The Ultimate Guide to RV Camping in West Virginia

Travel Inspiration

July 20th, 2023

If you’re looking for country roads in West Virginia, an RV camping trip may be perfect for you! The beautiful Appalachian Mountains make West Virginia a beautiful state to visit. One of the country’s newer national parks – the New River Gorge – is in West Virginia, along with many other national sites, historic areas, and other points of interest.

If you’re planning a West Virginia RV camping trip, this article will help! We’ll share where to stay, what to do, and what to see in this gorgeous mountain state.

Preparing for RV Camping

The first step to planning a great RV vacation is to make sure you are prepared for your trip! If you’re headed to the Appalachian Mountains, you may find that some areas have plenty of supplies and amenities available, while other areas are much less populated. You’ll want to stock up before heading into the less-traveled regions of West Virginia.

You’ll also want to make sure you have an RV to use! If you don’t have your own RV, you can rent one at RVshare for the trip. You may want to research some tips and tricks for RV camping ahead of time as well.

Choosing the right RV for your needs

Before looking through RV listings, you’ll want to determine what kind of RV best suits you and your trip! To begin with, think about the number of people going on the trip. If you have a small group or are traveling solo, a Class B campervan should fit your needs. If you have a big family, you may want a Class A camper or fifth-wheel trailer. Also, will you want a vehicle to get around after you’ve set up camp? You may want to either tow a vehicle behind your RV or rent a trailer that can be unhitched after it’s set up so you can use the drive vehicle.

After you’ve determined the RV that will best suit you, you can search on RVshare by budget, date, type of vehicle, and many more variables.

Packing essentials for a successful trip

Sometimes when you’re planning an RV trip, it can be hard to determine what to pack! You may want to split your list into two – a list of personal items and a list of items to pack for your RV.

Personal Packing List:

Clothing – be sure to pack enough for your trip, or enough for between laundry days
Toiletries
Medications
Bug spray or citronella candles
Sunscreen
First Aid kit
Outdoor recreation clothing (hiking boots, bathing suit, or other specialized clothing)
Winter or summer accessories (winter hats, gloves, sun hat, etc)
Flashlight
Entertainment (books, games, movies)
Extra batteries
Groceries
Electronics & chargers
Pet supplies
Quarters for showers or laundry

You’ll also want an RV packing list to help you determine what to bring. If you’re renting an RV, be sure to check what comes with your rental. Some include items like dishes, linens, and even outdoor equipment, while others do not. Make sure the following items are either packed or provided in your rental:

Pots & pans
Dishes
Utensils – don’t forget a can opener, bottle opener, spatula, set of knives, etc.
Dish towels & sponges
Sheets & pillows
Bath Towels
Tool kit
Folding camp chairs
Blankets
RV leveling blocks
Sewer hose and adapter
Freshwater hose
Surge protector

You may want to tailor these lists to the area where you plan to camp! You can consult our RV Checklist to make sure you don’t forget anything for your trip.

Considerations for Camping in West Virginia

If you’re camping in West Virginia, you’ll want to know a little about the weather and terrain before you go! For starters, those beautiful, green Appalachian Mountains got that way thanks to a lot of rain and dew. You’ll want to make sure you have a rain jacket, waterproof clothing, and sturdy shoes that will keep your feet dry. That same moisture attracts plenty of bugs, so you also don’t want to forget the bug spray!

You’ll also want to consider the driving regulations in West Virginia. Each state may have different rules for RV drivers and passengers, and you’ll want to make sure you know and follow those.

In West Virginia, your RV can be a maximum of 102 inches wide. The maximum length of your motorhome is 45 feet. The maximum length of your trailer is 40 feet, and the highest your RV can be is 13 1/2 feet. If you are towing a vehicle, the maximum length of both vehicles together is 65 feet. You cannot tow more than one vehicle – in other words, no triple-towing. Passengers are allowed to ride in truck campers and in fifth-wheel trailers.

Researching campground options and making reservations

There are lots of campgrounds in West Virginia! Whether you want to spend some time at historic sites, in natural areas, or in urban cities, there’s a campground for you.

West Virginia has one national park and preserve, plus national historic trails, national scenic trails, national recreation areas, and other spaces preserved by the federal government. The state also has amusement parks, museums, and outdoor activities including mountain biking, skiing, and whitewater rafting.

The first thing to do when researching campgrounds is to determine where in West Virginia you plan to visit. Are you headed to the mountains? The city? Once you’ve decided where you’re headed, you can begin to narrow down your campground search.

As you begin to look for campgrounds, you can use a website that specializes in finding campsites, like Hipcamp, The Dyrt, or Roverpass. Harvest Hosts connects RVers with thousands of farms, wineries, and other scenic venues where they can stay. These websites also offer easy online booking, so you can reserve a spot if you find one you like while doing your research.

