Best Campgrounds near Wardensville, WV

The Monongahela National Forest surrounds Wardensville, West Virginia, providing multiple camping options within a short drive. Wolf Gap Recreation Area offers nine primitive campsites with tent platforms, picnic tables, and fire rings in a wooded setting. Hawk Recreation Area provides free, secluded camping atop a mountain with basic amenities. Trout Pond Recreation Area, located down Thorny Bottom Road, features both tent and RV sites with some electric hookups, plus access to a clear mountain lake for swimming and fishing. Squirrel Hollow Road offers dispersed camping opportunities for those seeking more solitude.

Road conditions vary significantly throughout the region, with many forest service roads requiring careful navigation. The gravel road leading to Trout Pond Recreation Area is described as "a bit windy but doable" according to one visitor who recommended approaching "from Wardensville, WV and down 16 rather than trying to cross the mountain." Most campgrounds in the area are seasonal, typically operating from early May through late November, though Wolf Gap remains open year-round. Cell service is extremely limited throughout the region, making advance planning essential. Summer temperatures typically range from 60°F at night to 80°F during the day, while spring and fall can bring significant rainfall.

Campers consistently praise the natural beauty and seclusion of sites near Wardensville. "The campsite itself is beautifully wooded. Each campsite is mostly secluded from the rest of the park," noted one visitor to Wolf Gap. Water features are particularly popular, with Trout Pond offering "crystal clear" water where "the bottom can be seen at depths over 8 feet." Wildlife sightings are common, with deer frequently spotted at dawn and dusk. While most campgrounds provide vault toilets, shower facilities are limited to Trout Pond Recreation Area. Visitors seeking supplies can find them in Wardensville, which has been "recently re-invigorated and worth a look," particularly the Lost River Trading Post, which offers local goods and refreshments. The surrounding mountains provide excellent hiking opportunities, with multiple trailheads accessible from campgrounds.

Best Camping Sites Near Wardensville, West Virginia (164)

    1. Hawk Recreation Area Campground

    15 Reviews
    Star Tannery, VA
    6 miles
    Website

    "Although it's not immediately convenient to the various hiking trails in the Lee Ranger district of Washington-Jefferson NF, this little site is tucked away atop a mountain far from any crowds."

    "Tent sites are rough, some outside ring sites have tent pads."

    2. Wolf Gap

    20 Reviews
    Basye, VA
    12 miles
    Website

    $20 / night

    "Camped here two nights: first night in main area near bathrooms, second night across the street in the overflow camping area. We actually preferred the second night more than the first!"

    "Easy access to hiking trails."

    3. Andy Guest/Shenandoah River State Park Campground

    56 Reviews
    Bentonville, VA
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (540) 622-6840

    $30 - $40 / night

    "In my opinion it has the best location of the 3 Turks they have. It’s it the woods close to a boat landing you can see a bit of the river. In the fall or spring I’m sure the view is amazing."

    "Private showers, no WiFi, firewood on site, lots of shade, trails and walking distance to the river. Highly recommended. Close access to Shenandoah National Park."

    4. The Cove Campground

    15 Reviews
    High View, WV
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (540) 858-2882

    "Several rustic campsites with a large lake for the kids, and miles of off road trails for atvs, jeeps, and dirtbikes."

    "The road is gravel and could use some work, I’d recommend 4x4 drive. We really enjoyed it and will go back. The reason for 4 stars instead of 5, water situation and the roads could use some work."

    5. Creekside Campground

    17 Reviews
    Edinburg, VA
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (540) 984-4299

    $26 - $47 / night

    "We spent 2 nights at Creekside Campground in Edinburg, VA on our way to West Virginia—- and found a real gem.  We paid$50/night for Back-in Creekview FHU Site#20."

    "We had a large grass space with water and power on the edge of a beautiful creek and enjoyed the sounds of it both nights."

    6. Trout Pond Recreation Area

    6 Reviews
    Baker, WV
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (304) 897-6450

    $25 - $105 / night

    "There were other trails too. We also hiked the Rockcliff lake trail which was rocky at spots but pretty level. There’s a boat launch for non powered boats, and fishing spots along the lake."

