RV Parks In Bellaire, Ohio

Bellaire sits on the Ohio River in Belmont County, right across from Wheeling, West Virginia, and your main camping options are a short drive west into the county. Barkcamp State Park near Belmont is the anchor, with a full campground of electric sites just off I-70. For full hookups and big rigs, the private parks in Belmont such as Utica Shale RV Park and The Right of Way Country RV Park fill the gap. Between the state park and the private options you can find electric, water, and sewer within about 15 miles of town, so Bellaire works well as a base for exploring the upper Ohio Valley.

Barkcamp State Park near Belmont is the go-to public campground, sitting just off I-70 at exit 208 about 12 miles from Bellaire. It has 132 RV-friendly sites, 120 of them with electric hookups and 15 with water and sewer, around a small lake with trails, fishing, and boating. The maximum RV length is 35 feet, so it suits mid-size rigs rather than the biggest fifth wheels. Each site comes with a picnic table and fire ring, and there is a dump station and showerhouse. It is open year-round with electric on all year, though showers and the dump station close from about November to April.

Barkcamp State Park has 15 sites with water and sewer plus its electric sites, but it caps RVs at 35 feet, so big rigs should look to the private parks nearby. Utica Shale RV Park on Bond Drive in Belmont and The Right of Way Country RV Park on Bend Fork Road both offer full hookups with 30 and 50-amp service and are set up for larger rigs. These parks grew up around the regional energy industry, so they are built to handle long, heavy trailers and motorhomes. If you run 40 feet or more, book one of the Belmont private parks and use Barkcamp as a day trip for its lake and trails.

Barkcamp State Park books through ReserveAmerica, the Ohio State Parks reservation system, or you can call the park office directly before you arrive. The system shows site details, electric and full-hookup options, and length limits so you can match the 35-foot cap to your rig. Sites start around the mid-twenties per night depending on amenities. Summer weekends and holidays fill first, so reserve four to six weeks out for July Fourth and popular stretches; weekdays and shoulder season are usually available on shorter notice. The private Belmont parks take reservations by phone and are generally more flexible for last-minute full-hookup stays.

Access is easy thanks to the interstates. I-70 runs right past Barkcamp State Park at exit 208, and I-470 loops around the Wheeling area, so most RVers approach on the interstate rather than the narrow river roads. From I-70, take exit 208 and follow State Route 149 a short distance to the campground signs. Bellaire itself sits on SR-7, the Ohio River Scenic Byway, which is a pretty drive but narrow in spots, so save it for sightseeing rather than hauling a big rig. US-40, the old National Road, parallels I-70 if you prefer a slower route. Overall the interstate access here is a big plus for towing.

Late spring through fall is the sweet spot in the Ohio River valley. May and June bring green hills and reopened campgrounds, summer is warm and good for the lake and trails, and fall, our favorite, delivers crisp air, thinning crowds, and strong foliage color through October. Remember that Barkcamp State Park closes its showerhouse and dump station from about November to April even though electric stays on, so a full-service stay is best booked spring through fall. Winter camping is possible if you are self-contained and ready for snow, ice, and steep valley grades, and you will have the place nearly to yourself.

Barkcamp State Park keeps electric service running all year, but the showerhouse and dump station close from roughly November 1 to April 1, so a true full-service winter stay there is not available. If you want to camp in the cold months, you will need to be self-contained, carry a heated hose, and plan to dump elsewhere, or check whether the private Belmont parks such as Utica Shale RV Park keep full hookups open through winter, as some year-round parks do. Either way, expect snow and ice on the hilly river-valley roads, and drive the grades carefully with a heavy rig. Winter here is quiet and cheap for those prepared for it.

It depends where you stay. Barkcamp State Park caps RVs at 35 feet, which rules out the longest fifth wheels and motorhomes, though mid-size rigs fit fine. For anything 40 feet and up, the private parks in Belmont, Utica Shale RV Park and The Right of Way Country RV Park, are your best bet since they are built for large rigs with full hookups and easy access off I-70. The interstate approach means you avoid the narrow SR-7 river road and tight town streets. Always confirm the exact site length and hookup type when you book, and lean on the private parks if your rig is on the larger end.

Plenty for a river town. Barkcamp State Park has a lake for fishing and boating, plus hiking and bridle trails and wildlife watching. Right across the Ohio River, Wheeling, West Virginia offers Wheeling Island, a historic downtown, riverfront attractions, and the Wheeling Suspension Bridge. The Ohio River Scenic Byway along SR-7 makes a scenic drive through the valley. History runs deep here along the old National Road corridor, and the surrounding Belmont County hills are good for leaf-peeping in fall. It is an easy base for exploring both the Ohio and West Virginia sides of the upper river valley, with the city amenities of Wheeling just minutes away.

Barkcamp State Park has a dump station and 15 full-hookup sites with sewer, though the dump station closes from about November to April, so time your visit accordingly. The private Belmont parks, Utica Shale RV Park and The Right of Way Country RV Park, offer full hookups with sewer at the site for dumping and fresh water year-round in most cases. Fill fresh water at any full-hookup site before heading out to a primitive spot or a long drive. In the off-season when the state-park station is closed, plan to use one of the private parks or a station along the interstate corridor for tanks and water.

Options are limited right around Bellaire, but they exist if you head out of the immediate river valley. Wayne National Forest lies to the south and offers dispersed, primitive camping in the hills for self-contained rigs. Some Corps of Engineers areas along the Ohio River provide basic sites as well. Within Belmont County itself, plan on the developed campgrounds rather than free camping, since the terrain is hilly and heavily settled along the river. If boondocking is your goal, build in the drive to Wayne National Forest and come fully self-contained with fresh water, battery capacity, and a plan to pack out everything you bring in.

Camping here is affordable by national standards. Electric sites at Barkcamp State Park start around the mid-twenties per night, with the water-and-sewer sites costing a bit more, and Ohio charges reasonable rates compared with coastal states. The private full-hookup parks in Belmont, Utica Shale RV Park and The Right of Way Country RV Park, typically run in the thirties to forties per night depending on season and hookup level, and many offer weekly or monthly rates that lower the nightly cost for longer stays, which suits the energy-industry workforce they often serve. Budget a little for the Ohio state-park amenities and for fuel, and you can camp this region without breaking the bank.

It is a good idea, especially if your next stop is a primitive site or a long haul on I-70. Empty gray and black tanks and top off fresh water at a full-hookup site or dump station before you roll out, and remember the Barkcamp State Park dump station closes from about November to April. Need to empty your tanks locally? See our guide to RV dump stations near Bellaire. The private Belmont parks offer sewer at the site year-round, so build a quick dump stop into your route rather than hunting for one along the river road.

Bellaire sits on the Ohio River in Belmont County, right across from Wheeling, West Virginia, and your main camping options are a short drive west into the county. Barkcamp State Park near Belmont is the anchor, with a full campground of electric sites just off I-70. For full hookups and big rigs, the private parks in Belmont such as Utica Shale RV Park and The Right of Way Country RV Park fill the gap. Between the state park and the private options you can find electric, water, and sewer within about 15 miles of town, so Bellaire works well as a base for exploring the upper Ohio Valley.

Barkcamp State Park near Belmont is the go-to public campground, sitting just off I-70 at exit 208 about 12 miles from Bellaire. It has 132 RV-friendly sites, 120 of them with electric hookups and 15 with water and sewer, around a small lake with trails, fishing, and boating. The maximum RV length is 35 feet, so it suits mid-size rigs rather than the biggest fifth wheels. Each site comes with a picnic table and fire ring, and there is a dump station and showerhouse. It is open year-round with electric on all year, though showers and the dump station close from about November to April.

Barkcamp State Park has 15 sites with water and sewer plus its electric sites, but it caps RVs at 35 feet, so big rigs should look to the private parks nearby. Utica Shale RV Park on Bond Drive in Belmont and The Right of Way Country RV Park on Bend Fork Road both offer full hookups with 30 and 50-amp service and are set up for larger rigs. These parks grew up around the regional energy industry, so they are built to handle long, heavy trailers and motorhomes. If you run 40 feet or more, book one of the Belmont private parks and use Barkcamp as a day trip for its lake and trails.

Barkcamp State Park books through ReserveAmerica, the Ohio State Parks reservation system, or you can call the park office directly before you arrive. The system shows site details, electric and full-hookup options, and length limits so you can match the 35-foot cap to your rig. Sites start around the mid-twenties per night depending on amenities. Summer weekends and holidays fill first, so reserve four to six weeks out for July Fourth and popular stretches; weekdays and shoulder season are usually available on shorter notice. The private Belmont parks take reservations by phone and are generally more flexible for last-minute full-hookup stays.

