Best Camping near Beckley, WV

The Dyrt is here to help plan your best camping near Beckley. Beckley is filled with the activities, sights, and experiences to make everyone in your crew a happy camper. You're sure to find the perfect spot for your West Virginia camping adventure.

Best Camping Sites Near Beckley, WV (112)

    Camper-submitted photo from Rifrafters Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Rifrafters Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Rifrafters Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Rifrafters Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Rifrafters Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Rifrafters Campground

    1. Rifrafters Campground

    29 Reviews
    94 Photos
    174 Saves
    Fayetteville, West Virginia

    Rifrafters Campground provides tent and RV camping and economy cabins in the woodlands near Fayetteville, West Virginia (WV) -- only two-miles south of the New River Gorge Bridge. Our cleanliness, accessibility, and quiet family atmosphere have earned us a place among West Virginia's most-popular camping areas. You'll also find a friendly full-time staff, exceptionally clean showers and restrooms, and plenty of space for small gatherings and walks in the woods behind the campground. Use our website to explore our camping amenities and find out more about the New River.

    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Electric Hookups
    • Phone Service
    • Reservable
    • ADA Access

    $15 - $44 / night

    Camper-submitted photo from Grandview Sandbar Campground — New River Gorge National Park and Preserve
    Camper-submitted photo from Grandview Sandbar Campground — New River Gorge National Park and Preserve
    Camper-submitted photo from Grandview Sandbar Campground — New River Gorge National Park and Preserve
    Camper-submitted photo from Grandview Sandbar Campground — New River Gorge National Park and Preserve
    Camper-submitted photo from Grandview Sandbar Campground — New River Gorge National Park and Preserve
    Camper-submitted photo from Grandview Sandbar Campground — New River Gorge National Park and Preserve
    Camper-submitted photo from Little Beaver State Park Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Little Beaver State Park Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Little Beaver State Park Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Little Beaver State Park Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Little Beaver State Park Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Little Beaver State Park Campground

    3. Little Beaver State Park Campground

    18 Reviews
    115 Photos
    110 Saves
    Daniels, West Virginia
    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Electric Hookups
    • Phone Service
    • Reservable
    • ADA Access

    $35 - $40 / night

    Camper-submitted photo from Glade Creek Campground — New River Gorge National Park and Preserve
    Camper-submitted photo from Glade Creek Campground — New River Gorge National Park and Preserve
    Camper-submitted photo from Glade Creek Campground — New River Gorge National Park and Preserve
    Camper-submitted photo from Glade Creek Campground — New River Gorge National Park and Preserve
    Camper-submitted photo from Glade Creek Campground — New River Gorge National Park and Preserve
    Camper-submitted photo from Glade Creek Campground — New River Gorge National Park and Preserve

    4. Glade Creek Campground — New River Gorge National Park and Preserve

    18 Reviews
    119 Photos
    356 Saves
    Prince, West Virginia

    This forested campground offers both tent and RV sites near the banks of the New River and the Glade Creek Trailhead. There are 6 walk-in tents sites and 5 drive-in sites for tents, RVs, or campers. There is 1 accessible site. Only small (less than 25 feet) and medium (22 - 31.5 feet) RVs or campers are recommended. Camp only at designated sites. RV, camper, or car camping in non-designated sites, walk-in sites, or any parking area is strictly prohibited.

    • Phone Service
    • RVs
    • Tents
    • Group
    • Standard (Tent/RV)
    • Trash
    Camper-submitted photo from Stone Cliff Campground — New River Gorge National Park and Preserve
    Camper-submitted photo from Stone Cliff Campground — New River Gorge National Park and Preserve
    Camper-submitted photo from Stone Cliff Campground — New River Gorge National Park and Preserve
    Camper-submitted photo from Stone Cliff Campground — New River Gorge National Park and Preserve
    Camper-submitted photo from Stone Cliff Campground — New River Gorge National Park and Preserve
    Camper-submitted photo from Stone Cliff Campground — New River Gorge National Park and Preserve

    5. Stone Cliff Campground — New River Gorge National Park and Preserve

    17 Reviews
    66 Photos
    332 Saves
    Thurmond, West Virginia

    This tent only campground located near the historic railroad town of Thurmond offers 7 walk-in sites, 5 on the sandy beach of the New River and 2 in the nearby forest. There are no drive-in sites at this location. RV, camper, or car camping is prohibited. The Stone Cliff Trailhead also starts at the campground.

    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Tents
    • Trash
    • Toilets
    Camper-submitted photo from Babcock State Park Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Babcock State Park Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Babcock State Park Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Babcock State Park Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Babcock State Park Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Babcock State Park Campground

    6. Babcock State Park Campground

    20 Reviews
    209 Photos
    163 Saves
    Winona, West Virginia
    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Electric Hookups
    • Phone Service
    • Reservable
    • ADA Access

    $33 / night

    Camper-submitted photo from Ace Adventure Resort
    Camper-submitted photo from Ace Adventure Resort
    Camper-submitted photo from Ace Adventure Resort
    Camper-submitted photo from Ace Adventure Resort
    Camper-submitted photo from Ace Adventure Resort
    Camper-submitted photo from Ace Adventure Resort

    7. Ace Adventure Resort

    14 Reviews
    32 Photos
    137 Saves
    Thurmond, West Virginia

    Located on 1500 wooded acres adjacent to the New River Gorge National River ACE Adventure Resort offers white water rafting trips on the New and Gauley rivers and great camping near Fayetteville. But, that’s not all! Over the years we’ve added all the outdoor adventures that our state is known for including the only zip line tours with views of the Gorge. We also host rock climbing, mountain biking, lake adventures… we even have a waterpark on base. Plus, at the end of the day, we have a range of lodging and camping options plus dining facilities on property. So, what are you waiting for? Live free this summer at ACE Adventure Resort!

    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Electric Hookups
    • Phone Service
    • Reservable
    • ADA Access

    $15 - $600 / night

    Camper-submitted photo from Chestnut Creek Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Chestnut Creek Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Chestnut Creek Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Chestnut Creek Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Chestnut Creek Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Chestnut Creek Campground

    8. Chestnut Creek Campground

    19 Reviews
    44 Photos
    243 Saves
    Lansing, West Virginia

    The closest campground to the New River Gorge Bridge. Chestnut Creek Campground offers quiet primitive camping in the woods. We are a mere half a mile (0.5mi) from the New River Gorge Bridge! That's walking distance folks. Our hygienic facility has hot showers, lavatory stalls, hand washing sinks, and a wash basin located outside for dish washing and filling up water jugs. Firewood and Ice are available on site as well. Each campsite has a picnic table and a fire pit. A general store and burrito bar are located literally around the corner; Both are within walking distance. Hiking and Climbing trail-heads (Fern Buttress, Endless Wall, Beauty Mountain; to name a few) are just down the way and access to the river is a stone's throw away (our drive is just across from Fayette Station Rd). If you're wanting to venture further to more local restaurants/shops; we are only a 5 minute drive from downtown Fayetteville. We are a pet friendly establishment for those with dogs who love to travel as much as you do. We keep quiet hours from 11pm-7am (starts @ midnight on weekends). Mainly we accommodate rustic tent camping, however; some sites are able to accommodate pop-up campers and trailers up to 20ft (we do not have hookups/electric). Call today to reserve a site for your upcoming adventure at the New River Gorge.

    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Phone Service
    • Reservable
    • Tents
    • Group

    $10 - $11 / night

    Camper-submitted photo from Army Camp — New River Gorge National Park and Preserve
    Camper-submitted photo from Army Camp — New River Gorge National Park and Preserve
    Camper-submitted photo from Army Camp — New River Gorge National Park and Preserve
    Camper-submitted photo from Army Camp — New River Gorge National Park and Preserve
    Camper-submitted photo from Army Camp — New River Gorge National Park and Preserve
    Camper-submitted photo from Army Camp — New River Gorge National Park and Preserve
    Camper-submitted photo from Mash Fork Campground — Camp Creek State Park
    Camper-submitted photo from Mash Fork Campground — Camp Creek State Park
    Camper-submitted photo from Mash Fork Campground — Camp Creek State Park
    Camper-submitted photo from Mash Fork Campground — Camp Creek State Park
    Camper-submitted photo from Mash Fork Campground — Camp Creek State Park
    Camper-submitted photo from Mash Fork Campground — Camp Creek State Park

    10. Mash Fork Campground — Camp Creek State Park

    15 Reviews
    73 Photos
    112 Saves
    Camp Creek, West Virginia

    Camp Creek WV State Park and Forest is known for beautiful waterfalls and great camping. With nearly 6,000 acres of lush forest, 35 miles of trails and seven miles of seasonally stocked trout streams, there is something for every hiker, biker, horseback rider and angler to explore and enjoy. Located in Mercer County, two miles off Exit 20 on I-77, Camp Creek is ideal for family vacations and stop-overs during a long drive through the beautiful mountains of southern West Virginia.

