Public lands surrounding Hillsboro, West Virginia provide multiple camping options within the Monongahela National Forest and state park systems. Watoga State Park, located along the Greenbrier River, features two developed campgrounds—Riverside and Beaver Creek—with both tent and RV sites. Lake Sherwood Recreation Area offers lakeside camping with spacious, secluded sites. The region supports a mix of accommodation types including traditional tent camping, RV sites with hookups, rental cabins, and primitive campsites along the 80-mile Greenbrier River Trail, which passes through remote forest areas and small towns.
Most campgrounds in the region operate seasonally, typically from April through late October or early December. Watoga State Park's campgrounds remain open from early April through late December, while Lake Sherwood is available year-round. The area experiences limited cell service due to its location within the National Radio Quiet Zone, with most campgrounds offering only weak WiFi near facilities. Water and electric hookups vary by campground, with many sites providing electric but requiring campers to fill water tanks at central locations. Weather in the mountainous terrain can change rapidly, particularly during summer thunderstorms. A camper noted, "Heavy rainstorms brought down numerous trees across the Greenbrier River Trail during our trip, but State Park employees worked diligently to clear the trail."
The Greenbrier River serves as a focal point for recreational activities, with several campgrounds providing direct river access for fishing, swimming, and paddling. Hikers and bikers benefit from extensive trail networks, including the rail-to-trail Greenbrier River Trail with its primitive campsites positioned at regular intervals. These sites feature amenities like tent pads, pit latrines, and sometimes Adirondack-style shelters. Wildlife viewing opportunities abound throughout the region. One visitor remarked, "Campers will see deer walk through sites, and this is bear country, so proper food storage is essential." Campsites at Lake Sherwood offer views of the water and access to swimming areas, while Watoga State Park combines riverfront camping with extensive hiking options and recreational facilities. The relative remoteness and natural setting appeal to those seeking a quiet outdoor experience away from urban environments.
$23 - $50 / night
"The river is beautiful, the hiking excellent, and the fantastic rail trail is right there. The area has so much to offer - Bear Town, Cranberry, Falls - it’s all wild wonderful West Virginia!!"
"Another terrific park in West Virginia. So much to do. The sites accommodate everything from tents to large fifth wheels. "
$16 - $85 / night
"I stayed on campground 1 on a lake side site with access to the lake, the views from my tent were breathtaking! The campground is clean, it has shower and flushable toilets."
"The Lake is wonderful. There are 3-4 actual campgrounds. One is more for large groups like boy/girl scout troops. Easy access to the lake from marina or each campground."
$23 - $26 / night
"Campsite 2 is across the path from the check in point and you are quite on display but on the other hand you have WiFi signal and are close to water and perfect distance from the campground."
"So much to see and do, a lot of history and nearby attractions to make the most of being in the area. No cell service is a plus, battery last longer for photos."
$20 - $100 / night
"The campground is butted up against Sherwood lake and a small mtn ridge range that divides West Virginia and Virginia. "
"We visited the Pine Run camping Area of Lake Sherwood Campground in July 2016. We stayed with my sister’s family on sites 48 & 49 and they were perfect pair sites to share."
"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 Mile Post 49.3 Primitive Campsite, Watoga, WV West Virginia's Greenbrier River Trail** (GRT) **stretches from its Northern Terminus at the Cass Railroad Station, Stumptown"
$10 / night
"Summit Lake Campground is a quiet, clean campground in the Monongahela National Forest. I stayed one night and really enjoyed the fishing on the lake."
"Walking trails to the lake and what a lake! We shall return at some point when it doesn't snow between 80 degree weeks."
"The river is nice to walk along and check out, and the sound of the water adds to the relaxed atmosphere."
"There are 2 restrooms located in this camping area with vault toilets only. Take your own toilet paper if campground isn’t busy because it doesn’t get maintained daily and we ran out."
$18 - $65 / night
"This is a great camp located near lake Moomaw! Right off the road with easy access to the sites. First come first serve but this particular camp has a lot of sites!"
"The campground is located close to two boat landings. "
$20 - $50 / night
"It is beautifully tucked in the mountains. No cellphone service, 21 rustic sites (no water/electric), but full of adventure. The bath/shower house is always well kept."
"Great area, close to amenities if needed. Quite. Can swim and fish"
ScoutThe meadows are a wonderful little gem, although they can be a bit loud due to their proximity to the train tracks. However, when quiet, they offer a serene joy connected to nature, and are close to the river with beautiful mountain views. A good place for stargazing.
