The New River Gorge region near Daniels, West Virginia provides multiple camping options ranging from free primitive sites to fully developed campgrounds with modern amenities. The area features several National Park Service campgrounds within New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, including Army Camp, Glade Creek, and Grandview Sandbar. Campers can choose between tent camping, RV sites with hookups, cabin rentals, and glamping accommodations. Little Beaver State Park Campground offers developed sites with electric hookups and shower facilities, while several commercial campgrounds like ACE Adventure Resort provide additional options with varying levels of amenities. Camping near Daniels provides excellent access to outdoor recreation with numerous campgrounds situated along scenic riverbanks and within forested mountain landscapes.
Access to campgrounds varies significantly with the seasons, as many facilities operate only from April through October. Most primitive sites in the National Park lack running water, requiring campers to bring their own supply. Winter camping options are limited, with only a few year-round facilities like Pipestem Resort State Park Campground. The region's terrain features significant elevation changes with campgrounds nestled between steep, wooded mountains reaching 2,500-3,200 feet. Weather conditions can impact camping experiences, particularly along the New River where water levels can change rapidly. As one camper noted, "Exercise greater wisdom than I did. When breaking camp, the New River had encroached another 100ft through the woodland, flowing alongside the campground loop gravel drive."
Several visitors highlight the natural beauty and recreational opportunities as key attractions. The New River provides excellent fishing, swimming, and whitewater rafting, while numerous hiking trails offer scenic views of the surrounding landscapes. Campers consistently mention the peaceful setting and dark night skies as highlights. The campgrounds within the National Park typically offer more privacy and a true wilderness experience, while state parks provide better amenities for families and those seeking more comfort. "The campground is split by Old Clifftop Rd, with the majority of the campground south of the road. The campground was quiet, family-friendly, and clean," reported one visitor to Babcock State Park. Cell service is limited or non-existent at many sites, allowing for a genuine disconnect from technology while enjoying the natural surroundings.
$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."
"New River, just outside of Prince, WV off Route 41 offers upclose and personal riverside camping."
"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."
"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."
"the campsite is pretty far back into the gorge at the end of a dead end road, which inherently gives it a little bit of an advantage for those who wish to be not just off grid but away from"the madding"
"I’ve spent over 150 days camping and hiking in West Virginia n the past four years and keep finding new, wonderful places to enjoy."
"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."
"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."
"This was a convienent campground right off the highway, easy to get to, small but has a few full hookup sites."
"Both CGs have a large creek running adjacent to the CG. Trout fishing was very popular though I didn’t catch any. They do restock this time of year."
"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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"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."
$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."
$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."
$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!"
ScoutThe meadows are a wonderful little gem, although they can be a bit loud due to their proximity to the train tracks. However, when quiet, they offer a serene joy connected to nature, and are close to the river with beautiful mountain views. A good place for stargazing.
ScoutThis was our first time staying at riftrafters. Would recommend it to anyone visiting the new river george. The owners were friendly and helpful and campground was clean and well maintained. We stayed at site 32 and it was very peaceful.
TravelerMy husband and I were looking for cheap places to park with no reservations with a dog and ended up in the sandstone visitor center after hours, the sign there said “no rv access” NOT TRUE. yes, it is on a thin dead end and you can only access it by crossing over 4 railroad tracks at once, ITS WORTH IT. Firewood is available and bathrooms too with no running water or electric makes for a beautiful dark night under the stars filled with only the sounds of nature and the occasional CSX train. And yes it’s free, a park ranger came around once to patrol but aside from that it’s a first come first serve bring your things and take-em with you. Kroger is 20 minutes away, dollar general is 15, and gas is about 10 minutes. All worth it.
TravelerBabcock SP is a nice out of the way park. Great base to explore New River Gorge with plenty of local history it could be a trip on its own.
Bathrooms were remodeled a few years ago and very clean, and they have laundry facilities.
TravelerThis was one of the quietest campgrounds I've ever been to. I heard owls and coyotes overnight which was nice! Super clean bathhouse too. The tent sites are a little small and some are on a slope, especially the ones on the outer loop. 18 was good, just a bit small and in a bend of a road which made me feel a little exposed. All in all, not a bad place to camp for a day or two.
ScoutSpacious paved, wooded sites some with water and Electric. It’s nice. They also have some first come first serve spots.
ScoutVery nice, clean and spacious. This free boondocking campground does not have any hookups or utilities, but the beauty of the surounding mountans, the view down the valley and the songs of the birds makes this campsite priceless. The vault toilets were clean and stocked. Each site has a picnic table, standing grill and a firepit. Looking forward to seeing the stars this evening in this shielded valley.
TravelerEasily accessible, stopped here for the night when we couldn’t find an open spot in Alabama Hills. Equipped with potable water, bathrooms and a fire pit at each site. Approx 80+ sites that are decently spaced and level. Beautiful views of the sierras and easy to get to in the dark
ScoutIt is a wonderful place to camp. However, it is $15 a night not five. There is a $50 deposit to get a key to the gate. There is no potable water.
Camping near Daniels, West Virginia offers easy access to New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, with elevations ranging from 1,200 to 3,200 feet throughout the region. The area receives approximately 44 inches of rainfall annually, creating lush forests and seasonal water level changes in the numerous streams and rivers. Campsites in this mountainous terrain often require leveling equipment, particularly for RVs and larger vehicles.
