Army Camp Campground in Prince offers free camping alongside the New River, with sites located 50 feet or more apart. The campground consists of five drive-in sites and five walk-in tent sites arranged in a small loop. Multiple campgrounds near Fayetteville operate seasonally, with some providing access to over 70,000 acres of New River Gorge National Park and Preserve land for recreation.
What to do
River activities: Army Camp Campground provides direct river access for swimming and fishing. A visitor mentioned, "Area for people to swim in the river or fish" and another noted enjoying "evening river dips before bed."
Hiking opportunities: Explore trails directly from Army Camp Campground where "an accessible trail to a bench along the river" is available. Another reviewer shared that "the trailhead at the top of the campground was beautiful for hiking."
Mountain biking: Arrowhead Bike Farm offers "miles of bike trails" right from their property. A reviewer mentioned, "They have an assortment of accessible bike trails, bike shop, AMAZING FOOD, spectacular local beers and PBR, GOAT PENS, camping, a pump track, and lots of cool things to do in the local area."
Coal mining history: Learn about the region's industrial past at nearby attractions. A camper recommended to "check out some of the mining history at the Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine, about 30 minutes away."
What campers like
Free camping options: Glade Creek Campground offers no-cost camping with basic amenities. As one reviewer put it, "You can't beat an established campground (picnic tables, fire pits, bathrooms) in a national park that's also free!"
Scenic views: Summer Wind RV Park overlooks pastoral landscapes. A visitor described, "Stunning view of the pastures" and another mentioned you can "sit & watch deer in the valley most mornings."
Peaceful environment: Many campgrounds offer quiet settings despite their proximity to attractions. At Summer Wind RV Park, a camper noted it provides "views of the West Virginia mountains and overlooks a cow pasture. So much fun to stay at."
Wildlife viewing: The natural surroundings support diverse wildlife. One camper at Glade Creek mentioned, "Heard a Barred Owl at night" while another noted the area is "home to the wood-warblers... birding is popular."
What you should know
Cell service varies: Coverage is inconsistent throughout the area. At Army Camp, a camper reported "No AT&T service so I only stayed two nights (gotta work during the week!)" while another mentioned at Summer Wind "AT&T and Verizon both 5 bars."
Limited facilities: Most free campgrounds lack running water. At Glade Creek Campground, "No sources of freshwater available @ the campground. The nearest convenient store is some miles away."
Road conditions: Access to some campgrounds requires navigating challenging roads. For Shady Rest RV Park, "beware when getting here there is a very narrow road, little to at times no room to allow for another vehicle if you happen to meet up."
Weather preparedness: The New River can flood rapidly. One Army Camp visitor warned, "When breaking camp, it was noted the New River had encroached another 100ft through the woodland, flowing alongside the campground loop gravel drive."
Tips for camping with families
Goat interactions: Arrowhead Bike Farm offers unique animal encounters. A camper shared, "The roaming goats are a treat!" while another advised, "Don't let the goats out lol. They are very loving and go by any name you can think to name them."
Water activities: Pipestem RV Park provides family-friendly water features. A visitor mentioned, "We enjoyed lots of the amenities, including the horseback riding, nature center and giant water inflatables."
Wildlife awareness: Local fauna can be opportunistic. At Pipestem, "The racoons at night have a schedule of getty any foods left out. Putting everything away is a must."
Spacious campsites: For families needing room to spread out, Army Camp offers space. One camper noted, "We had 1 big tent, 2 vehicles and a few dogs and had plenty of room."
Tips from RVers
Reservation systems: RV parks near Fayetteville have varied booking processes. For Summer Wind RV Park, "Booking was a little strange, there's no website or confirmation. You pay by check in a lockbox. But there was plenty of room and everything worked out fine."
Site leveling: Check site conditions before setting up. At Arrowhead Bike Farm, a camper noted "site 5 was very un-level" while at Rifrafters "the concrete pad was perfectly level."
Road navigation: RV drivers should plan routes carefully. For Shady Rest RV Park, "Some large rigs got through it just don't go fast. There is a sign pointing to the narrow road that tells you where the RV park is."
Internet connectivity: For working remotely, connectivity varies by location. A visitor at Rifrafters appreciated "reliable WiFi throughout the park was a huge bonus for a remote worker" while Starlink users found Summer Wind excellent as "there is not a single tree to obstruct the view!"
