Big Bend (WV)
Big Bend is a family-oriented campground along a bend on the South Branch Potomac River in Smoke Hole Canyon. With its convenient position on the river, the campground creates a recreation hub for fishing, tubing, kayaking and swimming.
About 1.3 million people visit the Monongahela National Forest each year. The forest is a drivable distance from metropolises like Washington, D.C., and Pittsburg, yet still offers a remote and scenic camping getaway.
Big Bend offers 46 sites; 18 sites are non-reservable. Twelve sites on the river loop have tent pads. All sites have a lantern holder, picnic table and fire ring. Drinking water is available. There are two pit toilets, one shower house, and flush toilet restrooms in each loop. There is also a dump and fill station.
Need to Know
- Be bear aware; keep all food out of site in approved containers or locked inside your vehicle and remove all food from area after eating
- There are no electric site hook-ups at this facility
- This campground has first-come, first-serve sites
- A fee will be charged for additional vehicles
- Parking is permitted in developed areas only
- Don't move firewood: To limit the spread of invasive tree-killing pests, firewood from outside the area is not permitted. Some states have quarantines and may confiscate your firewood. Please help protect our forests from invasive species by obtaining your firewood at or near your camping destination and burning it on-site. Visit dontmovefirewood.org for more information.
Access Road Subject to FLOODING – Roads accessing this recreation area may become impassable due to flash flooding. Monitor conditions and expect delays in departing until flood waters recede. YOUR SAFTETY IS YOUR RESPONSIBILTY
Natural Features
Big Bend Campground is in the northern portion of the Monongahela National Forest, boasting beautiful old growth trees that become vibrant with color in fall.
The river runs north through the Smoke Hole Canyon, which bears a name of uncertain origin. One theory is Native Americans used the caves of the gorge 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.
Nearby Attractions
The Highland Scenic Highway provides an unforgettable drive through narrow, steep valleys and rolling, tree-topped mountains. Estimated time to drive on this byway is two to four hours, and highlights include Cranberry Glades Botanical Area, Summit Lake and Falls of Hills Creek.
Recreation
The Big Bend Loop Trail is a one-mile nature trail that circles the campground. The majority of the trail follows along the river bend.
Thirty miles of maintained trails can be found nearby, and mountain biking is permitted on most trails.
Contact Information
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MONONGAHELA WV
Phone Number
For campground inquiries, please call: 304-358-3253
Rental Options
Learn more about gear rental options for your trip
Driving Directions
Follow 28/55 from Petersburg, West Virginia, for 8 miles. Turn left onto Smoke Hole Road, Route 28/11, and travel for 13 miles to County Route 2. Turn left onto the Smoke Hole Road, County Route 2, and follow for approximately 3 miles to Big Bend Campground.
Available Campsites
- Site 021, Loop UPPR, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 012, Loop RIVR, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 036, Loop UPPR, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 043, Loop UPPR, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 032, Loop UPPR, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 023, Loop UPPR, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 011, Loop RIVR, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 029, Loop UPPR, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 010, Loop RIVR, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 027, Loop UPPR, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 024, Loop UPPR, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 034, Loop UPPR, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 001, Loop RIVR, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 044, Loop UPPR, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 042, Loop UPPR, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 020, Loop UPPR, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 026, Loop UPPR, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 003, Loop RIVR, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 033, Loop UPPR, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 022, Loop UPPR, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 040, Loop UPPR, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 006, Loop RIVR, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 004, Loop RIVR, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 041, Loop UPPR, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 016, Loop UPPR, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 017, Loop UPPR, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 046, Loop UPPR, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 038, Loop UPPR, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 002, Loop RIVR, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 009, Loop RIVR, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 013, Loop UPPR, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 019, Loop UPPR, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 037, Loop UPPR, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 018, Loop UPPR, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 028, Loop UPPR, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 039, Loop UPPR, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 014, Loop UPPR, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 045, Loop UPPR, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 030, Loop UPPR, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 008, Loop RIVR, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 025, Loop UPPR, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 015, Loop UPPR, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 035, Loop UPPR, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 005, Loop RIVR, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 031, Loop UPPR, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 007, Loop RIVR, Type Standard Nonelectric
