Rippling Waters Church of God Campground

The Great Outdoors

A short drive north of the Rippling Waters Campground is the Woodrum Lake Wildlife Management Area, which encompasses 1,696 acres of oak-hickory forest and abandoned farmlands. It centers around a 240-acre lake that was created by the U.S. Soil Conservation Service in 1988 along Middle Fork Creek and is a popular destination for catching bluegill, crappie, and catfish. Hunting for deer, waterfowl, and small game is permitted in designated seasons, together with rabbit, squirrel, and grouse.If you head west across the border into Ohio, you’ll arrive at the Crown City Wildlife Area, which sprawls across 11,119 acres near Mercerville. Dissected by several small streams, the land was previously used for surface mining and was purchased by the Richard King Mellon Foundation in 1997 as part of their American Land Conservation Program. It encompasses tracts of forests, grasslands, and wetlands that provide habitat for white-tailed deer, squirrel, and a variety of bird species, some of which are rare. A parcel of land also provides access to the Ohio River, where you can try your luck at luring largemouth bass and bluegill.The campsites at Rippling Waters Church of God Campground are also a good base for exploring the New River Gorge National River, which was established in 1978 near Hawks Nest State Park. This rugged river flows north through deep canyons and has long been associated with the region’s cultural and natural history. It’s renowned for its whitewater rafting, particularly the stretch from the Cunard put-in to the Fayette State take-out, as well as being a popular climbing area. Of the more than 1,400 established bouldering areas within the reserve, the cliffs at “The New” are among its most frequented rock climbing sites, with an abundance of face routes, cracks, and large roofs.

Exploring the City

Campsites at the Rippling Waters Campground are just five minutes’ drive from Romance, where you’ll find a post office or around 15 minutes' drive from Kenna, where there’s a gas station if you need to fill up your RV rental. There’s also a small supermarket here for stocking up on groceries and a family restaurant if you feel like a meal out.The Rippling Waters Church of God Campground is located partway between Charleston and Ripley, which are both around 30 minutes' drive away. Ripley’s downtown area is clustered with buildings that date from the 1930s and a handful of 19th-century homes, with a highlight being the Italianate residence of Clerc-Carson House. Admire the Staats Mill Covered Bridge, which was constructed in 1887, or catch a film at the elegant Alpine Theatre that’s been entertaining locals since 1936. If you’re traveling with kids, head to Ripley City Park, where you’ll find tennis courts, a children’s playground, and an Olympic-size swimming pool.Drive the Romance RV rental in the other direction from the Rippling Waters Church of God Campground, and you’ll arrive in Charleston, which serves as the capital of West Virginia. It lies at the confluence of the Elk and Kanawha rivers, with architectural highlights including the State Capitol with its gilded dome and the Georgian Revival-style West Virginia Governor's Mansion. Delve into the local history at the West Virginia State Museum with exhibits focusing on everything from paleontology to culture, art, and geography. Also of note is the Clay Center for the Arts and Sciences, which is home to the Avampato Discovery Museum’s interactive exhibits, the Maier Foundation Performance Hall, and the Walker Theater. Once you’ve built up an appetite, head to the Capitol Market to dine at one of the eateries housed within this former freight station.Whether you want to discover the cultural attractions of Charleston and Ripley or go fishing in the region’s natural reserves, book an RV rental in Jackson County and start planning your next vacation.