Located about 2,400 feet above sea level in the Appalachian Mountains, Beckley offers a distinctive woodland camping experience with significant temperature variations between day and night. The area receives approximately 45 inches of rainfall annually, creating lush forest environments with diverse plant and animal life. Campgrounds near Beckley typically maintain their season from April through October, though several properties offer winter accommodations.
What to Do
Waterfall hiking: Little Beaver State Park Campground has numerous trails leading to scenic water features. "This is a nice little campground. Clean and well kept. Several nice walking trails directly from the campground," notes a visitor who appreciated the easy trail access.
Rock climbing: Rays Campground serves as a base for many climbers exploring New River Gorge. "This is my favorite developed campground in the new river / gauley river area. Known by kayakers and rock climbers," explains one regular visitor, highlighting its popularity among climbing enthusiasts.
Lake recreation: At Little Beaver State Park Campground, the lake offers fishing and paddling options. "Just stayed for one night passing through and we were sad we couldn't stay longer. Sites are big and spread out. It's quiet. Walking trails all over," shares a camper who enjoyed the peaceful environment.
Historical exploration: Visit the remains of an Army training encampment along the gravel road leading to Army Camp Campground. "Army Camp is my favorite place to camp. 10 tent sites. 2 are handicap. Has always been quiet with good people camping while I was here. Area for people to swim in the river or fish," mentions a regular visitor.
What Campers Like
Free riverside camping: The New River Gorge National Park offers no-cost options. "It's hard to beat a free campsite right on the river. Got lucky to find a site here after trying both Grandview Sandbar and Glade's Creek on the other side of the road," reports a camper at Army Camp Campground.
Clean facilities: Babcock State Park Campground maintains high standards. "The bathrooms were cleaned twice a day for the COVID and the showers had good pressure. Like all campgrounds, some sites are better than others," explains a tent camper who stayed for multiple days.
Swimming access: Many sites offer river access for cooling off. "Still, it wasn't crowded and I enjoyed evening river dips before bed," shares a visitor to Army Camp Campground, highlighting the refreshing water options available during summer months.
Yurt camping: For those seeking unique accommodations, yurt camping near Beckley, West Virginia offers an elevated experience. "This was a good basecamp. The fact that they had reliable WiFi throughout the park was a huge bonus for a remote worker," notes a visitor to Rifrafters Campground.
What You Should Know
Limited cell service: Many campgrounds have spotty connectivity. "No AT&T service so I only stayed two nights (gotta work during the week!)" mentions a camper at Army Camp, pointing out connectivity challenges common in the region.
Flood risk: River-adjacent sites can experience rapid water level changes. "When breaking camp, it was noted the New River had encroached another 100ft through the woodland, flowing alongside the campground loop gravel drive…30 ft from our tent pad. Even though it had not rained in 18 hours, the New River continued to swell beyond what I thought probable," warns a camper about water level fluctuations.
Reservation importance: Grandview Sandbar Campground fills quickly during peak season. "Pretty limited space so get there early if you want a spot. Right near the River, which was beautiful," advises a visitor who found the campground nearly full upon arrival.
Train noise: Some riverside locations experience railway disturbances. "The really bad thing is that there is a train station directly across the river. And trains will and do pull through every couple of hours 24/7," explains a tent camper at Grandview Sandbar.
Tips for Camping with Families
Playground access: Several campgrounds offer child-friendly amenities. "The playground was great for our daughters to burn off some energy," mentions a visitor to Rifrafters Campground, appreciating the on-site recreation options.
Educational opportunities: Twin Falls Resort State Park Campground offers nature programs. "Very well taken care of with plenty of trails to hike and sights to see," notes a visitor who enjoyed the maintained environment.
Swimming holes: Natural water features provide cooling options. "About a quarter of a mile you come to the creek with a great swimming hole. We didn't make it past the swimming hole but I'm looking forward to finishing the trail in the future," shares a Babcock State Park visitor, describing family-friendly water access.
Yurt camping options for families: Beckley, West Virginia offers several yurt camping locations ideal for groups with children. "Nestled in a moderately remote bit of WV just outside pineville/beckley, twin falls state park is an absolutely killer place to stay. Plenty of easily accessible camping sites for RVs, tent spots, and very well documented and marked hiking trails," explains a visitor.
Tips from RVers
Site levelness: Check specifications before booking. "Most sites looked like it may take some work to get level. We were in site 20 with a 23 ft TT and got level fairly easily but a longer rig may have difficulty in that site," advises an RVer at Little Beaver State Park.
Dump station access: The Outpost at New River Gorge offers full hookups. "We stayed in a full service spot, but the camp offered a variety of accommodations. Our site was right on a little creek, had a picnic table and fire pit. The bathhouse was clean, big and heated," notes a recent visitor.
Narrow access roads: Several campgrounds have challenging approaches. "It is a one lane road to get to the campground and can get tight when other vehicles pass, but we got down there with our F250 truck and camper when a big grater and the park ranger came by. It's very doable," reports an RVer at Army Camp Campground.
