Spruce Knob Lake
The Spruce Knob Lake Campground is tucked in a beautiful hardwood forest less than a mile from Spruce Knob Lake. The campground provides a peaceful setting with easy access to boating on the lake and hiking through the mountainous region. Spruce Knob Lake Campground is comprised of 28 standard camping units, 2 double camping units, and 10 walk in camping units with fire rings, lantern posts, picnic tables and paved spurs (standard camping units). In addition, there is a developed host site equipped with electrical (solar), water, and a sewage holding tank. Spruce Knob Lake Campground contains five single-toilet vault restrooms all of which are accessible.
Sites 1, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30 and 31 are first-come, first-served. The other sites take reservations.
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 | 30 |
| Walk-in | 12 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 30 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
42 sites in 2 loops. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | People / vehicles | Fires | Accessible |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | DRUP | Standard | Back-in | 30 | Gravel | Full | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 002 | DRUP | Standard | Back-in | 30 | Gravel | Full | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 003 | DRUP | Standard | Back-in | 30 | Gravel | Full | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 004 | DRUP | Standard | Back-in | 30 | Gravel | Full | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 005 | DRUP | Standard | Back-in | 30 | Gravel | Full | 16 / 4 | Yes | |
| 006 | DRUP | Standard | Back-in | 30 | Gravel | Full | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 007 | DRUP | Standard | Back-in | 30 | Gravel | Full | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 008 | DRUP | Standard | Back-in | 30 | Gravel | Full | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 009 | DRUP | Standard | Back-in | 30 | Gravel | Full | 8 / 2 | Yes | |
| 010 | DRUP | Standard | Back-in | 30 | Gravel | Full | 8 / 2 | Yes |
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 |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Fees | Single- $16. Double- $28. Walk-in- $13 |
| Accessibility | Sites 001, 002, 003, 004 and 38 more are listed accessible |
The campground has accessible vault toilets and a solar-powered system for drinking water. No electric hookups are available. Firewood is for sale on-site.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Status | Open |
| Season | Lake opens when roads are snow-free. Campground opens in April to October |
| Forest | Monongahela National Forest |
| Booking | Reservations can be made online or by calling (877) 444-6777. Campsites 1, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, and 31 are on a first-come, first-served basis. Please check in with campground host upon arrival. |
| Fees | Single- $16. Double- $28. Walk-in- $13 |
| Rules | Maximum length of stay is 14 days. Swimming is not permitted in Spruce Knob Lake. Secure food and trash from bears and raccoons. |
Weather by month
Getting there
From Riverton, WV, take U.S. Route 33 south 2 miles to Briery Gap Road (County Road 33/4). Turn right onto Briery Gap Road. Go 2 miles to Forest Road 112, turn right and continue for 13.5 miles. Turn right on Forest Road 1. The campground is 1/2 mile on the right. From Elkins, WV, take U.S.
| Nearest town | Riverton, West Virginia |
| Coordinates | 38.7497° N, 79.5003° W · Directions ↗ |
Good to know
- The group campground is not ABA accessible.
Supplies & services
| Outdoor gear | Pendelton County Outdoors ↗ | 11.4 mi |
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 17.1 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
West Virginia Camping ~ Spruce Knob Lake Campground
Trails nearby
- 0.4 miHuckleberry Trail ↗4.5 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.5 miJudy Springs Trail0.7 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 1 miHorton Trail ↗5.1 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 1.1 miHigh Meadow Trail2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 1.1 miBear Hunter Trail0.9 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 1.4 miSeneca Creek Trail ↗5.2 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.
- inMonongahela National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 1,703,725 acres
- 6.8 miLaurel Fork North Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 6,048 acres
- 9.8 miLaurel Fork South Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 5,840 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
- Circleville SchoolBuilding · Circleville · 5.4 mi
- Boggs MillBuilding · Seneca Rocks · 7.8 mi
- Sites HomesteadBuilding · Seneca Rocks · 9.1 mi
Natural features
The campground is situated on a wooded ridge overlooking the lake. To the east is 4,863' Spruce Knob. The vegetation atop Spruce Knob has adapted to a harsh, exposed environment. One-sided red spruce deformed by constant exposure to strong westerly winds cling to the high rocky ridges. Blueberry and huckleberry plants cover the ground. Due to its location, the campground may experience cold fogs and strong winds year-round.
Recreation
Sixty miles of picturesque hiking trails crisscross the region, and the campground provides direct access to the pleasant 1-mile Big Bend River Loop. Trout fishing is available nearby at 25-acre Spruce Knob Lake, and in surrounding creeks. Facilities at the lake include a small boat ramp, parking area and vault toilets. A wooden pier along the shoreline provides barrier-free access to the lake.No swimming is allowed.
Nearby
The half-mile Whispering Spruce Trail circles Spruce Knob and provides panoramic views of the beautiful area.
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 Spruce Knob Lake?
For some sites. Sites 1, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30 and 31 are first-come, first-served. The other sites take reservations.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Spruce Knob Lake?
Single- $16. Double- $28. Walk-in- $13
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Spruce Knob Lake?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 1:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Spruce Knob Lake open right now?
Open as of Oct 16, 2026. Season Lake opens when roads are snow-free. Campground opens in April to October.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Spruce Knob Lake have?
42 sites, including 30 standard sites without power and 12 walk-in sites.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Spruce Knob Lake?
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 Spruce Knob Lake?
Yes, pets are allowed at Spruce Knob Lake. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Spruce Knob Lake?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. Maximum length of stay is 14 days.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are there accessible sites at Spruce Knob Lake?
Sites 001, 002, 003, and 004 are listed accessible on Recreation.gov, 42 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 Spruce Knob Lake?
Sixty miles of picturesque hiking trails crisscross the region, and the campground provides direct access to the pleasant 1-mile Big Bend River Loop. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Spruce Knob Lake?
Riverton, West Virginia. The half-mile Whispering Spruce Trail circles Spruce Knob and provides panoramic views of the beautiful area.
Source: Getting there
What if Spruce Knob Lake is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Gatewood Group (5 mi), Seneca Shadows (7.9 mi), and Laurel Fork Campground (10.4 mi, first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby