USDA Forest Service · West Virginia
Blue Bend Rec Area
USDA Forest Service · West Virginia, United States
- Sites
- 23
- Hookups
- 4 electric, 1 with water, 19 no hookups
- Season
- April 17 to November 15
- Max RV length
- 60 ft
- Group sites
- Yes
- Drinking water
- Yes
- Restrooms
- Yes
- Showers
- Yes
- Pets
- Yes
- Elevation
- 2,014 ft
- Dark sky
- Bortle class 1
- Cell coverage
- T-Mobile none · AT&T none · Verizon none (carriers' 4G LTE filings to the FCC, 2025-12; not measured here)
- Access road
- BLUE BEND (NFSR 124) · crushed aggregate or gravel · moderate degree of user comfort
- Lake
- Monongahela National Forest
- Nearest town
- Blue Bend
- Address
- MONONGAHELA, WV
- Phone
- 304-536-2144 FOR DISTRICT OFFICE AND 304-536-1440 FOR CAMPGROUND FROM MAY TO AUGUST
- Activities
- Camping, Fishing, Hiking, Swimming, Wildlife Viewing
23 numbered sites are mapped one by one - open the site map to pick yours.
About
Overview
Blue Bend Recreation Area is a quaint wooded area filled with plenty of hiking, picnicking and camping opportunities. Constructed in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps, the rustic wood tables and shelters appeal to many day and overnight visitors.
The recreation area, along Anthony Creek, has a selection of single family campsites and 2 picnic shelters. The large group picnic shelter accommodates 75 people and can be reserved in peak season.
Recreation
Swimming is nice and refreshing in Anthony Creek, and anglers can find trout here.
The Blue Bend Recreation Area provides access to the BIg Draft WIlderness. A popular excursion into the wilderness is the 5-mile Blue Bend Loop Trail, which connects to the Anthony Creek Trail. Blue Bend Loop Trail offers 3 scenic overlooks.
Facilities
Flush toilets and showers are available in summer, and vault toilets can be used through the spring and fall seasons. Running water is also seasonal, but a hand pump is available through spring and fall.
Each site is on a parking spur with a picnic table, campfire ring, trash bin and lantern post.
Natural Features
At an elevation of 1,860 feet, the campground is in a pleasant, wooded valley facing Round Mountain in the Monongahela National Forest. The forest comprises about a million acres of forest that attracts 1.3 million visitors each year.
A variety of animals make their home here, including black bear, coyote, wild turkey, white-tailed deer, red and gray fox, bobcat, fisher, otter and mink.
Nearby Attractions
Fees
Fees are reduced when water system is shut down in the fall each year in mid October and then raised again in teh spring when water systems are turned back on. Water system availabiliy is based on weahter conditions and varies between mid April and early May. Call ahead to check on status before planning your trip.
Weather, month by month
| Month | Typical high | Typical low | Coldest night | Hottest day | Years with a night below 32°F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 36° | 22° | -13° | 59° | 11 of 11 |
| February | 42° | 29° | 4° | 66° | 11 of 11 |
| March | 56° | 34° | 9° | 71° | 9 of 11 |
| April | 66° | 43° | 25° | 81° | 6 of 11 |
| May | 71° | 54° | 35° | 86° | 0 of 11 |
| June | 78° | 60° | 48° | 86° | 0 of 11 |
| July | 83° | 65° | 53° | 89° | 0 of 11 |
| August | 80° | 66° | 51° | 91° | 0 of 11 |
| September | 76° | 60° | 44° | 92° | 0 of 11 |
| October | 63° | 44° | 31° | 80° | 1 of 10 |
| November | 51° | 33° | 16° | 66° | 8 of 10 |
| December | 42° | 28° | 1° | 63° | 10 of 10 |
Mid-month figures from 2016–2026 of daily weather at this spot (ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo, CC BY 4.0), in °F. Typical is the median; coldest and hottest are the extremes seen.
Nearby campgrounds
- Blue Meadow Group Campground · USDA Forest Service · 1 mi
- Blue Meadow · USDA Forest Service · 1 mi · 37 sites
- Hopkins Mountain Fireman's Cabin · USDA Forest Service · 2 mi · 1 sites
- Greenbrier State Forest · West Virginia State Parks · 12 mi
- Lake Sherwood · USDA Forest Service · 15 mi · 158 sites
All public campgrounds in West Virginia · Every state and province · Facts read from the operator 2026-04-01. Confirm fees, rules and current status with the operator before you go.