New River Gorge National Park and Preserve offers primitive camping options near Flat Top, West Virginia, with elevations ranging from 1,400 to 2,500 feet. The area receives approximately 48 inches of rainfall annually, creating lush forest conditions. Campsites within the park provide varied terrain from riverside locations to wooded mountain settings at no cost, though facilities are minimal.
What to do
Hiking accessible trails: Little Beaver State Park Campground offers connected trail systems directly from campsites. "Walking trail system connected to camp sites. Cleanest bathrooms and showers I've seen. Cute little store for firewood...they bring to you. Daily trash pickup. Beautiful trails. Scenic lake. Must see this little secret gem!" notes Todd S.
Fishing in the New River: Anglers can access the water directly from several camping areas with varying fishing conditions based on water levels. "We spent a night here on our way to Ohio. It has a small loop of campsites near the river. It was very peaceful and quiet at night," shares Kristi D. about Army Camp.
Inflatables and water activities: The water park at Ace Adventure Resort features anchored play structures for families. "On the campground there is disc golf and then a lake for swimming that has the huge inflatable courses on it (think like the game show wipeout) you can buy a day pass for a reasonable price to play on them all day," explains Renee G.
What campers like
Free riverside camping: Budget-conscious travelers appreciate the no-cost sites throughout New River Gorge. "This is an exceptionally well maintained camping area. There are 2 separate pit toilet bathrooms with dumpsters, one by the dispersed camping and one by the main parking area," reports Mystic S. about Grandview Sandbar Campground.
Privacy and space: Many campgrounds offer well-spaced sites. "Sites are reasonably spaced. Some are wooded, others are out in open. Decent bathroom. Beautiful park. Drive in is a long windy road," notes Chris T. about Twin Falls Resort State Park.
Clean facilities: Campers frequently mention well-maintained restrooms. "This campground is situated in the woods, near Lake. Has a good WFI everywhere, very clean and quiet," says Ioan P. about Little Beaver State Park, which maintains modern facilities and offers laundry options for extended stays.
What you should know
Weather considerations: The New River can rise quickly with rainfall. "Even though it had not rained in 18 hours, the New River continued to swell beyond what I thought probable. Exercise greater wisdom than I did," warns Dave V. after camping at Army Camp.
Noise factors: Some campsites experience unexpected sound disruptions. "The really bad thing is that there is a train station directly across the river. And trains will and do pull through every couple of hours 24/7. That includes during the night, yes," cautions Mystic S. about Grandview Sandbar.
Site availability varies: The free primitive sites fill quickly during peak season. "We were lucky and got one of the last spots, there's only 11. Fire rings with grill, and bench at each site. If you're planning on coming here, make sure and come early," advises Rhys R. about Army Camp.
Tips for camping with families
Playgrounds and activities: Rifrafters Campground offers child-friendly amenities close to the camping area. "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," shares Melissa O.
Accessible camp setup: Some locations provide ready-made glamping close to Flat Top, West Virginia, ideal for families new to outdoor experiences. "Spots are large enough to fit 2 vehicles. Sites are gravel with fire pit, charcoal grill, and picnic table. Spots are shaded. Easy access to river, able to hear it from campsite," explains Caroline F. about Army Camp.
Site selection for convenience: Consider bathroom proximity when selecting sites with young children. "The only drawback is that you need to drive to the restroom because the walk is a little too far. But the restroom was super clean," advises Michelle W. about Little Beaver State Park.
Tips from RVers
Road conditions: Babcock State Park Campground has narrow access roads requiring careful navigation. "Limited large rig sites and roadways are very narrow," notes Dennis I., while others mention steep grades throughout the area.
Leveling challenges: Many sites require equipment for leveling. "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," explains Adam and Suzanne B. about Little Beaver State Park.
Dump station access: Several campgrounds offer dump stations with unique layouts. "Dump site was a little different. Had to make a uturn to get in to dump," shares Charlie W. about Little Beaver State Park, which is important information for planning arrival and departure.