If you’re camping during a popular time, such as summer break, you’ll want to make reservations if possible, to be sure you have a spot.

Finding Campgrounds

As you do your campground research, you’ll want to think not only about where in the state you want to stay, but what kind of campground you want. Are you looking to get away from it all and boondock in the middle of nowhere? Are you looking for a family-friendly resort with laundry, showers, and planned kids’ activities? West Virginia has everything from upscale resorts to family-friendly campgrounds to Bureau of Land Management campsites.

Exploring public campgrounds in West Virginia

Public campgrounds are a good compromise and a great option for family camping! They’re not as expensive as fancy private campgrounds can get, but they often have more amenities than when you boondock where there are no official campsites. You may have pay showers, or bathrooms available at your campground. Public campgrounds are at national parks, state parks, on Bureau of Land Management land, and in national forests.

National Park Camping

West Virginia has one national park and preserve, plus other national lands. Those are:

New River Gorge National Park & Preserve
Appalachian National Scenic Trail
Bluestone National Scenic River
Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park
Chesapeake Bay Watershed
Gauley River National Recreation Area
Harpers Ferry National Historical Park
Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail

New River Gorge National Park has primitive camping only within the park boundaries. However, there are several campgrounds near the park where you can stay. There are also places to camp near the trails and rivers listed here.

National Forest Camping

West Virginia has several national forests where you can camp as well! The George Washington and Jefferson National Forests cover 1.8 million acres of the Appalachian Mountains in Virginia, Kentucky, and West Virginia. The Monongahela National Forest is more than 900,000 acres of forest across 10 counties in West Virginia. Differences in elevation throughout this forest make it one of the most diverse national forests. It’s also home to eight endangered plant and animal species.

These forests have plenty of outdoor activities available including hiking, mountain biking, fishing, and geocaching.

State Park Camping

Another great way to experience the beauty of West Virginia is by staying at one of the state parks! You can go swimming, rock climbing, and even ride a paddle steamer boat through the Ohio River. Blackwater Falls State Park is tucked into the Allegheny Mountains, and the falls are the state’s most-photographed spot. North Bend State Park has hiking, horseback riding, and mountain biking and you might spot a variety of wildlife here.

Exploring private campgrounds and RV parks

While West Virginia has lots of inexpensive public campgrounds where you can stay, there are also private campgrounds available. These can run the spectrum from bare-bones campsites to fancy RV resorts. If you want to take things upscale, there are some glamping options in West Virginia that you can book. Even if you don’t go the glamping route, many private campgrounds have perks like showers, laundry, a camp store, and dump stations. The Summersville Lake Retreat & Lighthouse has cabins and RV sites near a picturesque lake…and the only working lighthouse in West Virginia. Burning Rock is an off-road park with camping on-site so you can head out on your ATV all day long.

Boondocking in West Virginia

There are lots of places in West Virginia where you can go dispersed camping and boondocking in your RV. The Alleghany Highlands is a beautiful area for boondocking, as is the Potomac region.

If you plan to do some dispersed camping, here are some tips on how to choose a spot. You’ll also want to make sure you comply with any regulations in the area. Most places allow you to camp for 14 days before you need to move along.

Planning your itinerary

By now, you probably have an idea of where you want to go and what you want to do in West Virginia. But it’s time to get more specific! Whether you’re interested in seeing several underground caves, or want to explore the towns and cities of West Virginia, you have plenty of options.

Features and attractions in West Virginia

You can get a good view of the state with a scenic drive through the mountains here. You can also check out West Virginia’s many landmarks. Head to The Greenbrier luxury resort for some pampering, head underground to investigate Seneca Caverns, or visit the spooky, gothic-style West Virginia Penitentiary.

Festivals, fairs, and events in West Virginia

There are several annual events in West Virginia that might also make good reasons to stop there! The State Fair of West Virginia takes place in Lewisburg each August, and there is camping right at the fairgrounds. If you rent an RV from RVshare, you may even find an owner who is willing to set your rig up on-site for you, for a small fee. You can arrive, and get right to the festivities!

Exploring Outdoor Activities in West Virginia

West Virginia’s many mountains and rivers lend themselves to lots of outdoor activities! You can hike, ski at Snowshoe Mountain, whitewater raft, mountain bike, and more. You might also see wildlife including bears, bobcats, mountain lions, deer, or smaller animals like squirrels.

Hiking, Biking, and Nature Trails

There are lots of hiking trails in West Virginia where you can trek! Whether you’re exploring Harpers Ferry, getting a great view of the New River Gorge, or hiking through Seneca Rocks, there’s sure to be a hike you’ll enjoy.

