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Campgrounds near Ripplemead, Virginia range from established sites with amenities to more primitive options along the New River. The area features several camping areas including Eggleston Springs Campground directly on the New River and Walnut Flats, a free dispersed camping area. Most locations accommodate both tent and RV camping, while some like Claytor Lake State Park and Kairos Wilderness Resort offer cabin and glamping options. The region's campgrounds typically provide access to water activities like fishing, tubing, and kayaking, with many sites positioned along riverbanks.
Road conditions and campground accessibility vary throughout the region, with some locations requiring vehicles with higher clearance. Many mixed-use campgrounds experience periodic flooding, particularly those positioned along the New River. "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," noted one visitor to Eggleston Springs. Most established campgrounds in the area operate seasonally, with peak availability from spring through fall. Cell coverage remains limited at more remote sites like White Rocks Campground, where visitors report no signal, creating a true wilderness experience.
Riverside camping represents a significant draw in the Ripplemead area, with several campgrounds offering direct water access. Train noise emerges as a common concern in user reviews, particularly at sites near railroad tracks. According to one camper at New River Junction, "The trains are awful for tent camping and I'm sure the thin-walled travel trailers too. Had it not been for the trains, the place would have been okay." Campers frequently mention the New River as a highlight, with fishing, tubing, and swimming opportunities available at multiple locations. Sites with electrical hookups and shower facilities tend to receive higher ratings from reviewers, though several primitive camping areas like Walnut Flats maintain perfect ratings despite minimal amenities. Summer weekends see increased demand at water-adjacent sites, particularly at established campgrounds with boat launches or swimming areas.
"Conveniently located bath house. We got sites right next to our friends where we wanted to be. The lake and beach area were beautiful. Sand was soft and very clean."
"Lots of space, cheap price, walking distance from the lake raccoons and skunks everywhere all night."
from $24 - $459 / night
Check Availability"The campground is not far from Virginia Tech and so there were several other campers staying a few nights with plans to go to the football game."
"Several RV sites located right on Beautiful New River. Tent camping also available."
"This was the first campground we got to try in Virginia and it did not disappoint! There’s a lot of ppl who stay here long term bc it’s so great."
from $30 - $50 / night
Check Availability"Cozy little site not too far from the main highway! Checked this out on my way to Tennessee. Primitive camping but has plenty of natural wonders to keep you busy!"
from $5 / night
Check Availability"There is plenty to do within walking distance or a short drive. There is hiking all around the Pipestem area. There is a lake to fish and boat on."
"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.
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"Beautiful spot on the New River in Giles County, VA located right outside downtown Narrows. There's a Disc Golf Course, Fishing, Camping, and Community Events. Well kept, clean, and perfect."
"I didn’t camp here, but I took out my kayak at the boat ramp and looked around. Vault M/F toilet, BYOTP. No hookups and I didn’t see a water spigot. Plenty of shade. Closed during flood."
from $10 - $14 / night
Check Availability"nice little free campground with about 5 sites with grill fire rings level gravel drive with tent pad and lantern pole, restrooms but I didn't use them well water pump for drinking water but didn't use"
"Occasional.peiole driving through but a great experience!"
"The hill to climb to get there is SUPER sketchy but it’s a gorgeous location. If you want to go ride dirt bikes or UTVs this place is definitely the spot."
"It sits on 1500 acres and has 41+ miles of trails. The only complaint is the campsites are very close but everyone was friendly and respectful so all in all it was a great place."
LegendI loved my experience. I got spot 6 which back right next to a creek. It was really peaceful. The shower facilities were clean though did smell a bit like mildew. There was no signal in the park itself but signal really close by incase of emergency.
TravelerCamped here Aug 7-11. What a great place; the hosts were fantastic and the people were very friendly. If craft beer is what you like there are four (Im sure there is more) interesting breweries within 30 miles. There are also trails to take if you are a jeepster like myself. I'm going back in Sept!
ScoutPerfect camp spot has a fire ring and table lots of trees around
ScoutThe campground is beautiful and extremely well maintained. The entire staff is friendly, welcoming, and helpful. Very quiet, adjoins the Blue Ridge Parkway, and the small community of Fancy Gap is interesting.
