The Greenbrier River Trail offers 77 miles of equestrian-friendly terrain through the Allegheny Mountains. Elevation ranges from 1,400 to 2,000 feet along this converted railroad corridor. During summer months, daytime temperatures typically reach the mid-80s while nighttime can drop into the 50s, creating ideal conditions for horse camping excursions.
What to do
Mountain biking opportunities: The trail system surrounding Bolar Mountain Recreation Area provides several routes for cyclists of varying skill levels. "We rented kayaks at the marina/camp store down the road and explored a little cove that was really cool. We blocked out 4 hours, but only lasted 2 hours before we got tired and returned the kayaks," notes Joanna G.
Swimming spots: Several access points along the Greenbrier River provide cooling relief during warm weather. "This place is amazing. I could stay here every weekend and not get tired of it. Warm water, fresh air, no service," reports Blake B. about Bolar Mountain Recreation Area's swimming options.
Hiking trails: Explore the wilderness around Camp Creek State Park where several waterfall trails begin near the campground. "The hiking is difficult in some areas but spectacularly beautiful," shares Julie B., who visited during fall foliage season.
What campers like
River access: The Cranberry River Sites offer numerous fishing spots along a maintained riverside path. "The River offers both stocked trout fishing along with wild trout tribs in a few places. You can pretty much camp where ever you'd like and there are also Adirondack style shelters in various spots along the trail," explains Mike F.
Privacy between sites: Many campers appreciate the layout at Douthat State Park Campground where vegetation creates natural boundaries. "The sites are large but there really aren't trees between sites although we were on a corner and so had some sense of privacy," notes Diane P., who visited during November.
Bathroom facilities: Clean, well-maintained facilities matter to overnight visitors. "Showers were the best of any campground I've seen- water gets as hot as you'd like, with great water pressure and plenty of hooks and towel racks," reports Nicole M. about Camp Creek State Park's amenities.
What you should know
Weather considerations: Late spring through early fall provides the most reliable camping weather. "In late June, temperatures were still quite cool, so while the river looked inviting, we did not take the plunge," recalls Dave V. about his visit to Greenbrier River Trail Milepost 63.8 Primitive Campsite.
Trail conditions: The Greenbrier River Trail surface varies considerably throughout its length. "Trail conditions got soft and muddy after the previous night's deluge through the more heavily wooded areas, once the trail was exposed to constant sun, it dried quickly," according to Dave V.
Cell service limitations: Most areas have limited or no connectivity. "No service for Verizon users... Sites have wifi but I could only get it to work 20% of the time," shares Nicole M. about her stay at Camp Creek State Park.
Tips for camping with families
Playgrounds and recreation: Camp Creek State Park offers family-friendly amenities near the campground loop. "Playground, basketball, volleyball, laundry, several hiking trails including trails to two waterfalls, and an ADA-accessible short trail," notes Lee D.
Cabin options: For families wanting more shelter, CB Ranch provides cabin accommodations with creature comforts. "The cabin was decorated very nicely and was clean and the bed was very comfy also. The farm is 4 miles from a quaint small town with shops and great restaurants," explains Cheryl B.
Swimming areas: Several locations offer designated swimming spots safe for children. "Campground 2 site 53, has a nice private beach area where you can go fishing or swim. Bring water shoes, the rocks can be sharp," advises Nicole R. about Bolar Mountain Recreation Area.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Douthat State Park offers several camping areas with different characteristics. "Whispering Pines is a few miles away along the entry road and has a different character. It's a very flat and wide-open campground perfect for big RVs with much larger sites," explains Jeremy W.
Hookup availability: Utility connections vary considerably between campgrounds. "All camper pads are paved, have a generous camper pad length, and most are spread a decent amount of space apart," shares Lee D. about Mash Fork Campground at Camp Creek State Park.
Seasonal considerations: Not all facilities remain operational year-round. "We were told there was one open bathroom however it was not made clear this was 1-2 miles away which was not exactly convenient. Rustic camping is fine when we have planned for it," cautions Jessica D. about Camp Creek during off-season.