Stuart Recreation Area

The Stuart Campground and Recreation Area is set in a mixed forest along the banks of the Shavers Fork River. The river provides excellent fishing and is regularly stocked with trout. Hiking trails lead to outstanding overlooks, local caves and Blackwater Falls. It is comprised of one campground, one group campground and a day-use area. The campground lies on a single loop with long spurs and has 26 camping units — 25 single and one double — with electric hookups, fire rings, tent pads, lantern posts, picnic tables and paved spurs. Drinking water, accessible flush toilets and showers are provided, and the campground contains two single-unit vault toilets, one double-unit vault toilet, and one six-unit flush restroom with four shower units. Most of the campground sites and facilities within it are ABA accessible. A dump station is on-site, adjacent to the campground. The group campground contains one site that will accommodate up to 40 people, with fire rings, picnic tables, lantern posts, and two single-unit vault toilets. There is no electric at the group campground and it is not accessible; drinking water may be obtained from Stuart Campground. The day-use area contains three picnic pavilions: the large pavilion has electricity and can accommodate 100 people, the small pavilion is non-electric and can accommodate 50, and the Alpena pavilion is non-electric and can accommodate 25. The area also has five separate vehicle parking areas with space for approximately 25-40 vehicles in each lot, a 14-acre field, multiple picnic tables and pedestal grills, four restroom facilities with two toilets in each (with two changing rooms at one of them), a river-beach area, easy stream access to Shavers Fork of the Cheat River, and a volleyball net. The restrooms, changing areas, parking areas and the large and small pavilions are accessible. The average operation and maintenance season has been approximately mid-April through October. The 2-mile River Loop Trail is open to hiking and mountain biking, and is a great way to watch for birds and wildlife. Catch and release fishing is allowed in the Shavers Fork River; a state fishing license, National Forest Stamp, a Conservation stamp and a trout stamp are required. River swimming is popular and there are plenty of trout to tempt anglers of all skill levels, but there is no lifeguard. The campground is perched along a bend on the Shavers Fork River, a tributary of the Cheat River, itself a popular rafting river with rocky rapids. Stuart is in the Allegheny Mountains of West Virginia, where the Monongahela Forest extends over the north central highlands of the state and elevations range from 1,000 to 4,863 feet above sea level. The town of Elkins is a 14-minute drive from the campground, and an annual Mountain State Forest Festival takes place there every October.