The best waterside campgrounds in West Virginia

West Virginia’s waterside camping scene packs over 2,800 options along rivers, lakes, and creeks—plenty of hidden corners for your tent or camper. You’ll find spots where the dawn mist rises off the water and fish jump just offshore. The average site goes for $45 a night, but you can snag a spot for as little as $10. Campfires are allowed almost everywhere, showers keep things civilised, and pets are usually welcome. Swimming, wildlife-watching, and horseback-riding are favorite pastimes here. Top picks? Brooklyn Heights Riverfront Camp (500 reviews) puts you right on the riverbank. Stoney Creek Campground (267 reviews) has a steady flow that’s perfect for lazy dips. Buffalo Gap Retreat and Camp (250 reviews) offers lake access and quiet trails. If you want water close at hand, this is where to start.

97% (4.2K)

Top-rated campgrounds

West Virginia’s waterside camping scene packs over 2,800 options along rivers, lakes, and creeks—plenty of hidden corners for your tent or camper. You’ll find spots where the dawn mist rises off the water and fish jump just offshore. The average site goes for $45 a night, but you can snag a spot for as little as $10. Campfires are allowed almost everywhere, showers keep things civilised, and pets are usually welcome. Swimming, wildlife-watching, and horseback-riding are favorite pastimes here. Top picks? Brooklyn Heights Riverfront Camp (500 reviews) puts you right on the riverbank. Stoney Creek Campground (267 reviews) has a steady flow that’s perfect for lazy dips. Buffalo Gap Retreat and Camp (250 reviews) offers lake access and quiet trails. If you want water close at hand, this is where to start.

97% (4.2K)

Top-rated campgrounds

1. Gesundheit! Institute - Patch Adams

85%

(41)

7 sites · Tents, RVs · Hillsboro, WV

Gesundheit! resides on a 320-acre pristine tract of farm + mountain land in rural West Virginia with gardens, meadows, creeks, waterfalls, a lake, clean air + water. We have more than two miles of trails through a beautiful hardwood forest ensuring your stay will be spent in close proximity to nature. Campsites are equipped with fire rings, access to clean drinking water, an outdoor shower + a composting toilet just a short walk from the sites. We offer fishing, canoeing, hiking, guided hikes, plant + mushroom walks, guided tours of the Gesundheit property, buildings, plus much more. We also grow many seasonal vegetables that are available for purchase during your stay. Ask us about availability when booking! The Gesundheit! Institute was founded by Patch Adams, M.D. + continues to function as a nonprofit focused on community health initiatives. We host many educational workshops throughout the year so make sure you check out upcoming events on our website at patchadams.org ! The beautiful Greenbrier River (the location of our favorite swimming hole) is a 5 minute drive down Locust Creek Rd + a 2 minute drive to the historic Locust Creek covered bridge. The small town of Hillsboro (birthplace of Nobel Prize winning author Pearl S. Buck) is 5 miles away with a restaurant (The Hillsboro Public House) + two gas stations. We are surrounded by the Monongahela National Forest with many state parks available less than a 15 minute drive from the property. There are many remarkable places to see while you're visiting; Cranberry Wilderness area, Watoga State Park, Bear Town State Park, Droop Mountain Battlefield State Park, the Highland Scenic Highway + a little further North up 219 is Snowshoe Mountain Ski Resort; a favorite for skiing + snowboarding, mountain biking, music (4848 Festival) + many other outdoor activities!

2. Mountain Lake Retreat

100%

(8)

1 site · Lodging · Harpers Ferry, WV

Romantic get away, gather with friends or bring the kids- this vintage Mountain Lake resort house boasts spacious gathering areas, wonderfully appointed bedrooms, an expansive, private fenced yard, large deck, fire pit and hot tub! The kitchen is fully stocked and the coffee lounge and dining room beckon you to relax as you plan your day. The third bedroom is a unique, flex space with its own full bathroom. Spend your days on the sandy lake beach then walk back to the Mountain Lake Club for dinner and drinks at sunset.

