Seneca Shadows
The Seneca Shadows Campground overlooks Seneca Rocks and is surrounded by mountains on both the east and west. Hiking and nature study at Seneca Rocks are just a couple of the popular activities in the area. The North Fork South Branch Potomac River is nearby, making fishing a popular pastime. Seneca Shadows Campground is comprised of 11 standard camping units with electric hookups, 2 double camping units with electric hookups, 23 standard camping units without electric, 2 double camping units without electric, 40 walk-in camp sites and 3 group tent sites with drinking water, fire rings, lantern posts, picnic tables and paved spurs (standard camping units).
More like this: electric hookups in West Virginia · reservable in West Virginia · big rigs in West Virginia · pets allowed in West Virginia · group sites in West Virginia
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Walk-in | 40 |
| Standard, no hookups | 25 |
| Standard with electric | 13 |
| Group tent areas | 3 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 90 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
81 sites in 5 loops. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | Power | People / vehicles | Fires | Accessible | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | A | Standard | Back-in | 25 | Paved | Full | No | 6 / 2 | Yes | ||
| 002 | A | Standard | Back-in | 25 | Paved | Full | No | 12 / 4 | Yes | Preferred | |
| 003 | A | Standard | Back-in | 25 | Paved | Full | No | 6 / 2 | Yes | Yes | |
| 004 | A | Standard | Back-in | 25 | Paved | Full | No | 6 / 2 | Yes | ||
| 005 | A | Standard | Back-in | 25 | Paved | Full | No | 6 / 2 | Yes | ||
| 006 | A | Standard | Back-in | 25 | Paved | Full | No | 12 / 4 | Yes | Preferred | |
| 007 | A | Standard | Back-in | 25 | Paved | Full | No | 6 / 2 | Yes | Yes | |
| 008 | A | Standard | Back-in | 25 | Paved | Full | No | 6 / 2 | Yes | ||
| 009 | A | Standard | Back-in | 25 | Paved | Full | No | 6 / 2 | Yes | Yes | |
| 010 | A | Standard | Back-in | 25 | Paved | Full | No | 12 / 4 | Yes | Preferred |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 02:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | Electric |
| Max vehicle length | 90 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Fees | For Standard Electric sites, there is a $8 electric attribute fee in addition to the site use fee of $22 to $36. |
| Accessibility | Sites 003, 007, 009, 011 and 8 more are listed accessible |
Seneca Shadows is a modern campground with flush toilets, lantern posts, picnic tables and campfire rings. The large facility has a selection of walk-to tent sites, standard RV sites and tent-only group sites. Loop C has electric hookups. Firewood is available for sale on-site.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Status | Open |
| Season | April to October |
| Forest | Monongahela National Forest |
| Booking | Reservations must be made 4 days ahead of arrival and can be made up to 6 months in advance for standard sites or 12 months in advance for group… |
| Fees | Loops A & B (Single)- $22. Loops A & B (Double)- $35. Loop C (Single)- $30. Loop C (Double)- $50. Group Sites (up to 60 people)- $65. Walk-in (Single)- $17. Walk-in (Double)- $28. All fees listed are per each night of stay. |
Weather by month
Getting there
From Elkins WV, take US 33 east 34 miles. Turn right into the campground. From Petersburg, WV, take State Hwy 28 south 22 miles. Turn right into the campground. From Franklin, WV, take US 33 west 24 miles. Turn left into the campground.
| Coordinates | 38.8222° N, 79.3872° W · Directions ↗ |
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 9.3 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Pendelton County Outdoors ↗ | 12.2 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Seneca Shadows Campground Tour | Seneca Rocks WV Camping in Monongahela National Forest
Trails nearby
- 1.2 miSeneca Rocks Trail1.5 mi trail · hiking
- 4.2 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
Monongahela National Forest begins about 3.8 miles away, and it is the closest of these.
- 3.8 miMonongahela National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 1,703,725 acres
- 5.7 miRoaring Plains West Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 6,794 acres
- 10.6 miDolly Sods Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 17,777 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
- Boggs MillBuilding · Seneca Rocks · 0.2 mi
- Sites HomesteadBuilding · Seneca Rocks · 1.2 mi
- Cunningham-Hevener HouseBuilding · Upper Tract · 6.3 mi
Natural features
The campground sits in the river valley within the Monongahela National Forest, which extends over the north central highlands of the state, straddling many of the region's highest peaks. Elevations range from 1,000 to 4,863 feet above sea level. Variations in terrain and precipitation have created one of the most ecologically diverse national forests in the country.
Recreation
Rock climbers and hikers adore Seneca Rocks. Both sports will take visitors to the top of the impressive rocky tops with rewarding views of the mountains and valleys beyond. The hiking trail can be accessed across the street from the Seneca Shadows Campground. Seneca Rocks Visitor Center provides a catch-and-release fishing area, viewing platforms, educational displays and a gift shop.
Nearby
Campers make Seneca Shadows a convenient base camp while traveling through the Potomac Highlands. Explore the scenic roadways, especially when fall colors are at their peak.
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 Seneca Shadows?
Sites at Seneca Shadows are reservable on Recreation.gov. Reservations must be made 4 days ahead of arrival and can be made up to 6 months in advance for standard sites or 12 months in advance for group… Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Seneca Shadows?
For Standard Electric sites, there is a $8 electric attribute fee in addition to the site use fee of $22 to $36.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Seneca Shadows?
Check-in 02:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Seneca Shadows open right now?
Open as of Oct 16, 2026. Season April to October.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Seneca Shadows have?
81 sites, including 40 walk-in sites, 25 standard sites without power, 13 standard sites with power, and 3 group tent areas.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Seneca Shadows?
Recreation.gov lists no practical vehicle capacity limit for the largest site here, which usually means pull-through or open parking. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.
Source: Will my RV fit
Does Seneca Shadows have hookups?
Yes, electric hookups at some sites.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are there showers or a dump station at Seneca Shadows?
Seneca Shadows is a modern campground with flush toilets, lantern posts, picnic tables and campfire rings.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Seneca Shadows?
Yes, pets are allowed at Seneca Shadows. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Seneca Shadows?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are there accessible sites at Seneca Shadows?
Sites 003, 007, 009, and 011 are listed accessible on Recreation.gov, 12 sites in all. What that covers (a paved pad, an accessible table, a nearby accessible restroom) is on each site's booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
What is there to do at Seneca Shadows?
Rock climbers and hikers adore Seneca Rocks. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation