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Established Camping

Stuart Recreation Area

Stuart Recreation Area, near Parsons, West Virginia, is a cozy campground tucked away in the Monongahela National Forest. With fewer than 30 sites, it offers a nice blend of privacy and nature, making it a great choice for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle.

The campground features spacious sites with flat gravel pads, perfect for both tents and RVs. Visitors have noted that the area is well-maintained, with clean facilities including flush toilets and a shower building, although some have mentioned that the showers were out of order during their stay. As one happy camper put it, “The campground and trail are filled with beautiful mountain laurel,” adding to the charm of the surroundings.

For those who enjoy a bit of adventure, there’s a 1.5-mile loop trail that provides a fun challenge and stunning views. If you’re in the mood for a swim or some fishing, there’s a nearby swimming hole that requires a small fee for access. Just keep in mind that the day-use area is a bit of a trek from the campsites, so plan accordingly if you’re bringing kids along.

While some campers have mentioned quirky experiences with camp hosts, the overall vibe is friendly and welcoming. If you’re looking for a peaceful retreat with a touch of wilderness, Stuart Recreation Area is worth checking out.

Description

US Forest Service

Monongahela National Forest

Overview

The Stuart Campground and Recreation Area is set in a mixed forest along the banks of the Shavers Fork River. The river provides excellent fishing and is regularly stocked with trout. Hiking trails lead to outstanding overlooks, local caves and Blackwater Falls. It is comprised of one campground, one group campground and a day-use area. The campground has 26 (25 single, 1 double) camping units with electric hookups, fire rings, lantern posts, picnic tables and paved spurs. In addition, there is a developed host site equipped with electrical, water, and sewage hookups. Most of the campground sites and facilities within it are ABA accessible. The campground contains two single-unit vault toilets, one double-unit vault toilet, and one six-unit flush restroom with four shower units all of which are accessible. The group campground contains one reservable site that will accommodate up to 40 people. The group campground contains fire rings, picnic tables, lantern posts, and two single-unit vault toilets. There is no electric at the group campground. Drinking water may be obtained from Stuart Campground. The group campground is not accessible. The day-use area contains three reservable pavilions. The _ Large _ Pavilion has electricity and can accommodate 100 people. There are two non-electric pavilions: the _ Small _ Pavilion is non-electric and can accommodate 50 people; the _ Alpena _ Pavilion is non-electric and can accommodate 25 people. The day use area also contains 5 separate vehicle parking areas, with space for approximately 25-40 vehicles in each lot, a 14 acre field (approximately), multiple picnic tables, multiple pedestal grills, four restroom facilities with two toilets in each restroom (two changing rooms located at one of the restrooms), a river-beach area, easy stream access to Shavers Fork of Cheat River, and volleyball net. The restrooms, changing areas, parking areas, Large and Small Pavilions are accessible. The entire 14 acre field (approximately) must be mowed and trimmed. Holder will be responsible for all grounds maintenance of the site and facilities. New for the 2025 season the day-use area also contains a historic cabin that was previously managed under the local Forest Service district office for storage and administrative use. It was recently fully renovated and has been added to this prospectus for future use as a rental. The cabin contains a fully furnished kitchen (overhead cabinets, refrigerator, oven/range, sink, and countertops with drawers underneath), a single full-bathroom (with standing shower, toilet, and sink), a study room with two desks, a living room (with two couches, and end tables), a second living/dining space (with table, chairs and benches), and two furnished bedrooms (with two single beds, night stands, standing closets, and lamps in each room 4 beds total). The cabin has electric heat, public water, and the sewer is tied into the on-site wastewater system. The cabin does not have air conditioning. Permit holder will be responsible for adding the cabin to the reservation system. Similar to all the other sites listed in this prospectus, the permit holder will be responsible for all daily upkeep of the cabin, check-in/check-out, as well as repair and replacement of consumables within the cabin. Due to the cabin being on the National Register of Historic Places, any proposed alterations/repairs to the cabin and the adjacent landscaping by the permit holder must be reviewed and approved by the Forest Supervisor in conjunction with consultation with the Forest Service Archaeologist and the States Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) prior to implementation. Applicants must consider the cost of cabin maintenance, upkeep, and cleaning as part of their business operations when calculating operating costs. Applicants must include a proposed nightly fee for the cabin within the fee structure portion of the application. There is one trash dumpster located at the Stuart Recreation Area and one trash dumpster located in the campground for garbage collection and disposal. There are individual trash bins located at each of the shelters and at the group campground. There is one recreation vehicle dump station in the recreation area located adjacent to the campground. The average operation and maintenance season for Stuart Recreation Area has been approximately from mid-April through October. At a minimum, the Forest Service (FS) will expect the permit Holder to fully operate the recreation area from the third Friday night in April through the Columbus Day weekend in October.

