1 campground with availability this weekend
Lansing, West Virginia serves as a gateway to some of the region's most sought-after camping destinations, particularly those within New River Gorge National Park and Preserve. Chestnut Creek Campground, located directly in Lansing, provides tent-focused accommodations with basic amenities including drinking water, fire rings, and picnic tables. Within a short drive, visitors can access the American Alpine Club's New River Gorge Campground, which operates seasonally from March through early December, weather permitting. The surrounding area features a mix of established campgrounds like Rifrafters in nearby Fayetteville and more adventure-oriented options such as Adventures on the Gorge and Arrowhead Bike Farm, which cater to outdoor enthusiasts with tent sites, RV hookups, and glamping accommodations.
Road conditions throughout the New River Gorge region vary considerably, with many campgrounds accessible via winding mountain roads that can be challenging after dark or during inclement weather. As one camper noted, "Driving backcountry roads in West Virginia at night is not my idea of fun," referring to encounters with wildlife and limited visibility on curving routes. Cell service remains spotty or nonexistent at many locations, particularly at primitive sites within the national park. Weather patterns in this mountainous region can change rapidly, with significant temperature variations between day and night even in summer months. Many campgrounds operate seasonally, typically from April through October, though some RV-friendly locations remain open year-round.
The proximity to water features prominently in camper experiences throughout the area. "The river is beautiful, the hiking excellent, and the fantastic rail trail is right there," reported one visitor to nearby Watoga State Park. Riverside camping options range from developed sites with hookups to primitive national park campgrounds like Stone Cliff and Grandview Sandbar. Wildlife sightings are common, with several reviewers mentioning encounters with black bears, necessitating proper food storage. The region's topography creates distinct microclimates, with riverside locations often experiencing morning fog and cooler temperatures. Campers consistently praise the area's natural beauty but note that bathhouse facilities vary widely in quality and availability, with primitive sites offering only basic pit toilets and no running water.
"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."
"They walked us to our site and helped us back into our spot. Everything worked well with all of the hookups. It was a quiet and clean campground."
from $15 - $50 / night
"The most photographed place in west Virginia is the grist mill. Awesome trails all around."
"Babcock State Park, located in the thriving megapolis of Clifton, West Virginia is postcard perfect!"
from $33 / night
"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."
"They have showers and clean bathrooms just a short walk from any site. All sites are big and you can pick from any available. The host is just a text or call away and he replies very quickly."
from $10 - $11 / 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)."
"Good amenities plenty of space, and walking distance from some of the best views in the park!"
from $10 - $85 / 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."
from $15 - $600 / night
"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."
"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."
from $30 - $40 / 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."
from $7 - $69 / night
"The regular tent sites that you can drive in to are a bit crowded, but there are more secluded walk-in tent sites."
"Not to mention the New River NP borders the campground. Ideal location for any whitewater enthusiasts."
"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."
ScoutI have known tbe owners for 30 years, great folks ,honest caring. We stayed from April 2026 through August 2026 while building our new place. Never any issues .Peaceful quiet setting, we made reservations, although we were a couple days the owners were glad to accommodate. We highly recommend staying here to anyone from tent to toy hauler they can cover your needs.
ScoutShady Rest RV Park — one night, Nov 7–8, 2026
We stayed one night in our 31.5-ft Class C and left early the next morning because we didn't feel safe — and we couldn't sleep.
Getting in was the first warning. The road in narrows to one lane for a long stretch, and it's muddy — I nearly got stuck, and the rig coming the other way nearly went over the drop-off. There's no office and no signs telling you where to check in. I called first and got voicemail; I emailed and it bounced. (The website even says the GPS coordinates are wrong, though our RV-safe navigation brought us right in.)
A kind older woman came out of the trailer at the top of the hill, calling for 'John.' John is the property manager — he's in the blue trailer at the front of the row, landscaping equipment by the porch. The woman is the owner; her husband recently passed away, and he was the one who ran everything. That's clearly why nothing gets answered. I feel for her — truly. But the place is in chaos.
The owner and John argue constantly, in public, and it turned physical more than once while we were there. She told us John would take care of us, then whispered that she's his foster mother and that he has an intellectual disability. She couldn't tell us the rates. Later John knocked on our door with a handwritten note: $50/night, $175/week. We considered the week — we didn't take it, and I'm glad.
This isn't an RV park anymore; it's a run-down trailer park with long-term residents, only about half the trailers occupied. Sites aren't marked — a man just waved us to a spot, and we had to move because it was 50-amp and we need 30-amp. The gravel sites are unlevel and ungroomed. The electric will make you glad you have a surge protector. The water is cold, the sewer is just a hole in the ground, and the 'bathrooms' are glorified outhouses. There's a horde of cats and kittens across the road, and the whole park is their litter box — our dog found every spot. Three trailers I walked past were empty and falling apart. The one next to us had been sitting so long the grass had grown over its sewer hose.
We left at 9 AM after spending half an hour looking for someone to pay. When we finally found John and handed him the $50, the owner stormed out of her trailer demanding to know if we'd paid him, how much, and why — she's the owner, after all. Then she tackled him to get the $50 from him. It was awful to watch.
I have nothing against mom-and-pop campgrounds. But this place is disorganized, unkempt, and — with the constant public fighting — we did not feel safe there, not leaving our dog, and not leaving our whole life in the rig while we went to see the New River Gorge. (Yes, it pained me to skip the Gorge.) The whole time, I swear I could hear the Deliverance banjo.
I don't recommend it. The value just isn't there at $50 a night. It's an old park in a great location that is way past its heyday — and until someone is actually running it, it's not a resting place for RVers.
