Big Bend (wv)

Big Bend is located in the Smoke Hole Canyon next to the South Branch of the Potomac River at the end of County Route 2, about 10 miles southwest of Petersburg, West Virginia. The river is 200 feet from the campground and is open for fishing and non-motorized boat use. The Big Bend Loop Trail is a one-mile nature trail that circles the campground, with the majority of the trail following along the river bend. Thirty miles of maintained trails can be found nearby, and mountain biking is permitted on most of them; 60 miles of backcountry trails lie close by in the Seneca Creek Backcountry, along with the trails in Smoke Hole Canyon. Big Bend Campground is comprised of 46 standard non-electric camping units with fire rings, lantern posts, picnic tables and paved spurs. In addition, there is a developed host site equipped with electrical, water and sewage hookups. Parts of the campground and the facilities within it are ABA accessible. The campground contains two single-unit vault toilets, two double-unit flush toilets, and a four-unit flush restroom with four showers, some of which are accessible. Trash dumpsters are located in each loop for garbage collection and disposal, and there is one recreation vehicle dump station adjacent to the campground. The operating season runs from approximately April 10 through October 31. Jess Judy Group Campground contains three reservable sites that will accommodate up to 40 people each. It has fire rings, picnic tables, lantern posts and four single-unit vault toilets. There is no electric or drinking water at the group campground, although campers there may obtain water at Big Bend Campground and may use its dump station. The group campground is not accessible. Big Bend Campground is in the northern portion of the Monongahela National Forest, boasting beautiful old growth trees that become vibrant with color in fall. About 1.3 million people visit the forest each year; it is a drivable distance from metropolises like Washington, D.C., and Pittsburgh, yet still offers a remote and scenic camping getaway. The river runs north through the Smoke Hole Canyon, which bears a name of uncertain origin. One theory is that Native Americans used the caves of the gorge for smoking meat, which created "smoke holes." Another is that misty fog often lies along the river and ascends in what looks like smoke from a hole. The Highland Scenic Highway provides an unforgettable drive through narrow, steep valleys and rolling, tree-topped mountains. Estimated time to drive this byway is two to four hours, and highlights include Cranberry Glades Botanical Area, Summit Lake and Falls of Hills Creek.