Horseshoe Recreation Area
Monongahela National Forest — riverside, fishing
Location: Parsons, WV, WV
Price: From $22 per night
Price range: $22–$25 per night
Rating: 4.6 out of 5 (33 reviews)
Season: May through October
Horseshoe Recreation Area is located in north-central West Virginia, 7 miles from the town of St. The campground is tucked in a valley along the Horseshoe Run River, providing excellent opportunities for fishing and wildlife viewing. 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.
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): none signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Vault Toilets, Electric Hookups, Fishing, Firewood for Sale
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/horseshoe-recreation-area to be notified when sites open up.
Horseshoe Recreation Area is tucked in a valley along Horseshoe Run in the Monongahela National Forest, providing excellent fishing and wildlife viewing opportunities. Google reviewers consistently praise the well-maintained grounds and beautiful setting, with a 4.5/5 rating from 42 reviews.
Wildlife alert: American Black Bear, Timber Rattlesnake, Bald Eagle, Canada Warbler, Veery, Gray Catbird, Northern Watersnake, and Eastern Garter Snake documented in the area.
Insider tips for Horseshoe Recreation Area: Book early — this is a federal campground with high demand. Sites 7-12 are reservable; sites 1-6 and 13-21 operate first-come, first-served. Total of 21 campsites available (not 8 as some sources indicate). Narrow and steep access roads require careful driving with larger RVs.
Skip Horseshoe Recreation Area if: You need water or sewer hookups — only electric hookups available on select sites.. You require camping outside May-October season.. You have a large RV — roads are narrow and steep..
Best time to visit Horseshoe Recreation Area: May-October — Campground operates seasonally during these months only..
Nearby campgrounds: Stuart Recreation Area (PARSONS, WV), Tygart Lake Shelter (Grafton, WV), Seneca Shadows (Seneca Rocks, WV), Jess Judy (Cabins, WV).
Cell Phone Coverage at Horseshoe Recreation Area
Cell signal at Horseshoe Recreation Area (Parsons, WV): none overall signal based on FCC broadband data.
Coverage data source: FCC Broadband Data Collection (BDC). Actual signal may vary due to terrain, tree cover, and distance from towers. Camper reports are more reliable than coverage maps in remote areas.
Horseshoe Recreation Area is located in north-central West Virginia, 7 miles from the town of St. The campground is tucked in a valley along the Horseshoe Run River, providing excellent opportunities for fishing and wildlife viewing. 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.
Verified facts
RIDB / Recreation.gov official databaseAmenities
RIDB /facilities /campsites · owner-verifiedStraight talk
CamperWatch intel · curated from camper reportsKnown issues, each with the workaround. Read before you book.
Insider tips & when to go
CamperWatch intel · hand-curated entryBook early
this is a federal campground with high demand.
Sites 7-12 are reservable; sites 1-6 and 13-21 operate first-come, first-served.
Total of 21 campsites available (not 8 as some sources indicate).
Narrow and steep access roads require careful driving with larger RVs.
Campground operates seasonally during these months only.
Things to do nearby
RIDB /activities /recareas + intelConditions today
LiveCell signal
FCC BDC · quarterly datasetFCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal.
Wildlife nearby
iNaturalist · research-grade · 8 kmLocation
Leaflet · OpenStreetMap tiles
Getting there →
From Parsons, take State Route 72 northeast to State Route 5 to St. George. In St. George, turn south on State Route 1. Follow State Route 1 to the intersection of State Route 7. Turn left on State Route 7 and continue past the YMCA Camp Horseshoe to the Horseshoe Recreation Area entrance.
Campground entrance
Google Maps APICommunity
#community · posts, photos & Q&A · AI-moderated (Claude Vision)Pro tips
- Book on recreation.gov exactly 6 months ahead at 10am ET — Monongahela National Forest fills fast in peak season.
- Check current road conditions at Monongahela National Forest before arrival — seasonal closures common.
Frequently asked questions
RIDB facts + intel · FAQPage schema, speakableHow much does Horseshoe Recreation Area cost per night?+
What season is Horseshoe Recreation Area open?+
Does Horseshoe Recreation Area have hookups?+
What is the maximum RV length at Horseshoe Recreation Area?+
How do I make reservations at Horseshoe Recreation Area?+
What is the cell service like at Horseshoe Recreation Area?+
What season is Horseshoe Recreation Area open, and what are check-in times?+
Official resources
●Data sources on this page
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