Hiking trails: Distance ranges from 0.25 to 7.5 miles. Glade Creek Campground in the national park offers direct access to the Glade Creek Trail, which follows an old railroad bed. "The Glade Creek Trail follows an old RR bed with easy terrain. Being early in the spring, there was still some deadfall across parts of the trail that required some maneuvering and even though it is a raised old narrow gauge RR bed, it still got muddy. Several trails break off Glade Creek trail and worth taking," notes one visitor.
Water activities: Lake access with rental options. Little Beaver State Park Campground has a small lake for fishing, swimming, and other water recreation. "This campground is situated in the woods, near Lake. Has a good WFI everywhere, very clean and quiet," shares a camper. Another mentions, "The park has a lot of trails and a lake but we didn't have time to check them out."
Wildlife observation: Best in early morning or evening hours. Campers frequently report deer sightings at multiple campgrounds in the area. At Meador Campground, one visitor noted, "There were also TONS of deer all around (just hanging out eating vegetation) during our short one night stay." Bird watching is also popular in the region, with multiple species of wood-warblers seen during spring migration.
Privacy between sites: Varies significantly by campground. At Mash Fork Campground, campers appreciate the thoughtful layout. One reviewer states, "All camper pads are paved, have a generous camper pad length, and most are spread a decent amount of space apart." Similarly, at Stone Cliff Campground, a visitor notes, "There were 2-3 other groups there and it still felt secluded with the sites distance from each other and the wooded area."
Clean facilities: Regularly maintained bathhouses. The attention to detail at Pipestem Resort State Park Campground receives consistent praise. "Shower houses were well maintained daily throughout the week, however not on weekends when it tends to be most crowded. Shower houses had been recently updated which was nice for a state park," shares one camper. Another adds, "They have shower facilities and a laundry room. There is also a place to empty your camper refuse."
Waterfront camping: Limited but highly sought after. At Army Camp, the riverside sites are especially popular. A camper explains, "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. The view of the river is absolutely beautiful!!" Meador Campground offers a similar experience, with a visitor noting, "We stayed in Meador site 14, which was the furthest away from the bath house (still only maybe 150 yards), but it was on the water & was the most secluded. It was freshly mowed, had a fire ring, picnic table, & was right on the water with nice views of the lake & mountains."
Seasonal availability: Major limitations from November to March. While Pipestem Resort State Park Campground operates year-round, many facilities in the area close during winter months. At Little Beaver State Park, a visitor learned, "Just a quick FYI, there is no camping in the winter. We stopped by for an overnight while enroute to Ohio. I don't always check ahead while road tripping, I see a recreation sign and decide to stop for the night."
Access challenges: Many sites require navigating steep, narrow roads. The terrain around Daniels presents genuine challenges for larger vehicles. At Army Camp, one camper warns, "It's 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." Stone Cliff Campground access has similar issues: "We had no idea there was a steep gravel decline to get to the camp site. My wife and I had brought our hatchback instead of our SUV- so our fault."
Site reservations: Mix of reservable and first-come, first-served. The National Park Service campgrounds (Army Camp, Glade Creek, Grandview Sandbar, Stone Cliff) operate on a first-come basis with no reservation system. A Glade Creek visitor observed, "The available 5 drive in sites go quick. I was in the campground 3 days and never saw an empty spot." In contrast, state parks and private campgrounds typically offer advance reservations.
Playground access: Multiple options within state parks. Rifrafters Campground provides family-friendly amenities close to town. "The playground was great for our daughters to burn off some energy. We would stay here again, especially for a weekend to see the area," reports one parent. At Pipestem Resort, a family mentioned, "They also had a nicely updated park for the kids to play. My only complaint is that the camp store did not keep their ice cream stocked."
Swimming options: Indoor and outdoor pools at select locations. Families appreciate having water recreation beyond just lakes and rivers. At Meador Campground, one visitor shares, "There is an outdoor pool within walking distance of campground but the playgrounds need upgraded. Lots of space to run around for the kids. It rained one day we were there and we took a quick drive to Pipestem and swam in the heated, indoor pool that is included in camping fee."
Biking-friendly roads: Best within campground loops. Several campgrounds feature paved roads suitable for younger riders. A Mash Fork Campground visitor notes, "All the roads are paved making it easy for the little ones to ride bikes." At Pipestem Resort State Park, families mention, "Kids loved biking around campground, very safe" and "Plenty of places to bike ride for my family of young kids (4 & 8)."
Site leveling: Bring blocks or levelers. Many campgrounds in the mountainous terrain require equipment for leveling. At Little Beaver State Park, an RVer advises, "Many 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." Another visitor adds, "Sites are big and spread out. We had site 19 which is one of the few pull thrus. We have a triple axl, had plenty of room and the site is wooded."
Limited hookups: Plan for self-sufficiency at National Park sites. While most of the best places to camp near Daniels, West Virginia in the national park are free, they lack hookups. As one RVer at Army Camp states, "No electric/water, so plan to be ready to be off grid. Hard to complain about free!" State parks like Mash Fork provide more amenities: "Great park. Nice playgrounds clean lots 30 and 50 amp service as well as boondock sites."
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Daniels, WV?
According to TheDyrt.com, Daniels, WV offers a wide range of camping options, with 124 campgrounds and RV parks near Daniels, WV and 2 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Daniels, WV?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Daniels, WV is Little Beaver State Park Campground with a 4.3-star rating from 19 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Daniels, WV?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 2 free dispersed camping spots near Daniels, WV.
What parks are near Daniels, WV?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 25 parks near Daniels, WV that allow camping, notably New River Gorge National River and Bluestone Lake.
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