Danese, West Virginia sits at elevations ranging from 1,800 to 2,500 feet in the Appalachian Mountains, creating distinct seasonal camping conditions. Winter temperatures regularly drop below freezing with occasional snowfall, while summer days typically reach the mid-80s with cooler nights in the 60s. The region receives approximately 45 inches of annual rainfall, making waterproof gear essential during the spring rainy season from April through June.
What to do
Hiking trails at multiple difficulty levels: Babcock State Park Campground offers over 20 miles of trails with varying terrain. As Jonda M. notes, "The park is spectacular. The most photographed place in West Virginia is the grist mill. Awesome trails all around."
Fishing opportunities year-round: Little Beaver State Park Campground maintains a well-stocked lake for anglers with valid West Virginia fishing licenses. "Walking trails all over. 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," shares Heather H.
Whitewater rafting for various skill levels: Ace Adventure Resort provides guided rafting tours on the New River. "My daughter and I had a fabulous stay here. We were able to go whitewater rafting one day and then explored the surrounding area on another day," explains Bridget H.
Rock climbing access points: Multiple established routes exist throughout the New River Gorge area for beginner to advanced climbers. Ray's Campground caters to this activity, with Paul P. mentioning it's "Known by kayakers and rock climbers. It also has rustic cabin bunkhouses that are also reasonably priced."
What campers like
Free camping options with river access: Army Camp — New River Gorge National Park and Preserve provides no-cost sites with basic amenities. "You 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," shares Rachel S.
Proximity to the New River Gorge Bridge: Grandview Sandbar Campground offers quick access to this iconic landmark. "Absolutely beautiful. Decent vault toilets," Dane J. notes about the campground itself.
Clean, modern facilities: The Outpost at New River Gorge features recently renovated shower buildings. One camper reported, "Bathrooms are nicer than our bathrooms at home. Friendly and helpful staff. There was low key live music Friday and a band/party Saturday night that was super fun."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Many campgrounds in the area provide habitat for local species. As Kaley A. describes at Babcock State Park, "Absolutely loved this park! We camped near the end of October for 5 days, so there weren't a ton of other people, but the park was clean and quiet."
What you should know
Weather impacts camping conditions: Spring rains can cause river flooding at lower elevation sites. At Army Camp, one camper observed, "During rains, tributaries flow into the New River causing it to overflow its banks with some regularity in the spring and early summer."
Reservation requirements vary: While some campgrounds require advance booking, others operate on first-come, first-served basis. Rifrafters Campground visitor Melissa O. mentioned, "We stopped here for one night as a stop for our trip home to NY from SC. We checked in around 7 pm and they walked us to our site AND helped us back in!"
Seasonal operations: Most glamping options near Danese, West Virginia close during winter months. "This campground is situated in the woods, near Lake. Has a good WFI everywhere, very clean and quiet," notes Ioan P. about Little Beaver State Park, which operates April through October.
Limited cell service: Mountain Lake Campground and Cabins and other sites have spotty coverage. "The camp store was a bit of a letdown, a lot of knic knacks, and not many actual camping supplies. The pool was small and very, very cold well maintained," reports Fred J.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Mountain Lake Campground features multiple play areas strategically located near campsites. "Our camp site was right next to one of the playgrounds and that was definitely a plus! Our little boy could play while we watched from our site," Katie J. explains.
Swimming options for children: Several campgrounds offer water recreation suited for families. "The lake is amazing, clear and has so many visual gems," one visitor noted about Mountain Lake Campground's swimming area.
Educational opportunities: Babcock State Park provides historical exhibits about the local gristmill. "We spent about a half a day which allowed us to see the main sites. Great areas for picnics so pack a lunch! Cute gift shop," shares Carissa V.
Budget-friendly alternatives to luxury glamping: Rifrafters Campground offers affordable cabin options. "We chose this campground because it's proximity to the main hub of New River Gorge. It was definitely quick and easy to get to from the main headquarters of the park," according to Melissa W.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Little Beaver State Park requires preparation for uneven sites. Adam and Suzanne B. advise, "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."
Limited hookups at most sites: The Outpost at New River Gorge offers full hookups but with space constraints. "These sites are right on top of each other and there's not a lot of room to back into the space. We have a small travel trailer and it was a tight fit," reports Holly S.
Dump station availability: Several campgrounds provide dump facilities but no sewer hookups at individual sites. At Little Beaver State Park, Charlie W. noted, "Dump site was a little different. Had to make a uturn to get in to dump."
Narrow access roads: Many campgrounds in the mountainous terrain have tight entry roads. At Adventures on the Gorge - Mill Creek, RVers need to navigate carefully, but Scott B. found it worthwhile: "Really enjoyed our stay here. Beautiful resort style property and close to the National Park. Sites are big, a few are un-level but ours in site 15 was great."
