Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Victor, WV

Rippling Waters Church of God Campgrounds welcomes pets at all 50 campsites, offering tent, RV, and cabin accommodations year-round in Kenna, West Virginia. The campground features full hookups, drinking water, electric connections with both 30-amp and 50-amp service, and maintains clean shower facilities. Campers appreciate the well-spaced sites that provide room for RVs, cars, chairs, and dog tie-outs. Kanawha State Forest, located near Charleston, also permits pets throughout its campground, with both electric and non-electric sites available from April through early December. The forest's natural setting provides excellent opportunities for dogs to explore, though pets must remain leashed at all times to protect the wildlife.

New River Campground in Gauley Bridge offers multiple pet-friendly access options including drive-in, boat-in, hike-in, and walk-in sites. The campground's proximity to water makes it particularly appealing for dogs who enjoy swimming, with the nearby Summersville Lake providing clear water access. Rifrafters Campground in Fayetteville includes a small dog run area among its amenities, allowing pets to exercise off-leash in a controlled environment. When hiking with dogs in the New River Gorge area, owners should be prepared for encounters with local wildlife and bring sufficient water for both themselves and their pets. Several campgrounds in the region are situated near grocery stores and Walmart locations, making it convenient to purchase pet supplies if needed during your stay.

Best Dog-Friendly Sites Near Victor, West Virginia (60)

    1. Kanawha State Forest

    27 Reviews
    Hernshaw, WV
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (304) 558-3500

    $35 - $40 / night

    "Tucked away in the middle of the mountains, surrounded by the constant reminder of wildlife around. I stayed for the very start of spring. The world was covered in the brightest green moss."

    "Kanawha state forest is nestled in the mountainous Hills of West by God Virginia right on the outskirts of Charleston. There is plenty of hiking in Kanawha state forest."

    2. Rippling Waters Church of God Campgrounds

    5 Reviews
    Victor, WV
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (304) 988-2607

    $55 - $155 / night

    "We tent camp, but walking around, the camping trailers did not appear to be crowded together. For us this is a fantastic place to overnight and will return again when traveling through the area!!"

    "We had a pull thru site by the lake, it had to be about 100 yards long and nicely graveled."

    3. New River Campground

    14 Reviews
    Gauley Bridge, WV
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (304) 632-9821

    $30 - $40 / night

    "I told them I did not have these capabilities in my rig and they gave me sole access to the handicapped shower."

    "The owner goes around the campground at 430p offering firewood for $5/bundle. The view from our full hookup campsite is hands down amazing!! We're situated directly on the New River in Gauley Bridge."

    4. Saint Albans Roadside Park

    11 Reviews
    St. Albans, WV
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (304) 722-4625

    "Directly across from a grocery store, pet store, and auto supply store so great resupply stop! And free electric! Clean playground also."

    "Albans roadside park is for pull behind campers only. No tents allowed. About 6-7 sites for campers."

    5. Rifrafters Campground

    30 Reviews
    Fayetteville, WV
    31 miles
    Website
    +1 (304) 564-1065

    $15 - $50 / night

    "Beautiful area, close to New River National Park. Very accommodating staff. Includes wifi, PBS TV, small dog run, small playground, picnic shelter, laundry, bathhouse, firewood, ice,etc."

    "They walked us to our site and helped us back into our spot. Everything worked well with all of the hookups. It was a quiet and clean campground."

    6. Chestnut Creek Campground

    21 Reviews
    Lansing, WV
    31 miles
    Website

    $10 - $11 / night

    "Great tent campground very near the New River gorge and close by Summerville Lake and the Gulley River. Multiple campsites in heavily forested area. Drive up to the sites."

    "campground is bigger than it appears as there are multiple places to camp on one site, it is a primitive campground so don't come looking to hook up to electricity, very family friendly and good for dogs"

    7. Flat Hollow Farm LLC

    Be the first to review!
    Victor, WV
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (304) 965-8008

    $15 - $45 / night

    8. Quick Stay

    Be the first to review!
    Victor, WV
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (304) 965-8008

    $45 - $125 / night

    9. Mountain Lake Campground and Cabins

    19 Reviews
    Summersville Lake, WV
    33 miles
    Website

    "We took site 269 for the proximity to one of the little playgrounds and easy walk to bathrooms. We had a great time and it was easy to let our 3 year old play while we setup."

    "I used to love Mtn Lake because of their secluded primitive camping where deer often visit and provided a quiet place away from the busy RV sites, however they gave into demand and now have overrun the"

    10. Adventures on the Gorge - Mill Creek

    9 Reviews
    Lansing, WV
    30 miles
    Website
    +1 (855) 379-8738

    $7 - $69 / night

    "They keep the Raccoons away and didn't spray any one or any dogs."

    "This spot was a short drive away from awesome rock climbing in the New River Gorge."

