Bear Heaven Campground
A small primitive campground l ocated approximately 14 miles northeast of Elkins, West Virginia, on Forest Road 91 (Stuart Drive) near the Otter Creek Wilderness. 8 available sites are nestled along r ock outcroppings that offer unique landscapes. There is stream fishing and hiking located nearby. Middle Point Trail #140, 3.7 miles in length is located along Forest Road 91 (Stuart Drive) west of the Campground. The Otter Creek Wilderness offers several trails and more challenging experiences just next door.
More like this: first-come in West Virginia
Site map
8 campsite locations mapped by OpenStreetMap contributors. The site numbers are theirs and may not match the posts at the campground. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL.
Season & status
| Status | Open |
| Season | Mid-April to November |
| Forest | Monongahela National Forest |
| Fees | Camping fees are $5/night for each site. Fees are payable at the campground. |
| Rules | Maximum length of stay is 14 days. Check-out time is 1:00 p.m. Pets are permitted if on a leash at all times. |
Weather by month
Getting there
From Elkins go east on State Highway 33 for approximately 11 miles, turn left on Forest Road 91 at the top of Shaver's Mountain. Follow Forest Road 91 for approximately 3 miles. Bear Heaven Campground will be on the left.
| Coordinates | 38.9305° N, 79.6803° W · Directions ↗ |
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dumping Station ↗ | 13.3 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Ski Barn ↗ | 14.6 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Bear Heaven campground & hiking // West Virginia
Trails nearby
- 1 miOtter Creek Trail ↗11.4 mi trail · hiking, horse
- 1 miHedrick Camp Trail1.1 mi trail · hiking, horse
- 1.6 miShavers Mountain Trail ↗8.7 mi trail · hiking, horse
- 1.6 miMiddle Point3.5 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 1.9 miYellow Creek Trail1.3 mi trail · hiking, horse
- 2.1 miMcGowan Mountain Trail3.7 mi trail · hiking, horse
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
- 1.9 miOtter Creek Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 20,705 acres
- 8.9 miLaurel Fork North Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 6,048 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
- Day–Vandevander MillBuilding · Harmon · 8.5 mi
- Gov. H. Guy Kump HouseBuilding · Elkins · 8.7 mi
- Randolph County Courthouse and JailBuilding · Elkins · 8.8 mi
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 Bear Heaven Campground?
No. Bear Heaven Campground is first-come, first-served. Sites are taken on arrival and paid at the fee station.
Source: Forest Service
How much does it cost to camp at Bear Heaven Campground?
Camping fees are $5/night for each site. Fees are payable at the campground.
Source: Forest Service
Is Bear Heaven Campground open right now?
Open as of Oct 16, 2026. Season Mid-April to November.
Source: Forest Service status
What if Bear Heaven Campground is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Otter Creek Wilderness (5 mi, first-come), Stuart Recreation Area (5 mi), and Laurel Fork Campground (13.2 mi, first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby