Camping opportunities around West Columbia, West Virginia provide access to Ohio River recreation and nearby state forests. The area sits at approximately 600 feet elevation in the Appalachian foothills with moderate temperatures during camping season from April through October. Most campgrounds in this region require reservations during peak summer months, though winter camping is limited to only a few locations.
What to do
Hiking trails: Lake Hope State Park offers diverse hiking options through the surrounding Zaleski State Forest. "The trails are superb...tall canopies, fern ground cover, a wild assortment of fungi and wildlife at every turn. The terrain is undulating but very doable," notes Dave V. at Lake Hope State Park Campground.
Disc golf courses: Several area parks provide free disc golf access within 30 minutes of West Columbia. "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 but the campsites were nice in a simple kind of way," reports Dan N. about Forked Run State Park Campground.
Water recreation: Boating and fishing opportunities exist throughout the region, with most lakes having horsepower restrictions. "The lake was nice but I am not sure if they recently had some weather that caused it to be pretty brown/muddy, or if that's normal," mentions Shane T. regarding Forked Run's lake conditions.
What campers like
Privacy levels: Zaleski State Forest provides more secluded camping experiences. "All of the campsites have multiple areas for different hikers and each is relatively secluded from the others so you can be by yourself. All campsites have an outhouse and potable water all within easy reach," explains Bryn S. from Zaleski State Forest.
Swimming options: Beaches and swimming areas provide summer relief with varying cleanliness levels. "The lake and the beach are very nice! Sometimes the water isn't very clean. Often times the beach is littered with goose droppings," reports Lucille W. about Strouds Run State Park Campground.
Wildlife viewing: Campgrounds throughout the region offer deer, bird, and small mammal watching opportunities. "We enjoyed a full hookup site. The spots aren't very spacious but there's lots of trees nearby and an easy walk to get to Old Mans Cave," notes Elana C. at Hocking Hills State Park Campground.
What you should know
Bathroom conditions: Facility quality varies significantly between campgrounds in the region. "Showers were clean but only central and shared between all loops. We drove through loop 1 on our way out and it looked to be kept up better and cleaner," mentions Shane T. about Forked Run.
Reservation systems: Many area campgrounds require different payment methods. "They only accept cash or check and you pay when you get there. I wasn't assigned a reservation number but the owner said assured me I had a spot booked," explains Karen about Krodel Park Campground.
Site variability: Campsite quality differs even within the same campground. "Sites are very small and very unlevel, had to raise back of camper and put front about a 1/4 inch off ground to get close to level. Site around is sloped in all directions," reports Daniel from Lake Hope State Park.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Water features provide entertainment beyond standard camping. "There is a nice little beach area along the lake. Several large pavilions. Playground for the kids. During the summer they set up large inflatable slides and create a makeshift lake waterpark!" notes Lucille W. about Lake Snowden Campground.
Quiet weekday options: Consider timing for the best family camping experience. "Our family has camped here for many years and up to 10 days at a time. Looking forward to our next trip and hitting the beach again," recommends Michelle D. about Forked Run State Park.
Pet-friendly considerations: While most campgrounds welcome pets, restrictions apply at beaches and certain trails. "If you tent camp they don't allow access to the bathrooms other than a porta potty open to the public and no showers either. Kinda messed up," reports Nicholas I. about Krodel Park.
Tips from RVers
Private camping options: For more spacious RV camping near West Columbia, consider commercial options. "Our stay at this incredible campground was nothing short of magical. With three spacious gravel sites nestled in a quiet, serene setting, it truly felt like our own private escape from the world," shares Hannah about Farver Acres.
Utility connections: RV sites vary in hookup quality throughout the region. "Water, electric sewer, and Wi-Fi all work great. It is a very private setting and beautiful views," notes Chris F. about Farver Acres.
Site access challenges: Many campgrounds have tight turns and limited maneuvering space. "Pulled in late at night around 9pm, map was slightly confusing and our site number was facing the opposite direction of what you would think. The sites are very tight and hard to pull into," cautions Luna L. about Krodel Park Campground.
