Jess Judy
The Jess Judy Group Campground is located on the South Branch of the Potomac River, in West Virginia's eastern panhandle, about 1.5 miles south of Big Bend. Canoeing, fishing and hiking are popular activities. Jess Judy contains three reservable sites that will accommodate up to 40 people each. The campground contains fire rings, picnic tables, lantern posts, and four single-unit vault toilets. There is no electric or drinking water at the group campground although persons camping at Jess Judy Group Campground may obtain water at Big Bend Campground. About 1.3 million visitors come to the Monongahela National Forest each year, and it's no surprise why.
More like this: reservable in West Virginia · tent only in West Virginia · pets allowed in West Virginia · group sites in West Virginia
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| group standard area nonelectric | 3 |
Site guide
3 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Surface | People / vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| A | Gravel | 40 / 20 |
| B | Gravel | 40 / 20 |
| C | Gravel | 40 / 20 |
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
| Equipment | Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
The campground has three primitive group sites that can accommodate up to 40 people each. No drinking water is available, so please bring your own supply. Accessible vault toilets are provided.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Status | Open |
| Season | April to late October |
| Forest | Monongahela National Forest |
| Booking | Reservations can be made online or by calling (877) 444-6777. |
| Fees | $50 per night. An additional fee is charged for each vehicle after the 10th vehicle. |
| Rules | Maximum length of stay is 14 days and 40 people per site. Pets must be on a leash. |
Weather by month
Getting there
Follow 28/55 from Petersburg, WV, for 8 miles. Turn left onto Smoke Hole Road, Route 28/11, and travel for 13 miles to County Route 2. Turn left onto Smoke Hole Road, County Route 2, and follow for approximately 2 miles. Jess Judy Campground will be on the right.
| Coordinates | 38.8957° N, 79.2463° W · Directions ↗ |
Good to know
- The group campground is not accessible.
- One highly recommended trail for hikers and backpackers is the North Fork Mountain Trail.
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 0.6 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Ski Barn ↗ | 14.3 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
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
- 4.4 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 miRoaring Plains West Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 6,794 acres
- 12.9 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
Jess Judy Group Campground is situated in the northern portion of the Monongahela National Forest, on the western banks of the river. The region boasts beautiful old-growth forests that become vibrant with color in fall. The South Branch of the Potomac River runs north through Smoke Hole Canyon, which bears a name of uncertain origin. One theory is Native Americans once used the caves in the canyon 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
Visitors enjoy canoeing and fishing on the river, and hiking on local trails. Thirty miles of maintained trails can be found nearby and mountain biking is permitted on most of them.
Nearby
Traverse through narrow, steep valleys and over rolling, tree-topped mountains on the Highland Scenic Highway. This 43-mile drive includes highlights like Cranberry Glades Botanical Area, Summit Lake, and the 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 Jess Judy?
Sites at Jess Judy are reservable on Recreation.gov. Reservations can be made online or by calling (877) 444-6777. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Jess Judy?
$50 per night. An additional fee is charged for each vehicle after the 10th vehicle.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Jess Judy?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 1:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Jess Judy open right now?
Open as of Oct 16, 2026. Season April to late October.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Jess Judy have?
3 sites, including 3 group standard area nonelectric.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I bring an RV to Jess Judy?
Jess Judy is listed for tents only.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Jess Judy?
Yes, pets are allowed at Jess Judy. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
What is there to do at Jess Judy?
Visitors enjoy canoeing and fishing on the river, and hiking on local trails. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What if Jess Judy is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Big Bend (under 0.1 mi, partly first-come), Seneca Shadows (9.1 mi), and Red Creek Campground (10.2 mi, first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby