You'll find several good camping areas near Fayetteville, West Virginia, especially around New River Gorge National Park. The American Alpine Club Campground works well for hikers and climbers who want to be close to the park's trails and rock faces. Chestnut Creek Campground sits in a good spot if you need to go back and forth between the park and town for supplies. When camping in this part of West Virginia, keep your food locked up since black bears live in the area. Most campgrounds have toilets and drinking water, but you might need to go without showers at some places. Weather-wise, spring and fall have the most comfortable temperatures for camping, while summers get pretty hot. If you camp during winter, bring extra warm gear. The camping around Fayetteville puts you in a good position to see what makes this corner of West Virginia special.
$15 - $50 / night
"Riftrafters Campground is centrally located in Fayetteville right of Rt.19, close to The New River Gorge, rafting, climbing, hiking, biking and some good eateries."
"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."
$10 - $11 / night
"My partner and I are on a National Park road trip so we stayed here while hiking around New River Gorge. It’s very close to the park as well as Fayetteville in case you need any supplies."
"Great tent campground very near the New River gorge and close by Summerville Lake and the Gulley River. Multiple campsites in heavily forested area. Drive up to the sites."
$33 / night
"The most photographed place in west Virginia is the grist mill. Awesome trails all around."
"Babcock State Park is one of the greatest parks in West Virginia. Most people come to see the grist mill, and it’s nice, but if that’s all you do your missing out."
$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."
$10 - $85 / night
"Great campground adjacent to New River Gorge National Park. Within a short walk/bike to multiple biking and hiking trailheads. Close enough to bike into Fayetteville (a cool little town)."
"They have goats and miles of bike trails. Their tacos are to die for and the staff is super friendly. I stay here every time I go to the New, almost entirely for the tacos."
$30 - $40 / night
"I told them I did not have these capabilities in my rig and they gave me sole access to the handicapped shower."
"The owner goes around the campground at 430p offering firewood for $5/bundle. The view from our full hookup campsite is hands down amazing!! We're situated directly on the New River in Gauley Bridge."
"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."
$7 - $69 / night
"This spot was a short drive away from awesome rock climbing in the New River Gorge."
"The white water rafting was incredible and the staff all around was FANTASTIC. The only downside would be the campsites (tent camping) being very close to one another."
"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."
$8 - $30 / night
"this campground is well maintained and located in the heart of the New. It's a quick walk to the Junkyard Wall or a short drive to many other classic crags."
"There aren't group sites available, but whoever in our group was organizing managed to get multiple sites next to each other, which was nice."
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.
ScoutBeautiful quiet place
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.
ScoutSpent a night here, everything needed for tent camping (although there was plenty of room for RVs), easily collectible wood in the surrounding area. This campground is off the main train tracts so I didn't hear any trains throughout the night.
TravelerWe are here off season so there aren’t a lot of other campers but it is beautiful, quiet and very well kept.
TravelerThis is a lovely little cabin resort with 3 RV sites. We are here just 1 night enroute. It is beautiful and well maintained. I would definitely come back.
TravelerNice even sites with firepits and picnic table. You're not super secluded and you will hear your neighbors. Overall a great place if you wanna just have a cozy night or two camping. Beautiful creek access too.
LegendCranberry River dispersed camping along Forest Road 76 offers quiet, scenic, riverside primitive campsites with excellent fishing and easy access to the surrounding wilderness. We stayed a couple of nights at Site 8 and had great river access with only a small amount of road traffic. There were campers at about five other sites during our stay, but it still felt peaceful and spread out. With inexpensive sites spaced along roughly five miles of road, this is a great area to camp. Roads like this in West Virginia are home to some of my favorite campsites, and we will definitely be back.
Check out all the sites with GPS locations in our video.
https://youtu.be/q6G3fhvmfoY
LegendSummit Lake Campground is a quiet, clean campground in the Monongahela National Forest. I stayed one night and really enjoyed the fishing on the lake. The campground wasn’t busy, the sites were well maintained, and it was a relaxing place to spend the night surrounded by nature.
Check out the 360° Drive through showing all the sites.
https://youtu.be/GxE0sj5xZ98
Camping near Fayetteville, West Virginia places visitors within minutes of both New River Gorge National Park and multiple forest recreation areas. The region sits approximately 1,900 feet above sea level, creating distinct microclimates throughout the gorge system where temperatures can vary significantly between ridgetops and river bottoms. Most campgrounds in the area maintain open sites from April through October with limited winter availability for hardier campers and RVs.
Disc golf course access: Chestnut Creek Campground offers a frisbee/disc golf course on the property. As reviewer Debra W. noted, "There are visible works in progress all over. The owner stopped us on the way out and asked for feedback. He is eager to make improvements... Has a Frisbee/Disc Golf Course."
Mountain biking from camp: Arrowhead Bike Farm connects directly to trail systems. "Great campground adjacent to New River Gorge National Park. Within a short walk/bike to multiple biking and hiking trailheads. Close enough to bike into Fayetteville. Onsite bike shop with rentals and repairs, restaurant, and bar," explains reviewer Charles C.
Inflatable water obstacle course: During summer months, Ace Adventure Resort maintains a unique water attraction. "The main one is the Lake with multiple giant anchored inflatables to play on for all ages. Others include white water rafting (day trips and overnighters), ziplines, mud course, biking and more," says Terah J.
Riverside camping access: Stone Cliff Campground provides direct river access for free. "Location was amazing. Sites are first come first served, no reservation needed. Plenty of parking with 6+ isolated camp sites, all with view of river. There is a great trail nearby that runs along the river," according to James A.
