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 (162)

    1. Hawk Recreation Area Campground

    15 Reviews
    Star Tannery, KY
    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, WV
    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, VA
    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

    44 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. 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."

    10. Haven

    2 Reviews
    Star Tannery, VA
    8 miles
    +1 (301) 801-1279
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Recent Reviews near Wardensville, WV

1205 Reviews of 162 Wardensville Campgrounds


  • AThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 14, 2025

    Middle Ridge Campground

    Large wooded sites

    The owners are so friendly and personable. The sites are actually in a wooded area not just a big field. Each site has full hookups. We will definitely return.

  • Zoey W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 13, 2025

    South Fork Shenandoah River

    Horrie Neighbors

    dont disregard the warnings about noise like i did, constant speakers all the time until 4am. i think its out of jurisdiction for park rangers so they wont do anything either

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 12, 2025

    South Fork Shenandoah River

    Riverside site

    The site at the end of the road is beautiful. We stayed right at the end of the road, since we have a 30 foot RV, but there are sites you can walk to all the way down the river. I saw one other site before ours. So limited, but we saw very few people. Got buggy at night, but that happens. Also wish people picked up their trash, but we helped. Absolutely recommend

  • EThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 6, 2025

    Harpers Ferry Campground - River Riders

    Awesome views on the Potomac

    Very cool spot. Amazing sites right on the Potomac. There is a Ale House above the office that delivers for free to your site (2.5 miles away), just tip the driver

  • Aileen C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 3, 2025

    Blackwater Falls State Park Campground

    Clean Campground in a Beautiful Park

    This is one of our favorite places. The park is beautiful, and so are the nearby Canaan Valley Wildlife Refuge and Canaan Valley State Park.

    The campground is better suited to tents and small to medium size camping units. I think the person who designed it was not familiar with camping units other than tents. Loop 1-30 is one way going clockwise. Loop 31-65 is one way going counterclockwise. But in both loops, to have your door facing away from the street, you have to drive counterclockwise if your site is on the outside of the loop, and clockwise if your site is inside the loop.  In some sites, the electric pedestal is on the wrong side, so you'll have to use a long cord and take it under your unit to reach your electric hookup.

    There are two water fill stations, one at the camp store where you check in, and the other at a water fountain near the bathhouse in loop 31-65. They are supplied supplied with a green garden hose, not a white potable water hose, so we unscrewed the hose and used our own. The water tastes unusually good.

    The dump station is in a section of loop 31-65. You have to go the wrong way on a one way road to be close enough for your slinky to reach it. The non potable rinse water is across this road from the dump station and it has a white hose--beware--this is not the drinking water! You stretch this hose across the road to rinse your gray and black tanks and slinky.

    Some of the sites are not very level, and many of the pull thru sites share some driveway space with another pull thru site or a back in site. There are two pairs of sites that share a pull thru--OK for people traveling together, but otherwise a headache if you're arriving and leaving at different times.

    Once you have dealt with all this inconvenience and oddness, you'll find you're within walking distance of the falls, a small lake, hiking trails that go through beautiful forests with rhododendrons, hemlocks, spruce, and hardwoods. The camp store is limited, but the staff is very friendly and helpful. The nature center is one of the best I've ever visited, and park naturalists provide programs on weekends. There are kayak rentals in summer. The lake has a swimming beach, but you can pay to use the swimming pool at the lodge for better swimming. The lodge also has a huge lobby with a cabinet containing jigsaw puzzles. We worked on one on a rainy day when we didn't want to be outside. Davis and Thomas have some interesting shops and good restaurants.When you get back after a day of adventures, you'll find clean restrooms with hot showers that are actually hot. And the T-Mobile service was good enough for my husband to stream a movie while I sent photos to my family. The park was very busy for Labor Day weekend, but it was a family atmosphere and after dark, there were few lights and little noise.

  • Joel R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 2, 2025

    Big Meadows Campground — Shenandoah National Park

    Quiet, lots of room

    This is a National Park campground so there are no hookups! Generators are allowed during designated hours. (Please don’t bring one.) Hot shower, bathrooms and laundry are available. Camp store with basics. The sites are large, some are not level but are workable. Lots of wildlife. Near trails.

