Milleson's Walnut Grove
Springfield, West Virginia · on South Branch Potomac River
Verified · 3 independent sources
- WATER
- river
- ACCESS
- Designated swim area
- FEE
- $5 per person
- SEASON
- May
About Milleson's Walnut Grove
Milleson's Walnut Grove is a privately run, seasonal campground on a working livestock farm in Springfield, West Virginia (Hampshire County), fronting a bend of the South Branch Potomac River. The campground provides paying campers and day-use visitors private access to a natural pebble beach on the river for swimming, tubing, canoeing, and fishing.
The property sits at the end of a roughly 3-mile country/gravel road on active farmland, wrapped around a bend of the South Branch Potomac River in rural Hampshire County, WV, near the unincorporated communities of Three Churches and Millesons Mill.
Swimming at Milleson's Walnut Grove
Swimming happens directly off a natural pebble beach along the campground's stretch of the South Branch Potomac River. The official site frames river use broadly (swimming, tubing, canoeing, fishing) rather than as a single dedicated swimming hole, and explicitly warns there are no lifeguards, so it suits campers and day-use visitors comfortable in an unsupervised river setting rather than those seeking a managed swim beach.
The walk in
No real hike here. The water is a short walk from where you park. This is a drive-up private campground with roughly 10 tent sites situated directly along the river (per a camper review on The Dyrt) and a pebble beach described as offering 'easy access to river activities.' No trail or hike is needed; it's a short walk from campsites/parking to the water's edge.
Plan your visit
Bringing kids
OK with supervision
The campground's own rules explicitly state there are no lifeguards on duty and that all river use is at your own risk; visitors must wear shoes in the water due to debris. It's an open, unsupervised farm-river frontage rather than a managed swim beach, so young kids need close adult supervision, especially given normal river current.
Parking
Available
This is a private, gated campground (not a public trailhead lot); vehicle access is via the campground entrance off Milleson Road. A day-use/boat-launch fee of $5 per person (ages 13+) applies for non-campers, but no separate parking lot type or per-vehicle parking cost is published on the official site.
Restrooms
Yes
On-site bath house with hot showers and handicap-accessible restrooms, per the official campground site; exact distance from the pebble beach itself is not specified.
Hours
Campground and river access operate seasonally, May 1 through October 31 each year; camper check-out is 2:00 PM. Day-use/boat-launch access is unavailable on Fridays and Saturdays of holiday weekends. No specific daily open/close hours are published for day-use visitors.
On the water
Restrictions: The campground itself does not rent, provide, or coordinate any watercraft, transportation, or shuttle for float trips -- visitors must bring their own gear. A $5/person (13+) day-use or boat-launch fee applies for non-campers launching from the property; no day use or boat launches are permitted on Fridays/Saturdays of holiday weekends. No lifeguards; all river use is at the visitor's own risk.
The official site lists established float-trip segments on the South Branch Potomac (e.g., Hanging Rock to Blue Bridge, Blue Bridge to Milleson's Mill) with a USGS gauge reference for water levels, implying self-supported canoe/kayak/tube floats are the norm rather than powered boating.
Rentals nearby
Kayak and canoe rentals with shuttle service for float trips on the South Branch Potomac River
Moorefield, WV (Hardy County), roughly 20-25 miles from Milleson's Walnut Grove along the South Branch Potomac River corridor
Canoe rentals (Paluski canoes) and single- or two-person kayak rentals (Jackson Riviera) for guided float distances on the South Branch Potomac River, including lifejackets, paddles, and one shuttle per watercraft
Prices: Canoe: $90 (7 mi) / $110 (12 mi); Kayak: $55 (7 mi) / $65 (12 mi); +$30/day for extended trips; weekend camping add-on $15/person
9690 S Branch River Rd, Romney, WV 26757, roughly 15-20 miles downstream/upstream of Springfield on the South Branch Potomac River · Reservation-based departures Fri-Sun at 8am, 10am, 12pm, and 2pm; walk-ins welcome, arrive 30 minutes before booked departure
What regulars say
Camper reviews (visitor reports averaging 4.5 of 5 across three reviews) describe it as a 'pretty quiet,' peaceful campground with about 10 tent sites directly along the river and 'breathtaking' sunsets, but none of the available reviews specifically discuss water clarity, crowding at the beach, or swimming conditions in detail.
Backstory
One aggregator source (mycampingspot) notes proximity to areas associated with early American and Civil War history, but this is not corroborated by the campground's own site and no specific historical event tied to the property itself was found.
Milleson's Walnut Grove: FAQ
Does Milleson's Walnut Grove charge a fee?
Day use or boat launch/pickup: $5 per person (ages 13+); no day use or boat launches on Friday/Saturday of holiday weekends. Overnight camping $40 (electric/sewer) to $55 (50 amp) per night; 30-day lease $550 (plus sales tax); seasonal (6-month) leases also available.
Is Milleson's Walnut Grove kid friendly?
The campground's own rules explicitly state there are no lifeguards on duty and that all river use is at your own risk; visitors must wear shoes in the water due to debris. It's an open, unsupervised farm-river frontage rather than a managed swim beach, so young kids need close adult supervision, especially given normal river current.
Do I need to hike to reach Milleson's Walnut Grove?
No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.
Where do I park for Milleson's Walnut Grove?
This is a private, gated campground (not a public trailhead lot); vehicle access is via the campground entrance off Milleson Road. A day-use/boat-launch fee of $5 per person (ages 13+) applies for non-campers, but no separate parking lot type or per-vehicle parking cost is published on the official site.
Can I bring a kayak or paddleboard to Milleson's Walnut Grove?
The official site lists established float-trip segments on the South Branch Potomac (e.g., Hanging Rock to Blue Bridge, Blue Bridge to Milleson's Mill) with a USGS gauge reference for water levels, implying self-supported canoe/kayak/tube floats are the norm rather than powered boating.
When is the best time to visit Milleson's Walnut Grove?
Campground and river access operate May 1 through October 31 each year; the site recommends checking a USGS gauge, noting optimal floating levels of about 1.8-3.5 feet and that the entrance road floods at 17 feet.
What are the rules at Milleson's Walnut Grove?
All river use is at your own risk with no lifeguards on duty; visitors must wear shoes in the water due to debris; land on the far bank is private and not part of the campground; quiet hours 10pm-8am (extended after events); pets allowed on leash with vaccination records; curfew for minors is 10pm; firearms, ATVs, unlicensed motorcycles, and unauthorized fireworks are prohibited.
What water body is Milleson's Walnut Grove on?
Milleson's Walnut Grove is on South Branch Potomac River, a natural river verified in USGS hydrography data.
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