Whether you're an RVer or tent camper, Thomas, WV is a great place to post up for the weekend—or longer. There are tons of hikes and other fun activities to partake in, as well as sights to see and explore. Ready to plan your adventure? Check out our campgrounds near Thomas and user-submitted reviews.
"We camped here on a winter road trip fully prepared for the worst weather and this mountain top dispersed site delivered."
"road is easy to drive on- some bumps but we were in a small kia sedan and it was fine, there are a lot of spots visible from the road but there are also some hidden a few steps away from the road that"
"About ten tent sites with firepit, picnic table, clean concrete vault toilt. No running water or showers. Close to Elkins and half hour from Davis."
"Vault toilet and trash. A few minutes down the road from the Bickel Knob fire tower."
$28 / night
"Tented a cabin for two nights to hide from bad weather. Cabin had electric service, a microwave, electric heater, refrigerator and lights. The campground had no other guests during our stay."
"Surrounded by a white water stream, this is the perfect place to relax and unwind. This really is a such a peaceful environment, and the ideal property to re-connect with nature."
$10 - $20 / night
"Due to location in-between the tall mountains there is absolutely No CELLPHONE SRRVICE past the first couple campsites and only very spotty at those campsites as well."
$10 / night
"Stayed one night in a tent right next to the river. It is what it is, a West Virginia backwoods campground. $10 will get ya a nights stay."
$55 / night
"We're happy to welcome this property to our platform. Camp in the heart of this farm close to a pond. Book your stay and come back here to leave them some love."
$10 - $30 / night
"Primitive campsites are $10 a night. Small cabins are $35 a night, with larger cabins going at $56 a night. There is electricity in the cabins."
"Had my wedding 2022 at Jennings picnic area and then after that spent the whole weekend away from everyone and everything!"
$10 - $55 / night
"The best spots are in the woods adjacent to the stream. You can set up your camp chair and enjoy the creek sounds."
"Unfortunately, someone moved our picnic table to the next site. Too lazy to move it. Pit toilets were pretty clean. Stream was incredible and lively with trout and crayfish."
"There are a good number of dispersed camping sites along the forest service road that follows Gandy Creek up to Seneca Creek Trail, sites are right on the river with easy access, fly fishing for trout"
$60 / night
"Very spacious with two vault toilets. We were able to find quite a few nice hammock spots in the trees if that's your preferred camping method."
LegendSmall, primitive campground with 12-sites. There were a surprising number of trailers and small RVs when I visited, especially when you consider visitors have to drive about 10-miles on a graded dirt road to get there.
There are some walk-in tent sites for more privacy and you have the option of pure wilderness camping in the surrounding 17,400 acres of Dolly Sods as long as you use existing campfire rings, or use a backpack stove when you can't find one.
No cell phone service or Internet… No electricity, pit toilets, and a busted water pump, but there is a fresh-water spring. Each site has a picnic table, fire ring and lantern pole.
The camp hosts are super mellow and also lead the volunteer bird-banding that takes place just across the road from the Red Creek Campground.
The plant life and weather at Dolly Sods are similar to Northern Canada, so bring some extra layers. It was at least 15-degrees cooler than the valley when I reached the peak of the Allegheny Plateau. Add the wind and I had to put my sweatshirt after sweating in a T-shirt at Seneca Rocks that same day.
Bring a backpack and good hiking boots so you're prepared to experience some of the most amazing scenery and wildlife you’ve ever seen!
First-come, first-serve only and often full on weekends.
*Word of caution: Dolly Sods was used for military training during WWII, so there are artillery and mortar shells still being found in this wilderness. Don’t touch any shells you might find, note the location and report to authorities.
LegendSpruce Knob is West Virginia's highest peak and on a clear day offers breathtaking 360 degree views from the Observation Tower. https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/mnf/recarea/?recid=7053
Because of the thick conifer growth, long mountain views don't occur till nearly to the top and that only along the western roadway...but once you climb the observation tower...(as mentioned, on a clear day) you are rewarded with wonderful views of WV and VA mountains. Watching storm clouds or simple clouds roll in and envelope the Knob offers a wonderful experience.
I've taken the opportunity to camp on Spruce Knob on several occasions, once to the NE of the parking lot just into the pines, once a couple hundred yards down the Seneca Backcountry trail to the right and once directly south of the Tower in the pines. Each offered a differ experience. There is no cost, which is a huge plus!
In the pines, just below the summit, it is eerily quiet and muffled. I've never seen another camper when I've stayed, so the solitude is glorious.
If you want shelter and a picnic table for cooking/eating...they are available, but only along the parking lot. Pit latrines are nearly on the summit in the parking lot near the trailhead for the Observation Tower. So practice leave no trace when camping and hiking!! No water, so bring enough with you. There are waste receptacles but be wise and take trash with you.
There are two levels to the concrete Observation Tower...and best views are from the upper level. I've often though about cowboy camping on the second level after the last sightseer has left for the night, but haven't seen, heard or read if its forbidden or permitted...so I haven't...yet.
Obviously, on a clear night, star gazing is incredible as there no ambient light. It is much cooler at this elevation, even in the summer...and the winds on the summit cut through like a knife.
Note: utilize good camping practices and set camp on a previous location where there is an established fire ring. Again, use caution with campfires because of the wind.
If you desire a more established campground, Spruce Knob Lake Campground is not too far away...down the mountain.
Spruce Knob summit camping is a family highlight!
LegendIf you're a fan of hiking and rock climbing at Seneca Rocks, Seneca Shadows is absolutely the best campground near this fantastic rock formation.