ScoutBeautiful and secluded. Primitive camping area for boondocking or tent camping. Large enough to set up several electric pens for horses.
ScoutThis was our first time staying at riftrafters. Would recommend it to anyone visiting the new river george. The owners were friendly and helpful and campground was clean and well maintained. We stayed at site 32 and it was very peaceful.
TravelerMy husband and I were looking for cheap places to park with no reservations with a dog and ended up in the sandstone visitor center after hours, the sign there said “no rv access” NOT TRUE. yes, it is on a thin dead end and you can only access it by crossing over 4 railroad tracks at once, ITS WORTH IT. Firewood is available and bathrooms too with no running water or electric makes for a beautiful dark night under the stars filled with only the sounds of nature and the occasional CSX train. And yes it’s free, a park ranger came around once to patrol but aside from that it’s a first come first serve bring your things and take-em with you. Kroger is 20 minutes away, dollar general is 15, and gas is about 10 minutes. All worth it.
ScoutAbsolutely no service here cell or internet. We have a starlink so are connected if needed Stayed at the furthest site removed from anyone. Very beautiful.
TravelerBabcock SP is a nice out of the way park. Great base to explore New River Gorge with plenty of local history it could be a trip on its own.
Bathrooms were remodeled a few years ago and very clean, and they have laundry facilities.
TravelerI can’t believe no one has rated this beautiful place. The sites are level, gravel, well spaced out and surrounded by trees. We stayed at White Pines Campground and there was a network of trails you can access a short walk away. The trails had views, lake, waterfall, and beautiful mountain laurel in bloom. These trails looked great for mountain biking too. The showers were nicely laid out, clean and had great pressure and there were plenty of them. The huge bonus was the dishwashing station with hot water. I can’t wait to come back and explore this beautiful area more!
TravelerThis was one of the quietest campgrounds I've ever been to. I heard owls and coyotes overnight which was nice! Super clean bathhouse too. The tent sites are a little small and some are on a slope, especially the ones on the outer loop. 18 was good, just a bit small and in a bend of a road which made me feel a little exposed. All in all, not a bad place to camp for a day or two.
ScoutBeautiful quiet place
The Monongahela National Forest region surrounding Hillsboro, West Virginia sits at elevations between 2,000-4,000 feet, creating a temperate mountain climate with summer highs rarely exceeding 85°F. Camping sites near Hillsboro, West Virginia occupy terrain characterized by limestone formations, steep valleys, and mixed hardwood forests. Most locations experience limited cell service due to the National Radio Quiet Zone restrictions.
Hiking through dense forest terrain: Watoga State Park offers extensive trail networks beyond the riverside attractions. "The biking is tremendous. And the opportunity for good fishing is also ample," notes a visitor to Beaver Creek Campground. Many trails connect to adjacent wilderness areas.
Fishing for trout in cold mountain streams: Tea Creek Campground provides access to prime fishing 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," reports one camper at Tea Creek Campground.
Cycling the Greenbrier River Trail: This 80-mile rail trail offers multiple camping access points. A camper at Mile Post 28.5 explained, "Heavy rainstorms brought down numerous trees across the GRT during our trip...but the State Park employees worked diligently and feverishly to clear the trail." The trail follows former railroad beds with gentle grades suitable for all skill levels.
Lake swimming during summer months: Lake Sherwood Recreation Area features a designated swimming beach with sand shoreline. "We saw tons of wildlife in the area. The hike around the lake was awesome and all our kiddos loved the island and beach," shares a visitor to Lake Sherwood.
Spacious campsites with river views: Many sites at Riverside Campground directly border the Greenbrier River. "The Riverside loop, there is another loop on the east end of the park (it was closed). The Greenbrier River was right at the back of our site. People were floating and fishing and paddling," notes a visitor to Riverside Campground.
Peace and quiet without technology distractions: Blue Bend Campground offers a complete digital detox. "Love the serenity of this small campground. Also cell phones don't work here, so if you are looking for quiet time, a beautiful stream and fresh air check out this campground," writes one camper at Blue Bend Campground.
Primitive campsites along the Greenbrier River Trail: Free first-come sites provide bare necessities for backpackers and bikepackers. "The campsites that dot the Greenbrier River Trail are meticulously maintained by State Park employees and are in well thought out locations." These sites typically include tent pads, fire rings, and pit toilets.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Numerous species regularly appear at campsites throughout the region. "Campers will see deer walk through sites" at Beaver Creek Campground. One visitor noted, "Lovely campground. Not too noisy and gorgeous nature... Perfect combo of shade and sun with deers grazing right next to your tent!"