    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Electric Hookups
    • Phone Service
    • Reservable
    • ADA Access
Showing results 1-10 of 112 campgrounds

Pet-friendly camping near Beckley

Recent Reviews in Beckley

491 Reviews of 112 Beckley Campgrounds


  • Benjy B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from The Outpost at New River Gourge
    Nov. 14, 2024

    The Outpost at New River Gourge

    Loved it here!

    As a car camper I was initially hesitant about paying for a partial hookup RV spot knowing that I wouldn’t be fully utilizing what I was paying for, but man am I glad I chose to stay here.

    The location is great for getting in and out of town and the park alike, and it was the ideal location for a hike base. In terms of the campground itself, I think it set a new standard for me that’ll be pretty hard to beat. The bathrooms were incredible, and the shower was so good that it was almost annoying (I’m jealous and want it at home now too).

    Checking in and out was easy, and the staff was very kind in accommodating me extending my stay another day on two separate occasions. I’d been most in and out in the dark, but finally on the last day got to check out the rest of the place and it really is super nice with a great aesthetic to match.

    The big kicker for me was the lodge/Wi-Fi situation. As someone camping in a Prius, it can get pretty tight at times, so having a nice big space with great internet to get some work done was a huge bonus. Even in my car, the WiFi was plenty good enough to use, albeit not quite as snappy fast as the lodge.

    All in all, I’d happily come back here again and again if I were to find myself back in the area. Could not more highly recommend.

  • licia S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Meadow Creek Campground — New River Gorge National Park and Preserve
    Nov. 14, 2024

    Meadow Creek Campground — New River Gorge National Park and Preserve

    Calm Tent-Only Campground- with Trains

    I’ve stayed here several times. It’s always been a great visit. There are around 12 sites with tables, grills, and fire rings. Pit toilet and dumpster. The place is monitored via videocamera as signed. No RVs- that is enforced. 1 bar of unboosted cell service with ATT with some drop off if raining, but fine for streaming videos. The coal trains run through at all hours of the night- and blow their horns (earplugs). Open year round- a no hunting campsite.

  • KThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Rifrafters Campground
    Nov. 5, 2024

    Rifrafters Campground

    Nearest CG to New River Gorge bridge and visitor center

    Very comfortable and quiet campground. Camp hosts (owners?) and staff are very friendly and helpful. Close to local towns for services. The full hook up RV sites seem crowded, but the electric only sites were spacious and shady. I had a little deck with a picnic table. Even though the land is hilly, almost every site was level. The area where I camped had a single porta potty, but the main service area had clean showers and reasonably priced laundry. Short hiking trails are nearby. A children’s area is available but looked little used.

  • Molly R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Rifrafters Campground
    Nov. 1, 2024

    Rifrafters Campground

    Well managed everything you need.

    Beautiful area, close to New River National Park. Very accommodating staff. Includes wifi, PBS TV, small dog run, small playground, picnic shelter, laundry, bathhouse, firewood, ice,etc. Clean, friendly without all the fancy extras. Reasonably priced.

  • Anna S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Blue Jay Campground — Camp Creek State Park
    Oct. 29, 2024

    Blue Jay Campground — Camp Creek State Park

    Simple but sufficient - great location with miles of trails!

    All 12 non-electric sites appeared to have fire ring, picnic table, trash can, flat parking area. They did vary a bit in size. I was there on Friday and Saturday and there were no more than 4 other sites occupied. I was surprised that the bathrooms had running water! Overall, everything was quiet and relaxing. Some traffic from people driving by, but not bad at this time of year. It was delightful falling asleep and waking up to the sound of the creek! There are miles and miles of trails, I hiked 16 and only encountered 1 couple. The other campgrounds in the park have more amenities, too.

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Army Camp — New River Gorge National Park and Preserve
    Oct. 24, 2024

    Army Camp — New River Gorge National Park and Preserve

    Very relaxing spot

    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.

