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Brandywine Lake Campground — Shenandoah Wildlife Management Area

SUMMARY PRESENTED BYT-Mobile

Swimming, fishing, and kayaking are all accessible from Brandywine Lake Campground, a Forest Service site set within George Washington National Forest near the Virginia border. The campground sits at the base of a mountain on mostly level ground, which makes walking between sites and the lake straightforward. The lake has a small beach area, a fishing dock, and enough water for floating, though water levels can run low in summer. Several hiking trails begin directly at the campground.

Sites vary in privacy and proximity to the bathhouse. Some include bear boxes; most have a fire ring, a grill grate, and a nearby drinking water spigot. The bathhouse draws consistent praise for cleanliness, and the showers run hot. Midweek visits tend to see light occupancy, with reviewers noting only a handful of other groups on Monday and early June stays. Cell service is unreliable to nonexistent throughout the campground, and heavy tree cover makes satellite internet difficult as well.

Denis P. calls it a "quiet offline stay in nature," which fits the experience reviewers consistently describe. Payment is self-serve at $20 per night, with discounts available for certain groups. An on-site host keeps the grounds well-maintained. The village of Brandywine is a short drive away with a general store and a Family Dollar for resupply. Campers looking at campgrounds near George Washington National Forest will find this one among the more developed options in the area. Note that pets are not permitted. Switzer Lake Dispersed Camping across the Virginia line offers a more rustic alternative for those who want fewer amenities and more solitude.

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Map & DirectionsBrandywine Lake Campground is located in West Virginia near Brandywine

Detail location of campground
Public Campground

Coordinates

38.595278 N
79.199722 W

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Connectivity

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    Verified by 1 user
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Connectivity

Presented byT-MobileT-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoorsLearn More
  • signal strength bars
    T-Mobile
    No Coverage
    Verified by 1 user
  • signal strength bars
    Verizon
    No Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    AT&T
    No Coverage

Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site
  • Walk-In
    Park in a lot, walk to your site.

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • RV Sites
  • Standard (Tent/RV)
  • Group

Features

For Campers

  • ADA Access
  • Trash
  • Picnic Table
  • Phone Service
  • Showers
  • Drinking Water
  • Toilets
  • Fires

For Vehicles

  • Sanitary Dump

Contact

General Info

Drive Time


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Reviews9 Camper Reviews - Brandywine Lake Campground

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5 Stars

4 Stars

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1 Star

67%
33%
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4.5

out of 5

9 Reviews

Guests regularly cited the clean facilities, spacious sites, and friendly hosts as major highlights. The lake offers swimming and fishing opportunities, though visitors should expect no cell service throughout the campground.

SUMMARY PRESENTED BYT-Mobile
Reviewed Jun. 11, 2025

Great clean campground, but not for remote work

We stayed here in early June with a tent— only 5 sites were occupied, so it felt quiet and peaceful. The campground is very clean, with plenty of trash bins and protected drinking water spigots— almost every site has one nearby. Each site has a fire ring and a grill grate, which was a nice touch. 

The bathrooms were spotless, and the showers were hot— almost too hot! Definitely one of the best free showers we’ve had. 

Payment is self-serve:$20 per night in the box, with discounts available for various groups. 

  • Heads-up: There’s no cell service at the sites. 

  • Starlink users beware: 0/5— the entire campground is under heavy tree cover.

 Would recommend for a quiet offline stay in nature.

Site4
Month of VisitJune
Reviewed Jul. 24, 2024

Drive on up to site!

Clean, comfortable campground with spacious sites. Some of the sites are very private, others are a little less. Some have bear boxes and some are a lot closer to bath house than others. There is a large overflow lot available and set up for campers. However, we went on a Monday night and only shared the campground with 4 other groups of campers. Hosts are on site and both friendly and informative. Hiking trails nearby and some start at campground. Lake is low but still good for swimming or floating. We had a very peaceful night, even with the rain. Recommend!

Site25
Month of VisitJuly
  • Review photo of Brandywine Lake Campground — Shenandoah Wildlife Management Area by Sarah C., July 24, 2024
  • Review photo of Brandywine Lake Campground — Shenandoah Wildlife Management Area by Sarah C., July 24, 2024
  • Review photo of Brandywine Lake Campground — Shenandoah Wildlife Management Area by Sarah C., July 24, 2024
  • (17) View All
Reviewed Sep. 5, 2022

Beautiful area

Amazing doesn'teven describe how beautiful this place is. A short walk from your campsite to the lake to enjoy kayaking, fishing, swimming and picnicking. The camp has a bath house with showers. The camp host is very nice and keeps the campground spotless. Spotty cell service but you won't miss your phone at all. There's quiet time from 10P-6a and everyone complied. The campground is near the village of Brandywine and has a family dollar and a general store for anything you forgot. I will definitely come back again and again

