Day Run Campground sits along the upper Williams River near Marlinton, West Virginia, in the Monongahela National Forest. This small, budget-friendly Forest Service site offers primitive tent and RV camping with vault toilets, fire rings, and picnic tables. Visitors come for trout fishing in the river, spring turkey hunting, and access to mountain trails and wildflower-filled woods.
A small developed campground with twelve individual sites described as offering a rustic camping experience. Sites are suitable for tent camping and for trailers (small to midsize); there are no RV hookups.
Weather and SeasonsBest season: spring. Spring offers the best combination of fishing and comfortable weather — daytime highs are typically in the 50s–60s°F with cool mornings in the 30s–40s°F — making the upper Williams River prime for trout and the woods full of songbirds and wildflowers. Spring turkey season and lower visitor numbers on weekdays mean a lively but authentic mountain experience close to the water. Expect moderate crowds on holiday weekends and wet trails during runoff, but overall spring is when the campground feels—
Peak months: April, May, October, September
Avoid: December, January, February
ElevationThe campground sits within reach of the Highland Scenic Highway's dramatic elevation changes, where the road climbs from 2,325 feet in the valley town of Richwood to over 4,500 feet at Black Mountain's lofty heights. This vertical journey through multiple ecological zones means cooler temperatures and shifting landscapes are never far away, offering relief on summer days and spectacular views year-round.
Weather data by Open-Meteo.com, licensed under CC BY 4.0, processed by Outdoorithm.
Natural Features and SceneryThe Williams River flows past the campground in runs and pools that hold trout. The surrounding Allegheny Highlands rise in forested ridges, with the Tea Creek trail system and Cranberry Wilderness close by. Black bear, deer, and songbirds are common. The Highland Scenic Highway runs nearby, offering overlooks across the plateau.