April Showers Bring May Flowers…and Camping!
Camping at a state park is a family friendly and affordable way to vacation in the Mountain State.
Spring is a special time of year in West Virginia. Hillsides are covered in wildflowers, streams are flowing with trout and the temperature is warming up just in time for the campgrounds at West Virginia’s state parks and forests to open for the season!
Camping is the quintessential summer activity and one of the most popular things to do at our parks and forests. If you’re planning to go camping this year, start planning your trip today because campsites book up months in advance. Here’s a few parks that would be perfect for a camping trip!
Bring the RV for an extended family camping trip.
Want to enjoy all of the camping fun, but need somewhere to take your camper? Bring the family and your RV to Audra State Park, Beech Fork State Park, or Cedar Creek State Park for the ultimate trailer camping experience.
Beech Fork has four campgrounds located on the popular Beech Fork Lake. This park is a great place for a family vacation, boating excursions and lakefront adventures. Audra has sites along the Middle Fork River just begging to be camped in. Audra, with its clear, clean water and the rock overhang of the Alum Cave, is an ideal destination for families who enjoy the outdoors. And Cedar Creek has plenty of campsites for singles, families and even groups.
Campsites that will help you get closer to nature.
Whether you’re looking for a campsite by a babbling brook or want to pitch a tent in the backcountry, West Virginia’s state parks and forests have no shortage of back-to-nature camping options for you and your family to enjoy.
Experience real rustic camping at Panther State Forest, one of the most secluded areas in the state. Your campsite will be right on the banks of Panther Creek, so bring your fishing gear and cast a line for trout, stocked during the spring. You can dine on your catch, but make sure you have plenty of food and drinks because the closest grocery store is about 30 minutes away.
If you really want to get close to nature, try backcountry camping at North Bend State Park. Part of the park’s Quest Program, this is a good way to try a new camping experience with the help of an experienced guide, who will share their knowledge, let you give our gear a test run and practice backcountry skills.
You don’t need a tent or RV to enjoy camping. Check out these unique overnight stays.
So, you’re a camping pro and want to try something new, different and unique? Look no further than West Virginia’s state parks! Try yurt camping at Tomlinson Run State Park. The park has four yurts that sleep two or five people, depending on the size. Each yurt comes with a cooler, propane stove, lantern, cookware, picnic table and fire ring.
Feeling a little adventurous? Spend the night in the Thorny Mountain Fire Tower at Seneca State Forest and sleep amongst the stars. This 65-foot tall tower provides incredible views of the forest and miles upon miles of surrounding woodlands. The tower has two cots, can accommodate up to four people and is open for overnight stays between May and October. But make your reservation in advance because this unique attraction books up fast!
Our campgrounds open later in April and May, so now is the time to plan your camping trip. For a full list of parks with camping, click here.
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