3. Buffalo Gap Retreat and Camp

94%

(452)

68 sites · Tents, RVs · Capon Bridge, WV

Located in the foothills of the Potomac Highlands, Buffalo Gap is a 1950s era former Mountain Kids Camp turned Retreat by a group of individuals who had a vision of creating a space where family and friends can enjoy a relaxing mountain get-away. Situated between two mountains -- Sandy Ridge and Slane's Knob -- Buffalo Gap sits in the gap between the two. Consequently, the 70 acre property is teaming with creeks and streams, along with a 1.5 acre spring fed lake, making it a peaceful and beautiful retreat from the daily stresses of life. Rent a cabin, camp, have a wedding or family reunion, enjoy our lakeview café, swim, hike, kayak, canoe, and so much more. With the nearby town of Capon Bridge just 10 minutes away and the Shenandoah Valley city of Winchester just 35 minutes, so much beauty and convenience with our riverside town and nearby bigger city for additional dining and entertainment as well as conveniences.

4. Camp Holly

97%

(142)

63 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Addison (Webster Springs), WV

Join the fun at our 22-acre campground. We offer cabins, full-service RV sites, and back-country camping nestled in the heart of the West Virginia mountains at the confluence of the Holly River and Grassy Creek overlooking our stocked three-acre fishing pond. Conveniently located near the best outdoor recreation in Appalachia: Fishing, boating, hunting, hiking, trail riding, and climbing. Festivals and beautiful day trips on winding roads abound. Music lovers enjoy music on our pondside stage, or you can rent it for your own special event. Find an entertainment schedule and a list of amenities on our website. Kids will love our goats, chickens, ducks, paddle boats, and recreation area with a climbing dome. Visit our camp store for onsite bait + tackle, a specialty hotdog, or WV souvenir. Come relax and enjoy Camp Holly! ****Please note that in winter months the property is subject to freezing during very cold weather. This may effect water availability in the cabins and bathhouse.

5. Bare Cove

89%

(14)

70 sites · Tents, RVs · Millwood, WV

Bare Cove is a recreation lake with campsites. However, we are not your typical camp ground. We have no quiet hours, we do get loud and have a great time on the weekends. It’s not uncommon for beer pong or card games to go into the early hours. We are open to all ages and backgrounds, anybody that enjoys making friends and having fun on the lake. All guests must sign personal injury waivers to cover our 6. So about the property, it’s 120+ acres with a 5 acre man made lake that features blue waters, a beach area and tikibar. We have atv trails, private camp sites and group sites. Enjoy the day floating in the clear blue water, fishing (separate pond) or hiking. Our lake also features a launch pillow for blasting your friends up to 20 ft in the air! We do have large float's for rent, which are great for groups. Thanks for looking, would love to host you and your party out at the lake.

6. Mountain View Mini Farm

98%

(26)

2 sites · Tents, RVs · Berkeley Springs, WV

Welcome to Mountain View Mini Farm!! Almost Heaven West Virginia. Where we have a few animals on the property and do some homesteading. On the property we also have a Ice-Cream Shack that is open to the public. Hours for the Ice-Cream Shack varies. We are close to Historic Berkeley Springs and love sharing this piece of heaven with people like yourself. If you do not like the big camp grounds and just want a nice spot with a view to pitch a tent, or set up your camper, then you found it . A little about Mountain View Mini Farm. We are just minitues outside of Historic Berkeley Springs WV and 15 minutes from Cacapon State Park. You will have Great Views of the stars from your site. The sites are not far from our barn, and we will leave one tractor bay open for you, just in case it was to rain and you want to use it as shelter. The sites are not perfect level so you will have to level your camper a little. You will have your own fire ring and picnic table, also you will have access to fresh water. You will need a good size water hose if your going to hook up water to your camper from site 1. We have electric hookups that are 20amp Only. There is a clean outhouse but no shower at this time. We are working on making a shower. There is plenty of room for outdoor yard games. You will hear a little road noise and we do have neighbors. You will see me and my family out working around and feeding animals at times. The hosts house is not to far from the campsites. This is just a peaceful piece of property on a mini farm to get away and relax and explore Berkeley Springs WV. We are also only 15 minutes to Cacapon River for Kayaking and Swimming. We are also only 15 minutes to the C&O canal for hiking and biking. We do sell firewood for $7.00 that's around 13 pieces of wood. There is cornhole by the ice-cream shack that you are welcome to play. There will be more things added to the property in the near future. So come on out to the mountains and be our guest.

