Best Campgrounds near Austinville, VA

Pipestem Resort State Park Southern West Virginia. 

We spent 4 nights here. Used this park as a base camp for New River Gorge NP. There's many other State Parks we visited too.

 This park has a LOT of razzle dazzle. A zip line, a golf course, no pool but a splash pad. They also have a tram that's closed right now for refurbishing.

 A lake with fishing & boating. You can rent a boat.

 The Nature Center is nice. The typical stuffed animals. You're not allowed to pet the bear!! 

 Lots of trails. A horse barn. A large "lodge" & cabins for rent. 

There's 82 sites in the campground. 

1- 31 have full hookup.

 32- 49 electric only.

 50- 82 water& electric 

Sites 1-4 are handicapped sites. 

We were in site 1 by the bathrooms/ showers.

 There are pretty good sites, but watch the site descriptions for the incline. 

The water/electric sites surround a large field. These sites tend to be sunny.

 1- 49 are in the woods. The sites seem small, but the perimeter sites face the woods. 

44 is a large site, but the incline is severe, so appropriate for Class B or tents.

I didn't like site 5 at all. It sits right as the road curves down a hill. 

The showers/bathrooms were very much on the lower spectrum of state park clean. It looked like they had been remodeled fairly recently, but not cleaned often. The campground doesn't seem to generate the same attention as the rest of the park. There's no DNR presence, no one driving through the campground. We rarely saw any employees checking the bathrooms.

 I would probably not stay here again since we won't be coming this way for a long time.

We were lied to and ignored. Conditions were very poor at the beginning of May. That can certainly be expected with the flooding in the area, though that was not known to us until arrival. It wiped out their entire campground, leveled their bathhouse, and even moved their office building several feet. Many of their sites were out of commission. This left very poor conditions, and their recovery planned involved the use of a few port-a-shower/toilets. The water barely trickled and was only cold. We could not stay there. The caretaker of the campground appeared understanding and said that he would have my money refunded for the week. That STILL has NOT happened! They don't respond to phone calls, voice mails, or emails. Definitely beware of businesses like this!!!! I am sorry to have to give them 1-Star.

Hanging Rock State Park Camping Review – A Beautiful Stay with a Few Bumps

Our recent camping trip to Hanging Rock State Park was a wonderful family getaway packed with adventure, scenic views, and quality time outdoors. Overall, it was a positive experience, and we’re glad we chose this park for our camping weekend—though there were a few things to note for future campers.

Trails and Scenery: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ The hiking trails at Hanging Rock are absolutely top-notch! We explored several of them, including the trail up to Hanging Rock itself, and were blown away by the panoramic views from the summit. The trails were well-marked, maintained, and offered a good variety for all skill levels. Our kids (ranging from early elementary to preteen) managed the trails with some effort but plenty of enthusiasm. The waterfall hikes were especially fun, and the swimming area near the lake looked like a great spot to cool off in the summer months.

Campsite Experience (Campsite #50): ⭐⭐⭐ We stayed at Campsite 50, and while it was in a nice wooded area with plenty of shade and a decent amount of privacy, the tent pad was smaller than expected. We brought a 10-person tent, and it was a tight fit. If you’re camping with a large group or family and have a bigger tent, be aware that this site might not give you as much room as you’d like. It’s doable, but just barely. That being said, the fire ring and picnic table were in good condition, and the site had a peaceful atmosphere with lots of birdsong in the mornings.

Bathroom and Shower Facilities: ⭐⭐ The bathrooms were a mixed bag. On the plus side, the showers had hot water, which was a very welcome amenity after a day on the trails. However, the women’s bathroom was unfortunately in rough shape. It was infested with bugs, and clearly in need of a deep cleaning. Some basic maintenance and pest control would go a long way in improving the comfort and cleanliness of this area. The men’s facilities seemed to be in slightly better shape, but the park would really benefit from more consistent upkeep in this area overall.

Family Fun Factor: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Despite the bathroom issue, the kids had a blast! From spotting salamanders near the creek to pretending they were mountain explorers on the trails, they were thoroughly entertained the whole trip. The variety of natural features—from cliffs and ridgelines to waterfalls and forests—gave them so much to discover and enjoy. Campfire stories and s’mores at night were the cherry on top.

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Final Verdict: 4/5 Stars Hanging Rock State Park offers stunning trails, gorgeous views, and a great place to unplug and enjoy nature. The campsite was mostly great, though the tent pad at #50 was a bit cramped for a larger tent. The bathrooms could use some serious attention, especially the women’s side, but the natural beauty and family fun made up for the shortcomings. With a little maintenance improvement, this park would be a near-perfect destination for camping families and outdoor lovers alike.

We’d definitely come back—but next time, we’ll choose a different site or bring a slightly smaller tent!