GuideI stayed at Dixie Caverns Campground for two weekend nights and found it to be a good value for the money. This is a very basic campground, so if you're looking for resort-style amenities like a pool, playground, or organized activities, this probably isn't the place for you. However, if you understand what a typical rural campground is like, you'll likely find it meets expectations. One of the biggest advantages is the location. The campground is in the Dixie Caverns parking lot, making it incredibly convenient to visit the caves, and campers receive a discount on cave tours. There is also a brand-new gas station and Which Wich sandwich shop within sight of the campground, which made grabbing fuel, snacks, or a quick meal very easy. The staff deserves special recognition. Everyone I encountered was exceptionally friendly, helpful, and welcoming, honestly some of the nicest campground staff I've met anywhere. The sites are fairly small and close together, but all the hookups worked properly during my stay, including water, sewer, and electric. I had read reviews complaining about unlevel sites and roads, but I didn't experience any issues with leveling my rig. The bathhouse was about what I'd expect from a rural campground. It was functional, but it could use a fresh coat of paint and a more thorough cleaning. It wasn't anything unusual for an older campground, but it is an area that could use some attention. One thing to be aware of is the road noise. The campground sits close to a roadway, so you'll hear traffic throughout much of the day and night. There are also some older RVs in the campground that add a bit of character and are interesting to look at. Overall, Dixie Caverns Campground is not fancy, but it was affordable, convenient, and served its purpose well. If you're a very particular camper who wants premium amenities and a pristine campground experience, you may want to look elsewhere. But if you're looking for a reasonably priced place to stay with great staff and reliable hookups, I'd say it's exactly what you'd expect for the money and maybe a little better thanks to the outstanding people who run it.
GuideAn exceptional setting, this RV park is conveniently located next to I-64 in the mountains of WV. While during the day one can hear the traffic, it’s not that bad, and it’s not loud at night. The park sits adjacent to a cattle ranch nestled in the mountains. All arrangements are made via text and payments are made via cash or Venmo. You definitely get a sense of community with the other campers here as all seem to be very courteous and cordial at the time of my stay. Sites are gravel and fairly level. A very clean and well kept bathhouse is on the premises. Laundry can also be done here with a load costing $2 to wash and $2 to dry. Currently there is no camp host but the park does have quite the surveillance camera set up. WiFi is also available and it works extremely well! All sites are pull-thru. I only planned to stay for one night but enjoyed it so much I decided to stay for two. I most certainly will be staying here during my next trip through WV!
GuideWe stayed here for 3 nights, occupying site 32. Although is was close to the bath house, I would not recommend this specific site, as it is not very level.(But, there are plenty of other nice sites around the park.) When you arrive, you check in at the small building along Clifftop Rd. They have ice($3/bag) and firewood(skip it...find another place to buy wood as the park's is too green to burn).
The campground is a maze of fairly unmarked roads winding lazily through the trees.(Seriously, put up a sign or two for direction.) The bath house is dated, but relatively clean. Showers take a minute or two to heat up and lack serious pressure, but they work. Sites are generally spaced far enough apart and noise is kept to a minimum. The weekend we were there had a lot of kids riding bikes, playing in the playground and doing kid stuff. Good to see.
The park is out of the way, but only a short drive to the New River Gorge and park system. Cell service was 5G for both Verizon and T-Mobile. The park has wi-fi, but we never needed it.
ScoutThis is a nice little place with level sites and easy shower/restroom access. I thought it was a little pricey and we had to drive to the lake, but it's a nice place to paddle board or kayak because they don't allow motor boats. They have a nice beach that our kid liked. You also have to the fairy stone hunting ground - we didn't find any. But there's a cool hiking trail with a couple of abandoned mine entrances.
RangerThe second time I stayed was in site 36, which was far preferable to 41 as it was a larger site, but still moderately unlevel. Fun hiking trails down the creek and close proximity to New River Gorge.
Dispersed camping opportunities near Ripplemead, Virginia provide alternatives to established campgrounds, with multiple free or low-cost sites within Jefferson National Forest. Most primitive sites have elevation ranges between 1,600-2,400 feet, which keeps summer camping temperatures typically 10-15 degrees cooler than surrounding valleys. Water access varies significantly by location and season, with several sites positioned along the New River where water levels fluctuate 3-5 feet between spring and late summer.
Hiking access from camp: At Walnut Flats, campers can directly access hiking trails from their site. "This is a wonderful spot. It has five established camp sites with fire rings and picnic tables... There is a trail right through the campground and the Appalachian Trail just across the road," notes one camper who stayed nearly two weeks.