  • Lee D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Blue Jay Campground — Camp Creek State Park
    Oct. 18, 2024

    Blue Jay Campground — Camp Creek State Park

    Peaceful now but....

    One of three campgrounds in Camp Creek State Park; this is the primitive one (the other two are a horse camp and a developed one with hookups). Most sites are on the creek, but the road runs right past them. On a weekday in the fall, the road was very quiet, but I imagine that in the summer when carloads of people head to Campbell Falls, it would be a different story and would take away from the peacefulness of the campground. 

    This campground would not be suitable for large RVs, but our campervan fit just fine in the mostly level (but rooty) sites, Obviously, good for tents. 

    There are two vault toilets – one for women and one for men. They were in reasonably clean condition. 

    Campbell Falls is just down the road from the campground and there is access to many hiking trails.

    No one other than us was there on a weekday in mid-October so it was very peaceful and quiet.

  • Casey L.
    Camper-submitted photo from Meadow Creek Campground — New River Gorge National Park and Preserve
    Oct. 7, 2024

    Meadow Creek Campground — New River Gorge National Park and Preserve

    Spacious Sites with No Shade

    Nice NPS campground. There are 17 sites, all free FCFS tent only sites. We thought we’d have a hard time finding a spot on a Friday night but it was less than half full the whole 4 nights we were there. Only one vault toilet was open. Sites are flat, large and spaced out. However the trees are very newly planted so they provide no shade or privacy. Quick access to 64 and Sandstone Visitor Center. The biggest con to this is the multi-track railroad right next to the campground. They go by pretty frequently at all hours of day and night and are so loud you can feel the vibrations. But otherwise was a good base camp for exploring New River Gorge.

  • J
    Camper-submitted photo from Brushcreek Falls RV Resort
    Sep. 10, 2024

    Brushcreek Falls RV Resort

    Great stop right off of the highway

    We stayed a night on a long trip up the coast and had a great experience. The shop was well appointed with necessities and wine from local. It was easy to get around the campground, and there were many nice spots and cabins to choose from. We had plenty of room to park our RV and there was a very nice new swingset Nearby. Noticed multiple people utilizing the fishing pond and there was a cornhole tournament going on at the other side of the park. That looks like a lot of fun. The only downside was that the shower house had one shower stall per gender and was not very clean. It also would’ve been nice to have some more places to set belongings or hooks.

  • J
    Camper-submitted photo from Rifrafters Campground
    Sep. 10, 2024

    Rifrafters Campground

    Great overnight stop very shaded and peaceful

    We stayed overnight on our way up the coast and had a great visit. I wish we could’ve stayed longer. The campground was very peaceful and shaded people were very friendly and the facilities were exceptionally clean.

  • Hazel S.
    Camper-submitted photo from Glen Lyn Town Park & Campground
    Sep. 5, 2024

    Glen Lyn Town Park & Campground

    Campground

    Cute place off the freeway with water access and a playground, 6 mile hiking trail to waterfall and not far from town. There is a train station nearby and the trains are loud. They come by every now and then night and day, they do live music some nights and church gatherings where a man basically yells all night long. Lots of freeway noise so the nightly fee is kinda stupid considering you won't get any sleep if you stay here. The river is super planted so I wouldn't swim here either sadly.. and the showers have NO water presser yet you gotta pay for a bathroom key otherwise there's porta-potties by the dumpster.

  • ZThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Kanawha State Forest
    Sep. 4, 2024

    Kanawha State Forest

    Not bad

    Overall not a bad campground. Very pricey in my mind, $43 after taxes for 1 night of primitive camping. Got there at 4 on a monday and no one was in the office, ended up riding 45 minutes up the road to call to reserve a spot, they said everything was a 3 night minimum. I ended up booking online for just 1 night. Campground was clean and quiet, directions aren’t super clear as to where the campground is. Would stay here again if I had to, but wouldn’t be my first pick.

  • ZThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Glade Creek Campground — New River Gorge National Park and Preserve
    Sep. 4, 2024

    Glade Creek Campground — New River Gorge National Park and Preserve

    Great spot!

    Great quiet spot. All primitive, does have a bathhouse with toilets only. Pretty good drive to any stores, so pack in what you need. It is about a 7 mile ride down a gravel road. I did the trip on a motorcycle so the road isn’t bad. I got there at 6pm on a tuesday and got the last spot! Get there early to make sure you get a spot. Very well maintained.