Limited cell service and utilities: Most campgrounds have no connectivity. A visitor to Morris Hill explains, "Cell service (at&t) was a little spotty but for the most part we usually had about 2 bars and were even able to watch a little netflix on the one rainy day." Water and electric hookups vary widely between campgrounds.
Seasonal operation of facilities: Most campgrounds close for winter between late October and early April. Riverside and Beaver Creek Campgrounds at Watoga State Park operate from early April through December, while Lake Sherwood and Day Run maintain year-round access, though with limited winter amenities.
Navigation challenges without connectivity: Plan route details before arrival. A visitor to Morris Hill Campground advises, "Because this entire area of WV is in the National Radio Quiet Zone, there is zero cellular service within 1-2 hours drive in any direction... make sure any electronic devices you will be using for navigation have offline maps loaded before visiting."
Weather changes rapidly in mountain terrain: Summer thunderstorms often develop quickly in the afternoons. One camper at Bolar Mountain noted, "Late afternoon showers soaked the three groups of bikepackers that set up camp at Mile Post 28.5 for the night." Pack waterproof gear even during clear forecasts.
Swimming holes for children: Multiple locations offer natural water features. A visitor to Blue Bend Campground states, "Great area, close to amenities if needed. Quite. Can swim and fish." The swimming areas typically feature shallow entry points with gradually deepening water.
Kid-friendly tent sites: Certain campgrounds design spaces with families in mind. At Morris Hill, one camper mentions, "We visited the Pine Run camping Area of Lake Sherwood Campground... We stayed with my sister's family on sites 48 & 49 and they were perfect pair sites to share. I found our site private and spacious and perfectly distanced from the bathrooms."
Playground access: Some campgrounds maintain play equipment for children. "The park has a lot of hiking trails and a lake with boats for rent," notes a visitor to Beaver Creek Campground. Most family-oriented sites cluster playground equipment near central facilities rather than scattered throughout.
Parking limitations and site angles: Many campgrounds have sloped sites challenging for larger rigs. At Morris Hill, a camper noted, "Site 35 was pretty sloped but the gravel driveway wasn't too terribly unlevel. Only real issue was where our steps came out right into a sloped area and was hard to set them right and had to be careful coming in and out."
Water access points: Limited water hookups require planning. "I liked this campground — most RV sites have electric, and water fill stations are easily accessible. Sites weren't too close together, and they were clean and well kept," reports a visitor to Riverside Campground about the water situation.
Dump station availability: Several campgrounds maintain central dump facilities. "For you all who have campers/RV: There is a dump station for your tanks, equipped with a wash hose to wash your drain hose out. There is a fresh water filling station here as well, if you wish to fill your camper/RV when you get there," explains a camper at Morris Hill.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the best campgrounds in Hillsboro?
Hillsboro offers several excellent camping options in the surrounding area. Babcock State Park Campground is highly rated for its spectacular park setting featuring the iconic grist mill, which is the most photographed location in West Virginia. For a lakeside experience, Lake Sherwood offers beautiful campsites with many directly on the water, perfect for fishing enthusiasts. The campground sits against a mountain ridge dividing West Virginia and Virginia, providing a scenic backdrop for your camping adventure.
What amenities are available at Hillsboro campgrounds?
Campgrounds around Hillsboro offer various amenities to enhance your stay. Riverside Campground — Watoga State Park provides beautiful river access, excellent hiking trails, and proximity to the rail trail. Both tent and RV camping options are available, and the park also offers cabin accommodations. At Battle Run, campers can enjoy facilities supporting multiple outdoor activities including hiking, rock climbing, fishing, swimming, kayaking, white water rafting, and paddle boarding. Most campgrounds in the area provide basic amenities such as restrooms and water access, with some offering electrical hookups for RVs.
When is the best season for camping in Hillsboro?
Late spring through early fall (May to October) offers the best camping experience around Hillsboro. Moncove Lake State Park Campground showcases beautiful scenery during these months, though it's located off the beaten path requiring travel on country roads. Summer provides ideal conditions for water activities at Greenbrier River Trail access points, which are particularly popular for bikepacking adventures. Fall brings spectacular foliage colors to the mountains, while spring offers blooming wildflowers. Winter camping is possible but facilities may be limited and roads can be challenging due to mountain weather conditions.
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