Water recreation options: The New River offers multiple swimming and fishing spots, but accessibility varies by campground. At New River Junction Campground, "Bring your fishing pole for some great catch and release fishing, or rent an inner tube or canoe and float down River to a shuttle bus that brings you back to the campgrounds."
Wildlife viewing: Dawn and dusk provide optimal wildlife viewing at several riverside locations. "The tent camping is closest to the tracks which makes zero sense to me as the RV's would be less subject to the noise... We were able to catch a small-mouth bass pretty quickly and missed a few others," reports a visitor who appreciated the fishing despite other challenges.
Direct river access: Many campers prioritize sites with immediate water access despite seasonal fluctuations. At Camp Success, "Vault M/F toilet, BYOTP. No hookups and I didn't see a water spigot. Plenty of shade. Closed during flood," reports one visitor who utilized the boat ramp but didn't stay overnight.
Private wooded sites: Several campgrounds offer sites with natural buffers for privacy. At Claytor Lake State Park Campground, "The campsite was large and quiet which was nice. It felt somewhat private because of the trees and design of the site. Our camp hosts were great at keeping us informed and sharing ideas to make the weekend fun."
Free camping options: Budget-conscious campers appreciate no-fee locations. "5 sites, stayed in the double site. Quiet place with plenty of firewood on the ground. Occasional people driving through but a great experience!" reports a visitor to Walnut Flats, where water pumps and pit toilets provide basic amenities without cost.
Train noise considerations: Railroad tracks run parallel to many riverside campgrounds, creating noise issues primarily at night. "There were about 8 trains that passed through on our first night which led us to not sleeping well! So bring ear plugs!" advises a camper at New River Junction.
Seasonal flooding impact: Spring flooding can significantly alter campground conditions, especially at lower elevations. "This campground is good for a one night stopover and we would return for that purpose. Clean, convenient sites off highway 81. Not much privacy between sites because they're quite close together but there are trees."
Vehicle requirements: Access roads to several sites require higher clearance vehicles. At Kairos Wilderness Resort, "The hill to climb to get there is SUPER sketchy but it's a gorgeous location. If you want to go ride dirt bikes or UTVs this place is definitely the spot. The staff are excellent, they brought us firewood in the rain."
Best family campgrounds: Some locations specifically cater to families with amenities and activities. At Pipestem Resort State Park Campground, "We hiked, played at the lake and attended the roving ranger talks. The bathrooms and shower facilities were clean and convenient to our campsite... They also had a nicely updated park for the kids to play."
Swimming safety: River swimming locations have variable conditions depending on recent rainfall and season. "Pipestem is chock full of plenty of activities to keep your family busy. You can trout fish at the bottom of the mountain from the main lodge accessible by a four person tram ride," notes a return visitor.
Evening activities: Several campgrounds offer organized events during summer weekends. "The night sky was amazingly clear and stars were bright. It was a great weekend and a great park," reports a visitor who enjoyed stargazing during their stay at Pipestem Resort State Park.
Site selection strategies: RV campers should research specific site dimensions before booking. At Riverview Campground, "Camped here for a couple of nights and was very pleased! Stayed at a spot by the river and ramp is available to access river. Can access river from some sites, but steep in some areas."
Hookup availability: Water and electrical access varies significantly between campgrounds. "I love this park! Plenty of tent and RV sites. 4 yurts available in nice wooded area... Plenty clean bathrooms and hot showers. Wood, ice and soda machines available. It's my favorite go-to campground!" reports a frequent visitor to Claytor Lake State Park.
Weather considerations: RV campers should monitor forecasts during spring and fall when temperature fluctuations can be extreme. "Did some Jeep camping here in November. Nice bathroom facilities and showers. Very clean. Hiking trails all accessible from the camp areas. My spot had electric and water hook ups."
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Ripplemead, VA?
According to TheDyrt.com, Ripplemead, VA offers a wide range of camping options, with 160 campgrounds and RV parks near Ripplemead, VA and 4 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Ripplemead, VA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Ripplemead, VA is Claytor Lake State Park Campground with a 4.3-star rating from 26 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Ripplemead, VA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 4 free dispersed camping spots near Ripplemead, VA.
What parks are near Ripplemead, VA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 27 parks near Ripplemead, VA that allow camping, notably Bluestone Lake and George Washington & Jefferson National Forest.
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