  • Susan B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Army Camp - New River National Scenic River
    Sep. 4, 2024

    Army Camp - New River National Scenic River

    2-3 dispersed sites before this campground

    The Campground is small...Maybe 15 sites. It was full when we arrived. Luckily, there are 2 or 3 dispersed sites along the road into the Campground. They are on the river, too. Perfect for an overnighter.

  • Ryan B.
    Camper-submitted photo from New River Junction Campground
    Sep. 3, 2024

    New River Junction Campground

    Ear Blaring Trains, Gross Bath house, Rocky River.

    THE TRAINS: HOLY HELL. The trains alone are reason enough not to camp here. Especially with a tent. Five trains between midnight and 5am. Every one of them blew the horn well past the crossing. This is not an exaggeration; it sounded like the trains were going to come through the tent. We might as well have been on the tracks themselves. We had to cover our 3yo daughters ears to keep her from getting scared awake during every train passing. 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 and would block a lot of it from reaching the tents. The train schedule probably varies, but I assure you, it's not worth the roll of the dice. I would find somewhere else to camp, especially if you like the peace and quiet(which is a huge part of camping). I know this isn't really in their control, but it kind of is. They do mention that the trains do come through and that the guests don't usually mention it after the second night(probably because they leave after the first night LOL JK). They definitely sugar coat it. However, they need to have that in BOLD RED LETTERS"THE TRAINS ARE LOUD AS F**K". I would've just canceled the trip immediately and camped elsewhere. They need one of those huge sound blocking walls you see along the interstate. The Bathrooms: Bathrooms need work. The toilet seats are gross, the walls have mold on them, the shower curtains are piss yellow. All of which would cost around$80 to fix. Those are the"Campers Only" bathrooms. The"Tubing Showers" are basically a wooden shack with a pull string valve. Looks like something out of a horror film. Not sure why they even have them because the river will get you cleaner than those ever will. The River: The river is beautiful. Great views of the mountain sides. The views and fishing were the only saving grace. I was able to catch a small-mouth bass pretty quickly and missed a few others. The water ranges in depth, but nothing deeper than waste deep really. It's rocky and slippery so it's dangerous and not very family friendly. Especially for young children and older people. Honestly, my wife hated the river because it was so hard to move around. So while it looked nice and fished well, that was about it. Tubing: I didn't do the tubing, but I had family with me that did and they said it was NOT worth the money. The water level was said to be good for it, but they said they dragged their butts the majority of the way. I also think that their base level tubes they rent out are not enough to keep you high enough out of the water. They look like inner tubes from some sort of truck and they are not beefy enough for this application, you'll just droop through the middle. If you do tube, bring your own river tube or rent the premium versions with the bottom sewn in. The People: The people were very nice to us during our short stay. This was a non-issue. However, I think they should worry less about the grass and more about the amenities getting updated(build a new bathhouse building). For Young Kids: Nothing really available for younger kids to play on. No playgrounds or anything other than a few ride around toys and a basketball hoop. They have plenty of room for an awesome playground for much younger kids, but I don't think that's their focus. Conclusion: Would I ever stay at New River Junction again? Absolutely not. For me, camping is about getting away from the noise and my house is quieter than this place and I live on a busy street. 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, but even the good parts weren't that great. I didn't set this trip up, a family member did. I'll never let her live this one down lol. Don't let the positive reviews mislead you. The majority of the reviews are from people there just for tubing. In all my years of tent camping, this was the worst trip I've ever had.

  • Tia B.
    Camper-submitted photo from Stone Cliff Campground — New River Gorge National Park and Preserve
    Aug. 19, 2024

    Stone Cliff Campground — New River Gorge National Park and Preserve

    First come first serve river front camping

    We arrived from Cleveland late on a Thursday evening and every one of the 7 sites was full, luckily we met another couple who let us share their site for the night which was great because they let us have their site when they left in the morning. We were on site 2/3 which are right at the bottom of a large staircase down from the parking lot. 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. Access to a hiking trail at the end of the parking lot - Stonecliff Trail, garbage bins and bathrooms available, no running water so bring hand sanitizer, Dunloup waterfall ~8 min down the road right off the side of the road was beautiful and a great place to swim, hiked a few trails down to town of Thurmond which is a a great little historical train town with a nice visitors center

    Cons - No picnic tables on any of the sites, carrying our things up the 3 flights of stairs to the parking lot was a little exhausting but not bad if you’re more of a minimalist camper, road access to campground is well paved but is very very narrow and windy so be careful of other cars flying around the bends, trains go by on other side of the river ~2-3 times per night, be careful of glass in the sand as well as bees, sites 2-5 are all right on top of each other (within 10 feet) with minimal trees in between so they’re good for groups but not if you don’t want to be right next to people.

