Tent campsites near Upper Tract, West Virginia typically experience four distinct seasons with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F during the day and 55-65°F at night. The region sits at elevations ranging from 1,500 to 4,000 feet, with most camping areas located along creeks or rivers that flow through the Appalachian valleys. The forest terrain consists primarily of mixed hardwoods with pine stands at higher elevations, creating natural windbreaks at many campsites.
What to do
Fly fishing access: Eagle Rock Campground provides immediate access to the South Branch of the Potomac River. "The South Branch of the Potomac forms the other border of the campground and its not uncommon to see fisherman in the river. The river is stocked with trout and there are some areas with catch and release instructions," notes Jean C. about Eagle Rock Campground.
Rock exploration: Bear Heaven Campground features unique boulder formations. "Right beside the camp ground is a really cool area to explore unique boulders and rock structures. You can either walk through or climb these boulders," explains Adam W. about Bear Heaven Campground.
Creek wading: Little River offers accessible swimming spots close to most sites. "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!" shares Tommy S. about their experience at the dispersed campsites.
What campers like
River proximity: Campers appreciate sites positioned directly next to flowing water. "We stayed at site 9 which was magical. There's a couple fire rings up by the parking spot, but we chose to set up a little closer to the creek," notes Tommy S. about Little River Dispersed Campsites.
Site privacy: The wooded settings create natural separation between campers. "Sites are wooded and relatively private with basic facilities but no drinking water (bring treatment methods for the stream)," says Amber A. from Bear Heaven Campground.
Affordability: Low-cost camping options abound in this region. "Like previously said drop your money in a slot and enjoy the river. Nothing special or pretty just a cool little spot to lay your head," mentions Tom P. about his experience at Eagle Rock, where a night's stay costs just $10.
What you should know
Road conditions: Many access roads require careful driving or appropriate vehicles. "The road is narrow and you'll need to pull off to the side to let cars pass coming in, and the road is riddled with pot holes and is entirely gravel," warns Luke M. about Switzer Lake Dispersed Camping.
Wildlife presence: Be prepared for bear encounters in more remote areas. "Not even 2 minutes from our dispersed camp site we were charged by an extremely aggressive black bear... We decided to keep ALL FOOD in the car's trunk those nights and not hanging in a tree just to be safe," advises Luke M. from his experience at Little River.
Water planning: Most sites lack drinking water sources. "There's nothing there so plan ahead for water and bathroom use," explains Adrian F. about Switzer Lake's facilities.
Tips for camping with families
Campsite selection: For families with children, choose sites with easy water access. "Wolf Gap Recreation Area has a total of 9 campsites. Most sites have a paved parking platform and then a second tier for the camp site. All sites are quite large and include picnic tables, fire rings and large tent platforms," explains Kevin C. about Wolf Gap Recreation Area.
Group facilities: Some areas offer dedicated group camping options. "This is a great spot for a large group. 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," shares Justin S. about Gatewood Group.
Educational opportunities: Introduce children to unique natural features. "Visit in spring with mountain laurel, rhododendrons, etc. are blooming in the nearby lands, it's like nothing else!" recommends Amber A. about the seasonal flora at Bear Heaven Campground.
Tips from RVers
Site limitations: Most areas are best suited for small RVs or tent camping. "The camp area sits under a canopy of cedar trees. If you are tent camping or have a camper van the area is fine. Large RV will have a difficult time setting up in the camp area," advises Ralph P. about his experience at Hawk Nest Mushroom Farm.
Weather considerations: Be prepared for challenging conditions during and after rain. "It had rained a lot recently, so the driveway into the site got muddy towards the end, causing us to park half way down. We couldn't get a fire started either of the two nights we were here as everything was wet," shares Tommy S. about Little River.
Positioning challenges: Many sites have uneven parking areas. "Many of the car parking pads are not level. But the tent pads appear to be," notes VanRumschpringa V. about Wolf Gap Recreation Area.
