Are you planning a dispersed camping trip to Craigsville? We've got you covered. Dispersed camping means that no facilities or amenities are provided, so that you can truly disconnect and get back to nature. Search dispersed campsites you've visited before, or discover new spots and read camper reviews.
Hiking and fishing opportunities are abundant at Poor Farm Dispersed Recreation Area. Enjoy hiking trails that meander along the Jackson River, or break out that rod and reel as the trout stocked waters are popular amongst fly and traditional fishermen alike.
This scenic area is managed to feature an undisturbed condition of the West Virginia highlands for study and enjoyment. Maintaining the natural appearance of the area is an essential management goal here.
Approximately 50 acres of the Gaudineer Scenic Area is typical of, and considered part of, the virgin red spruce type that originally occupied large portions of the highland areas of West Virginia. The composition of this impressive timber stand consists of virgin and second growth red spruce, yellow birch, beech, red maple, sugar maple and other hardwood species. Individual trees range up to 40 inches in diameter at breast height and 300 years of age.
While the remaining 90 acres has had some cutting, mainly salvage of blow-down, most of the original growth still is standing. The total wood volume of the 140 acre tract is estimated at one and a half million board feet.
Guide
We strolled up the mountain in our 39ft skoolie. It snowed and we had a really good time!
Guide
Very nice spot, right by the river with plenty of spaces to hammock down by there. We were lucky and got one of the last spots, there’s only 11. Fire rings with grill, and bench at each site. The ground is great for tents, no rocks. If you’re planning on coming here, make sure and come early. Pit toilets also available.
Scout
It was dead when we arrived; only saw two other vehicles. Very quiet and secluded. Easy to navigate and find a spot.
GuideVery quiet, beautiful views, amazing drive from VA. Multiple campsites and they all have beautiful views. I have T-Mobile and had signal only by the first campsite for some reason. I had no signal for almost two hours heading towards VA.
TravelerPit toilets, but was nice to have something ++ FREE. Super cool river near by, great scenery.
GuideStayed here for a few nights with 3 other people. We had 1 big tent, 2 vehicles and a few dogs and had plenty of room. The road getting back to the site is a little sketch but worth the trip in. Just remember you have to make that trip all the way back out if you forget anything at the store (like we did) so be prepared to have plenty of food and wood. Water access is not problem if you have a good filtration system. The view of the river is absolutely beautiful!!
RangerYou can’t beat an established campground (picnic tables, fire pits, bathrooms) in a national park that’s also free! Good amount of spiders and ants but didn’t notice any mosquitoes in mid May. Peaceful and quiet!
Guide
Great camp site!! I pulled in while passing through the area, it was a short ride off the highway and the road in was nice. Quiet spot with a nice grassy level area. will definitely stay here again when I get back up this way.
Scout25 Beautiful remote sites with Mountain View’s and lake overlook
Traveler
Unfortunately the road is closed for upgrades until spring of 2024
TravelerWe drove In Thursday evening intending to go to stonecoal but the road was blocked off so we headed out to mowers basin and were lucky enough to snag this beautiful view. The few people we did encounter were friendly.
Scout
Just wow! First off, it's not a campsite, it's day use only, but I got there too late to go anywhere else. The forest floor is only moss. Like miles of moss and other than the trail that was it. No other trees either. Just Spruce?I think it was spruce but I'm not a treeologist. That combination created the world's most quiet environment ever. You wouldn't hear a marching band if they were feet behind you. It was super erie to camp in, but also the most peaceful and amazing spot I've been to in years. I loved it! I did the old growth loop down the road too. The whole place was magical.
ScoutArmy camp is nestled by the new river and has plenty of views of the mountains. None of us had cell phone reception, so if you’re looking for a tech free weekend then this is your spot. Saw plenty of small RV’s and campers at the spot. The road is pretty narrow so I wouldn’t suggest large RV’s go to this spot. Camp had a fire ring and hanging pole with enough room for four back packs on top. Parking spaces at the camp were big enough to accommodate 2-4 vehicles. Plenty of critters were roaming around with a bear spotted two nights in a row.
LegendWe spent a night here on our way to Ohio. It has a small loop of campsites near the river. 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. Campsites were mowed and it was a short walk to a really nice spot on the river. No electric/water, so plan to be ready to be off grid. Hard to complain about free!
GuideThis has been the best spot I've found so far in terms of what it offers. It's easy to find, the roads are gravel and maintained enough for just about any vehicle to get back there, the views are truly incredible with great star gazing opportunities, and MOST IMPORTANTLY it is absolutely littered with marked hiking trails.
Following the road all the way to the final site you will cross paths with no fewer than 5 distinct and different toughness hiking trails, there are likely more, but I was only there for a week and would usually just do one trail a day.
I saw forestry trucks coming in and out during the day, day hikers, and the entire week that I was there I only saw 3 other cars coming in to camp. But the sites are so spread out/the foliage is so thick that you can't see or hear anyone.
This is a spot that I will make a special trip to go back out to, just to enjoy those trails and views again. In the months that I've been slowly moving across the country, this is 1 of 2 sites that I will FOR SURE come back to. I'll probably invite friends from out of state to make a several hours drive to hangout there, it's that good.
TravelerWasn’t too hard to get there and park in our van. Peaceful for the most part (a few campers were there). No signal, so make sure you have a map or know which way you came.
GuideI've seen a lot of beautiful sights, but this may be one of the top of all time.
You park in the little lot that has a cassette toilet and a trash dump bin. Then there is a 1/2 mile loop with little campsites all along it. It looked like most of them had a table and fire ring. I also only did half the loop lol, but there must be at least 10+ spots.