Some of West Virginia’s best hikes include:

If you want to see West Virginia by mountain bike instead, try one of these trails:

Fishing, boating, and water activities

West Virginia has lots of lakes, rivers, streams, and other bodies of water for outdoor fun. There are several designated water trails in the state that you can follow. There are also 21 lakes that are more than 100 acres in size that make great fishing spots or places for boating. Tygart Lake in the Allegheny Mountains has canoeing, waterskiing, SCUBA diving, and more. There’s also a campground on the lake where you can stay.

Wildlife viewing and photography

You can see wildlife throughout West Virginia! You could spot beavers, fishers, and river otters. You might also encounter wild boar in some areas. There is currently a program to reintroduce elk into the state. You could spot bears and a variety of smaller animals like skunks and weasels. You’ll want to bring binoculars along if you plan to view wildlife, and you may want a camera with a good zoom lens if you hope to capture pictures of animals.

Family-friendly activities and attractions

West Virginia is full of family-friendly activities and fun! Tour underground caverns and coal mines, explore the historic and natural areas of the state, or check out an old Roman bathhouse. If you plan to camp, there are lots of campgrounds near Harpers Ferry and across the state. Along with exploring West Virginia landmarks, you can visit Charleston, Morgantown, and a variety of other West Virginia cities.

Historical sites and museums

West Virginia has several historical sites related to the Civil War. Harpers Ferry was the site of John Brown’s Raid, a flash point that sparked the Civil War. The Cass Scenic Railroad State Park is an 11-mile railroad and authentic company town. Shop at The Company Store or get a treat at Shays Restaurant and Soda Fountain. The West Virginia State Museum in Charleston is a great place to head for an overview of the state’s history. You can check out the interactive coal mine exhibit, learn about Native American history in the area, and learn more about the Civil War. Heritage Farm Museum and Village celebrates Appalachian history and shares how people lived in the area in the past.

If you want a more unusual museum, check out the Mothman Museum in Point Pleasant. See press reports, documents, and photos, browse memorabilia from the movie “The Mothman Prophecies,” and pose with the Mothman statue out front.

Amusement parks, zoos, and wildlife refuges

Camden Park is a fun amusement park in Huntington with roller coasters, a log flume ride, a carousel, and a haunted house. The Clarksburg Splash Zone is a great place to cool off, with a pool and some water features. Waves of Fun is an outdoor water park with waterslides and a wading pool.

The West Virginia State Wildlife Center in French Creek is a zoological park with a 1 1/4-mile interpretive trail. You’ll wander past large enclosures and learn about each animal as you go.

Safety and Preparedness when RV Camping in West Virginia

West Virginia is a beautiful spot for an RV camping trip! However, you do need to be aware of the dangers of camping in West Virginia. If you know the possible threats to camping in West Virginia, you’ll be better prepared to meet any dangers and safely meet an emergency.

Weather conditions and natural disaster preparedness

There are a few natural disasters that can occur in West Virginia. The most common threats are floods, severe storms, and wildfires. West Virginia also gets the remnants of hurricanes, which include heavy rain, strong winds, occasional tornadoes, and landslides.

If you are faced with a flood, use caution when driving your RV. Don’t get stuck by driving into flooded areas. Head to higher ground. Listen to local radio or TV weather reports so you’ll know whether the rain is continuing and flooding is getting worse. Also, listen for whether your area needs to evacuate. Also, listen to weather reports ahead of time so you can try to avoid floods.

Be sure to practice fire safety while camping! Learn whether there are any camping restrictions where you are camping. Make sure you can safely start and extinguish a campfire. Check weather reports for heat or drought conditions, and check a fire map to make sure the area where you plan to camp is safe.

Tornadoes in West Virginia are rare, but you can ask your RV park manager or campground host if there is a storm shelter. Listen to local weather reports. If you’re driving and encounter a tornado, park your RV and go indoors to wait it out. Afterward, watch for downed power lines or other hazards when driving.

Wildlife encounters and precautions

West Virginia is home to a variety of wildlife including bears, mountain lions, bobcats, coyotes, deer, otters, and more! Be bear aware while you’re hiking, mountain biking, or otherwise enjoying the mountains. With both bears and mountain lions, don’t let children or pets run ahead on trails. Read posted signs and follow the advice on what to do if you encounter a wild animal. Use caution even with smaller animals. Never feed or try to pet a wild animal. Wild animals who are fed by humans can become aggressive, or can come to rely on humans for food – both of those outcomes can result in the death of the animal. At your campsite, make sure you put away all food and scented items in a bear box or animal-safe container.

West Virginia is a beautiful country of rolling mountains and Appalachian scenery. There are many places to visit in the state for a wonderful West Virginia RV camping trip! RV camping trips are a great way to create lifelong memories, and an RV road trip in West Virginia is no exception.

More Inspiration for Your West Virginia Travels

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The Ultimate Guide to RV Camping in West Virginia