Big Bend (WV)
Monongahela National Forest
Big Bend is located in the Smoke Hole Canyon Smoke Hole Canyon next to the South Branch of the Potomac River at the end of County Route 2. Located 10 miles south west of Petersburg, West Virginia. The river is located 200 feet from campground and is open for fishing and non-motorized boat use. A one mile loop trail is available for hiking at the campground and 60 miles of backcountry trails are located close by in the Seneca Creek Backcountry as well as the trails located in Smoke Hole Canyon.
Big Bend Campground is comprised of 46 standard non-electric camping units with fire rings, lantern posts, picnic tables and paved spurs. In addition, there is a developed host site equipped with electrical, water, and sewage hookups. Parts of the campground and facilities within it are ABA accessible.
The campground contains two single-unit vault toilets, two double-unit flush toilets, and a four-unit flush restroom with four showers some of which are accessible.
There are trash dumpsters located in each loop of the campground for garbage collection and disposal.
There is one recreation vehicle dump station in Big Bend Campground located adjacent to the campground. Visitors staying at Jess Judy Group Campground may use the dump station at Big Bend Campground. There is an underground holding tank attached to the dump station. Holder is responsible for daily operations and maintenance attached the dump station and holding tank.
The average operation and maintenance season for Big Bend Campground and Jess Judy Group Campground has been from approximately April 10th through Oct 31st. At a minimum, the Forest Service (FS) will expect the permit Holder to fully operate the campgrounds from the second Friday night in April through the last Saturday night in October.
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 Campground is comprised of 46 standard non-electric camping units with fire rings, lantern posts, picnic tables and paved spurs. In addition, there is a developed host site equipped with electrical, water, and sewage hookups. Parts of the campground and facilities within it are ABA accessible.
The campground contains two single-unit vault toilets, two double-unit flush toilets, and a four-unit flush restroom with four showers some of which are accessible.
Jess Judy Group Campground 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. The group campground is not accessible.
There are trash dumpsters located in each loop of the campground for garbage collection and disposal.
There is one recreation vehicle dump station in Big Bend Campground located adjacent to the campground. Visitors staying at Jess Judy Group Campground may use the dump station at Big Bend Campground. There is an underground holding tank attached to the dump station. Holder is responsible for daily operations and maintenance attached the dump station and holding tank.
There is a wastewater treatment facility (Filtered Drain Field) located within the campground. Holder is responsible for daily operations and maintenance of this facility.
The average operation and maintenance season for Big Bend Campground and Jess Judy Group Campground has been from approximately April 10th through Oct 31st. At a minimum, the Forest Service (FS) will expect the permit Holder to fully operate the campgrounds from the second Friday night in April through the last Saturday night in October.
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.
Need to Know
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 031, Loop UPPR, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 042, Loop UPPR, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 003, Loop RIVR, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 040, Loop UPPR, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 037, Loop UPPR, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 039, Loop UPPR, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 025, Loop UPPR, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 001, Loop RIVR, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 043, Loop UPPR, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 010, Loop RIVR, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 026, Loop UPPR, 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 035, Loop UPPR, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 029, Loop UPPR, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 004, Loop RIVR, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 038, Loop UPPR, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 030, Loop UPPR, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 008, Loop RIVR, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 005, Loop RIVR, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 007, Loop RIVR, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 021, Loop UPPR, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 036, Loop UPPR, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 022, Loop UPPR, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 002, Loop RIVR, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 014, Loop UPPR, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 044, Loop UPPR, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 006, 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 028, Loop UPPR, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 012, Loop RIVR, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 020, Loop UPPR, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 033, Loop UPPR, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 046, Loop UPPR, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 045, Loop UPPR, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 024, Loop UPPR, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 018, Loop UPPR, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 015, Loop UPPR, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 027, Loop UPPR, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 034, 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
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