Private wooded sites: Chestnut Creek Campground offers natural separation between campsites. "This is a quiet campground, with lots of space and site options, run independently by a family. Most sites are simple with just a picnic table and fire pit. There are lots of trees in between many of the sites for great privacy," mentions Debra W.
Individual bathroom facilities: New River Campground assigns private bathrooms to tent campers. Kenneth K. explains, "Waterfront tent site with access to clean, personal bathrooms/showers assigned to each site. Camp store is on premises, but other items can be picked up at the small stores within a half mile."
Campground goat residents: Arrowhead Bike Farm features unique animal residents. Aspen H. reports, "They have an assortment of accessible bike trails, bike shop, AMAZING FOOD (tacos, pretzels, spinach artichoke dip, etc.), spectacular local beers and PBR, GOAT PENS, camping, a pump track, and lots of cool things to do in the local area."
Historic grist mill views: Babcock State Park Campground features one of West Virginia's most photographed structures. "The park is spectacular. The most photographed place in west Virginia is the grist mill. Awesome trails all around," explains Jonda M.
Seasonal water temperature issues: Campground shower water varies dramatically with seasons. Cody M. reports about American Alpine Club Campground: "Coin-operated showers. Definitely can tell it's a climber's campground. Had a very Miguel's-like vibe to it."
Narrow access roads: Several campgrounds have challenging approaches. Dennis I. notes about Babcock State Park: "Limited large rig sites and roadways are very narrow."
Train noise considerations: New River Campground has regular train traffic across the river. "Pro/con: the railroad is right across the river, so pretty nice to watch but at night it can be a little loud if you need silence to sleep," explains Tiffany D.
Primitive site limitations: Stone Cliff Beach sites have minimal facilities. "The bathrooms were a pit latrine, which is private but not necessarily clean or comfortable lol. Also trains would go by every few hours, it didn't bother us much but it could be annoying to some people," notes Gracey L.
Protected swimming options: For families concerned about river currents, Ace Adventure Resort offers safer water play. "We had a blast going whitewater rafting. The staff there is so friendly and nice. Hope we get the chance to go again some day!" says Renee G.
Playground access: Rifrafters Campground provides play facilities for younger children. Melissa O. mentioned, "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."
Cabin rental options: Multiple campgrounds offer cabin accommodations for families without camping gear. About Adventures on the Gorge, Scott B. notes: "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. Clean facilities. Great pool and restaurants."
Dedicated family sections: Some campgrounds separate tent sites from noisier areas. "There are 4 nice spots down on the beach (we opted against these since we didn't want to clean sand out of everything when we packed up) and two up a small hill close to the parking lot and trailhead," explains Kaylee F. about Stone Cliff Campground.
Variable site leveling: Many campgrounds require additional work to level RVs. At Rifrafters, Larry M. shares: "Up front is a regular campground but we are in the back, secluded and peaceful. Site 34. There are about 8 nice sites out back with water and electricity."
Limited winter availability: Most campgrounds restrict services during colder months. Jeff from Rifrafters Campground notes: "Clean 'little' camp ground. It would be a nice little place to spend the night if you were in the area doing other things. Not a place to spend a long weekend unless you have other plans around the area."
Wi-Fi considerations: Connectivity varies greatly between campgrounds. Tucker B. explains about Rifrafters: "The fact that they had reliable WiFi throughout the park was a huge bonus for a remote worker."
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the best campgrounds in Fayetteville, WV?
Fayetteville offers excellent camping options for outdoor enthusiasts exploring the New River Gorge area. Babcock State Park Campground is widely considered one of West Virginia's finest parks, featuring fairly flat sites with soft ground and good tree coverage. The iconic grist mill makes it a photographer's paradise. For RV travelers, Summer Wind RV Park provides gorgeous mountain views overlooking pastures and hills with reasonable prices and excellent hospitality. Other top options include Adventures on the Gorge and New River Gorge Campground, both offering convenient access to local attractions and outdoor activities.
What activities can I do while camping near New River Gorge in Fayetteville?
The New River Gorge area offers an adventure playground for outdoor enthusiasts. At Battle Run, you can enjoy hiking, rock climbing, fishing, swimming, kayaking, whitewater rafting, and paddleboarding on Summersville Lake. Bluestone Lake State Park features excellent water activities with boat rentals available at the marina and great fishing opportunities, particularly for catfish. Throughout the region, you'll find spectacular hiking trails, world-class rock climbing routes, mountain biking paths, and some of the best whitewater rafting in the eastern United States. The area also offers opportunities for wildlife viewing, photography, and exploring historic sites within the New River Gorge National Park.
Is there free camping available near Fayetteville, WV?
Yes, free camping options exist near Fayetteville. Stone Cliff Campground in New River Gorge National Park and Preserve offers free sites with basic toilet facilities. It's accessible by both driving and walking in. Similarly, Grandview Sandbar Campground, also within the national park near Prince, provides free camping with toilet facilities. For those willing to venture a bit further, primitive camping is available along the Greenbrier River Trail at designated sites. These free options typically operate on a first-come, first-served basis and have minimal amenities. Be prepared to pack in and pack out all supplies, as services are limited at these free sites.
What tent camping options are available in Fayetteville, West Virginia?
Fayetteville offers diverse tent camping options for all preferences. Camp Holly provides a beautiful off-grid experience in the mountains with tent sites along a scenic river. Though off-grid, they do offer WiFi, and the owners are known for their hospitality. Cranberry Campground offers rustic sites with ample space between the 40-50 campsites, providing privacy along the Cranberry River. The campground maintains a quiet atmosphere at night. Other options include Ace Adventure Resort for more amenities and Stone Cliff Campground for a more primitive experience within New River Gorge National Park. Most tent sites in the area offer fire rings, picnic tables, and access to water sources.
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