Monongahela National Forest

Big Bend Campground

Riverside Camping on the South Branch Potomac

Book on Recreation.gov
46
Sites
S. Branch Potomac
River
Apr–Nov
Season

About Big Bend Campground

Nestled in a sweeping bend of the South Branch of the Potomac River, Big Bend Campground is located within Smoke Hole Canyon in the Monongahela National Forest, approximately 10 miles southwest of Petersburg, West Virginia, at the end of County Route 2. Surrounded by a lush hardwood forest, the campground offers a tranquil, scenic setting with the river just 200 feet away, providing easy access for fishing, swimming, tubing, and non-motorized boating.

Big Bend features 46 standard non-electric campsites, each equipped with a fire ring, lantern post, picnic table, and paved spur suitable for both tent and RV camping. Portions of the campground and select facilities are ADA accessible, supporting a range of visitors' needs.

Recreational opportunities extend beyond the campground itself. A one-mile loop trail is available onsite, while the nearby Seneca Creek Backcountry and Smoke Hole Canyon offer access to more than 60 miles of additional trails for hiking and exploration.

Facilities at Big Bend are well-developed and include two single-unit vault toilets, two double-unit flush toilets, and a four-unit flush restroom with showers, some of which are accessible. Trash dumpsters are conveniently located throughout the campground loops for waste disposal. An RV dump station with an underground holding tank is located adjacent to the campground, supported by an on-site wastewater treatment system (filtered drain field).

The campground typically operates from early April through the end of October, aligning with the primary recreation season in the region.

Reserve Your Site

Features & Amenities

  • Riverside campsites
  • Fishing and swimming access
  • Picnic areas and grills
  • Vault restrooms
  • Hiking trail access
  • Wildlife viewing

Ready to Visit?

Reservations are managed through Recreation.gov. Book your campsite today and experience the Monongahela National Forest.