West Virginia offers some of the best tent camping in the United States. One of the most enjoyable locations is the Cranberry River area located north east of Richwood, West Virginia. One of several access points is the Summit Lake Road, which terminates on top of the ridge overlooking the Cranberry River. Fisherman’s trail provides an easy forty- minute access down to the river. Once on the river you may utilize one of the areas located across the river on the south bank of the river and select a camp.
There are some possible problems with this wilderness camping. You must understand that this is bear country and must take certain actions, namely:
keep your camping area clean; do not eat in your tent; elevate your food out of reach of animals; if fishing, do not clean your fish in the camp; by all means do not get close to baby animals, especially bear cubs and properly dispose of trash within the camping area.
You might consider some specialized equipment, which you should include in your pack: snake bite kit (Rattlesnakes and Copperheads); water purification kit (All water must be purified prior to drinking or cooking); hatchet, hand axe, or a camping saw; rain gear and a light tarp; first aid kit; proper fire starting kit.
Any time you are in what is considered a wilderness area you must be alert and cautious. Leave your area better than when you found it. Be a low-impact camper and you will enjoy the solitude and beauty of the West Virginia hills.
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