Recreation

Day Hiking - There is a hiking trail in the recreation area: River Loop Trail - #119 which is 2 miles in length. Mountain Biking - There is a hiking trail in the recreation area: River Loop Trail - #119 which is 2 miles in length. Picnicking - Stuart offers tables, grills, and waste receptacles for picnicking. There are three reservable pavilions - the large electric, small non-electric, and the Alpena - are available for family outings. Pavilion reservations may be made online or by calling (877)444-6777. Pavilion reservations must be made at least 5 days prior to your arrival or can be made 360 days in advance. Group Picnicking - Stuart offers tables, grills, and waste receptacles for picnicking. There are three reservable pavilions - the large electric, small non-electric, and the Alpena - are available for family outings. Pavilion reservations may be made online or by calling (877)444-6777. Pavilion reservations must be made at least 5 days prior to your arrival or can be made 360 days in advance. River and Stream Fishing - Catch and release fishing is allowed in the Shavers Fork River. A state fishing license, National Forest Stamp, a Conservation stamp, and trout stamp are required. Please contact the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources for more information on fishing and hunting licensing requirements. River Swimming - It's a lot of fun, and there are plenty of trout to tempt anglers of all skill levels. The 2-mile River Loop Hiking Trail is enjoyed by many visitors, and is a great way to watch for birds and wildlife. No lifeguard.

Facilities

The campground lies on a single loop with long spurs. Drinking water and accessible flush toilets and showers are provided, with a dump station is on-site. Each site comes with a campfire ring, tent pad, lantern post and electric hookups. The day-use area has three picnic pavilions with maintained fields and a beach on the riverfront.

Natural Features

The campground is perched along a bend on the Shavers Fork River. Shavers is a tributary of the Cheat River, a popular rafting river with rocky rapids. Stuart is in the Allegheny Mountains of West Virginia. The Monongahela Forest extends over the north central highlands of the state, straddling many of the region's highest peaks. Elevations here range from 1,000 to 4,863 feet above sea level.

Contact Info

For facility specific information, please call (304) 567-3082.

Nearby Attractions

The town of Elkins is a 14-minute drive from the campground. An annual Mountain State Forest Festival takes place here every October.

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Location

Stuart Recreation Area is located in West Virginia

Detail location of campground

Directions

From Elkins, West Virginia: Take Highway 219 to Highway 33. Travel east for approximately 4 miles, turn north on old Route 33 and travel for 2 miles. Turn left at Highway 6 (at the Stuart Recreation Area directional sign) and drive .25 miles to entrance.

Address

CHEAT RANGER DIST PO BOX 368
Parsons, WV 26287

Coordinates

38.9175 N
79.7711111 W

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Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site

Stay Connected

  • WiFi
    Unknown
  • Verizon
    Unknown
  • AT&T
    Good
  • T-Mobile
    Poor

Site Types

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

Features

For Campers

  • Trash
  • Firewood Available
  • Phone Service
  • Reservable
  • Drinking Water
  • Electric Hookups
  • Toilets
  • Pets

For Vehicles

  • Sanitary Dump
  • Sewer Hookups
  • Water Hookups
  • 30 Amp Hookups
  • Big Rig Friendly

Drive Time


Reviews

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5 Reviews

Reviewed Sep. 17, 2021

Backward spaces, but nice private area.

After reading previous review about the camp hosts, I think they have changed. They still have plumbing issues and the showers are still non-functional, but we brought our own anyway.

