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R.D. Bailey Lake Group Shelters

USACEU.S. Army Corps of Engineers — JUSTICE · West Virginia · R.D. Bailey Lake

AgencyUSACEU.S. Army Corps of Engineers
AreaR.D. Bailey Lake
LocationJUSTICE · West Virginia · R.D. Bailey Lake · 37.60694, -81.77806 · Map
Sites3 public sites counted from the federal listing — 2 group shelter electric; 1 group shelter nonelectric
Getting a siteReservable — the federal listing marks this campground as taking reservations. Some sites or seasons may still be first-come; the listing’s own words are below.
HookupsElectric at 2 of 3 sites (up to 15 amp where reported)
Water hookups at 2 of 3 sites
Sewer hookups at 0 of 3 sites
Full hookups (all three at one site) at 0 of 3 sites
Counted site by site from affirmative reports in the federal record. A site with no report is not counted either way.
Max RV lengthNot reported in the federal data
Months openNot in federal data — the federal listing does not publish a season for this campground. Check the official description below or Recreation.gov.
FeesNot reported — the federal listing carries no fee description for this campground.
Check-in / outIn 9:00 AM · Out 9:00 PM (most common in the listing)
Accessible sites3 marked accessible in the listing
AccessibilityN

Check availability & book on Recreation.gov →

This site takes no reservations and shows no live availability. Source: Recreation.gov (RIDB export pulled November 5, 2026); this listing was last updated in the federal record on 2026-02-25.

From the official listing

Overview Choose from three day-use picnic shelters at R.D. Bailey Lake, a scenic reservoir with views of the surrounding tree-topped mountains. Recreation The lake is best known for boating and fishing for largemouth, smallmouth, striped bass and channel catfish.

Hunting enthusiasts can hunt small game such as rabbits and turkey in-season.

Head to the Visitor Center for interesting exhibits, educational programs and tours of the dam and intake structure. There's also an impressive observation deck with viewing telescopes. Facilities Each shelter has a playground, flush toilets, drinking water and plenty of grassy space for sports. All three are near excellent shore fishing areas as well.

Big Branch Shelter

Big Branch is close to the headwaters of the lake. It has the most space of the three shelters, with substantial room for extra cars and enough tables to seat 100 guests. Horseshoe pits, basketball and volleyball courts, and the largest, newest playground can be found here. The site is equipped with two grills and electric hookups.

Guyandotte Point Day Use Shelter

Guyandotte Point sits at the lake's headwaters, just a quarter mile past the Big Branch Recreation Area. This is the best location for those who plan to go boating, as it's the only location with a boat ramp. Electric hookups and a large charcoal grill are onsite.

Visitor Center Day Use Shelter

The Visitor Center Shelter is nearly 400 feet above the dam, offering spectacular views of the glistening lake. The shelter is, as named, right by the Visitor Center, which is worth a visit. It's also at the trailhead of two popular hiking trails and the Below Dam Fisherman's Access. Horseshoe pits are by the shelter. No electric hookups are available. Natural Features R. D. Bailey Lake Group Shelters are on the Guyandotte River in West Virginia, about three miles east of the town of Justice.

The R. D. Bailey Dam reaches 310 feet high, and the lake's surface area in summer is 630 acres. The region of the Appalachian Mountains boasts an abundance of oak, hickory and beech trees. Nearby Attractions Visitor Center Shelter

Big Branch Shelter

Guyandotte Point Shelter

Directions, from the listing

Big Branch

From Charleston: Take U.S. Route 119 south to Logan, then take state Route 10, then State Route 80 to Gilbert. Turn left at the 3-way stop in Gilbert onto U.S. Route 52 South and travel approximately seven miles and turn left onto State Route 97. Travel Approximately two miles and turn left onto Coal Mountain Road(6/2). Take the Second Left to get to Guyandotte Point.

Guyandotte Point

From Charleston: Take U.S. Route 119 south to Logan, then take state Route 10, then State Route 80 to Gilbert. Turn left at the 3-way stop in Gilbert onto U.S. Route 52 South and travel approximately seven miles and turn left onto State Route 97. Travel Approximately two miles and turn left onto Coal Mountain Road(6/2). Take the Second Left to get to Guyandotte Point.

Visitor Shelter

From Charleston to the Visitor Shelter: Take U.S. Route 119 south to Logan, then take State Route 10 passing through Man to State Route 80 in Gilbert. Turn left at the 3-way stop onto U.S. Route 52 and travel approximately five miles. Take the second R.D. Bailey entrance to the left, and drive 1.1 miles to the Visitor Center Area.

Nearest federal campgrounds

USACEU.S. Army Corps of EngineersGuyandotte Campground
3 mi straight-line · Justice West Virginia
USACEU.S. Army Corps of EngineersGuyandotte Campground
3 mi straight-line · Brenton West Virginia
NPSNational Park ServiceGrandview Shelter 2
42 mi straight-line · Glen Jean West Virginia
NPSNational Park ServiceGrandview Shelter 3
42 mi straight-line · Glen Jean West Virginia
NPSNational Park ServiceGrandview Shelter 1
42 mi straight-line · Glen Jean West Virginia

Trip Card — R.D. Bailey Lake Group Shelters

JUSTICE · West Virginia · R.D. Bailey Lake

AgencyUSACE · U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
LocationJUSTICE · West Virginia · R.D. Bailey Lake
FeesNot reported in the federal data
Getting a siteReservable
HookupsElectric at 2
Max RVNot reported
Months openNot in federal data
Sites3 sites

Book: recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/234220 · Source: Recreation.gov, pulled November 5, 2026. Facility details come from federal recreation data and may be out of date — this site takes no reservations and shows no live availability; confirm details and book through Recreation.gov or the managing agency.