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Camping near New River Gorge National River

534 Reviews

New River Gorge National River draws campers with its diverse outdoor setting. Army Camp Campground sits within the park and keeps things simple with pit toilets and picnic tables. Rifrafters Campground has more comforts, including flush toilets and hot showers. Babcock State Park Campground gives you good-sized sites and connects to some nice hiking trails. You'll see plenty of wildlife here, so keep your food secure to avoid bears and other animals. The land changes a lot throughout the park, making it good for hiking, rock climbing, and white-water rafting. Grandview Sandbar Campground works well for fishing since it's right by the New River. The weather can change quickly here, with big differences between daytime and nighttime temperatures. Both tent and RV campers can find spots that work, and some sites have electrical hookups. You can take in the natural beauty while being careful to leave no trace. The park works well for short trips or longer stays with its range of camping options.

Map showing campgrounds near New River Gorge National River, West VirginiaExplore the Map

Best Camping Sites Near New River Gorge National River (117)

    1. Grandview Sandbar Campground — New River Gorge National Park and Preserve

    23 Reviews
    Prince, WV
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (304) 465-0508

    "RANGER REIVEW: PRIMUS 4-SEASON STAINLESS STEEL 0.3L MUG AT GRANDVIEW SANDBAR CAMPGROUND, NEW RIVER GORGE NATIONAL RIVER, WV CAMPGROUND REVIEW:

    Grandview Sandbar Campground situated along the"

    "Through Traffic: Access to the boat ramp is through the campground. Though, traffic is minimal, folks on the way to the ramp and picnic area often drive pretty fast."

    2. Rifrafters Campground

    30 Reviews
    Fayetteville, WV
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (304) 564-1065

    $15 - $50 / night

    "Some really great beer places close by as well. Nice a shady too. I’d like to go back and do some exploring around the area. Just be careful with what gps app you use."

    "They walked us to our site and helped us back into our spot. Everything worked well with all of the hookups. It was a quiet and clean campground."

    3. Babcock State Park Campground

    25 Reviews
    Winona, WV
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (304) 438-3004

    $33 / night

    "The most photographed place in west Virginia is the grist mill. Awesome trails all around."

    "Babcock State Park, located in the thriving megapolis of Clifton, West Virginia is postcard perfect!"

    4. Glade Creek Campground — New River Gorge National Park and Preserve

    19 Reviews
    Prince, WV
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (304) 465-0508

    "Campground…and is also part of the New River Gorge National River."

    "There is five drive-in sites and more walk-in sites on the edge of the camp. The drive-in sites filled and vacated several times throughout the weekend."

    5. Stone Cliff Campground — New River Gorge National Park and Preserve

    17 Reviews
    Thurmond, WV
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (304) 465-0508

    "Tucked away by the river past Thurmond. Great secluded sites. Trailhead for hiking from camp."

    "We put our tent a few feet away from the water facing the river and our canopy further up in the woods by the firepit."

    6. Little Beaver State Park Campground

    19 Reviews
    Daniels, WV
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (304) 763-2494

    $35 - $40 / night

    "This CCC State Park is very picturesque and has several hiking trails and the man-made lake is small but offers plenty of recreation possibilities. I found the layout a little strange."

    "This campground is situated in the woods, near Lake. Has a good WFI everywhere, very clean and quiet."

    7. Ace Adventure Resort

    14 Reviews
    Thurmond, WV
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (800) 787-3982

    $15 - $600 / night

    "Nearby are showers and restrooms. They have individual rooms that can be locked that has the restroom in with the shower stall. Lots of biking and equestrian trails available."

    "We were able to go whitewater rafting one day and then explored the surrounding area on another day. The resort is awesome. They have cabins and they have hot tubs."

    8. Army Camp — New River Gorge National Park and Preserve

    12 Reviews
    Prince, WV
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (304) 465-0508

    "CAMPGROUND REVIEW: Army Camp Campground, New River Gorge National River, WV Army Camp Campground, New River Gorge National River, Prince, WV [https://www.nps.gov/neri/learn/historyculture/army-camp.htm"

    "Easy access to river, able to hear it from campsite. Very clean pit toilet bathroom. Road to access is single lane paved/gravel. Best for cars/vans, but did see some small pull behinds."

    9. Chestnut Creek Campground

    20 Reviews
    Lansing, WV
    12 miles
    Website

    $10 - $11 / night

    "Great tent campground very near the New River gorge and close by Summerville Lake and the Gulley River. Multiple campsites in heavily forested area. Drive up to the sites."

    "They have showers and clean bathrooms just a short walk from any site. All sites are big and you can pick from any available. The host is just a text or call away and he replies very quickly."

    10. Arrowhead Bike Farm

    11 Reviews
    Fayetteville, WV
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (304) 900-5501

    $10 - $85 / night

    "Great campground adjacent to New River Gorge National Park. Within a short walk/bike to multiple biking and hiking trailheads. Close enough to bike into Fayetteville (a cool little town)."

    "Good amenities plenty of space, and walking distance from some of the best views in the park!"

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Recent Camping Photos near New River Gorge National River

223 Photos of 117 New River Gorge National River Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near New River Gorge National River

534 Reviews of 117 New River Gorge National River Campgrounds

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 5, 2025

    Babcock State Park Campground

    Spacious campground. Near RiverGorge National Park

    The facilities were clean and well maintained. Babcock State Park has access to trails, a scenic drive, grist mill, and souvenir store. WIFI is slow but there is a WiFi lounge at park store. No food store or restaurants nearby. Limited large rig sites and roadways are very narrow.

  • Aly E.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 3, 2025

    Grandview Sandbar Campground — New River Gorge National Park and Preserve

    Great area!

    This was near the water with pit toilets available but not in good condition. Areas to fish and good camping areas spaced apart. Friday night and there was only a few campers. If it’s full glade creek is four miles up the road and our personal favorite. So plenty of options and both great spots!

  • Aly E.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 3, 2025

    Glade Creek Campground — New River Gorge National Park and Preserve

    New favorite!

    This area is our favorite we have been in all of the eastern states. So the sites all have fire pits and picnic tables and there’s tons of wood around to burn. There’s two pit toilet restrooms on both sides of the campground and a full area by the water for walk in tent camping. Boat ramp for anyone wanting to kayak and a big beach area to play in the water so perfect for my dog and kid. No one was around so we had the place to ourselves but each area is well spaced.

  • SkywaystoHighways.com Y.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 30, 2025

    Babcock State Park Campground

    All the Amenities and then some!

    We truly enjoyed our stay at this park. Its peacefully serene setting was exactly what we needed after a weekend long festival. Ya just can’t beat a free hot shower with great water pressure and affordable laundry facilities! Ya know?! Nice trails to forage and nearby Gristmill to top it all off. If we’d had the time, we would’ve stayed an extra night.

  • Brac S.
    Sep. 25, 2025

    Gauley Tailwaters Campground — Gauley River National Recreation Area

    Don’t understand the positive reviews

    We headed here based on the reviews, there were other campers that were there for rafting (Sept release season) but camping was literally a parking lot with fire pits around it. We stayed just up the road at Battle Run, which was a beautiful place (paid of course).

  • Ronnie B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 22, 2025

    Mountain Lake Campground and Cabins

    Nice place

    Trails were never nicely marked and well cleared. Good size spaces and distance between each camper.

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 17, 2025

    Kanawha State Forest

    Beautiful state forest

    New bathrooms. Sites are well spaced and clean.

  • Charles C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 17, 2025

    Arrowhead Bike Farm

    Great spot for National Park Access

    Great campground adjacent to New River Gorge National Park. Within a short walk/bike to multiple biking and hiking trailheads. Close enough to bike into Fayetteville (a cool little town). Onsite bike shop with rentals and repairs, restaurant, and bar. A handful of full hookup sites and open field camping for rv/van/car/tents. $11 for the field and $50 for hookup when I was here last n September 2025. Easy online or in person booking and checkin. Friendly, helpful staff. Peaceful place to stay a few nights if you want to hike or bike in the park or check out Fayetteville.

  • Tamara W.
    Sep. 16, 2025

    Mountain Lake Campground and Cabins

    Nice campground but….

    We camped here for 3 nights the campground is very large with multiple nice playgrounds for children, hiking trails frisbee golf, miniature golf, a beach lake access and other things I’m sure I’m not aware of I did walk a hiking trail and it was nice. There are lots of trees so as fall approaches it will be a beautiful area. The cons most sites are not level at all, there is one single bath house for each level making some sites very far from a bathroom/shower, the showers are very rough we checked 2 different bath houses both the same . Bathrooms also are cleaned only once per day per a post telling the cleaning times however the men’s facility was dirty and with out paper towels up until the day we left. It is pet friendly that is a big plus for us since we have no kids with us now but 2 fur babies. However we were unaware you need their rabies certificate with you there was no mention of this when I booked the site we have stayed lots of places and have never been asked for that before thankfully they allowed me to contact the vet Monday morning to get them emailed. Overall a nice stay

Guide to New River Gorge National River

Camping near New River Gorge National River, West Virginia, offers a mix of adventure and relaxation in a stunning natural setting. With various campgrounds to choose from, you can find the perfect spot to enjoy the great outdoors.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Explore the trails around the gorge. Many campers rave about the hiking opportunities. One visitor mentioned, "The hiking paths are awesome. Leads you to coal mining ruins OR to a beautiful waterfall you can swim."
  • Whitewater Rafting: The New River is famous for its rafting. A camper shared, "We went whitewater rafting with ACE Adventures, they're great!"
  • Fishing and Swimming: Enjoy the river for fishing or a refreshing swim. A review noted, "The view from our full hookup campsite is hands down amazing!! We're situated directly on the New River."