Public campgrounds in West Virginia

100%

(2)

Babcock Campground

52 sites · Tents, RVs · in Babcock State Park

100%

(2)

Glade Creek Grist Mill Cabin

13 sites · in Babcock State Park

100%

(2)

Little Beaver Campground

31 sites · Tents, RVs · in Little Beaver State Park

100%

(1)

Cokeley Campground

28 sites · Tents, RVs · in North Bend State Park

95%

(11)

Blackwater Falls Campground

104 sites · Tents, RVs · in Blackwater Falls State Park

0%

(3)

Old Orchard Campground

49 sites · Tents, RVs · in Beech Fork State Park

Leith Run Campground

21 sites · Tents, RVs · in Wayne National Forest

Moxley Branch Campground

87 sites · Tents, RVs · in Beech Fork State Park

Four Coves Campground

88 sites · Tents, RVs · in Beech Fork State Park

Lakeview Campground

51 sites · Tents, RVs · in Beech Fork State Park

River Run Campground

49 sites · Tents, RVs · in North Bend State Park

Briar Point Campground

46 sites · Tents, RVs · in Stonewall Jackson Lake State Park

Stories from the community

N

Nicole

October 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Buffalo Gap Retreat and Camp

What a great retreat, complete with a cafe and beer garden! The owners were amazing and we got to use the sauna on a cool day before we headed out. Definitely purely coming back!

E

Eric

October 2025

24 ft campervan

With pets

Weekend Trip to Camp Holly

Easily accessible and a quaint quiet location. Everything as described in the description

A

Abel

October 2025

Group trip

Weekend Trip to Camp Holly

My friends and I had a great time at Cabin 3! The hosts were quick to respond to our inquiries, and the staff were friendly and made sure we had everything we needed. The cabin can comfortably fit more than four people and still has plenty of space to move around. Both the indoor and outdoor bathrooms were clean. It’s the best place to relax, unwind, and enjoy good company. Highly recommend!

R

Raymond

October 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Buffalo Gap Retreat and Camp

Awesome camp site! I would recommend this beautiful site to every camper.

C

Cody

October 2025

22 ft campervan

With kids

Weekend Trip to Buffalo Gap Retreat and Camp

Don’t hesitate. Book now. Best camping option in this area,, especially for the price!

Mike

September 2025

Tent

With pets

Weekend Trip to Buffalo Gap Retreat and Camp

Great time camping with the view of the lake. Convenient to the cafe, sauna, and lake access. Bathrooms were clean and convenient. Definitely recommend.

Kathryn

September 2025

Tent

With pets

3 nights at Camp Holly

As a newbie to car camping, Camp Holly was exactly what I was looking for. Nestled in the mountains, my site #4 was perfect and had a nice little path down the bank to the creek. The pond is well maintained and there's a great hiking trail up the hill that my dog and I enjoyed. Firewood was readily available with carts to haul it the short walk back to campsite. The sites were clean and well cared for and if there was any drawback, it might be the noise of motorcycles and trucks from Rte 20 at time. (FYI bikers - WVA 15 from Flatwood to Diana and loop back north on 20 would be an amazing ride, but yeah, what part of WVa isn't?) The noise didn't bother me other than "made you look" reaction. I only mention it because it may be annoying to some. I got tired of my camp food so the last night I ordered out from the diner up the road - not to disappoint it was good old home cooked food and the owner was super friendly. Last but not least, the bath house was immaculate and was cleaned daily. I think you'll enjoy your stay at Camp Holly and highly recommend it.