  • Pete M.
    Camper-submitted photo from Rifrafters Campground
    Aug. 16, 2024

    Rifrafters Campground

    Nice location and a great location.

    Rifrafters is a wonderful family run campground that was the perfect location for us to explore New River Gorge NP and the surrounding area. The area is very hilly and the campground is no exception but they did a good job of creating roomy, mainly level campsites. Unlike Bear Mountain Campground, Rifrafters is far enough off of US 19 to avoid most of the road noise. The bath house was VERY clean and the showers had great water pressure and plenty of hot water. Cell reception for Verizon was 3 bars, but the campground Wi-Fi was awesome! It was strong enough and had enough bandwidth for my wife to work remotely while the kids and I went whitewater rafting(go with ACE Adventures, they're great). The details make or break your stay and Rifrafters gets them all right. Good, steady power and water at the site, Wi-Fi, dry firewood, great bath house and clean/tidy everywhere. Lastly, the location was perfect for us. You''re just a few miles from the bridge and visitor's center to the north and a few miles to shopping/necessities to the south. Having stayed here made us realize we'd rather camp near US 19 and use our toad to drive the windy roads into t

  • Tomas R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Gentrys Landing
    Jul. 29, 2024

    Gentrys Landing

    Nice but noisy

    The site is nice, tent stakes went in easily, and the shower is close by, clean and has hot water. The people running this are also very nice. The issue though is the highway the camp is next to, and the railroad across the river. The train do use it every other hour and do use their brakes and horns.

  • David M.
    Camper-submitted photo from Cavitts Creek Park
    Jul. 22, 2024

    Cavitts Creek Park

    Not suitable for motorcycle tent camping, wouldn't stay again

    Most campground reviews are from the RV crowd.  This is from the tent camper perspective, particularly motorcycle tent camping.  The roads/lanes in the park are paved, but otherwise where you would ride are lousy for motorcycles.  The "gravel" parking lot from the road to the office and in the RV/electric loop is more like rocks, and you stand a good chance of dropping your bike.  Park your bike on the asphalt drive and walk up to the office.  In addition, the tent parking spots are sloped upwards with some very slick crushed rock and are challenging for a motorcycle.  The office closes at 5 (4 on Sunday and probably Saturday) and there is no campground map posted to see where the tent camping area is. They have copies of the campground map in the office and I suggested they put one on the outside of the office door so people arriving after they close have a map to view.   The tent camping (primitive) is off a paved lane a lot further down the hill past the office.  The sign for the lane says primitive.  Straight up at the top of the hill for that lane is site 6 which is somewhat acceptable for motorcycle parking although you are not going to get good enough of a cell signal there to use any internet apps. You might get one bar to make calls or text.   At the top of that hill, take a left and go up a steep hill to the shower house and where sites 1 &2 are at.  At sites 1&2 and outside the shower house you can get a good enough signal (2 bars) to use internet apps.  The campground does have an open wifi, but it doesn't reach to the tent camping sites.  They should add some directional antennas to extend to that area.  Sites 1&2 are best for motorcycles if you can reserve one of them.  2 has a wide enough turn around that you could easily park a group of motorcycles there.  When you check in you are assigned a 4 digit code to unlock the shower house doors.  If you arrive after hours you'll have to ask another camper if they'll share their code with you like we had to.  Don't bother trying to call the campground number after hours to check in or ask for a code because you'll just their voicemail.  Bring a hammer or find a rock to hammer your tent stakes in because the ground where you would want to pitch a tent is mostly rock.  Being primitive there is no electric at the tent sites.  There is an outlet by the sink in the shower house if you need to charge your phone.  There aren't any external outlets at the shower house.  There is a spigot outside the shower house, but I did not open it to make sure it worked.  We got our water using the shower house sink.  The rate as of July 2024 is $10.50 PER TENT per night.  There is no discount for only using one site with several tents.  We (four bikes with 4 tents) stayed there four nights.  We would have left after the first night, but had paid for all four nights and also didn't want to have to pack everything up to look for a different campground.

