Day Run Campground
Located just off the Highland Scenic Highway this small developed campground is a perfect getaway for fisherman and hikers. Many of the 12 camping sites boarder the upper scenic Williams River and the campground is within walking distance of many popular trails. Each site is equipped with a wooden picnic table, lantern post, and fire ring. Several campsites also have a tent pad, although all sites are suitable for tent or trailer camping.
More like this: reservable in West Virginia · pets allowed in West Virginia · dark sky in West Virginia
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 12 |
Site guide
12 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | Water / sewer | Waterfront | People / vehicles | Fires | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Back-in | 67 | Gravel | Partial | No / – | Riverfront | 8 / 2 | Yes | Standard |
| 2 | Back-in | 58 | Gravel | Partial | No / – | Riverfront | 8 / 2 | Yes | Standard |
| 3 | Back-in | 52 | Gravel | Partial | No / – | Riverfront | 8 / 2 | Yes | Standard |
| 4 | Back-in | 57 | Gravel | Partial | No / – | Riverfront | 8 / 2 | Yes | Standard |
| 5 | Back-in | 55 | Gravel | Partial | No / – | Riverfront | 8 / 2 | Yes | Standard |
| 6 | Back-in | 64 | Gravel | Partial | No / – | Riverfront | 8 / 2 | Yes | Standard |
| 7 | Back-in | 68 | Gravel | Partial | No / – | Riverfront | 8 / 2 | Yes | Standard |
| 8 | Back-in | 55 | Gravel | Partial | No / – | Riverfront | 8 / 2 | Yes | Standard |
| 9 | Back-in | 78 | Gravel | Partial | No / – | Riverfront | 8 / 2 | Yes | Standard |
| 10 | Back-in | 60 | Gravel | Partial | No / – | Riverfront | 8 / 2 | Yes | Standard |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 04:00 PM, checkout 02:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Fees | Each campsite is $15 per night |
| Dark sky | 8.8 miles from Watoga State Park, a certified International Dark Sky Park |
Day Run offers a rustic camping experience. The campground consists of twelve individual sites, two vault toilets, trash service, and a hand water pump. There are no hookups for RVs, but small to midsize camping trailers will fit into most of the sites. Each campsite includdes a campfire ring, picnic table, and lantern post. The sites are partially shaded.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Status | Open |
| Season | April to end of November |
| Forest | Monongahela National Forest |
| Booking | All sites are on a first-come, first-serve basis. |
| Fees | Camping fee is $8.00 per site per night, payable at the camping self-service fee station. |
| Rules | Maximum length of stay is 14 days. Dogs are permitted if on a leash. |
Weather by month
Getting there
From Marlinton take US Route 219 north 7 miles to State Route 150, which is the Highland Scenic Highway. Turn left onto Route 150 and drive 9 miles to the Williams River Bridge turnoff, located on the left. Turn right at the stop sign onto Forest Road 86 and drive 3 miles to the intersection of Forest Road 216.
| Nearest town | Marlinton, West Virginia |
| Coordinates | 38.2152° N, 80.0807° W · Directions ↗ |
Supplies & services
| Outdoor gear | Harmony Outdoors ↗ | 1 mi |
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 25.8 mi |
| RV sales & service | MT Joy RV ↗ | 52.6 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
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Trails nearby
- 2.3 miMarlin Mountain Trail # 4181.3 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
Trail and trailhead records are the Forest Service's. Distances are straight-line to the nearer trail end. Trail conditions are not tracked here.
Public land it sits in
This campground sits inside Monongahela National Forest, which overlaps George Washington and Jefferson National Forest.
- inMonongahela National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 1,703,725 acres
- inGeorge Washington and Jefferson National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 3,487,961 acres
- 8.9 miCranberry Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 47,742 acres
Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.
Other campgrounds nearby
Cabin and lookout rentals nearby
On the National Register nearby
- Pocahontas County Courthouse and JailBuilding · Marlinton · 0.4 mi
- Marlinton Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad StationBuilding · Marlinton · 0.8 mi
- Marlinton Opera HouseBuilding · Marlinton · 0.9 mi
Natural features
Day Run Campground is located along the upper Williams River and provides a peaceful location for fishing and enjoying the water with your family and friends. The section of the Williams near Day Run has a few scattered deep pools to test your skills at wily trout. It eventually flows towards Tea Creek to Cowen, where it joins the Gauley River.
Recreation
Fishing and hunting are popular activities in the area. The campground stays busy during the spring fishing and gobbler season as well as in the fall. Day Run Campground is a good basecamp for trail users. Teacreek trail system and Cranberry Wilderness are nearby.
Nearby
Day Run is located just off of the Highland Scenic Highway, a national scenic byway that extends 43 miles from Richwood to US Route 219, north of Marlinton. Four scenic overlooks provide comfortable rest stops with panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. The Highland Scenic Highway traverses the mountainous terrain of the Allegheny Highlands and Plateau, and rises from 2,325 feet in Richwood to more than 4,500 feet at Black Mountain.
Guidebooks for Monongahela National Forest and West Virginia
We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.
- Five-Star Trails: West Virginia's Monongahela National ForestJohnny Molloy, 2022Find at Bookshop.org
Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Day Run Campground?
Sites at Day Run Campground are reservable on Recreation.gov. All sites are on a first-come, first-serve basis. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Day Run Campground?
Each campsite is $15 per night
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Day Run Campground?
Check-in 04:00 PM, checkout 02:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Day Run Campground open right now?
Open as of Oct 16, 2026. Season April to end of November.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Day Run Campground have?
12 sites, including 12 standard sites without power.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Day Run Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Day Run Campground. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Day Run Campground?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. Maximum length of stay is 14 days.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Day Run Campground good for stargazing?
Watoga State Park, a certified International Dark Sky Park, is 8.8 miles away. Skies that dark carry for miles; a moonless night here should show the Milky Way.
Source: DarkSky International
What is there to do at Day Run Campground?
Fishing and hunting are popular activities in the area. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Day Run Campground?
Marlinton, West Virginia. Day Run is located just off of the Highland Scenic Highway, a national scenic byway that extends 43 miles from Richwood to US Route 219, north of Marlinton.
Source: Getting there
What if Day Run Campground is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Highland Scenic Highway (6.4 mi, first-come), Pocahontas Campground (9.9 mi), and Cranberry Glades Botanical Area (10.1 mi, first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby