Great Bend Campground

For West Virginia locals seeking an accessible spot to enjoy RV camping with scenic views, Great Bend Campground in Ravenswood offers a potential destination. Situated along the Ohio River, this campground aims to provide a convenient and picturesque setting for travelers. It's the kind of place where the beauty of the river and the ease of access to your campsite are often highlighted as significant advantages.

Great Bend Campground is designed to cater primarily to RVers, focusing on providing essential hookups for a comfortable stay. The concept is to offer a straightforward camping experience where guests can set up their rigs with ease and enjoy the natural surroundings. While not a resort with extensive amenities, its appeal lies in its location and the basic infrastructure it provides for mobile travelers.

However, it's crucial for prospective visitors to be aware of mixed feedback from past guests. While some aspects like the ease of finding the campground and the scenic river views are praised, others have reported significant issues. These concerns primarily revolve around the condition of utility hookup areas, challenges with communication, and, most critically, safety concerns related to unauthorized individuals on the property. Understanding these varying experiences is vital for anyone considering a stay at Great Bend Campground, allowing them to make an informed decision about whether it meets their expectations for a West Virginia camping trip.

Great Bend Campground is located at WV-2, Ravenswood, WV 26164, USA. Ravenswood is a city in Jackson County, West Virginia, positioned directly on the eastern bank of the Ohio River. This location is a significant asset for the campground, offering picturesque river views and relatively straightforward access.

Its direct placement on WV-2, a major north-south highway that runs along the Ohio River, makes the campground "nice and easy to find," as noted by a reviewer. This accessibility is a considerable advantage for RVers, as navigating to and from the site is simple, reducing travel stress. WV-2 connects various communities along the river, providing convenient routes to nearby towns for supplies, dining, or other necessities.

For West Virginia locals, particularly those in the western or northern parts of the state, Ravenswood is generally a manageable drive. The scenic route along the Ohio River via WV-2 enhances the travel experience. While Ravenswood itself offers local services, the ease of access to the highway means that larger towns and cities are not far away for more extensive amenities. Public transportation options to the immediate campground area are likely limited, making personal vehicle transportation essential for reaching the park and exploring the surrounding region. The direct riverfront location is a key draw, promising beautiful vistas and a connection to one of West Virginia's iconic natural features.

Great Bend Campground aims to provide fundamental services essential for RV camping, focusing on site utilities. However, based on customer reviews, the actual delivery and accessibility of some services have been inconsistent or problematic. Here's a breakdown of what the campground generally offers or intends to offer:

• RV Sites with Asphalt Pads: The campground provides sites with "Level Asphalt pad," which is a desirable feature for RVers as it facilitates easier leveling and a stable base for vehicles. Each site is equipped for RVs.

• Full Hookups (Water, Electric, Sewer): Sites are designed to offer "water, electric and sewer hookups." These are standard and crucial amenities for comfortable RV living, allowing guests to utilize their onboard facilities fully.

• Restroom and Shower Access (Intended): The campground reportedly has a "restroom and showers" facility. However, a significant issue reported by a customer is that the "code I was given to access the restroom and showers did not work," rendering these facilities inaccessible during their stay.

It is important to acknowledge the reported issues:

• Poor Maintenance of Hookup Areas: A major concern highlighted is that water, electric, and sewer hookups were "all in a muddy slop," leading to a "mess" and "slimy mud." This suggests issues with the upkeep of the utility connection points.

• Poor Communication/Responsiveness: Customers reported "Poor communications" and that the "campground did not respond to calls or emails" when issues arose, particularly regarding the non-working restroom code.

• Security Concerns (Not a Service, but Critical Information): Most critically, a review details serious safety issues involving an unauthorized individual attempting to steal from campsites and previous incidents reported to local authorities. This raises significant concerns about on-site security and guest safety, which is not a service but a vital factor for prospective visitors.

Given these reported issues, prospective visitors should manage their expectations regarding the condition of hookup areas, the reliability of restroom/shower access, and overall site security. Direct communication with the campground to confirm current conditions and policies would be highly advisable.

Great Bend Campground, despite reported challenges, possesses several features that could be considered highlights for prospective RVers, primarily centered around its location and basic site offerings. However, it is imperative to view these alongside the significant concerns raised by past customers.

• Beautiful Ohio River View: A consistent positive point is the "beautiful view of the river." Being located directly on the Ohio River provides a picturesque backdrop, offering serene scenery that many campers seek. This natural aesthetic is a significant draw.

• Level Asphalt Pads: The presence of "Level Asphalt pad" is a desirable feature for RVers. Asphalt pads offer a stable and easy-to-level surface for parking any size RV, which can make setup much more convenient than gravel or dirt sites.

• Easy to Find Location: The campground is noted as "nice and easy to find" due to its direct access from WV-2. This straightforward navigation is a practical benefit for travelers, especially those arriving after dark or with large rigs.

• Full Hookups (Water, Electric, Sewer): The availability of full hookups is a standard, but essential, feature for comfortable RV camping, allowing guests to use their onboard facilities and utilities. While the condition of these hookup areas has been criticized (muddy slop), the presence of the connections themselves is a basic requirement for many RVers.

It is crucial to acknowledge the significant counterpoints that heavily impact the overall experience, as highlighted in customer reviews:

• Poor Communication: Guests reported "Poor communications" and a lack of responsiveness from the campground when issues arose (e.g., non-working bathroom codes).

• Inaccessible Restrooms/Showers: The non-functional access code for the bathhouse is a critical flaw, effectively rendering these amenities unusable for guests.

• Unkempt Hookup Areas: The "muddy slop" around utility connections is a significant negative, detracting from the comfort and cleanliness of the site.

• Major Safety/Security Concerns: The most severe reported issue is the presence of a "local dopehead" attempting to "steal stuff" from campsites, requiring police intervention. This raises fundamental safety and security concerns that overshadow any positive features. The police comment about it being a recurring issue for drugs and theft is particularly alarming.

Therefore, while the physical location and basic site structure offer potential, the reported issues with management, maintenance, and especially safety, are critical considerations that prospective visitors must weigh heavily.

There is no publicly available information regarding specific promotions or special offers at Great Bend Campground. Customer reviews do not mention any discounted rates, seasonal deals, or other incentives.

Generally, RV parks might offer various pricing structures, such as:

• Daily, Weekly, or Monthly Rates: Standard practice is to have varying rates depending on the length of stay, with longer stays typically offering a lower per-night cost.

• Off-Peak Season Discounts: Some campgrounds offer reduced rates during less busy times of the year.

• First-Time Visitor Incentives: Occasionally, a small discount might be offered to new guests.

Given the significant negative feedback concerning communication and responsiveness, inquiring about promotions directly via phone (304) 761-6666 or +1 304-761-6666 might prove challenging based on past customer experiences. Without direct confirmation from the campground management, it is not possible to ascertain any specific promotions they might have. Prospective visitors should assume standard rates and be prepared to confirm pricing upon inquiry.

To attempt to get in touch with Great Bend Campground, inquire about their sites, or learn more about their offerings, you can use the following contact details:

Address: WV-2, Ravenswood, WV 26164, USA

Phone: (304) 761-6666

Mobile Phone: +1 304-761-6666

It is important to note that customer reviews mention "Poor communications" and that the "campground did not respond to calls or emails." Therefore, prospective visitors should be prepared for potential difficulties in reaching management. If you do attempt to contact them, it is highly advisable to clearly articulate your needs and concerns.

For West Virginia locals, the suitability of Great Bend Campground in Ravenswood presents a complex picture, marked by both potential and significant drawbacks. While its location offers clear advantages, serious concerns raised by past visitors must be weighed heavily.

On the positive side, the campground's setting along the Ohio River provides a truly "beautiful view," which is a considerable draw for any West Virginian seeking natural beauty and a peaceful backdrop for their RV stay. Its location directly on WV-2 also makes it "nice and easy to find," offering excellent accessibility for locals traveling by RV within the state. The presence of "Level Asphalt pad" is a practical benefit, simplifying the setup process for campers and ensuring a stable foundation for their rigs.

However, these positive aspects are severely overshadowed by critical issues reported by recent guests. The described "muddy slop" around essential utility hookups is a significant practical problem, impacting cleanliness and ease of use. More concerning are the reports of "Poor communications" and a lack of responsiveness from management when issues arise, such as non-functional restroom access codes. This can severely detract from a comfortable and stress-free camping experience, leaving guests without basic necessities.

Most critically, the grave safety and security concerns, involving a reported "local dopehead" attempting theft and requiring police intervention, are alarming. The police statement about this being a recurring issue for drugs and theft fundamentally undermines the sense of safety and relaxation that any campground should provide. For West Virginia locals, who should feel safe and secure in their own state, such reports are a serious deterrent.

Therefore, while Great Bend Campground offers the potential for scenic riverside camping with good accessibility and basic hookups, the reported issues with maintenance, communication, and especially safety mean that it is a place where locals should proceed with extreme caution. Prospective visitors are strongly advised to thoroughly investigate current conditions and consider alternative options if personal safety and reliable amenities are paramount.