
ScoutFrom what i can tell there is about 14 sites along about a 7-8 mile gravel road (some parts are rougher than other) each one different in size and shape. Some with astonishing nearly 360 views of the mountain ranges. Some small enough for 1-3 tent setups. This place is too cool, don’t ruin it with litter please. I have Verizon and was pleasantly surprised to see that from what i can tell sites 1-2 I was able to get a bar or two.
Dispersed camping options dominate the Snowshoe region, with several free sites available throughout Monongahela National Forest. The area sits at elevations ranging from 2,000-4,800 feet, causing significant temperature fluctuations between day and night, even in summer months. Winter camping requires specialized gear as temperatures routinely drop below freezing from November through March.
Trout fishing access: Tea Creek Campground provides direct access to premier trout waters. "This is a great place for pull-type campers or tent camping. Campground is always clean and access is directly off the scenic highway. Several hiking trails nearby," notes Jeff S.
Mountain biking trails: Several campsites connect to extensive trail networks. At Mower Basin dispersed camping area, one camper reported, "This is a spot that I will make a special trip to go back out to, just to enjoy those trails and views again. In the months that I've been slowly moving across the country, this is 1 of 2 sites that I will FOR SURE come back to."
Railroad excursions: East Fork Campground and Horse Stables sits adjacent to historic railway routes. As one visitor shared, "Nice campground adjacent to the Durbin Rocket steam locomotive. They are doing a train robbery this week, robbers are riding horseback to steal a guarded shipment!"
Wildlife encounters: Seneca State Forest campers frequently report wildlife sightings. "Encountered 19 deer, 1 bear, and several other small creatures. Short drive or hike to Lake with boat rentals and fishing," according to Mike C. who stayed at Site 4.
River access: Little River Dispersed Campsites provide direct stream entry points for cooling off. "When you park and walk down to the river, if you turn right, there's a beach area about 50 yards down that offers a great spot to take a dip!" explains Tommy S.
Private sites: Mower Basin offers seclusion despite drive-up access. "Very quiet, beautiful views, amazing drive from VA. Multiple campsites and they all have beautiful views," reports Waseem H., though cell service is limited to the first campsite area for T-Mobile users.
Bear safety protocols: Multiple campsites report bear activity. At Little River Dispersed Campsites, one camper warned, "We were charged by an extremely aggressive black bear, fortunately with plenty of noise and shouting and slowly backing away we avoided further conflict! But, it was very very close to the site we had our tent!"
Limited services: Most campgrounds operate without amenities. As Evan G. noted about Seneca State Forest, "There is no cell service within 30 miles, so for an outsider who doesn't know the area, it was difficult to find the campsite. You also better bring everything you need beforehand."
Access road challenges: Some forest roads require high-clearance vehicles. Accessing Little River Dispersed Campsites requires navigating "about 7+ miles in from the town of Durbin on a dirt road (not sure how that would go in an RV but easy in a small vehicle)," according to Erik C., who found the spot "beautiful and secluded."
Pioneer cabins: Seneca State Forest offers rustic cabin options that appeal to families seeking a balance between camping and comfort. "We stayed in a cabin this time. One of the pioneer cabins. Let me say it was awesome, wood stove, gas light, outhouse and had to get your own water. The cabin was well put together and the staff has you set up to enjoy your stay with everything from soap to cut wood," reports David F.
Kid-friendly amenities: East Fork Campground provides space for children to play. Ryan P. mentioned, "We really enjoyed the campground. Nice bathhouse, nice playground, and beautiful setting. We used it as a base for Cass Scenic Railroad, which is not far from Durbin."
Accessible hiking options: Tea Creek area provides trails suitable for various skill levels. As Megan B. shared, "I love Tea Creek so much. It's one of my go to, favorite spots. Campsites are nice and private, with the majority having sites that are pretty good sized and mostly flat. There are great hiking trails, a good place to ride a bike, nice places to play in the water, and fantastic trout fishing."
Site conditions: Snowshoe Valley Camping offers various site types for different RV sizes. While no specific RV reviews were available, Damon O. notes the camping arrangement options: "We asked to stay on the north side of the property and it's right beside the marsh. It's amazing for bird watching and sleeping to the sounds amid nature."
Limited hookup availability: Most dispersed areas lack hookups. When evaluating options for travel trailers, consider what Jeff S. shared about Tea Creek: "This is a great place for pull-type campers or tent camping. Campground is always clean and access is directly off the scenic highway."
Seasonal access challenges: Access to many campgrounds becomes difficult in wet conditions. At Mower Basin, Evan reports, "Awesome spot in mountain, not too many sites but they are all well marked. Just have to push through some steep gravel roads but we did it in truck and trailer."
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the best campgrounds near Snowshoe, WV?
The Snowshoe area offers several excellent camping options. Lake Sherwood is a top choice, with most sites situated right on the beautiful lake, providing excellent fishing opportunities and scenic mountain views. Another fantastic option is Spruce Knob Lake Campground, located near West Virginia's highest peak. It's a quieter campground with fewer sites, perfect for tent camping and suitable for smaller campers. For those seeking more amenities, Watoga State Park's Riverside Campground offers excellent facilities with beautiful river access and proximity to hiking trails. Seven Mile Campground near Dunmore and Tea Creek Campground are also worth considering for their scenic locations and basic amenities.
Can you camp directly at Snowshoe Mountain in West Virginia?
There is no designated campground directly at Snowshoe Mountain Resort itself. However, nearby alternatives provide excellent access to the area. Riverside Campground — Watoga State Park offers both tent and camper accommodations approximately 30 minutes from Snowshoe, with river access, excellent hiking, and proximity to the rail trail. For those seeking a more primitive experience, Greenbrier River Trail offers multiple primitive campsites along its length, with Mile Post 63.8 being particularly scenic. These sites make excellent bases for exploring Snowshoe and surrounding attractions while enjoying the natural beauty of West Virginia's mountains.
What is Camp Four at Snowshoe and what amenities does it offer?
Camp Four is a specialized camping area at Snowshoe Mountain Resort designated for staff housing rather than a public campground. While not available for visitor camping, guests looking for a unique mountain experience should consider alternatives like Camp Holly, a beautiful off-grid campground in the West Virginia mountains. Camp Holly offers multiple camping options including hammock, tent, cabin, and RV sites, with tent sites along a picturesque river being particularly recommended. For those seeking dispersed camping near Snowshoe, Dispersed camping at Mower Basin provides free, more primitive camping opportunities with big-rig-friendly sites. Always check current status and regulations before planning your trip.
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