It’s located in the Monongahela National Forest near the North Fork South Branch of the Potomac River with nearby peaks ranging from 1,000 feet to nearly 5,000 feet above sea level. Seneca Shadows campground offers a view of the famed Seneca Rocks and puts you within walking distance of the visitor’s center, hiking and climbing trails, plus the quaint town of Seneca Rocks where you buy gas, food and gifts.
Make sure you visit Harper’s Old Country Store, a 4th generation family run business, operating since 1902. The visitor’s center has a nice collection of Native American artifacts and a cool video of the Army soldiers who trained here before WWII.
Seneca Shadows Campground is a modern campground with paved parking, flush toilets, showers and an amphitheater. Each site has a picnic table, fire ring and lantern post. Seneca Shadows is part of a growing trend where a private concessionaire is a running a public camp-ground. I’m not a huge fan since it often mean higher fees, but I must say that the campground was spotless and well-run by a delightful couple who obviously enjoyed their summer job.
Seneca Shadows Campground has three loops to chose from:
The A& B Loops are for tents or RVs with no electric service.
The C-Loop has electricity.
There's also a group camping area and a "tent-only" camping area with walk-in sites from a nearby parking lot.
Spruce Knob and Dolly Sods are nearby and both deserve a spot on your outdoor adventure“bucket list” in West Virginia.
LegendThis is a remote riverside campground with great fishing opportunities for catch and release(check the requirements for license/stamps; I included a picture of a sign). One loop comes with water/electic hookups($7 more) the others are primitive. If you use solar, ironically, the sites around the loop/with electric, are your best bet as there is a large open field in the middle; a second loop contains more primitive sites and some walk-in sites with parking near the bathroom. Parking pads are large and generally level. There are vault toilets and some flush toilets. No cell service(Verizon). Sites are equipped with a picnic table, fire ring with grate, and lantern post. The prices for firewood are among the highest I’ve seen at$10/bundle. Camp store has limited hours, but ice and firewood are available.
You may have day visitors here to fish, swim, or picnic at one of the two pavilions. In addition to fishing, you may find it refreshing to swim/wade in the river, but I would definitely want water shoes to protect my feet. Interested in more adventure on the river? Head about 15 minutes down the road to St George where outfitters can set you up for both flatwater and whitewater activities on the Cheat River, depending on your preference, age, and water level.
TravelerAdmittedly, we had awful weather - it rained more than 50% of the time. The weather ruled out our main purpose for being their which was astrophotography at Spruce Knob Lake and doing some hiking. That said, we had a lovely walk-in site with a nicely situated tent pad, fire ring and large picnic table nestled in a private space with lots of tree shade. If you are wanting to take in the sites of the area and need a base for day hiking, this is a good spot. There are a few things to know: this campsite is very basic with the only facilities being vault toilets and bins for your trash. You are able to buy firewood there (if you can get it lit and enjoy before it rains!). There is no cell service whatsoever, so once you get there, you’ll have no clue what the weather is going to do unless you have access to a satellite source (we didn’t.) There was a water spigot near our site, but we were told to boil the water before drinking any (which made us glad it wasn’t that hot out and we had brought a sizable stash from home.)
LegendI stayed here for a single night while I was exploring West Virginia, but I wish I had stayed longer. This is one of the most beautiful campgrounds I've ever seen.
The front section of Seneca Shadows isn't all that interesting. There are standard sites here with gravel pads, water, and electricity, good for trailers and RVs. The sites are of an average size and have plenty of shade and privacy.
There is also a large tent-only section at the back of the campground. This is where I stayed, and this is what made Seneca Shadows memorable. The tent section is a giant meadow with picnic tables and tent pads arranged around the edges. There is also a picnic shelter here. Parking is adjacent; expect to carry your gear a few hundred feet. Many of the sites have shade trees, and a few have shrubs for privacy, but nearly all have an incredible view of Seneca Rocks, a magnificent geological feature.
There are vault toilets located close to the tent section, but these didn't smell great so I avoided them. There are real bathrooms with flushing toilets, running water, and showers located just up the road. These were nice and clean when I visited.
I intend to return someday for a closer look at Seneca Rocks. This place is a destination, not just a stopover.
ScoutClean, beautiful and quiet (occasional barking dog or children playing loudly). The basic tent sites each have a picnic table, fire pit w/ grill, and lantern post. The trails to the beautiful falls are a short walk from the campgrounds.
TravelerWe had a nice time camping at Spruce Knob. Rich the camp manager was really chill. You can purchase firewood from him at that entrance for ~$20 a bundle. The walk up sites are pretty private, you can see/hear other campers but after quiet hours start it’s totally silent. Each site comes with a fire ring and picnic table. Bathrooms but no showers. Great place for star gazing and disconnecting from reality for a bit (seriously there’s not a drop of cell service there except up at Spruce Knob so plan accordingly if you rely on phone for maps and what not.) Within close distance of many trails. Looking forward to visiting again!
GuideIsland campground is okay. They only have 1 drive in campsite next to the creek but it was by far the nicest. Luckily we were the only people there and were able to grab it that day. There were 2-3 other campsites that would be decent (being flat and good setup between the picnic table and fire pit). The other sites were not the most level and hardly had any room/flat areas. Only enough flat area for the picnic table and fire ring. There were about 4 walk in campsites. 2 that were probably about 60ft from the parking area. One of those was next to 2 streams and they seemed nice and level with plenty of room. The other 2 were up a little incline and you had to go through one to get to the other. It did have a clean vault toilet that was stocked with tp. No water though. There were only 2 other campers there so not crowded. I guess it depends which site you get.
Nestled in the scenic landscapes of West Virginia, tent camping near Thomas offers a perfect escape into nature, with a variety of options for outdoor enthusiasts.
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