Camp Creek State Park and Forest
- Status
- Status not postedDaily 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- Entrance fee
- Statewide rule — see below
- Day-use reservations
- None mentioned
- Dogs
- Statewide rule — see below
- Camping
- YesAlso cabins
- Official site
- wvstateparks.com304-425-9481
Official page last checked Oct 29, 2026. How we keep this current
Overview
Camp Creek State Park and Forest is a park in Mercer County, about 10 miles north of Princeton.
The park supports horseback riding, hunting in season, biking, fishing, and geocaching. The official site lists about 35 miles of trails. Overnight options include campsites, with tent sites. If you'd rather not camp, the park offers cabins.
Hours
Park, gate, office and facility hours are listed separately because they often differ. Alerts above override normal hours.
| Facility | Days | Hours | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park | Daily | 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. | — |
Official wording
9 A.M. – 5 P.M.
Camp Creek campgrounds are open year-round, weather permitting.
Source: official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Times are local to the park (America/New York).
Pets
'Dogs and cats are the only pets permitted in state parks and forests. Pets must be leashed and restrained.' Select cabins are pet-friendly, varying by park.
Statewide rule from West Virginia's park system (source). This park’s page doesn’t state its own pet rules, so check for local restrictions.
Fees and passes
Fees apply to lodging, camping, pools and activities.
Statewide fee rule from West Virginia's park system; this park’s page doesn’t list its own fees.
Reservations
- Day use
- No day-use reservation requirement mentioned
- Camping
- Required
- Booking system
- WV State Parks reservations (Inntopia-based, reservations.wvstateparks.com)
The Double C Horse and Rider Campground, open April through October, is by reservation only.
We link to the official booking system rather than showing live availability, which changes minute to minute.
Camping
Camp Creek State Park and Forest has four campgrounds, all of which include picnic tables, grills and fire rings.
Mash Fork Campground is open year-round, and contains 26 trailer/tent sites, nine with electrical hookups, eight with water and electric hookups, and nine with full hookups. The campground is equipped with Wi-Fi and a heated bathhouse that is open year-round. A campsite reservation application is available here.
Blue Jay Campground, open April through November, includes 12 rustic tent sites.
The Double C Horse and Rider Campground, open April through October, is by reservation only. Two, four or six horse occupancy sites are available. Riders may bring as many horses as their campsite stall accommodates. A campsite reservation application is available here. This campground is for camping with horses. Campers without horses must reserve in our other campgrounds.
Read more from the park
The Pack It In - Pack It Out Campground has sites for campers who want to travel away from the mainstream facilities. To reach the campsite, guests must hike or bike more than two miles to the Almost Heaven Road and Trail. Make sure to reserve your spot before arriving. Advance reservations for this remote camping experience is required.
Ranger Outpost Cabin is a primitive camping cabin that is a 3.3 mile hike into the forest. Guests will need to pack in their own bedding, lights, water, etc. Reservations are necessary.
There is no electric or water at this location. The studio-style interior has four bunk style beds and a twin bed in the porch loft. Mattress pads are provided. As a true outpost experience there is no kitchen but there is an outdoor cooking grate. Picnic table is provided. Please keep fires in the supplied fire ring with cooking grate. A port-a-john serves as a restroom facility. Cell service is recognized from all providers. Leave no trace ethics is appreciated. For more detailed information and to make reservations, call the park direct at 304-425-9481 or the call center at 833-wvparks.
From the official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Site counts and prices can change; confirm when booking.
Cabins and lodging
Camping
Camp Creek State Park and Forest has four campgrounds, all of which include picnic tables, grills and fire rings. Campground reservations are available from Memorial Day through Labor Day each year. Campgrounds are open on a first-come, first-serve basis through October 31.
Ranger Outpost Cabin is a primitive camping cabin that will be located by hiking 3.3 miles into the forest. Reservations are necessary and hikers must pack in bedding, lights, water, and supplies. There is no electric, water, or showers at this location. The studio-style interior has four twin sized bunks and a bed in the loft. As a true outpost experience there is no kitchen but there is an outdoor cooking grate. Leave no trace ethics is appreciated. For more detailed information and to make reservations, call the park direct at 304-425-9481 or the call center at 833-wvparks.