  • Lee G.
    Sep. 2, 2025

    Big Bend Campground

    Big Bend Campground…Definitely Worth the Experience

    Big Bend Campground is a beautiful place with a great family atmosphere. The campsites are large and accommodate RVs and/or multiple tents. The best part about this place is the nearly 360° lazy river tubing experience. This place has no cell service and you’ll have to travel along a 2 1/2 mile dirt road to finally get to the campground. The Camp Hosts were great and offered a lot of local information and tips. While this is a great location and provides memorable adventures, it would be great if the picnic tables and some of the fire rings could be updated as they’re nearing the end of their service life. However, this is simply a great place to unhook from the daily grind.

  • Ronnie B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 2, 2025

    Hidden Springs Campground

    Labor Day Weekend

    It was packed-all went smoothly. From check in, wood delivery, and parking.

  • Werner S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 1, 2025

    KOA Luray RV Resort

    Just turned into a KOA?

    Wright next to the Luray caves and near the starting point of the Skyline drive. Nice, quietly located camping, surrounded by fields. You have all the necessary amenities that you would expect on a KOA camping. (I think they just now became KOA, last month it was still the big skies camping). There is a small but nice swimmingpool. Fun; lots of fireflies (in the right seasons?)


Guide to Wardensville

Camping near Wardensville, West Virginia, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and outdoor activities. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventure-filled getaway, this area has something for everyone.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Explore the numerous trails in the area. Campers have enjoyed the hiking opportunities, with one reviewer mentioning, "There are numerous hiking trails that vary in difficulty and distance" at Andy Guest/Shenandoah River State Park Campground.
  • Fishing: The nearby rivers provide great spots for fishing. A visitor at Mathews Arm Campground noted, "This park has some good hiking and river access."
  • Cavern Tours: Don’t miss the chance to visit the Luray Caverns. One camper at Endless Caverns RV Resort & Cottages said, "We loved the cavern tour. Our guide was very knowledgeable."

What campers like:

  • Scenic Views: Campers rave about the stunning landscapes. A reviewer at Spacious Skies Shenandoah Views mentioned, "Each campsite has a view of the Blue Ridge mountains in the distance."
  • Clean Facilities: Many campgrounds pride themselves on cleanliness. A visitor at Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Luray appreciated that "the bathrooms were clean and all in working order."
  • Friendly Staff: Campers often highlight the helpfulness of campground staff. One camper at Gooney Creek Campground said, "Pam, our gracious host and CG manager was friendly, helpful and very accommodating."

What you should know:

  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds, like Wolf Gap, do not offer drinking water or electric hookups. A camper noted, "There is no electricity or hookups at Matthew’s Arm."
  • Crowded Sites: Certain campgrounds can feel cramped. A visitor at Mathews Arm Campground mentioned, "The sites are a little close together, but it was quiet."
  • Wildlife Precautions: Be aware of wildlife, especially bears. One camper at Andy Guest/Shenandoah River State Park Campground appreciated the "placard fixed to the picnic table at my campsite with bear precautions."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Kid-Friendly Activities: Look for campgrounds with amenities for kids. A reviewer at Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Luray mentioned, "They offer tons of other adventures like laser tag, arcade, mini golf."
  • Choose Spacious Sites: Opt for campgrounds with larger sites to accommodate families. A camper at Gooney Creek Campground noted, "The spots are very big and you are well spread out."
  • Plan for Noise: Be prepared for some noise, especially near playgrounds. A visitor at Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Luray mentioned, "If you are looking for a peaceful experience, do not book near any of the play areas."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure to verify site sizes before booking. A reviewer at Candy Hill Campground advised, "If you have a small camper... you really need to look at site guides."
  • Be Prepared for Terrain: Some campgrounds have steep or narrow roads. A camper at Wolf Gap warned, "The road to get here was a little bit treacherous for a vehicle so big."
  • Look for Amenities: Choose campgrounds that offer the amenities you need. A visitor at Endless Caverns RV Resort & Cottages mentioned, "The campground is situated on a mountain and can be hard to maneuver."

Camping near Wardensville, West Virginia, provides a great mix of outdoor fun and relaxation. Whether you're in an RV or tent, there's something for everyone to enjoy!

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 162 campgrounds and RV parks near Wardensville, WV and 21 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 21 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.