West Virginia

Herd Fan wrote:
Places in WV that we have camped and I would recommend:

*Cedar Creek State Park (several ponds, a river nearby, pool, etc.)

*Holly River State Park (absolutely beautiful area)..very shaded, with a small river and waterfalls nearby

*Anything in what I call the "Canaan area" - Canaan Valley, Blackwater Falls, Seneca Shadows (This has always been my favorite part of the state)...so many things to see within an hour's drive (Smokehole Caverns, Seneca Caverns, Seneca Rocks, etc..)...We have also stayed at Revelle's Retreat along RT 33- right on the river and a good base camp to go see everything. There's a lot to see and do, but the CG's (esp. Canaan Valley and BW falls) are nice enough that you would be happy just to stay there all week.

*Pipestem and Stonewall Resort are VERY popular. Someone already mentioned the attractions at Pipestem. Stonewall has sites right on the lake..not sure about trails. Camp Creek is another nice CG near Pipestem. As mentioned, the New River is beautiful and offers hiking, fishing, and rafting.

*Watoga State Park is also very popular. The Riverside CG there has sites right along the gorgeous Greenbrier River. Watoga offers many trails, a lake, and a nice pool. It is hard to beat an inner tube float down the river...you can put in several miles upstream and float right down to your site. The Greenbrier River trail runs right by the park also, and is the best and easiest family biking trip we have ever done. Other attractions nearby include Cass Railroad, Beartown (very nice trail through rock formations, all on a wooden walkway), and Droop Mountain (lots of history to learn here and several scenic trails)

* We have also camped along the western part of the state. North Bend State Park is a nice park, and offers two CG's and a very nice lake. The North Bend Rail Trail is accessible from the park, and is a very nice hike/bike ride along the Hughes River. If you go to North Bend, take the Harrisville exit; you can get there from the Cairo exit, but it is an interesting road.
We recently tried Beech Fork State Park near Huntington. It is about fifteen minutes from Marshall University. The road there is windy, but I've done much worse. They offer many sites along the lake, and the CG has to be the quietest CG I have ever been to. There are several trails there as well.

Well, I didn't mean to be too long-winded, but that should give you a few places to research. Places on our bucket list are Battle Run, Cacapon, Tygart Lake, Bulltown, and Babcock State Park.

Wherever you choose, you won't be disappointed. I am very fortunate to live in such a scenic state. We are big fans of the Smoky Mountains in Tennessee and have stayed there a lot over the last couple of years, but this year we are staying instate as we have missed the beauty here. Happy Camping!!!

You sold me on Canaan Resort State Park! Is there a couple sites next to each other or an area that I should request? We like them to be as private as possible usually.