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and showers. One reviewer said, "The bathhouse was VERY clean and the showers had great water pressure and plenty of hot water" at Rifrafters Campground.
  • Friendly Staff: Many visitors highlight the helpfulness of campground staff. A camper at Babcock State Park Campground mentioned, "The staff are also friendly and attentive."
  • Peaceful Atmosphere: Campers enjoy the tranquility of the area. One visitor noted, "It was very peaceful and quiet at night" at Chestnut Creek Campground.

What you should know:

  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds, like Grandview Sandbar Campground, do not have drinking water or electric hookups. A camper mentioned, "The bathrooms are very old and the pits stink throughout the campground."
  • First-Come, First-Serve: Many sites operate on a first-come, first-serve basis. A visitor at Glade Creek Campground advised, "Get there early to make sure you get a spot."
  • Wildlife: Be prepared for wildlife encounters. One camper shared, "I’ve seen a snake in the road before lol" while visiting Glade Creek Campground.

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for places with amenities for kids. A reviewer at Babcock State Park Campground mentioned, "There was a playground, group picnic area, tennis courts and a plethora of other lodging options."
  • Plan Activities: Make sure to have a list of activities. One family enjoyed, "The grounds are also quite large and lovely" at Babcock State Park Campground.
  • Pack Snacks: Keep everyone happy with snacks on hand. A camper at Mountain Lake Campground and Cabins noted, "The camp store was a bit of a letdown, a lot of knick-knacks, and not many actual camping supplies."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A visitor at Battle Run mentioned, "The sites are grassy with gravel, generally level parking pads, some shade."
  • Electric Hookups: Look for campgrounds with electric hookups if needed. A camper at New River Campground appreciated, "All sites seem to have 20/30/50 amp electrical options."
  • Be Mindful of Noise: Some campgrounds can be noisy due to nearby roads or trains. A camper at New River Campground noted, "The highway noise was not noticeable" after dark.

Camping near New River Gorge National River, West Virginia, is a fantastic way to connect with nature and enjoy outdoor activities. Whether you're hiking, rafting, or just relaxing, there's something for everyone in this beautiful area.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best campgrounds in New River Gorge National Park?

New River Gorge offers several exceptional campgrounds within the park boundaries. Grandview Sandbar Campground provides riverside camping with direct access to the New River, perfect for those seeking waterfront sites. Glade Creek Campground offers a more secluded experience further down Glade Creek Road. Both campgrounds are primitive but feature vault toilets and provide an authentic outdoor experience. For those wanting more amenities, nearby Babcock State Park Campground is highly rated for its spectacular surroundings, including the famous grist mill, plus excellent hiking trails. All these options provide unique ways to experience the natural beauty of New River Gorge.

Are there RV camping facilities at New River Gorge?

Yes, RV camping is available near New River Gorge, though options within the national park are limited. Summer Wind RV Park offers RV sites with mountain views and pastoral settings, including 30-amp hookups. It's known for its hospitality and reasonable prices. River Expeditions Campsites provides RV sites as part of their all-in-one adventure resort near Oak Hill, combining camping amenities with outdoor activities. For those seeking additional options, Rifrafters Campground near Fayetteville is big-rig friendly with water and toilet facilities. Most RV campgrounds in the area require reservations, especially during peak summer months and fall foliage season.

What camping options are available within New River Gorge National Park and Preserve?

New River Gorge National Park and Preserve offers several primitive camping options managed by the National Park Service. The park has three main campgrounds: Grandview Sandbar, Glade Creek, and Army Camp. These sites are primitive with vault toilets but no running water or hookups. Most operate on a first-come, first-served basis and have modest fees. For those seeking alternatives with more amenities, Greenbrier State Forest offers additional camping not far from the park. Ace Adventure Resort provides a range of camping options from tent sites to cabins, plus guided activities. The camping season generally runs April through October, with limited winter camping. Visitors should bring their own drinking water and be prepared for basic conditions within the park's boundaries.

Where can I find tent camping sites near New River Gorge National Park?

Tent campers have excellent options at New River Gorge. Army Camp Campground offers a primitive tent camping experience with riverside sites in a dispersed setting. This campground provides basic facilities while maintaining a natural feel along the New River. For those seeking more amenities while still enjoying nature, Battle Run near Summersville Lake is ideal for tent campers who enjoy water activities like fishing, swimming, and paddleboarding. Arrowhead Bike Farm near Fayetteville provides tent sites with the added benefit of being close to mountain biking trails. Most tent sites in the area are available on a first-come, first-served basis, so arriving early during peak seasons is recommended.

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