R

Riley

September 2025

Group trip

Weekend Trip to Mountain Lake Retreat

There were a lot of thoughtful touches, the kitchen had everything we needed, and the backyard was really nice. The hot tub was clean enough and worked well and the fire pit was lovely. The place felt a lot bigger than the pictures implied! The hosts communicated well enough, except missing the text that one of the two toilets was broken. Other notes: It is really three, full- or queen-sized beds + one very small mattress above the bed in the basement. It could technically fit 7 people if everyone shared beds except one small person, who slept on the small mattress above. The basement bathroom was iffy, with only a small spray of water in the shower, a toilet that didn't work while we were there, and a door that doesn't fully close.

B

Brian

August 2025

Tent

With pets

Weekend Trip to Buffalo Gap Retreat and Camp

We had a great time at Buffalo-Gap’s campground! Easy to find our camping site and staff was wonderful! Sean and Dave will give you the best customer service, the food at the cafe was amazing, if you don’t want to cook thats a great option. The lake (natural spring) is crystal clear! We also had an unexpected situation with our car and Sean came right out to our camping site to help us out. 100/100!!!! Definitely going back, if not for camping, to enjoy a good meal and swimming! Thanks everyone!

Cara & Sam

August 2025

Tent

With kids

Weekend Trip to Mountain View Mini Farm

This was our first HipCamp and it was perfect! The spot is lovely, gorgeous view, and a yard with lawn games. There are goats and rabbits on the farm. Our little girl loved seeing them. There were some bees in the port-a-potty but our host took care of them right away. Our toddler even had a hard time adjusting to sleeping in the tent but they never said anything. They were completely understanding and lovely. It was only 5 mins into town to great breakfast at a very reasonable price and great coffee. We’ll definitely be back.

G

Glenn

August 2025

24 ft travel trailer

With pets

Weekend Trip to Camp Holly

Easy in, easy out. Everything went smooth and the location was relaxing.

T

Tirsa

August 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Buffalo Gap Retreat and Camp

Fue una experiencia muy bonita, un lugar muy bonito traquilo la vista a las estrellas en la noche es una experiencia unica....el encargado es super amable....100% lo recomiendo. Thank you Buffalo Gaps for been super nice 🥰

Jenny

August 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Mountain View Mini Farm

Loved camping here! It was wonderfully quiet and well kept on a beautiful piece of property. Host was super nice, and flexible about me being a day late! Lots of super cute bunnies running around early in the morning too!

S

Sonora

August 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Camp Holly

This was a fantastic little camp site!! Nice and secluded but still close enough to take advantage of the exceptionally nice bath house. The host was extremely welcoming and we could not have asked for a better stay!!

J

Jose

July 2025

Tent

1 night at Camp Holly

It is a great place. Xavier was very helpful in accommodating me late. I wish I could have spent more time there. It has good bathrooms.

H

Heather

July 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Gesundheit! Institute - Patch Adams

Peaceful as always! Special thanks to Patch Adams and Susan Parenti.

E

Edwin

July 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Buffalo Gap Retreat and Camp

I can go back many times. So happy with the consumer service.

K

Kimberly

July 2025

21 ft travel trailer

3 nights at Camp Holly

We had such a great time at Camp Holly! Would definitely recommend visiting!!

S

Sarah

July 2025

8 ft pop-up camper

With pets

4 nights at Camp Holly

Great property and great host. I especially loved the ducks and chickens on the property :)

M

Megan

July 2025

Tent

With kids

Weekend Trip to Buffalo Gap Retreat and Camp

This is a great place for a get away with family or friends, especially if there are kids in the group. On a hot summer's day, the spring-fed lake was a perfect place to cool off, and we all loved that there were plenty of floats and boats available to borrow. There was also a nice sandy beach with beach toys, vollyball, and a beach house with foosball available. The campsite we were in (24 in the end) was right next to a lovely little creek which was soothing to hear at night and we were able to string up our camping hammock right by its edge which was a perfect place to relax and watch the bluebirds by day or fireflies by night. It was nice to be camping but to be able to get good coffee served to me in the mornings at the cafe and have a place for kids to go get ice cream in the hot afternoon. We were there over July 4th and there was a bonfire and fire works display down on the beach by the lake with sparklers for the kids. I even attended a free guided meditation they offered one evening that was very relaxing. So all in all, I highly recommend you visit!