Show More
Showing results 1-10 of 60 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win


Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Victor, WV

488 Reviews of 60 Victor Campgrounds


  • Dan N.
    Sep. 30, 2016

    Forked Run State Park Campground

    Forked Run State Park

    On the border with West Virginia. There aren’t really sites on the water but there’s a nice path to the lake from the camp sites and lots of deer. We spent most of the time on the water (there’s a power limit on the boats) but the campsites were nice in a simple kind of way (showers but no flush).

  • Linda The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 20, 2020

    Flatwoods KOA

    Clean and quiet

    This campground was perfect. It’s up on a hill and the sites are spaced out pretty well. It’s behind a hotel. Our site had room for our 26’ hybrid with 3 beds, plus two cars, chairs, and our two dog tie outs. I loved that it was near the main highway but up on a hill so you didn’t hear the traffic. The pool is part of the hotel property and the campground is allowed to use it anytime it’s open. There is a grocery store and a Walmart within a mile. There is also a small dog park on site. Sutton lake was about ten minutes away. I definitely recommend this campground.

  • Amber A.
    Jul. 3, 2016

    Summersville Lake Shelters

    No camping here...

    This lake is lovely but there is no where to camp. Lots of big pavilions to rent. See nearby Battle Run Campground. https://thedyrt.com/west-virginia-camping/west-virginia-battle-run

  • Laura H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 14, 2020

    Huntington / Fox Fire KOA

    Party Central

    We enjoyed our stay at Huntington/Fox Fire KOA! This is a holiday KOA that offers more amenities for vacationers. It has very close proximity to I-64 in West Virginia, and you can hear the traffic pretty clearly.

    The staff is wonderful, they obviously care very much about their jobs and we enjoyed talking to them. They keep the property very clean which is saying a lot because it’s a very busy park. Each day we watched the park nearly empty and by sundown it was mostly full again. On the weekends it was full to capacity, and it’s occupants were out enjoying their time!

    There is: great cellular for TMobile and AT&T, laundry, dog walk area, storage, cabins, a store, a swimming pond, small beach area, and some sites have fire pits. The picnic tables were pretty dated.

    The hookups are a little strange. You share pedestals in many of the sites. And the arrangement is a little strange but it works.

  • Cheryl T.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 1, 2025

    Robert Newlon Airpark RV Park Huntington, WV

    Nice campground train tracks directly next to it

    The campground is small. Has a nice dog park. Pickle ball courts Cafe Sky diving right here. The Ohio river is visible. The only real problem comes with the train tracks right here. The trains are close and do blow their whistle for crossing by the office.

  • Jonda M.
    Jun. 18, 2019

    Babcock State Park Campground

    Babcock

    Nice campground. The park is spectacular. The most photographed place in west Virginia is the grist mill. Awesome trails all around.

  • Dave V.
    Sep. 1, 2017

    Babcock State Park Campground

    Drop Dead Gorgeous!

    Babcock State Park, located in the thriving megapolis of Clifton, West Virginia is postcard perfect! https://wvstateparks.com/park/babcock-state-park/

    The road in off the highway isn't too long, but it seemed long, winding, and up and down...especially as night fell. Driving backcountry roads in West Virginia, at night, is not my idea of fun, as I had several near misses with Bambi and her roving gang of miscreants...having no regard for traffic laws...and one knock down, drag out with minimal vehicle damage.

    One of the beauties of West Virginia...it is a sparsely populated state with open, unchoked roads that lead to some of the most amazing sights. You must be willing to explore, but you will be richly rewarded.

    In the dark, I did pass the campground signs without seeing them and turned into the State Park entrance...wound around past rental cabins to the park office, so I had to backtrack to the campground, which is located in a different area altogether. Driven during daylight hours, the signs are very apparent...so I'm blaming it on the deer.

    We arrived midweek, the first of May, so we did not reserve a site. The campground has 52 sites, so I thought we would have a good shot as a walk-in. No worries...we shared the campground with two other campers. Our campsite (site 32) was on the inner loop of the main campground loop at sits around 2450 ft elevation. The temperature got down to 30 degrees and frost covered everything. Twenty eight sites have electric hook-ups ($28) and twenty four do not ($25). The inner loop has some mature trees but is wide open and close cut grass...every camper has a view of the other. Even the outside sites on the main loop are visible. The smaller loop to the right as you enter and a few sites to the left sit in slightly more wooded sites...but there is no foliage separating sites. There is also sites on the opposite side of the roadway when you enter the campground, but seem more like overflow sites...and a fair distance to trek for the showerhouse/restroom/laundry which is situated on the bottom of the main loop.

    There is plenty of gravel parking pad for large RV/Campers at all the sites and are angled for trailer back-in. Tent pads are not define and grassy (or a muddy mix depending on weather and usage). Each site has a picnic table and fire ring.

