Camp Creek State Park & Forest: A place where memories are made

Campbell falls, located in Camp Creek Park (courtesy of Ed Rehbein)

Growing up in Mercer County, it was always a treat when my family would decide to spend the week at Camp Creek State Park. When the weather was nice, we would pack up the car and head down the road to spend the week camping. We would get dressed at the campground bathhouse, spend the day at school, then make our way back to the tent, sit around the fire and enjoy eachothers company. These memories are combined with ones where my grandfather taught me how to perfectly roast a marshmallow while the sounds of crickets singing their summer songs all helped shape me into who I am today. Although my perception of the world has changed a lot since I was a kid, one thing has not… the fact that Camp Creek State Park and Forest still remains one of my favorite places. 

Camp Creek is located in the heart of southern West Virginia. Right off I-77 this park can be easily accessed by those native to the area or just passing through. With over 6,000 acres of forest, camp creek has plenty of places for people to make those special memories. Entering the park, you pass over a beautiful mountain stream and enter the picnic area. Camp Creek is equipped with 5 different shelters that can be rented out for any event, and can hold up for 200 people! Whether you're just wanting to eat lunch with your significant other or hosting a barbeque family reunion, this park is well equipped. 

After a perfect picnic lunch, hiking is a must! Luckily, Camp Creek is home to 15 different hiking trails. A fan favorite would be the short walk over a graded road to Campbell falls, where you can enjoy the rush of water over a 15 ft drop into a natural pool below. If hiking isn't your thing, the park has several playgrounds, complete with swings and slides along with a basketball and volleyball court! Those wishing for something more leisurely and an active fishing license can go fishing on the 7 miles of stocked trout streams. 

Bell from a Shay locomotive that formerly worked in the Camp Creek area. (Courtesy of Brian M. Powell)

At the end of the day, camp creek has 5 different options of places to stay for the night. The Mashfork campground caters to campers wanting something more connected, with sites that are electric and full hookup this is the perfect place to bring a camper. For those wanting something more primitive, the blue jay campground is drive-in tent only and the pack-in pack-out site offers visitors a backcountry camping experience. Camp creek also offers two off the beaten path places to rest your head for the night. The first being the Ranger OutPost Cabin, this cabin does not have plumbing, running water or electricity, and is a 3 mile hike into the forest. The other non-traditional camping option is the Double C Horse and Rider campground, that’s right Camp Creek has a campground for those traveling on horseback! 

With the Double C campground and 30-35 miles of horse trails, Camp Creek is the perfect place to bust out those cowboy boots! Maybe you prefer a two-wheel mode of transportation, well Camp Creek is the place for you. This state park and forest has over 27 miles of trail designated for mountain biking making it the catch all park! 

Bust out those cowboy boots if you’re looking for a unique way of going through the park! (Courtesy of mobilervliving.com)

Out of all of this, one of the most unique things Camp Creek does is the Peak of the Bloom festival “honoring the art of nature”. This annual festival occurs over a 10 day span in August while the West Virginia wildflowers reach their peak bloom. The park partnered with the Mercer Street Grassroots district to host events both in the park and the town of Princeton. Some of the events include guided photo hikes, beekeeping demos, live music, outdoor painting classes, and a wagon ride to the wildflower fields!

No matter what your passion is, Camp Creek can provide you with a sense of belonging. It's a place where memories are made, and fun is had. Where you can sit at a picnic table and enjoy a fresh meal or ride your horses until the sun goes down. It's a place to share with people you care about, and maybe meet someone new along the way. It’s just one of the places that make this state so great. So I implore you to get out and make your own memories, whether it be at Camp Creek or a different state park, West Virginia is waiting to be explored.