Howell Run Picnic Area
Jennings Randolph Lake — lakeside, fishing, hiking
Location: Elk Garden, WV, WV
Price: From $60 per night
Rating: 5 out of 5 (2 reviews)
Season: May through October
The Howell Run Picnic Area is a day use facility overlooking Jennings Randolph Lake, providing a beautiful backdrop for picnicking, sightseeing and hiking. A nesting pair of bald eagles call Jennings Randolph Lake home. Bring binoculars for the lucky chance to spot a bald eagle.A mile down the road is Shaw Beach where you can enjoy swimming.
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): weak signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas. Best carrier: AT&T.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Restrooms, Fishing
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/howell-run-picnic-area to be notified when sites open up.
Howell Run Picnic Area offers panoramic views of Jennings Randolph Lake with opportunities to spot nesting bald eagles. The Lakeside trail connects to Shaw Beach area for hiking and the facility provides fishing access.
Wildlife alert: Timber Rattlesnake and Common Snapping Turtle present in area. Bald eagles nest at Jennings Randolph Lake.
Insider tips for Howell Run Picnic Area: Book early — this is a federal campground with only 3 tent sites Bring binoculars for bald eagle spotting at Jenkins Randolph Lake Walk the Lakeside trail to connect with Shaw Beach area
Skip Howell Run Picnic Area if: Need RV hookups — no hookups available. Traveling outside May-October — seasonal closure. Seeking solitude in peak season — only 3 sites total.
Best time to visit Howell Run Picnic Area: May-October — Campground operates seasonally May through October only.
Nearby campgrounds: Robert W Craig (ELK GARDEN, WV), Spring Gap Campground (Cumberland, MD), Mill Run Recreation Area (Friendsville, MD), Somerfield North Recreation Area (Addison, PA).
Cell Phone Coverage at Howell Run Picnic Area
Cell signal at Howell Run Picnic Area (Elk Garden, WV): weak overall signal based on FCC broadband data. Best carrier: AT&T.
- AT&T 4G LTE: 100% coverage
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.
The Howell Run Picnic Area is a day use facility overlooking Jennings Randolph Lake, providing a beautiful backdrop for picnicking, sightseeing and hiking. A nesting pair of bald eagles call Jennings Randolph Lake home. Bring binoculars for the lucky chance to spot a bald eagle.A mile down the road is Shaw Beach where you can enjoy swimming.
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 only 3 tent sites
Bring binoculars for bald eagle spotting at Jenkins Randolph Lake
Walk the Lakeside trail to connect with Shaw Beach area
Campground operates seasonally May through October only
Things to do nearby
RIDB /activities /recareas + intelConditions today
LiveCell signal
FCC BDC · quarterly datasetFCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal. Best carrier: AT&T.
Wildlife nearby
iNaturalist · research-grade · 8 kmLocation
Leaflet · OpenStreetMap tiles
Getting there →
From Cumberland, MD, take US 220 south to US 50W, go west to WV 42N, go north to WV 46E. Follow the signs to the Howell Run Picnic Area.
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 — Jennings Randolph Lake fills fast in peak season.
- Check current road conditions at Jennings Randolph Lake before arrival — seasonal closures common.
Frequently asked questions
RIDB facts + intel · FAQPage schema, speakableHow much does Howell Run Picnic Area cost per night?+
What season is Howell Run Picnic Area open?+
Does Howell Run Picnic Area have hookups?+
What is the maximum RV length at Howell Run Picnic Area?+
How do I make reservations at Howell Run Picnic Area?+
What is the cell service like at Howell Run Picnic Area?+
What season is Howell Run Picnic Area open, and what are check-in times?+
Official resources
●Data sources on this page
CamperWatch never fabricates data. Where data is unavailable, it is not shown.
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