By:
Submission
Blue Bend Recreation Area is a quaint wooded area filled with plenty of hiking, picnicking and camping opportunities. Constructed in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps, the rustic wood tables and shelters appeal to many day and overnight visitors.
The recreation area, along Anthony Creek, has a selection of single family campsites and 2 picnic shelters. The large group picnic shelter accommodates 75 people and can be reserved in peak season.
Swimming is nice and refreshing in Anthony Creek, and anglers can find trout here. The Blue Bend Recreation Area provides access to the BIg Draft WIlderness. A popular excursion into the wilderness is the 5-mile Blue Bend Loop Trail, which connects to the Anthony Creek Trail. Blue Bend Loop Trail offers 3 scenic overlooks.
Flush toilets and showers are available in summer, and vault toilets can be used through the spring and fall seasons. Running water is also seasonal, but a hand pump is available through spring and fall.
Each site is on a parking spur with a picnic table, campfire ring, trash bin and lantern post.
At an elevation of 1,860 feet, the campground is in a pleasant, wooded valley facing Round Mountain in the Monongahela National Forest. The forest comprises about a million acres of forest that attracts 1.3 million visitors each year.
A variety of animals make their home here, including black bear, coyote, wild turkey, white-tailed deer, red and gray fox, bobcat, fisher, otter and mink.
From White Sulphur Springs, travel 8 miles north on State Route 92. Turn left (west) at Alvon, West Virginia, onto State Route 16. Travel 4 miles to the recreation area.
Fees are reduced when water system is shut down in the fall each year in mid October and then raised again in teh spring when water systems are turned back on. Water system availabiliy is based on weahter conditions and varies between mid April and early May. Call ahead to check on status before planning your trip.
I grew up camping here, and it is by far the best campground I have ever camped at. I can compare this to California, Colorado, North Carolina, Delaware, and also other parts of West Virginia. There is a 5 mile loop trail with scenic overlooks on the way up the mountain, along with a shelter at about the halfway point. There is a main swimming area that is great both during the day and at night. Two large shelters are here for picnics; One is next to the parking area, and the other is across the swing bridge. There are mini picnic areas between the parking and swimming areas, and a restroom/shower house at parking as well. The campground itself is always kept very clean. The facilities have hot water and are also kept clean. You can buy firewood from the camp host, and the forest service does make daily checks at the paid camping spots. There are campsites that have an electrical hook-up. All of this and reasonable fees make this spot the best!
Went to the blue bend swimming hole here and had so much fun! Definitely a family spot. The water is a little cold and I'd advise to bring river shoes because the rocks are rough on the feet but besides that it's nice!
I've camped at. A LOT of different camp grounds. And this one was my favorite 😍 the swimming was beautiful and clear. Also had a shallow end for the little kids. It was clean and quiet and everyone was So niiiiceeeee. Yvonne ? I think her name was. She was the host of the camp and came over to give my kids some cute Yogi the bear toys. So kid friendly!
The swimming hole is great, usually not too crowded. The loop trail is nice but there are only a few spots to see any vistas and it's all the same view just from different elevations. You never truly reach the summit for any view. The trail itself was just cleaned up this past week and is a lot easier to navigate. Definitely worth checking out if you are in the area but nothing like some of the more popular hikes within an hours drive. Great if you want seclusion
What in the world the most stunningly beautiful place was hidden here? The campground itself is located right next to the clean creek that you can access any time of the day! I will take my kid back soon. They do have hot showers and clean restrooms here in this campground.