    The showerhouse/restroom is located at the front of the loop and was spotless and maintained at the time of our stay...but not climate controlled...as in, not heated. The ladies that keep the park facilities clean worked tirelessly. A very nice activity area for kids sat along the inner portion o the main loop.

    The main entrance to the park offers several cabin rental, from economy to 4 bedroom, the park office/visitor's center/gift shop sit along the river. The park office staff were very helpful, friendly and wear many hats...like most state parks.

    This building and surrounding stone structures, retaining walls, and staircases were built by the CCC and are magnificent and in great shape. The beautiful gift shop was once a former park restaurant of a bygone era.

    Ranger Cochrane was a wealth of information about the park, it's history and neighboring parks. He graciously spent time answering my barrage of questions. Ranger Cochrane was yet another tribute to the fine personnel that WV parks have in place.

    The park office is also the best location for postcard perfect pictures of the raging whitewater and gristmill. While not the original gristmill from this location, three remaining gristmills from around the state were dismantled and rebuilt into one at the present location over 30 years ago. The gristmill was very photogenic in the early Spring, but I can only imagine the splendor when the fall leaves change color.

    Whitewater kayakers were readying to put in on the rain swollen and boulder strewn river that feeds into the New River below.

    Boley Lake, a short drive up the mountain is picturesque and well-stoked with fish. You can paddle the 19 acre lake with personal paddle craft or rent paddleboats, canoes or rowboats from the Boley Lake Marina. Fishing is permitted, but you must have proper licensing...which can be purchased online.

    Trails are everywhere and of every terrain and level of difficulty...over 20 miles of trails total. Babcock State Park is 4,127 acres, so there is plenty to see and do. Bicycling can be done on all park paved and gravel roads (no off-road trails), as well as along the Narrow Gauge Trail. And of course, being not too far from The New River and Gauley River...whitewater rafting is close.

  • Sam R.
    Sep. 10, 2016

    Battle Run

    A campground you must visit

    If your into hiking, rock climbing, fishing, swimming, kayaking, white water rafting, paddle boarding or just hanging out outdoors battle run is for you. Whether it's weekend camping with friends/ family or some where to crash after a long day on the lake/ river you won't regret staying in beautiful West Virginia.

  • Jennifer B.
    Jul. 3, 2019

    Tawney Farm

    Kayakers' Dream-- Whitewater Wonder

        Tawney Farm is part of a growing trend of agrotourism in West Virginia where farmers allow visitors to camp on their land.

        The proximity to the Gauley River makes this primitive campground an ideal place for kayakers to stay during the whitewater season in September and October.  That's when the meadows and hills around Tawney Farm will be filled with tent campers ready to ride the rapids.

         James and Susan Tawney are the perfect hosts because they're super nice and sincerely interested in talking about their sheep farm, the history of Panther Mountain, and the best places to swim, fish and kayak on the Gauley River.

        I enjoyed a couple nights of "glamping" when I stayed at the Tawney Farm "Nut House," appropriately named because James crafted it from recycled wood, including cherry, beechnut and black walnut. 

        The primitive cabin has electricity, a full-sized roll-away bed and a futon.  There's no bathroom or running water, so I used the clean port-a-potties and community propane-heated shower and had access to a fire pit and charcoal grill.

         Great hospitality!  James prepped my fire pit with free wood and Susan made sure I had plenty of charcoal, then loaned me BBQ tools so I could grill my dinner without scorching my hands.  

         The Wild and Woolly Primitive Campground includes a group area where guests can cook, wash their dishes, and hangout.  There's a small store with raw wool crafts, fresh farm eggs and black walnuts, plus and a stage for live music during the peak season.

         I wanted to make sure I got some nice photos of their sheep, so James and Susan brought the flock down for a closer look and encouraged some young guests to pet them.

         The access road to Tawney Farm is gravel with a tree growing in the middle, so take caution at night.  The nearby roads leading to the Gauley River National Recreation Area are in good shape but a little nerve-wracking because they're so narrow there's not much room to get out of the way when you come face-to-face with tour buses shuttling paddlers to and from the Gauley River.

         I checked out Mason Branch and Woods Ferry where I enjoyed some nice hiking, paddling and swimming.  Since it was summer, the kayakers I spotted were using "rubber duckies" so they could negotiate the rocky river without getting stuck.

         Mason Branch has an unmarked, unmaintained trail near the parking lot where you can see a couple of nice waterfalls.  There's a trail to the left of the lower falls that takes you to a higher waterfall the locals call "Janie's Hole."  The story I heard is Janie was a young lady who died after she either fell or jumped from the top of this falls.