  • Jeremiah S.
    Camper-submitted photo from Meador Campground — Bluestone Lake State Park
    Jul. 22, 2024

    Meador Campground — Bluestone Lake State Park

    Quiet, Underrated, and Dated

    This campground rests by Bluestone Lake, which is where the Bluestone River runs runs into the New River. Meador CG is up the Bluestone portion of the lake and the backwaters do have a swampy appearance. The area is gorgeous with tons to do at both Bluestone State Park, Pipestem State Park (short 20 min drive, and the broader New River area.

    The campground is very quiet and well spaced. Our site was one of only a handful with water and electric but there is a dump station on the way out of the campground area.

    The bathrooms and other facilities are a little dated but the campground is very clean. 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.



Guide to Beckley

Camping near Beckley, West Virginia, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and fun activities. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventure-filled getaway, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Explore the trails around Kanawha State Forest. One reviewer mentioned, "This state forest is expansive with lots of trails popular with mountain bikers."
  • Fishing: Enjoy some fishing at Claytor Lake State Park Campground. A visitor shared, "The campsite was large and quiet which was nice. It felt somewhat private because of the trees and design of the site."
  • Bowling and Mini Golf: Have some fun at Wytheville KOA. One camper noted, "We got in early enough that we were able to get a game of bowling in before they closed."

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate the cleanliness at Rifrafters Campground. A reviewer said, "The bath house was VERY clean and the showers had great water pressure and plenty of hot water."
  • Friendly Staff: Many enjoy the welcoming atmosphere at Babcock State Park Campground. One guest mentioned, "The staff are also friendly and attentive."
  • Secluded Spots: Campers love the privacy at Chestnut Creek Campground. A visitor remarked, "The sites were spacious and fairly isolated."

What you should know:

  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds, like Grandview Sandbar Campground, have basic facilities. A camper noted, "The bathrooms are very old and the pits stink throughout the campground."
  • No Reservations: Many sites, such as those at Glade Creek Campground, are first-come, first-served. One reviewer said, "Get there early to make sure you get a spot."
  • Road Conditions: Access to some campgrounds can be tricky. A visitor at Stone Cliff Campground mentioned, "The road access to campground is well paved but is very very narrow and windy."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Kid-Friendly Activities: Look for campgrounds with amenities like playgrounds. At Babcock State Park Campground, one parent said, "The campground also has a coin-operated laundry facility that we used during our stay."
  • Safety First: Always lock up your belongings. A camper at Stony Fork Campground shared, "We were robbed on our last night there. Other than that we had a good experience."
  • Nature Exploration: Encourage kids to explore nature. A visitor at Chestnut Creek Campground said, "The owner was nice and helpful. He gave me good advice on what to see and cool uncommon attractions."

Tips from RVers:

  • Level Sites: Check for level sites before booking. A reviewer at Rifrafters Campground mentioned, "They did a good job of creating roomy, mainly level campsites."
  • Electric Hookups: Ensure your campground has electric hookups. At Claytor Lake State Park Campground, one camper noted, "The majority of the power/water sites are pull-through making life easy."
  • Plan for Weather: Be prepared for changing weather conditions. A visitor at Kanawha State Forest said, "The weather was hot and buggy when we visited."

Camping around Beckley, West Virginia, has something for everyone. Whether you're in an RV or tent, you'll find spots that fit your needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What camping is available near Beckley, WV?

    According to TheDyrt.com, Beckley, WV offers a wide range of camping options, with 112 campgrounds and RV parks near Beckley, WV and 2 free dispersed camping spots.

  • Which is the most popular campground near Beckley, WV?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Beckley, WV is Rifrafters Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 29 reviews.

  • Where can I find free dispersed camping near Beckley, WV?

    According to TheDyrt.com, there are 2 free dispersed camping spots near Beckley, WV.

  • What parks are near Beckley, WV?

    According to TheDyrt.com, there are 25 parks near Beckley, WV that allow camping, notably New River Gorge National River and Bluestone Lake.