Things to do
BikingCampingFishingGeocachingHikingHorseback ridingHunting
Trails
| Trail | Length | Difficulty | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Almost Heaven Road and Trail | 0.6 mi | Easy | Although this trail is a level grade, it must first be accessed by hiking 2.3 miles along the Farley Ridge Road and Trail. Distance: 0.6 Miles Difficulty: Easy |
| Bear Wallow Road and Trail | 5 mi | Moderate | This is a loop trail that starts and ends above the Falls/Forest Access parking area. Distance: 5 miles Difficulty: Moderate |
| Blue Jay Ridge Road and Trail | 1 mi | Moderate | This trailhead is to the right of Blue Jay Campground site 12. Distance: 1 mile Difficulty: Moderate |
| Deer Crossing Road and Trail | 1.2 mi | Moderate | This scenic trail connects the two longest trails in the forest — Bear Wallow and Turkey Loop — by crossing through Wildlife Area 7 and Bear Creek and joining with White Oak Road and Trail. Distance: 1.2 miles Difficulty: Moderate |
| Farley Ridge Road and Trail | 3.3 mi | Moderate | This trailhead is across the paved park road from the playground next to the basketball court. Distance: 3.3 miles Difficulty: Moderate |
| Hatfield Road and Trail | 2 mi | Moderate | This trail is best accessed by a 1-mile hike along White Oak Road & Trail. Distance: 2 miles Difficulty: Moderate |
| Horse Bypass Trail | 0.7 mi | Easy | This trailhead starts across the paved road from the Mash Fork Picnic Shelter at the beginning of the gravel road leading to Mash Fork Falls. This level trail is used to bypass the shelter and picnic areas in the developed area of the park. This is required of all horses and riders as they are not allowed in the main picnic areas. It is also a nice bypass for hikers choosing to use it. Distance: 0.7 miles Difficulty: Easy |
| Mash Fork Falls Trail | 1 mi | Difficult | This steep scenic trail may be accessed by parking at the playground next to the basketball court and hiking .8 mile on the Farley Ridge trail to the trailhead of Mash Fork Falls Trail. Distance: 1 mile Difficulty: Difficult |
| McCoy Road and Trail | 1.8 mi | Moderate | This trail is accessed from either the Turkey Loop or Farley Ridge Road and Trails. Distance: 1.8 miles Difficulty: Moderate |
| Neely Knob Road and Trail | 2 mi | Moderate | This trail passes through a variety of habitats, including Wildlife Area 9, and is relatively easy for much of the way and moderately steep in others. The trail also passes by the highest elevation peak, Neely Knob, and has several beautiful views of the distant mountains. Distance: 2 miles Difficulty: Moderate |
| Piney Ridge Trail | 1.5 mi | Difficult | This steep scenic trail may be accessed by parking next to the Mash Fork picnic shelter and hiking .1 mile adjacent to Mash Fork campground site 22 to the Piney Ridge trailhead. Distance: 1.5 miles Difficulty: Difficult |
| Turkey Loop Road and Trail | 8.7 mi | Moderate | This trailhead is located at the Campbell Falls/Forest Access parking area. On this trail, there are nine creek crossings and a tributary stream to ford before crossing the bridge below Mash Fork Falls, so keep the water level in mind. Most of the park and forest trails to the west of Bear Creek intersect at some point with Turkey Loop Road and Trail. Distance: 8.7 miles Difficulty: Moderate |
| Waldrodn Spur Road and Trail | 0.75 mi | Easy | This trailhead is next to the seasonal hunter parking area 2. Distance: 0.75 miles Difficulty: Easy |
| White Oak Road and Trail | 1.4 mi | Easy | This trail starts 1.2 miles upstream on Turkey Loop Road and Trail from the Campbell Falls/Forest Access. At the bottom of the seasonal hunter parking area, enter this easy trail through a thick grove of rhododendron on either side. Distance: 1.4 miles Difficulty: Easy |
Trail descriptions from the park
Explore the park on a beautiful hike through nature! Camp Creek State Park & Forest offers 15 trails for a total of 33 miles of scenic hiking. Don’t forget to pick up a map before you head out on your adventure!
Fishing
Camp Creek offers great fishing opportunities in the park and forest. Pick your favorite spot and bring the whole family for a fun time! But before you head out, make sure you purchase a current West Virginia fishing license, available at www.wvfish.com.
If you’re planning a fishing trip and need overnight accommodations, check in to a cabin or lodge room at nearby Pipestem Resort State Park. But hurry! They book up fast. Make you reservation by clicking Book Now!
Fishing in Camp Creek State Park and Forest
A state fishing license is usually required.
Amenities
Camping
- Tent camping
Lodging
- Cabins
Recreation
- Horse trails
✓ listed by the park · ✕ the park says it is not available. Anything not shown here isn’t mentioned by the official source — that means unknown, not unavailable.
Getting there
- Address
- 2390 Camp Creek Road
Camp Creek, WV 25820 - Nearest town
- Princeton — about 10 mi north (straight line)
- Coordinates
- 37.5060, -81.1326
- Phone
- 304-425-9481
- dnrcampcreek@wv.gov
Nearby state parks
Sources and freshness
- West Virginia State Parks — park page — last checked Oct 29, 2026; page says updated Jun 29, 2025
- West Virginia State Parks park finder: window.parks JSON embedded in the /parks/ page (WordPress page + park post with ACF meta)
“Last checked” is when our system last read the official source. No change has been detected since this page was first published. Hours, fees and rules can change without notice — confirm with the park before you go. Methodology