         There's another interesting local story about the nearby Summersville Lake.  This crystal clear lake was created when an earthen dam was built that covered the small farming community of Gad with water.  My 98-year old mom says no one wanted to call it the "Gad Dam" because it sounded like they were using the Lord's name in vane, so they settled on the next closest town and named it the Summersville Dam.  Water released from this lake in the fall is what creates the world-class whitewater on the Gauley River.


Guide to Victor

Kanawha State Forest sits less than 30 minutes from Charleston, covering 7,500 acres of West Virginia woodland at approximately 1,000 feet elevation. The forest campground operates seasonally from April 1 through the first Saturday in December, with temperatures ranging from 40-70°F in spring and fall. Narrow, winding mountain roads lead to camping areas situated in a valley setting with sites positioned along a stream.

What to do

Explore local waterfalls: Near New River Campground, you'll find accessible waterfall viewing. "There is a waterfall across the street and a nicer one just down the road," notes Thomas H., who appreciated the natural attractions despite visiting during rainy conditions.

Try disc golf courses: Chestnut Creek Campground offers an on-site disc golf course among its recreational options. One visitor mentioned, "Has a Frisbee/Disc Golf Course. Close to rivers, climbing and hiking activities," making it convenient for guests who want activity options without leaving the campground.

Visit Summersville Lake: The clear waters of Summersville Lake provide excellent swimming and boating opportunities. "We tent camp, but walking around, the camping trailers did not appear to be crowded together... The lake swimming was fun," reports a guest at Mountain Lake Campground, highlighting the family-friendly water access.

What campers like

Secluded camping areas: Many visitors appreciate the quieter sections of local campgrounds. At Rifrafters Campground, Larry M. recommends specific site selections: "Up front is a regular campground but we are in the back, secluded and peaceful. Site 34. There are about 8 nice sites out back with water and electricity."

River proximity: Kanawha State Forest offers camping along a stream. "The sites are all located along a winding road that parallels a river. Some sites are better than others!" notes Jacqueline K., though she cautions that some locations present accessibility challenges: "Our site was very hilly and the picnic table and fire pit were a bit treacherous to get to."

Clean bathhouses: Multiple pet-friendly campgrounds maintain well-kept facilities. "New bathrooms. Sites are well spaced and clean," writes Sabrina B. about Kanawha State Forest, while another camper at a different location mentioned updated shower buildings.

What you should know

Site levelness varies significantly: Many campgrounds feature hilly terrain requiring leveling equipment. As Angelo V. observes at Kanawha State Forest: "After you get off the highway expect narrow twists and turns to reach the park, the park itself isn't nearly as bad as the stretch between highway and park entrance."

Connectivity limitations: Cell service ranges from none to spotty throughout the region. According to one camper at Rippling Waters Church of God Campgrounds: "There is no Wi-Fi or cable and the cell signal with Verizon was one bar at best." Plan accordingly if you need reliable communications.

Water quality considerations: Some campgrounds have heavily chlorinated water. One visitor noted: "The water is pretty strong so you may want to use a regulator. Water also had a strong odor of chlorine. After showers I felt like I was just getting out of a pool. So keep that in mind, might want a filter besides the typical blue filters."

Tips for camping with families

Playground access: When booking with children, request sites near play areas. At Mountain Lake Campground and Cabins, one parent shared: "Our camp site was right next to one of the playgrounds and that was definitely a plus! Our little boy could play while we watched from our site."

Wildlife viewing opportunities: Many campgrounds offer chances to see local animals. "Lots of deer, we even saw a mother with 2 fawn! They had a mini golf course, a small pool, a jumping pad, and an ice cream shop in the general store," reports Katie J. about the family-friendly amenities and wildlife sightings.

Swimming options beyond lakes: Beyond natural water features, some campgrounds offer pools for families concerned about lake swimming. As one camper mentioned: "Weekend activities for the kids, putt putt, a pool, several swingset/play areas" provide alternatives for entertainment.

Tips from RVers

Road access challenges: Several campgrounds have difficult approach roads. "The GPS led us up a gravel road with no signs for miles. Internet and cell service cut out within a mile up that road and we were not sure we were going the right way," warns Brooke V. about one forest access road. When towing larger rigs, research the specific route in advance.

Hookup limitations: Note that some campgrounds offer only partial hookups. At New River Campground, a visitor points out: "Be prepared to dry camp as there are no water hookups. That would be the only negative for us."

Free overnight options: For travelers passing through, Saint Albans Roadside Park provides no-cost RV spots. "Wonderful overnight stop. Free electricity (30 amp). 3 spots available, first come first serve, no reservation. 2 nights max," reports Andrea W., making it a budget-friendly option for pet owners on the move.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Victor, WV?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Victor, WV is Kanawha State Forest with a 4.2-star rating from 27 reviews.

What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Victor, WV?

TheDyrt.com has all 60 dog-friendly camping locations near Victor, WV, with real photos and reviews from campers.