Month of VisitSeptember
  • Review photo of Brandywine Lake Campground — Shenandoah Wildlife Management Area by Krista D., September 5, 2022
  • Review photo of Brandywine Lake Campground — Shenandoah Wildlife Management Area by Krista D., September 5, 2022
  • Review photo of Brandywine Lake Campground — Shenandoah Wildlife Management Area by Krista D., September 5, 2022
  • (4) View All
Reviewed Sep. 5, 2022

BEAUTIFUL BRANDYWINE

The most beautiful little place you’d ever want to camp. The camp host is super friendly and makes you feel at home right away. Nice lake to swim, fish & kayak. The sites are spacious and private. The campground is so well maintained and the bathrooms are the cleanest I’ve ever seen while camping. The view of the stars at night is breathtaking. My favorite place on earth.

Site12
Month of VisitSeptember
  • Review photo of Brandywine Lake Campground — Shenandoah Wildlife Management Area by Beth R., September 5, 2022
  • Review photo of Brandywine Lake Campground — Shenandoah Wildlife Management Area by Beth R., September 5, 2022
  • Review photo of Brandywine Lake Campground — Shenandoah Wildlife Management Area by Beth R., September 5, 2022
  • (6) View All
Reviewed Jul. 30, 2022

Great "Beach" for kids, nice lake

I love this campground because they have showers & toilets there,  a fun beach on the lake for swimming and a fishing dock as well.  There's actually woods around with you hiking trails unlike a lot of campgrounds ive seen recently.

Month of VisitSeptember
Reviewed Jun. 17, 2020

Remote but still close to civilization

Fairly level, though its at the base of a mountain. Just over the mountain from Virginia. No cell phone service. Nice lake to play at and a couple nice hiking trails right off the campground.

Reviewed Apr. 26, 2020

Go Jump In Lake

It was nice to jump in lake on hot July day.  

Cell phone service is nonexistent

People were nice

Reviewed Jun. 7, 2018

great camp

This campground is mostly level, so bike riding for kids is great, walking to the lake or shower houses is very easy for those who have trouble with hills. The lake has a small but clean beach. There is no phone service. Cellphones will not work. You need to drive 10 minutes to local stores to call for help. There are a couple stores very close by and a local pizza place (excellent by the way) I did not see any place that you could purchase firewood.

Month of VisitJuly
Reviewed Aug. 31, 2017

The highlight of our eclipse trip

I can't express how much I loved this place. Situated in the beautiful George Washington national forest, you'll be hard pressed to find a cheaper, nicer site. When we went, it was $16 a night, and that's a steal where I'm from. My husband, dog and I stayed for two nights, and got the best sleep of our lives, since it was so dark and beautiful here. You'll be hard pressed to find a darker sky on the east coast. The bath house was nice and clean, and the sites were nice and accommodating.

I would definitely recommend this place, and plan on coming back in the future.

Site3
Month of VisitAugust
  • Review photo of Brandywine Lake Campground — Shenandoah Wildlife Management Area by Anne M., August 31, 2017

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get to Brandywine Lake Recreation Area in WV?

Brandywine Lake Recreation Area is located at the base of a mountain in the George Washington National Forest, just over the mountain from Virginia. The campground is situated in the Shenandoah Wildlife Management Area of West Virginia. For specific directions, it's best to use a GPS or map before arriving as there is no cell service at the campground itself. Local stores are approximately a 10-minute drive from the campground if you need supplies or to make calls.

What amenities are available at Brandywine Lake Campground in West Virginia?

Brandywine Lake Campground offers several amenities to make your stay comfortable. The campground features clean shower houses and toilets, protected drinking water spigots near most sites, and fire rings with grill grates at each site. Campsites are spacious and relatively level, making them suitable for various camping setups. Some sites include bear boxes for food storage. The campground is well-maintained with plenty of trash bins throughout. While the campground provides these essentials, be aware that there is no cell phone service in the area, so plan accordingly for your stay.

What recreational activities can I enjoy at Brandywine Lake in West Virginia?

Brandywine Lake offers numerous recreational activities for visitors. The lake features a clean beach area perfect for swimming, especially refreshing on hot summer days. Fishing is popular from the dedicated dock, and the lake is suitable for kayaking. Several hiking trails lead directly from the campground into the surrounding woods, providing opportunities to explore the natural beauty of the area. The campground's level terrain is great for bike riding, particularly for children. With spacious sites and picnic areas near the lake, you can also enjoy relaxing outdoor meals in this peaceful setting.

Are there photos of Brandywine Lake Campground to view before visiting?

Yes, photos of Brandywine Lake Campground are available online through various camping websites and platforms, including The Dyrt. These images typically showcase the beautiful lake, spacious campsites, and surrounding forested areas. Photos often highlight the clean beach area, fishing dock, hiking trails, and campsite layouts. Viewing these photos before your trip can help you better understand the campground's layout, amenities, and natural setting to prepare for your visit.