    "The area closes completely (entrance gate is locked) from Dec 21 - May 1. The site was super clean and well maintained. Lots of hiking trails and a very easy one that loops around the Rockcliff Lake."

    7. Mathews Arm Campground — Shenandoah National Park

    45 Reviews
    Rileyville, VA
    27 miles
    Website
    +1 (540) 999-3132

    $30 - $75 / night

    "This is a nice and very large campground tucked away in the northern part of Shenandoah. The facilities and grounds were well kept and it’s a short car’s travel (but there’s also a trail!)"

    "There are a few trails encompassing and leading out from the campground, and it's nice to have a central location from which you can out on small hikes."

    8. Squirrel Hollow Road Camping

    2 Reviews
    Wardensville, WV
    3 miles

    "Sites are located less than a mile from the paved highway. We found 5 spots just off the road. All were easily accessible by cat or with a small teardrop trailer."

    9. Middle Ridge Campground

    22 Reviews
    Romney, WV
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (304) 822-8020

    "It is not near a main highway unless you call Route 50 through Romney a main highway. It is west of town up a curved mountain road. It is on the top area of "Middle Ridge" mountain. "

    "Very positive experience."

    10. Big Meadows Campground — Shenandoah National Park

    120 Reviews
    Stanley, VA
    39 miles
    Website
    +1 (540) 999-3500

    $30 - $75 / night

    "While the campground is very nice, with clean conveniently located bathrooms, the site itself is probably not suited for a large group of people."

    "Our site had the AT running right behind it. The was plenty of access to trails, and pretty central to the park. The campground is near showers, laundry, campstore, and visitor center."

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Recent Reviews near Wardensville, WV

1220 Reviews of 164 Wardensville Campgrounds


  • Gina T.
    Oct. 19, 2025

    Middle Ridge Campground

    Loved it!

    This was our first experience camping.  We just retired and rented a camper for a trial run and we just loved it.  It was quiet there and I slept like a baby.  Very positive experience.

  • LThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 19, 2025

    Mathews Arm Campground — Shenandoah National Park

    Love this Campground

    I love camping in Matthews Arm, it has a flush toilet restroom. The site A7 has a hug parking, can fit RVs and spacious area for tent, table, fire pit. Only downside is that the tent pad is kind of connected to site A09, so privacy is not the best.

  • Zach L.
    Oct. 17, 2025

    Harrisonburg - Shenandoah Valley KOA

    Fall Leaf Peeping Trip

    We stayed here for 3 nights. Perfect campground with everything you need. Bathrooms are very clean. Ice, propane, and other items are available on site at the store. Halloween was in full effect including a haunted walk. Sites are spacious and have natural stone in ground fire pits instead of rusted metal rims which adds character. Dog park, pool, and plenty of games are available on site. Harrisonburg is down the road if you to need to stop in town.

  • Jack W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 16, 2025

    South Fork Shenandoah River

    Great dispersed spot

    Only a few spots around, but beautiful spot right on the river with fire pits. No other amenities but it was exactly what we were looking for

  • Spencer W.
    Oct. 13, 2025

    Cedar Creek Trail dispersed campsite

    Cedar Creek Trail Dispersed Campsite

    Went to Stultz gap and was a little unimpressed. Drove about 10 minutes further north on the same road.

    Location is approximate. After the intersection, the road will turn into a trail (marked by a metal gate) and there is a campsite right there.

    Was very peaceful and clean. Had an established fire ring.

  • Spencer W.
    Oct. 13, 2025

    Stultz Gap Dispersed Campsite

    Stultz Gap Dispersed Camping

    The spot itself is right next to the road. The map seems to indicate trails connected but they appear very overgrown.

    Appears some may use this with horses as some small amount of waste was left behind.

    We ended up driving about 10-15 minutes further north along the same road and found a nicer spot with an established fire ring.

  • Brian B.
    Oct. 12, 2025

    The Retreat at Shenandoah Meadows

    Great place, zero oversight…

    First, let me say that the viewers at this campground are incredible. We stayed there this September and my family had a fantastic time in their cabins. When we got there, we found our cabin and these had codes to be able to enter. All was fine till we started looking at bathrooms.

