Big Bend
Big Bend is located in the Smoke Hole Canyon Smoke Hole Canyon next to the South Branch of the Potomac River at the end of County Route 2. Located 10 miles south west of Petersburg, West Virginia. The river is located 200 feet from campground and is open for fishing and non-motorized boat use. A one mile loop trail is available for hiking at the campground and 60 miles of backcountry trails are located close by in the Seneca Creek Backcountry as well as the trails located in Smoke Hole Canyon. Big Bend Campground is comprised of 46 standard non-electric camping units with fire rings, lantern posts, picnic tables and paved spurs.
Some sites take reservations. Others are first-come, first-served.
More like this: first-come in West Virginia · reservable in West Virginia · pets allowed in West Virginia
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 46 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 30 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
46 sites in 2 loops. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Loop | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | People / vehicles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | RIVR | Back-in | 25 | Gravel | Full | 8 / 2 |
| 002 | RIVR | Back-in | 25 | Gravel | Full | 8 / 2 |
| 003 | RIVR | Back-in | 25 | Gravel | Full | 8 / 2 |
| 004 | RIVR | Back-in | 25 | Gravel | Full | 8 / 2 |
| 005 | RIVR | Back-in | 25 | Gravel | Full | 8 / 2 |
| 006 | RIVR | Back-in | 25 | Gravel | Full | 8 / 2 |
| 007 | RIVR | Back-in | 25 | Gravel | Full | 13 / 2 |
| 008 | RIVR | Back-in | 25 | Gravel | Full | 8 / 2 |
| 009 | RIVR | Back-in | 25 | Gravel | Full | 8 / 2 |
| 010 | RIVR | Back-in | 25 | Gravel | Full | 8 / 2 |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 1:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Max vehicle length | 30 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Status | Open |
| Season | Early-April to late October |
| Forest | Monongahela National Forest |
| Booking | Upper Loop Sites 13-30 are on a first-come, first-serve basis. The River Loop sites and double campsites can be reserved online or by calling (877) 444-6777 |
| Fees | Camping River Loop – Single: $23. River Loop Double: $40. Upper Loops – Single: $22. Upper Loops – Double: $35 |
| Rules | Camping is prohibited within 300 feet of the corridor of the South Branch of the Potomac River between U.S. Highway 220 and Big Bend Campground, except for lawful camping at developed campgrounds. Maximum length of stay is 14 days and 8 people per site. No camping allowed along County Route 2. Park in developed areas only. Pets must be leashed. |
Weather by month
Getting there
Follow 28/55 from Petersburg, West Virginia, for 8 miles. Turn left onto Smoke Hole Road, Route 28/11, and travel for 13 miles to County Route 2. Turn left onto the Smoke Hole Road, County Route 2, and follow for approximately 3 miles to Big Bend Campground.
| Coordinates | 38.8957° N, 79.2457° W · Directions ↗ |
Good to know
- The group campground is not accessible.
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 0.5 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Ski Barn ↗ | 14.4 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Big Bend Campground, WV
Trails nearby
- 0.4 miBig Bend Loop1.2 mi trail · hiking
- 1.4 miHickory Trail1.8 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 2 miNorth Fork Mtn (N.F Gap-Red) ↗7.4 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 4.4 miLandis Trail1.4 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 4.5 miNorth Fork Mtn (fr79-Judy) ↗12.1 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
Dolly Sods Wilderness begins about 7.3 miles away, and it is the closest of these.
- 7.3 miDolly Sods Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 17,777 acres
- 8.1 miRoaring Plains West Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 6,794 acres
- 13 miMonongahela National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 1,703,725 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
On the National Register nearby
- Old Judy ChurchBuilding · Petersburg · 2.5 mi
- Rohrbaugh CabinBuilding · Petersburg · 4.2 mi
- Sites HomesteadBuilding · Seneca Rocks · 8 mi
Natural features
Big Bend Campground is in the northern portion of the Monongahela National Forest, boasting beautiful old growth trees that become vibrant with color in fall. The river runs north through the Smoke Hole Canyon, which bears a name of uncertain origin. One theory is Native Americans used the caves of the gorge for smoking meat, which created "smoke holes." Another is that misty fog often lies along the river and ascends in what looks like smoke from a hole.
Recreation
The Big Bend Loop Trail is a one-mile nature trail that circles the campground. The majority of the trail follows along the river bend. Thirty miles of maintained trails can be found nearby, and mountain biking is permitted on most trails.
Nearby
The Highland Scenic Highway provides an unforgettable drive through narrow, steep valleys and rolling, tree-topped mountains. Estimated time to drive on this byway is two to four hours, and highlights include Cranberry Glades Botanical Area, Summit Lake and Falls of Hills Creek.
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 Big Bend?
For some sites. Some sites take reservations. Others are first-come, first-served.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Big Bend?
Camping River Loop – Single: $23. River Loop Double: $40. Upper Loops – Single: $22.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Big Bend?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 1:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Big Bend open right now?
Open as of Oct 16, 2026. Season Early-April to late October.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Big Bend have?
46 sites, including 46 standard sites without power.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Big Bend?
The longest site here provides 30 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.
Source: Will my RV fit
Are pets allowed at Big Bend?
Yes, pets are allowed at Big Bend. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
What is there to do at Big Bend?
The Big Bend Loop Trail is a one-mile nature trail that circles the campground. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What if Big Bend is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Jess Judy (under 0.1 mi), Seneca Shadows (9.2 mi), and Red Creek Campground (10.2 mi, first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby