## Overview

 The Seneca Shadows Campground overlooks Seneca Rocks and is surrounded by mountains on both the east and west. Hiking and nature study at Seneca Rocks are just a couple of the popular activities in the area. The North Fork South Branch Potomac River is nearby, making fishing a popular pastime. Seneca Shadows Campground is comprised of 11 standard camping units with electric hookups, 2 double camping units with electric hookups, 23 standard camping units without electric, 2 double camping units without electric, 40 walk-in camp sites and 3 group tent sites with drinking water, fire rings, lantern posts, picnic tables and paved spurs (standard camping units). In addition, there are two developed host sites equipped with electrical, water, and sewage hookups as well as an outdoor amphitheater that features lighting, sound equipment, and seating. The campground contains two four-toilet vault restrooms, one double-toilet vault restroom, and four multiple-toilet flush restrooms with showers. There are trash dumpsters located throughout Seneca Shadows Campground for garbage collection and disposal. There is one recreation vehicle dump station in the recreation area located adjacent to the host site in the campground. The average operation and maintenance season for Seneca Shadows 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 campground from the second Friday night in April through the last Saturday night in October. Two local caves beckon ambitious explorers, and the 900-foot high Seneca Rocks can be viewed from most campsites. 
## Recreation

 Rock climbers and hikers adore Seneca Rocks. Both sports will take visitors to the top of the impressive rocky tops with rewarding views of the mountains and valleys beyond. The hiking trail can be accessed across the street from the Seneca Shadows Campground. Seneca Rocks Visitor Center provides a catch-and-release fishing area, viewing platforms, educational displays and a gift shop.
## Facilities

 Seneca Shadows is a modern campground with flush toilets, lantern posts, picnic tables and campfire rings. The large facility has a selection of walk-to tent sites, standard RV sites and tent-only group sites. Loop C has electric hookups. Firewood is available for sale on-site.
## Natural Features

 The campground sits in the river valley within the Monongahela National Forest, which extends over the north central highlands of the state, straddling many of the region's highest peaks. Elevations range 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. 
## Nearby Attractions

 Campers make Seneca Shadows a convenient base camp while traveling through the Potomac Highlands. Explore the scenic roadways, especially when fall colors are at their peak.

Seneca Shadows

If you're a fan of hiking and rock climbing at Seneca Rocks, Seneca Shadows is absolutely the best campground near this fantastic rock formation. 

  

It’s located in the Monongahela National Forest near the North Fork South Branch of the Potomac River with nearby peaks ranging from 1,000 feet to nearly 5,000 feet above sea level. Seneca Shadows campground offers a view of the famed Seneca Rocks and puts you within walking distance of the visitor’s center, hiking and climbing trails, plus the quaint town of Seneca Rocks where you buy gas, food and gifts. 

  

Make sure you visit Harper’s Old Country Store, a 4th generation family run business, operating since 1902. The visitor’s center has a nice collection of Native American artifacts and a cool video of the Army soldiers who trained here before WWII. 

  

Seneca Shadows Campground is a modern campground with paved parking, flush toilets, showers and an amphitheater. Each site has a picnic table, fire ring and lantern post. Seneca Shadows is part of a growing trend where a private concessionaire is a running a public camp-ground. I’m not a huge fan since it often mean higher fees, but I must say that the campground was spotless and well-run by a delightful couple who obviously enjoyed their summer job.   

  

Seneca Shadows Campground has three loops to chose from: 

The A&amp; B Loops are for tents or RVs with no electric service. 

The C-Loop has electricity. 

There's also a group camping area and a "tent-only" camping area with walk-in sites from a nearby parking lot.  

  

Spruce Knob and Dolly Sods are nearby and both deserve a spot on your outdoor adventure“bucket list” in West Virginia.

Perfect Location!

very clean, quiet, and spacious.  The campground offers incredible views of nearby Seneca Rocks.  While the crags are a short drive away for the lazy climbers, it's also possible to lengthen the approach and warm up the legs with a quick jaunt.  Best place to stay in the area.

excellent stay

We came here on a weekday with hardly anyone staying near us and rose around sunrise to catch the light over the rocks. it was such an easy and short distance to get there. 

Stellar Quiet Stay

Senica has been a tradition for 8yrs now! Very clean and well maintained. Plenty for the kids to do as well as adults

Senica "ROCKS"

West Virginia is packed with some of the best hiking, climbing, rafting, biking, canyons, mountains, rivers, valleys, and forests in the U.S...and the beauty is few people take advantage of it.

Wanting to spend the a few days midweek in and around Seneca Rocks and Spruce Knob, we chose Seneca Shadows Campground as our basecamp. Aptly named, as views of Seneca Rocks can enjoyed from your tent site.

Smack dab in the middle of the Monongahela National Forest, Seneca Shadows Campground is part of the U.S. Forest Service, so if you are planning a weekend or popular vacation time stay, log onto ([https://www.recreation.gov/camping/mapof_Seneca_Shadows/r/campgroundMap.do?page=map&amp;search=site&amp;contractCode=NRSO&amp;parkId=70322](https://www.recreation.gov/camping/mapofSenecaShadows/r/campgroundMap.do?page=map&amp;search=site&amp;contractCode=NRSO&amp;parkId=70322) ) and reserve your site.

If you are driving a big RV or hauling a Camper, you'll be parking on one of the 38 sites designed specifically for that purpose. There are a few large group tent sites on the same side of the park roadway before you reach the individual tent sites. Be astute, some have electric and some do not.

Forgive me for saying, but the tent sites appear designed by someone only interested in allowing as many tenters as possible, without regard for privacy...more like cattle in a feed lot (with the exception of 50-53). These are considered "walk to" sites. So I would not camp here during a weekend or holiday. Fortunately, weekdays see few tenters and we had it all to ourselves. Staying on somewhat of an elevated site (50) with some encompassing foliage. However, a roadway runs along the campground to the north, so we heard truck traffic early morning and late. Water and restrooms are located by the parking lot and adequate.

The views of Seneca Rocks were welcomed, when it wasn't raining (a common occurance is WV)...and only one mile from entrance to entrance with the Seneca Rocks Discovery Center (https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/mnf/recreation/recarea/?recid=7050)...and 14.3 miles/Half hour drive to Spruce Knob, West Virginia's highest peak at 4,862 (https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/mnf/recarea/?recid=7053). At the crossroads a mile away are a couple restaurants and a country store (with ice cream shop) for last minute needs.

While I prefer more isolated campgrounds and sites, this filled the need.

Seneca Rocks Cast Their Shadow

Campground was not as great as I was hoping for. The site was decent enough but the showers in the bath house were awful. There was hardly any water coming from the shower head and what was coming out was about two inches away from the wall. Very annoying. I ended up driving to a different bath house the next loop over.

Seneca Rocks is lovely and very close. I enjoyed going over and making coffee/breakfast as the sun rose over the rocks in the morning.

Decent campground and close to Seneca Rocks

This campground offers a beautiful setting for a base camp as you explore the Monongahela National Forest. It is right down the road from Seneca Rocks and a supply store in case you forget anything. There is a nature center at Seneca Rocks where we found it very helpful to check the weather forecast each morning since the weather can be unpredictable and there is no cell reception nearby. The bathrooms at the campground had flush toilets and a shower. We absolutely loved staying at site 24 at the end of loop B where we only had one neighbor and a short walk to the bathroom. Although the tent sites in the meadow had a nice view of Seneca Rocks, they do not have as much privacy and shade. The campground was sold out for Memorial Day weekend, but we did not feel that it was crowded or noisy.

Quiet and convenient national forest setting.

Nice little campground with both reserved and walk-in spots. Some secluded back in a wooded area, others in an open field with amazing views of Seneca Rocks. Sunset over the rocks is definitely something to look out for either way. The walk up to the top of the rocks is a quick and easy walk with fantastic views.

Convenient Car Camping with Great Views

Great group campsite across from Seneca Rocks.  The group sites are off the second to last turn off in the campground, next to the walk up campsites parking area.  We stayed in site D, which is conveniently located across from the bathhouse.  The campground attendants were friendly and helpful and did a wonderful job keeping the bathhouses clean.  The campground had somewhat of a party atmosphere but everyone seemed to respect the quiet hours (10:00pm). Group site D featured five tent pads which are filled with small crushed gravel.  It was a struggle keeping the gravel out of the tent, but otherwise okay.  The tent pads are arranged in a semi circle near the wooded edge of the campsite.  The kids ad gets hit with sunlight most of the day, but by late afternoon, they’re in the shadow of the trees.  

Group Campsite D, Great Location, Awesome Views

This is my go-to campground for climbing and hiking adventures at Seneca Rocks. I prefer to camp in the meadows and wake up to a misty morning view of the rocks. The sites are car-camper friendly with on-site toilets (but no showers). They are a short walk from trail heads and the local stores (the Gendarme is the place to go for great dear and guides).

A great home base for exploring Seneca Rocks

 This campground offers views of the gorgeous Seneca Rocks. This campground not only has the view, but it also has everything you need for a comfortable stay: showers, flush toilets, water, and electrical hookups. Each site has a tent pad, fire pit, and picnic table. This is a large campground but can fill up quickly, they do have walk in campgrounds that you are not able to reserve. The campsites do vary in price so be weary cause they can range from $17 a night all the way up to $36 a night. They also have a dumping station which is nice for those in RVs.

Seneca rocks is usually the main attraction at this location with 900 feet of rock sticking out of a mountain. You can hike up to the rocks, take horses, or even do guided rock climbing up to their peak. If you aren’t up to doing any of those, the fishing around there is also super popular among fly fishermen- it is mainly catch and release.

Great Fall Hiking 

Pulled in late at night
Found a spot easily
Great clean bathrooms
Paid in the A.M.
Very nice staff

Amazing place

Clean sites. Close to climbing and hiking opportunities.

Close to Seneca Rocks

Clean and serene campground that wasn't too busy on a drizzly June weekend. Not sure if you can get a first come first served site every weekend, but there were several empty ones near me at site 13. Chipmunks everywhere you look and incredible sunrise birdsong. Camp hosts are super friendly and welcoming, campground is huge and sites are roomy and well spaced. Felt safe and comfortable as a solo female camper. General store right down the road has free wifi and all the last minute supplies you could need. Lovely experience, will absolutely be back! 

Peaceful and friendly 

The campground is a short drive from Seneca Rock. Wind back into the woods for camping in a quaint quite setting (A-D) or camp in the meadowlands with Seneca Rock in the background (walk-sites) 

Seneca Awesome! 

Great location for fly fishing &amp; hiking. The tent camping area has a view of Seneca Rocks while the camper trailer/RV sites are wooded. 

Great location!

Stumbled in to campsite late on a crowded weekend camp host was very helpful. We were able to get a site for the night in the tent area. Area had nice clean amenities site had tent pad fire pit and table. The tent areas were not very private and wasn’t exactly what we were looking for but had a very nice view of Seneca Rocks. 

Scenic Location

This National forest campground is indeed locatd in the shadow of Seneca Rocks. The walk-in tent sites in a field area with smaller trees providing some shade and variety have a great view of Seneca Rocks. There is a single loop with electric hookups and the other loops are standard sites with bathrooms offering flush toilets and showers. Sites have fire ring, picnic table, lantern post. I was here in mid-April and there were a number of empty sites, but they require online reservations FOUR DAYS in advance, otherwise you'll be taking a chance for last minute sites.

  

The area has hiking, climbing, and fishing opportunities. There are a couple of caverns nearby if you’re interested in a tour. The Dolly Sods wilderness to the north as well as the Canaan Valley State Resort provide further opportunities to explore.  

  

No cell service, so download your maps before you head into the area and plan to relax and truly get away. The WV high point is nearby. There’s trout fishing in Smoke Hole canyon and in the other direction, Spruce Knob Lake is stocked reguarly. You’ll have lots of company, but the fishers I saw were having a successful day at the lake.

Scenic spot - your choice tent in the sun & shadows or wooded

Very nice campground. The facilities were conveniently located and clean. The car Camp sites were spacious and well separated from other camp sites. If you don’t need your vehicle at your campsite I would highly recommend the walk-in tent sites because the view of Seneca Rocks is incredible. Less privacy than the vehicle sites from other campers but a really beautiful open space.

Great campsite after a hike up Seneca Rock

Very clean and well kept campground. Camp hosts were very helpful and would visit to see if guest needed anything. A general store was just down the road in case of resupply. Could walk to Seneca Rocks from the campground. Centrally located to various attractions: Spruce Knob &amp; Seneca Creek trailhead 45 minutes drive; Big Bend of the South Branch Potomac 1 hour drive; Dolly Sods Wilderness 40 minute drive. 

Clean, well maintained, accommodating 

Seneca Shadows has the best campground managers I’ve come across: friendly and helpful without being intrusive. Clean campground with amazing views and easy access to some of the most beautiful spots in WV. We lucked out and showed up on a mostly empty week (arrived on a Monday), and got the perfect walk-in site in the open field with a view of Seneca Rocks from our tent. We got hit with a bad lightning/rain storm and the tent pad drained well enough that we weren’t concerned. There’s a store nearby (Yokum) to grab anything you forgot, but it’s far enough away to forget there’s anything around.

can’t wait to return

I stayed here for a single night while I was exploring West Virginia, but I wish I had stayed longer. This is one of the most beautiful campgrounds I've ever seen.

The front section of Seneca Shadows isn't all that interesting. There are standard sites here with gravel pads, water, and electricity, good for trailers and RVs. The sites are of an average size and have plenty of shade and privacy.

There is also a large tent-only section at the back of the campground. This is where I stayed, and this is what made Seneca Shadows memorable. The tent section is a giant meadow with picnic tables and tent pads arranged around the edges. There is also a picnic shelter here. Parking is adjacent; expect to carry your gear a few hundred feet. Many of the sites have shade trees, and a few have shrubs for privacy, but nearly all have an incredible view of Seneca Rocks, a magnificent geological feature.

There are vault toilets located close to the tent section, but these didn't smell great so I avoided them. There are real bathrooms with flushing toilets, running water, and showers located just up the road. These were nice and clean when I visited.

I intend to return someday for a closer look at Seneca Rocks. This place is a destination, not just a stopover.

Idyllic

This Campground was great!!!  No water hookups but we had electric in Loop C, which was expected.  Seneca Rocks was majestic and lots of fun outdoors areas to explore in the area such as Dolly Sods and Spruce Knob.  We drove up to Blackwater Falls and then Blackwater Outdoors Adventures to tube down the Cheat River (about 1 hour drive away).  Seneca Caverns and Smokehole Caverns are nearby to for other fun outings.  

A Slice of Heaven

It’s a nice campground. It has nice bathrooms. You can hear roads noise from the main road. The sites are mostly paved areas. 
The group sites are very cool with a good view of Seneca rocks. 