    None of the bathroom facilities are labeled, male or female, but it was just our family there so it wasn’t a really big deal. Later on in the weekend, another group showed up, and then we felt as though we needed to try and find or figure out another way to ensure that the girls were safe.

    Every building in the campground is open you can walk literally anywhere you would like. Nobody is there to enforce anything. We had such a good time, that I still give it four stars. We had such good views that I would still give it four stars. But I would be aware of what you’re going to.

  • R
    Oct. 10, 2025

    Middle Ridge Campground

    Good place to stay for a night

    This is a good place to stay in an area along Hwy 50 where there aren’t many other options. The host was friendly and helpful. The campground is clean and safe. The bathrooms are fine with a good shower and hot water. There is a swimming pool although it was closed for the season when I was here.


Guide to Wardensville

Camping near Wardensville, West Virginia offers outdoor enthusiasts access to the Monongahela National Forest at elevations ranging from 900 to 4,000 feet across the region. Summer daytime temperatures typically hover in the 70s with nighttime lows in the 50s, while autumn brings more dramatic temperature swings of 30-40 degrees between day and night. Many forest service roads accessing the most remote camping areas require high-clearance vehicles, particularly after periods of heavy rainfall.

What to do

Hiking to views: 1-2 hours from Wolf Gap provides access to Big Schloss, which "offers one of the most unique views in the region" according to Andrew M. The trail is steep in places but manageable for most hikers with proper footwear.

Target practice: 30-minute drive to The Cove Campground where campers can use the outdoor gun range. "On top of them having an outdoor gun range... they have a small beach, picnic tabels everywhere, a volleyball ball sand court, a dock, you can fish in the lake, rent non motorboats," notes Shanna B., making it suitable for multi-activity days.

Off-road trails: 8+ miles of ATV-friendly paths at The Cove Campground let you explore the surrounding forest. "With great trails, a lake, and outdoor shooting range we can easily spend the whole weekend or longer," reports Victoriana P., who visits regularly to escape the DC suburbs.

Wildlife watching: Early morning at Hawk Recreation Area Campground provides opportunities to spot bears. "Saw one in the first hour of camping," reports Jakob D., who appreciated the solitude. Deer are also common at dawn and dusk throughout the region's campgrounds.

What campers like

Free camping options: Campers appreciate that Hawk Recreation Area Campground costs nothing and allows stays up to 21 days. Grace D. notes there are "sites in a loop, these are numbered and near the water pump and the vault toilet. There are also dispersed sites along some of the gravel roads around the official campground."

Mountain-top camping: The elevation at Hawk Recreation Area provides a cooler camping experience in summer. Aaron W. describes it as "tucked away atop a mountain far from any crowds. Not too long a drive to get there, but long enough for some seclusion."

Crystal clear water: Trout Pond Recreation Area features Rockcliff Lake which Fred F. describes as "throbbing with freshwater jellyfish. Very clean campground." The swimming beach has sand and is suitable for families with children of all ages.

Private campsites: Many campers appreciate the spacing between sites at Wolf Gap. One camper notes, "Wolf Gap is great—the campsites are high quality and well-maintained. There's overflow camping across the road, which is good since this campground usually fills up on good weekends."

What you should know

Road conditions vary: The drive to Squirrel Hollow Road Camping requires careful navigation. Kevin C. reports, "Sites are located less than a mile from the paved highway. We found 5 spots just off the road. All were easily accessible by car or with a small teardrop trailer." Other forest roads in the area can be significantly more challenging.

Water availability issues: At Hawk Recreation Area, the water pump is frequently out of service. Ray G. reports, "The water pump was out of order during my visit. I saw a ranger come and check on it." Always bring extra water when camping in this area.

Seasonal population shifts: Weekends bring significantly more visitors to Wolf Gap. Michelle M. notes that "This was a great midweek site. The reservation board is straightforward... The weekend folks ceased to use the reservation board system and were very noisy."

