Horseshoe Recreation Area
Campground · West Virginia · 8 bookable sites ·
Managed by the USDA Forest Service
Blackwater Wildlife Management Area (Wildlife Management Area) · Restricted Access
- 8
- Bookable sites
- 35 ft
- Max rig length
- up to 75
- People per site
- 2
- Accessible sites
- 1,705 ft
- Elevation
Overview
Horseshoe Recreation Area is located in north-central West Virginia, 7 miles from the town of St. George. The campground is tucked in a valley along Horseshoe Run, providing excellent opportunities for fishing, wildlife viewing, and relaxing beside the creek in the beautiful Monongahela National Forest.
The campground offers 21 campsites total. Sites 7 through 12 are reservable below, while sites 1 through 6 and 13 through 21 are available on a first come, first served basis.
Recreation
Day hiking options include the 1.8-mile Losh Trail, the Dorman Ridge Trail at 1.3 miles, and Two Camp, a short 0.3 mile hike. Fishing for trout is a popular pastime and hunting is allowed in an area about a mile beyond the recreation area.Facilities
Each site offers picnic tables, grills, and waste receptacles and standard sites have electric hookups. There are accessible vault toilets and non-accessible flush toilets. Hand pumps and a drinking fountain with faucet are available. The camp store sells firewood and ice. The two group picnic shelters are accessible. The large electric pavilion has an occupancy limit of 75, and the small non-electric pavilion has an occupancy limit of 10.Natural Features
Within the recreation area, open fields are mowed and gravel roads are maintained along the river. The Monongahela Forest extends over the north central highlands of the state, straddling many of the region's highest peaks. Elevation ranges from 1,000 to 4,863 feet above sea level.Variations in terrain and precipitation have created one of the most ecologically diverse national forests in the country.
Contact Info
Between 05/13/2026 and 09/14/2026 this location is staffed. Please call (304) 801-3262 to speak with local staff. From 09/15/2026 to 05/01/2027 this location is unstaffed. Please call (304) 478-2481 for general information.Nearby Attractions
Take a scenic drive throughout the forest. Fall brings incredible foliage colors to the region.The facts
- Season: May – September — USDA Forest Service, Aug 24, 2026
- 8 bookable sites
- 16 sites in total, including non-bookable
- 2 sites for day use only
- 2 accessible sites
- Vehicles up to 35 ft
- Up to 75 people per site
- Loops: HORS, MANAGEMENT SITES, PAVI
Site types
- 8 Management
- 6 Standard Electric
- 1 Group Shelter Electric
- 1 Group Shelter Nonelectric
Amenities
- Electric hookups
- Campfires allowed
- Fire pits
- Picnic tables
- Shade
- Pets allowed
- Water hookups — not available
- Sewer hookups — not available
Not recorded upstream: grills.
16 campsites at Horseshoe Recreation Area
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Surface | Access | Max rig | People | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 007 | HORS | Standard Electric | Back In | Gravel | — | 30 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 008 | HORS | Standard Electric | Back In | Paved | — | 30 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 009 | HORS | Standard Electric | Back In | Gravel | — | 35 ft | 8 | |
| 010 | HORS | Standard Electric | Back In | Paved | — | 35 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 011 | HORS | Standard Electric | Back In | Paved | — | 30 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| 012 | HORS | Standard Electric | Back In | Paved | Drive In | 29 ft | 8 | 🐾 |
| XXX | MANAGEMENT SITES | Management | Back In | Gravel | — | 35 ft | 8 | ♿ |
| XXX1 | MANAGEMENT SITES | Management | — | — | — | — | — | |
| XXX2 | MANAGEMENT SITES | Management | — | — | — | — | — | |
| XXX3 | MANAGEMENT SITES | Management | — | — | — | — | — | |
| XXX4 | MANAGEMENT SITES | Management | — | — | — | — | — | |
| XXX5 | MANAGEMENT SITES | Management | — | — | — | — | — | |
| XXX6 | MANAGEMENT SITES | Management | — | — | — | — | — | |
| XXX7 | MANAGEMENT SITES | Management | — | — | — | — | — | |
| 001 | PAVI | Group Shelter Electric | — | Gravel | — | — | 75 | ♿ |
| 002 | PAVI | Group Shelter Nonelectric | — | — | Hike In | — | 20 |
Getting there
39.18028, -79.60056 · 39°10'49.0"N 79°36'2.0"W
Typical weather
Typically 83°F in Jul, down to 39°F in Jan.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | 39 | 43 | 52 | 64 | 73 | 80 | 83 | 82 | 76 | 65 | 53 | 43 |
| Low °F | 22 | 24 | 31 | 40 | 50 | 58 | 63 | 62 | 55 | 43 | 33 | 27 |
| Precip in | 3.8 | 3.9 | 4.5 | 4.6 | 5.8 | 6.0 | 5.8 | 4.8 | 4.0 | 3.9 | 3.6 | 4.4 |
1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 7.6 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.
Map
Fees and stay limits
There is a $7.00/night fee charged for Electric Sites in addition to the $18.00/night use fee. This $7.00 fee is not discountable. Interagency Pass and Access Pass Daily Rates for Electric Sites in Loop A will be reduced to $17.00 per day for holders of these passes. Pass holder must be staying on site. Loop B pass holder fee will be $12.00 per night.
From Recreation.gov, which is not always current. The operator's own page is the authority on what you will be charged.
More photos
Member photos
Common questions about Horseshoe Recreation Area
- Can you reserve a site at Horseshoe Recreation Area?
- Yes, Horseshoe Recreation Area is reservable through Recreation.gov.
- How many campsites does Horseshoe Recreation Area have?
- 16 sites in total, of which 8 can be booked.
- What is the maximum RV length at Horseshoe Recreation Area?
- 35 ft. That is the longest vehicle the sites here are recorded as taking; individual sites may be shorter.
- Are pets allowed at Horseshoe Recreation Area?
- Yes, pets are allowed at Horseshoe Recreation Area.
- Does Horseshoe Recreation Area have hookups?
- Electric.
- Are campfires allowed at Horseshoe Recreation Area?
- Campfires are allowed at Horseshoe Recreation Area. Check for a current fire restriction before you go.
Also listed by
Horseshoe Recreation Area also appears in other federal recreation data. Facts below are matched by name and location, not confirmed by Horseshoe Recreation Area's operator.
USDA Forest Service — data as of Aug 24, 2026
- Sites with electricity (Loop A) - $22/night
- Sites without electricity (Loop B) - $17/night
- Walk-in sites - $15/night
- Large picnic pavilion - $85/day
- Small picnic pavilion - $20/day
Restrictions:
- Maximum length of stay is 14 days.
- Check-out time is 1:00 p.m.
- Picnic area is limited to day-use only.
- Dogs are permitted if on a leash at all times.
Accessibility:
- Sites and campground loops A and B are wheelchair accessible. The large picnic pavilion is wheelchair accessible as well.
Camping near Horseshoe Recreation Area
- Stuart Recreation Area 20.3 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Seneca Shadows 27.3 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Jess Judy 27.4 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Big Bend (WV) 27.4 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Howell Run Picnic Area 30.1 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Spruce Knob Lake 30.2 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Bear Heaven Campground 17.8 mi · Campground
- Red Creek Campground 18.4 mi · Campground
- Spruce Knob-Seneca Rocks National Recreation Area 21.2 mi · Facility
- Seneca Rocks 27 mi · Facility
- Jess Judy Group Campground 27.8 mi · Campground
- Big Bend Campground 28 mi · Campground
Contact
- Phone 304-478-2481
- Book Recreation.gov
Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-05-15.
Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.
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