GuideVery nice camping and mill near by
ScoutWe stayed in Site number 24 which is full hook ups, however, just about all of the sites number is one through 32 are less than desirable either very little room outside your camper or the back in sites are steep hard to level your camper and very little room to set a set of chairs out I would not camp in this area of the campground again.
ScoutGreat campground, very nice, clean bath house. Park is easy to find
TravelerHuge campground. Well maintained. The lake is gorgeous, great for kayaking or paddle boarding
ScoutThe website is dead and so is the phone number. No reservations possible.
GuideBeautiful area but not really campervan friendly. Great location and climbing areas. But vehicle sites are very level.
ScoutIf youre looking for away from people. Away from most people youll be. Well taken care of.
Camping near Lansing, West Virginia positions visitors at the gateway to New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, with access to whitewater, climbing, and hiking opportunities throughout the 70,000-acre protected area. The region sits at elevations between 1,400 and 2,500 feet, creating distinct temperature differences between river valleys and ridge tops. Seasonal transitions happen quickly, with spring and fall often seeing temperature swings of 30+ degrees within a 24-hour period.
Hiking through abandoned towns: The region's industrial history is accessible via trails near Stone Cliff Campground, where visitors can explore remnants of mining communities. "The campground is very close to the abandoned town of Thurmond (very cool site to see) and is within earshot of the train tracks," notes one camper.
Mountain biking from your campsite: Dedicated bike trails connect directly to Arrowhead Bike Farm, allowing riders immediate trail access without driving. "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)," shares a visitor.
Winter activities: While many campgrounds close seasonally, winter camping options exist for cold-weather adventurers. A visitor to Adventures on the Gorge reports, "We stayed in one of the cabins for Christmas. We were one of a handful of visitors staying at that time of year. The staff were accommodating of our late-night arrival. The cabins are heated, which kept us plenty warm in the middle of winter."
Uncrowded weekday camping: Many campgrounds experience significant visitor differences between weekends and weekdays. At Chestnut Creek Campground, one camper noted, "We went in the middle of the week, on a Tuesday. It had been raining a lot the days before but did not rain at all the three days we stayed. It was incredibly private, we were the only ones staying overnight."
Early morning river views: Riverside sites provide unique dawn experiences due to the gorge's geography. At New River Campground, a visitor observed, "Shade trees and a light morning mist on the river made a beautiful sunrise."
Climbing access: The area attracts rock climbers with specialized accommodations. A visitor to New River Gorge Campground described, "We were lucky to get campsite 23, which had a tent platform high up on a boulder. The campsite was fairly quiet and cozy!"
Train noise impacts river sites: Railroad tracks parallel the New River, creating noise considerations at waterfront campgrounds. As one camper at Grandview Sandbar Campground explains, "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."
Shower facilities vary widely: Campground shower setups range from modern to minimal. One camper notes, "They have individual rooms that can be locked that has the restroom in with the shower stall," while another mentioned, "Showers run on 1 minute increments," at different facilities.
Flash flooding risk at river sites: Riverside camping areas can flood during heavy rain. A Grandview Sandbar visitor cautions, "This was a peaceful, nice area but when there is a lot of rain there is definitely the chance it'll flood."
Animal encounters as education: Several campgrounds feature farm animals or wildlife viewing opportunities. At Arrowhead Bike Farm, a visitor shares, "They have goat pens. They are very loving and go by any name you can think to name them."
Playground access: Some campgrounds offer dedicated play areas for children. A Rifrafters visitor noted, "The playground was great for our daughters to burn off some energy."
Kid-friendly water features: Water activities suitable for various ages are available. An Ace Adventure Resort visitor explains, "We had a fabulous stay here. We camped in our tent for 2 nights on the mountaintop. The park has so much to do including trails, swimming, and an awesome water park."
Steep access roads: RV drivers should prepare for challenging mountain roads. At Babcock State Park, a camper warns, "Limited large rig sites and roadways are very narrow."
Site leveling challenges: The mountainous terrain creates uneven campsites. An Arrowhead Bike Farm visitor noted, "Great spot and very close to the national park, but site 5 was very un-level."
Seasonal utility limitations: Full hookups are not universal, with some campgrounds offering only partial connections. At Adventures on the Gorge, a camper advised, "Be prepared to dry camp as there are no water hookups. That would be the only negative for us."
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping amenities are available near Lansing, WV?
Campgrounds near Lansing offer a range of amenities to suit different camping preferences. Summer Wind RV Park provides stunning mountain views, reasonable prices, and 30-amp electric service, making it perfect for RV travelers. For those seeking a more rustic experience, Chestnut Creek Campground offers basic amenities including water and toilets. Other nearby campgrounds feature facilities like showers, fire rings, picnic tables, and dump stations. Several locations also provide access to recreational amenities including hiking trails, swimming areas, fishing spots, and boat launches.
Where are the best camping spots in Lansing, West Virginia?
Lansing and the surrounding area offer excellent camping options for outdoor enthusiasts. New River Gorge Campground is conveniently located in Lansing itself, providing easy access to nearby attractions. For those seeking riverside experiences, Battle Run is a fantastic option with opportunities for hiking, rock climbing, fishing, swimming, and water sports. The campground serves as an ideal base for exploring the area's natural beauty, whether you're planning a weekend family trip or need somewhere to stay after a day on the water.
When is the best time of year to camp in Lansing, West Virginia?
The optimal camping season in Lansing runs from late spring through early fall (May-October), with each period offering unique advantages. Summer (June-August) delivers warm temperatures perfect for water activities at locations like Summersville Lake Shelters. Fall (September-October) transforms the area with spectacular foliage, making Babcock State Park Campground especially scenic with its famous grist mill. Late spring (May) offers comfortable temperatures and blooming wildflowers. While some campgrounds remain open year-round, many reduce services or close during winter months when temperatures can drop significantly and snow is possible.
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