Site registration protocols: At Wolf Gap and Hawk Recreation Area, self-registration systems require campers to claim sites. Meredith P. emphasizes: "If you go— REGISTER. It takes all of two minutes and helps arriving campers figure out if there's actually space."

Tips for camping with families

Water recreation options: For families with children, Shenandoah River State Park Campground offers river access for swimming and fishing. Matt P. notes "the primitive spots are right next to the river. The spots are a short walk from the parking area and the campground provides wagons to transport your stuff. Great fishing and swimming right at your camping spot."

Kid-friendly programming: Weekend children's activities at Shenandoah River State Park provide structured entertainment. Melissa T. mentions "the children's programs offered on the weekends were great too."

Easy-access campsites: Families with young children should consider Squirrel Hollow Road. Jon D. describes "Large campsites and relatively quiet. We took two vehicles and found several suitable sites." The relatively flat terrain and proximity to the main road make it manageable for parents with small children.

Wildlife education opportunities: The high frequency of deer sightings at Shenandoah River State Park creates natural learning moments. Susan P. emphasizes "The river. The views. The experience. It's all good," making it suitable for nature education with children.

Tips from RVers

Size restrictions: Wolf Gap can accommodate smaller camping trailers but has limitations. Vy N. shares, "We were pulling a 15' trailer and could only access the sites from driving reverse along the one way road. The trailer barely fit the back-in site and we were able to detach and park our vehicle perpendicular to the trailer. It was perfect for our set up, but I wouldn't recommend anything larger than 15'."

Water management: RVers at Trout Pond Recreation Area should arrive with tanks full. One visitor advises: "Unless you have a powerful vehicle pulling your camper, it would help to release your water supply and fill up when you get to the campground." The steep mountain roads make towing a fully loaded water tank challenging.

Hookup limitations: Most campgrounds near Wardensville offer minimal or no hookups. At Elizabeth Furnace Campground, William B. explains: "I would call this primitive camping as there is no electric or water hookups at the campsites. There is potable water at multiple locations that you can fill up an RV tank."

Site selection strategy: RVers should arrive early for the best sites at Trout Pond. Laure D. notes: "We were in site 12 which was small for our RV (22 ft total pulled by our F-150) but we worked it out. Site 14 is a buddy electric site. There are a few other buddy sites with no hookups. Site 11 and 13 both look nice and a bit more length to them and have electric (15 amp)."

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there RV rentals available in Wardensville, West Virginia?

While Wardensville itself has limited RV rental options, you can find RV accommodations at nearby campgrounds. Canaan Valley Resort State Park Campground offers full hookup RV sites at reasonable rates with plenty of shade trees. For those bringing their own RVs, Harpers Ferry Campground - River Riders provides dedicated RV sites in a convenient location. To find RV rentals, check with these campgrounds directly or look for rental companies in larger nearby towns. Many visitors to the Wardensville area bring their own RVs rather than renting locally.

What camping amenities and outdoor activities are available in Wardensville, WV?

The Wardensville area offers diverse camping experiences with excellent amenities. Wolf Gap Recreation Area features 9 spacious campsites with picnic tables and fire rings, accessible via well-maintained roads. For outdoor activities, the region excels with hiking opportunities at Seneca Shadows, offering some of West Virginia's most stunning mountain views and access to premier climbing at Seneca Rocks. The area also provides excellent fishing, mountain biking, and stargazing opportunities. West Virginia's abundant forests, rivers, and mountains around Wardensville create perfect conditions for nature enthusiasts year-round, with winter bringing snow activities and summer offering water recreation.

What camping is available near Wardensville, WV?

According to TheDyrt.com, Wardensville, WV offers a wide range of camping options, with 164 campgrounds and RV parks near Wardensville, WV and 23 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Wardensville, WV?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Wardensville, WV is Hawk Recreation Area Campground with a 4.3-star rating from 15 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Wardensville, WV?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 23 free dispersed camping spots near Wardensville, WV.

What parks are near Wardensville, WV?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 20 parks near Wardensville, WV that allow camping, notably Jennings Randolph Lake and Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park.