Swimming Campgrounds in West Virginia

Swimming Campgrounds in West Virginia

Discover the best swimming campgrounds across West Virginia. Beat the heat at campgrounds with pristine swimming spots. Lakes, rivers, beaches, and swimming holes just steps from your campsite.

15+ Campgrounds4.5★ AverageBest: Summer (June-September)
Find West Virginia CampgroundsSet Availability Alert

Swimming Campgrounds in Other States

AlaskaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoFloridaGeorgiaIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNew HampshireNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaSouth CarolinaTexasUtahVirginiaWashingtonWisconsinWyoming
View all Swimming Campgrounds nationwide →

Featured Campgrounds

Handpicked destinations that define the region

1
Trout Pond Recreation Area
Star
4.7
(242)
Trout Pond Recreation Area
Lost CityGeorge Washington & Jefferson National Forest

Top-tier swimming destination with designated sandy beach area and clear lake specifically mentioned for swimming. Reviews consistently highlight 'beautiful lake for swimming' and family-friendly beach amenities. Highest sentiment score (4.66) among candidates with excellent greenbook status.

Tents
RVs
2
Lake Sherwood
Star
4.4
(163)
Lake Sherwood
White Sulphur SpringMonongahela National Forest

Exceptional swimming facility with designated swimming beach on 156-acre mountain lake. Reviews specifically praise swimming opportunities alongside hiking and fishing. Strong sentiment (4.41) with excellent greenbook status and pristine high-elevation setting.

Tents
RVs
3
Big Bend (Wv)
Star
4.5
(354)
Big Bend (Wv)
Petersburg, WVMonongahela National Forest

Premier river swimming destination with South Branch Potomac River access for tubing and water activities. Highest review count (354) demonstrates popularity. Despite 'caution' greenbook status, vibe score of 81 is acceptable for featured position given exceptional swimming opportunities.

Tents
RVs

About Swimming Campgrounds in West Virginia

Swimming camping West Virginia offers an exceptional blend of mountain lake retreats, pristine river corridors, and forest-shaded creek swimming holes that define summer camping in the Mountain State. From the Eastern Panhandle's natural lake treasures to the high-elevation waters of the Monongahela National Forest, West Virginia's diverse topography creates swimming destinations that range from sandy beach experiences to secluded mountain streams.

Best Time

The prime swimming camping season in West Virginia runs from late May through early September, with July and August offering the warmest water temperatures and most reliable weather. Lake Sherwood and Trout Pond reach their most comfortable swimming temperatures by mid-June, when high-elevation waters finally warm after spring snowmelt.

Activity Highlights

  • Lake and river swimming access
  • Natural swimming holes
  • Beach and waterfront sites
  • Family-friendly swimming areas
Staunton River Campground
Asher Creek Campground
San Elijo State Beach Campground

Explore Swimming Campgrounds in West Virginia

Browse 23 campgrounds on our interactive map. Filter by amenities, price, ratings, and more.

Interactive MapAdvanced Filters23+ swimming campgrounds

Plan Your Trips

Popular Activities

Lake and river swimmingTubing and floatingBeach activities and sandcastle buildingKayaking and canoeingFishing from shore and boatsHiking to waterfalls and swimming holes

Tips & Recommendations

  • 1Reserve lakeside sites at Trout Pond and Lake Sherwood well in advance, as beach-adjacent locations fill quickly for summer weekends, often requiring six-month advance bookings through Recreation.gov.
  • 2Bring water shoes for river campgrounds like Big Bend where rocky creek beds make barefoot swimming uncomfortable, and pack mesh bags to keep wet gear organized and allow quick drying between swimming sessions.
  • 3Always check current water levels before arrival, as spring runoff and summer storms can temporarily make river swimming unsafe at locations along the South Branch Potomac and New River corridors.
  • 4Consider visiting Horseshoe Recreation Area or Blue Bend for creek swimming experiences that offer more solitude than the popular lake destinations, with both providing excellent family-friendly swimming holes within short walks of campsites.
15 campgrounds ranked
Based on real camper reviews
Curated for Swimming Campgrounds in West Virginia

Swimming Campgrounds in West Virginia FAQ

We've ranked 15+ swimming campgrounds in West Virginia based on water access, swimming areas, safety, and user reviews. Top options include campgrounds on lakes, rivers, and beaches with designated swimming areas.
Swimming safety varies by location. Many campgrounds have designated swimming areas with lifeguards during peak season. Always check for posted warnings, water conditions, and currents before swimming. Never swim alone.
Summer (June-September) is the best time for swimming camping in West Virginia. Water temperatures are warmest and swimming areas are typically staffed. Some mountain lakes may be too cold for swimming even in summer.
Availability Alerts

Popular West Virginia Campgrounds Book Fast

The best swimming campgrounds in West Virginia book up quickly, especially during peak season. Set up free alerts to catch cancellations.

Checks every 2 min
SMS, email, push
150,000+ campsites

Outdoorithm

Just now

🎉 Site opened up!

Trout Pond Recreation Area
Your preferred dates

Quick! This site typically books within hours.

Outdoorithm

Find Your Perfect West Virginia Campground

Create your free account to save favorites, set availability alerts, and get personalized recommendations.

  • Search 15+ swimming campgrounds in West Virginia
  • Set alerts for hard-to-book sites
  • Get personalized recommendations for your trip
  • Compare campground amenities
  • Check weather forecasts
Create Free AccountBrowse First

No credit card required. Every feature is free to use.