Access is easy thanks to the interstates. I-70 runs right past Barkcamp State Park at exit 208, and I-470 loops around the Wheeling area, so most RVers approach on the interstate rather than the narrow river roads. From I-70, take exit 208 and follow State Route 149 a short distance to the campground signs. Bellaire itself sits on SR-7, the Ohio River Scenic Byway, which is a pretty drive but narrow in spots, so save it for sightseeing rather than hauling a big rig. US-40, the old National Road, parallels I-70 if you prefer a slower route. Overall the interstate access here is a big plus for towing.

Late spring through fall is the sweet spot in the Ohio River valley. May and June bring green hills and reopened campgrounds, summer is warm and good for the lake and trails, and fall, our favorite, delivers crisp air, thinning crowds, and strong foliage color through October. Remember that Barkcamp State Park closes its showerhouse and dump station from about November to April even though electric stays on, so a full-service stay is best booked spring through fall. Winter camping is possible if you are self-contained and ready for snow, ice, and steep valley grades, and you will have the place nearly to yourself.

Barkcamp State Park keeps electric service running all year, but the showerhouse and dump station close from roughly November 1 to April 1, so a true full-service winter stay there is not available. If you want to camp in the cold months, you will need to be self-contained, carry a heated hose, and plan to dump elsewhere, or check whether the private Belmont parks such as Utica Shale RV Park keep full hookups open through winter, as some year-round parks do. Either way, expect snow and ice on the hilly river-valley roads, and drive the grades carefully with a heavy rig. Winter here is quiet and cheap for those prepared for it.

It depends where you stay. Barkcamp State Park caps RVs at 35 feet, which rules out the longest fifth wheels and motorhomes, though mid-size rigs fit fine. For anything 40 feet and up, the private parks in Belmont, Utica Shale RV Park and The Right of Way Country RV Park, are your best bet since they are built for large rigs with full hookups and easy access off I-70. The interstate approach means you avoid the narrow SR-7 river road and tight town streets. Always confirm the exact site length and hookup type when you book, and lean on the private parks if your rig is on the larger end.

Plenty for a river town. Barkcamp State Park has a lake for fishing and boating, plus hiking and bridle trails and wildlife watching. Right across the Ohio River, Wheeling, West Virginia offers Wheeling Island, a historic downtown, riverfront attractions, and the Wheeling Suspension Bridge. The Ohio River Scenic Byway along SR-7 makes a scenic drive through the valley. History runs deep here along the old National Road corridor, and the surrounding Belmont County hills are good for leaf-peeping in fall. It is an easy base for exploring both the Ohio and West Virginia sides of the upper river valley, with the city amenities of Wheeling just minutes away.

Barkcamp State Park has a dump station and 15 full-hookup sites with sewer, though the dump station closes from about November to April, so time your visit accordingly. The private Belmont parks, Utica Shale RV Park and The Right of Way Country RV Park, offer full hookups with sewer at the site for dumping and fresh water year-round in most cases. Fill fresh water at any full-hookup site before heading out to a primitive spot or a long drive. In the off-season when the state-park station is closed, plan to use one of the private parks or a station along the interstate corridor for tanks and water.

Options are limited right around Bellaire, but they exist if you head out of the immediate river valley. Wayne National Forest lies to the south and offers dispersed, primitive camping in the hills for self-contained rigs. Some Corps of Engineers areas along the Ohio River provide basic sites as well. Within Belmont County itself, plan on the developed campgrounds rather than free camping, since the terrain is hilly and heavily settled along the river. If boondocking is your goal, build in the drive to Wayne National Forest and come fully self-contained with fresh water, battery capacity, and a plan to pack out everything you bring in.

Camping here is affordable by national standards. Electric sites at Barkcamp State Park start around the mid-twenties per night, with the water-and-sewer sites costing a bit more, and Ohio charges reasonable rates compared with coastal states. The private full-hookup parks in Belmont, Utica Shale RV Park and The Right of Way Country RV Park, typically run in the thirties to forties per night depending on season and hookup level, and many offer weekly or monthly rates that lower the nightly cost for longer stays, which suits the energy-industry workforce they often serve. Budget a little for the Ohio state-park amenities and for fuel, and you can camp this region without breaking the bank.

It is a good idea, especially if your next stop is a primitive site or a long haul on I-70. Empty gray and black tanks and top off fresh water at a full-hookup site or dump station before you roll out, and remember the Barkcamp State Park dump station closes from about November to April. Need to empty your tanks locally? See our guide to RV dump stations near Bellaire. The private Belmont parks offer sewer at the site year-round, so build a quick dump stop into your route rather than hunting for one along the river road.

Yes — there are free RV waste disposal options available near Bellaire.