The spots are not huge, so don't plan on a big group, but if your group wants to spread out, that could work as the sites are fairly tightly packed in there. When I went in November on a rainy weekend, there was no one else there.
Even if you choose to not camp here, it is at least worth it to walk the trail and see the overlook.
Guide
You will want a car with decent clearance to get down here. I went in my Subaru Forester and was fine.
The spot is about 20 feet from the railroad, so just be ready to hear a train if you're lucky lol. When I went there it seemed like there was recent work done as there was hay, presumably to grow grass, and some cut and stacked firewood.
You are also along the Shaver's Fork River, so if you have a filtration system, you can get some water. I did see signs driving in about this being a catch and release zone, but I'm not a fisherman so I didn't look them over thoroughly.
I have some pictures from a little up the river the I'll add to here, so you can get an idea of the landscape and what to expect. The river is small and shallow, so when it isn't so cold, it could be fun to play in.
GuideWords cannot describe how amazing this site was to camp in. I took the road all the way to the end passing other sites, some taken and some open. The moon was bright but you could still see hundreds of stars. There was a fire ring and enough space to fit a car and tent, but other sites were large enough to fit many cars and a dozen people. It is all first come first service, so if you want those bigger group sites, come early.
I also love this place as it has a small network of single track trails for anyone with a bike, or in my case, Electric unicycle. The trails were well maintained and offered a wonderful variety of wooded and open space riding.
I cannot wait to get back to this place, maybe even in the snow.
Guide
So instead of putting in 20+ reviews, I'm just going to lump them all into one. There are a lot of campsites along this road, many of which could fit an RV, but many of which have some rough roads that an RC or trailer might not do well on.
Each site has a clear marker put there by the Forest Service, something I haven't seen before, and plenty of signs asking to limit your stay to 14 days. Each site also has a campfire ring and is well spaced out from the next one, but not always from the road.
You are sort of in a valley/basin kind of area. There used to be a lot of spruce tree farming here so I think that is why it is so cleared out. It doesn't seem to be an active logging zone now though, so it's just peaceful and quiet.
I have t-mobile and got zero service. I wouldn't expect any carrier to get any service out there though.
GuideFCFS. Spots are large enough to fit 2 vehicles. Sites are gravel with fire pit, charcoal grill, and picnic table. Spots are shaded. 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.
Ranger
Check weather conditions and map before heading here.
This is a dispersed camping area so be self sufficient
This is a dirt road so not for everyone to travel down. But we did travel on bikes so it is not horrible.
We set up camp right next to Rose Run, just East of the closed off bridge.
Along this road you will see areas to pull off where people have set up fire rings.
Just pull off and set up camp. Our camp area apparently was well used with many beer cans and spent shell casings.
There is not a ton of traffic on this road but since the site is close to the road you will hear some vehicles driving by.
There is Elk Springs Resort & Fly Shop just down the road. Here you can hire a guide, or pay to fly fish their well stocked area. A well stocked fly shop as well. Everyone there was great on suggestion on flies suggestions.
The area where we camped is catch and release only! Please be respectful of the river and rules. Water levels were pretty low, but was nice to just sit by the river, listen to the sounds and relax.
GuideI have stayed here twice, once in the spring and once in the winter. Both times, the main camping area was empty. There is a large clearing off of Hidden Valley Rd (38.14822,-79.76883) just past Poor Farm Camp A Rd. that can easily accommodate multiple vehicles with 3 or 4 fire pits. In the spring, it is covered in wild hares.
If you follow the road further, about a quarter of a mile, is another spot for about two or three vehicles. On the map, Hidden Valley Rd says it goes through, but the road is closed.
LegendThis is another of the free national park campgrounds in the New River Gorge, with sites that are more developed than many of the others. These are in a small open loop, largely level gravel parking and tent pads. They have picnic tables, fire rings, and lantern poles. No drinking water, so bring your own. No hookups. The river is nearby, but none of the sites are on the river. There’s an accessible site and also accessible trail to a bench along the river. There are latrines.
If you enjoy fishing, the New River Gorge website offers a lot of specific information about species, bait, and lures.
If you can't find a site at one of the other campgrounds or you have a slightly larger rig, ths may be a better option for you. No cell service, so download your maps. The New River Gorge also offers rafting, and hiking options. Check out some of the mining history at the Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine, abuut 30 minutes away, and get up early to catch the sunrise from Grandview Point.
TravelerWas okay, didn't end up staying due to limited spots available. Close to water, sites are wooded. There are 10 drive up sites and 6 walk in sites.
LegendIt'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.
No AT&T service so I only stayed two nights (gotta work during the week!).
Still, it wasn't crowded and I enjoyed evening river dips before bed.
Sheriff did arrive late the second night to visit my neighbors and lit up my tent pretty good.
Didn't ask too many questions this morning and I had to get up to pee anyway!
GuideThe campsites are just pullouts in the road with fire pits. Good quality dirt access road, no problem for my Honda Civic. Got here on a Monday night in late September and there were lots of campsites available. Good access to water with the river. No mosquitos. Soft ground for staking a tent. Getting here long after dark isn’t an issue, because you can drive right into a campsite. It was very quiet for me, no traffic on the road at night. There was some light litter, a few soda bottles, that kind of thing. No AT&T service. Highly recommended
Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Craigsville, West Virginia, where nature enthusiasts can find serene spots to unwind and explore the great outdoors. With a variety of locations offering unique experiences, campers can enjoy the tranquility of the wilderness.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Craigsville, WV?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Craigsville, WV is Army Camp — New River Gorge National Park and Preserve with a 4.4-star rating from 12 reviews.
What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Craigsville, WV?
TheDyrt.com has all 11 dispersed camping locations near Craigsville, WV, with real photos and reviews from campers.