Although we are wondering if the host is changing the pricing on his own. We have a senior pass good for 1/2 price camping and recreation.gov lists the site at $30 per night. The host charged us $19. I am not sure if this is something he can do.

We pulled straight in to our site instead of backing in. We like our door to face the picnic table and campfire! Good thing we have a long electrical cable.

Nice private camping areas more well suited to tents than RV. Most of the sites are very out of level. 

As far as cell signals, we have either AT&T and Sprint/TMobile onboard. There is no Sprint connectivity but AT&T was a full 5G signal. 

AT&T Speedtest 42.3 Mbps down, 20.5 Mbps up.

Site25
Month of VisitSeptember
  • Review photo of Stuart Recreation Area by Ron , September 17, 2021
Reviewed Jul. 18, 2020

Campsites Not Really Close to Day Use Area

Campsites were easily accessible. Most of them were on the larger size, with nicely paved driveways, and big, flat, gravel tent pads. Campsites were pretty private for the most part.

The Stuart Recreation Day Use area isn’t really accessible to the campground unless you drive down the hill to it. You could walk/bike it, but it’d be quite the hike and definitely not do able with kids.

Picture is from the day use area on the river.

  • Review photo of Stuart Recreation Area by Megan  B., July 18, 2020
Reviewed Apr. 24, 2020

Camp hosts were very strange

The camp hosts during our visit were very strange. I wanted to take a shower and asking them questions was like talking to a riddling cartoon character. They collected our money and then told us to go to their camper to use the shower. Then we figured out where the ACTUAL showers were.

Month of VisitJuly
Reviewed Oct. 16, 2019

Hidden gem

This tiny campground in the Monongahela National Forest was such a fun find! There are less than 30 sites and most have a good bit of privacy. There is one building with showers and flush toilets near the entrance, and several outhouse style toilets scattered around. My kids didn't love those so we took a lot of trips down to the bathroom building. The 1.5 mile loop trail was great and just challenging enough to be fun. The campground and trail are filled with beautiful mountain laurel. The hosts were friendly and available and the whole place seemed to be well maintained. Elkins is only a few minutes away if you need groceries or supplies. We had a great time and would definitely come back!

  • Review photo of Stuart Recreation Area by Lysandra R., October 16, 2019
  • Review photo of Stuart Recreation Area by Lysandra R., October 16, 2019
  • Review photo of Stuart Recreation Area by Lysandra R., October 16, 2019
  • (6) View All
Reviewed Sep. 10, 2019

Beautiful campground .

This is a great campground with nice large sites. I can imagine if you go when the rhododendron are blooming it would be ever more beautiful . There’s great swimming hole in the park you can pay 5 to enter and swim or fish. Nice flat tent pad . Very clean with a great clean bathroom and shower house .

  • Review photo of Stuart Recreation Area by Amanda B., September 10, 2019
  • Review photo of Stuart Recreation Area by Amanda B., September 10, 2019

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to camp at Stuart Recreation Area?

Camping at Stuart Recreation Area can cost between $33.00 and $150.00 depending on the site.

Does Stuart Recreation Area have RV hookups?

According to TheDyrt.com, Stuart Recreation Area has 30 amp electric hookups, water hookups and sewer hookups.

What is the max vehicle length at Stuart Recreation Area?

Stuart Recreation Area allows vehicles up to 99 feet.

Does Stuart Recreation Area have wifi?

No, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, Stuart Recreation Area does not have wifi.

Is there cell phone reception at Stuart Recreation Area?

According to campers on TheDyrt.com, Verizon signal is unknown, AT&T is good, and T-Mobile is poor.

How hard is it to get a campsite at Stuart Recreation Area?

Some campers book as far as 6 months in advance, so on high-demand weekends it can be very difficult to get a campsite at Stuart Recreation Area. If you want to get a last-minute campsite at Stuart Recreation Area, try setting up a text message Alert at TheDyrt.com/alerts

Why is it so hard to get a campsite at Stuart Recreation Area?

There are 50 campsites at Stuart Recreation Area and over 80 million Americans who camp! Try snagging a cancellation by setting up a text message Alert at TheDyrt.com/alerts