Camping sites near Beckley, West Virginia offer access to New River Gorge National Park with elevations ranging from 1,400 to 2,500 feet throughout the region. Summer temperatures typically reach 80-85°F during the day while dropping to 60-65°F at night, creating comfortable camping conditions even during peak season. The area's extensive network of creeks and tributaries provides water-based recreation opportunities throughout the warmer months.
What to do
Hiking the Glade Creek Trail: Located at Glade Creek Campground, this trail follows an old railroad bed with relatively flat terrain. "Being early in the spring, there was still some deadfall across parts of the trail that required some maneuvering and even though it is a raised old narrow gauge RR bed, it still got muddy. Several trails break off Glade Creek trail…and worth taking," notes one visitor.
Fishing in New River: Multiple species of fish can be caught year-round. "If you enjoy fishing, the New River Gorge website offers a lot of specific information about species, bait, and lures," shares one camper who stayed at Army Camp Campground.
Visit historic sites: The abandoned town of Thurmond sits near Stone Cliff Campground, making for an interesting day trip. "The campground is very close to the abandoned town of Thurmond (very cool site to see) and is within earshot of the train tracks," according to a visitor.
Mountain biking: Trails throughout the region accommodate various skill levels. At Ace Adventure Resort, visitors enjoy "biking and equestrian trails available. 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)."
What campers like
River access: The proximity to water is frequently mentioned in reviews. At Army Camp Campground, one camper notes, "It's hard to beat a free campsite right on the river... I enjoyed evening river dips before bed." This direct water access makes for convenient recreation.
Clean facilities: Campground maintenance stands out in reviews. "Bathrooms are traditional but clean and functioning well," reports a visitor to Little Beaver State Park. The cleanliness extends to shower facilities at many locations.
Cost value: Free camping options provide exceptional value. Stone Cliff Campground visitor states, "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."
Privacy between sites: Many campgrounds offer good separation. At Babcock State Park Campground, one reviewer noted, "Most of the sites at the campground are great: fairly flat with soft ground and good tree coverage... We stayed on Site 15 (non-electric site), which I thought was one of the best sites."
What you should know
Weather preparedness: The New River can flood after heavy rains. "During our visit, in early May, it had been and was still experiencing heavy rains and flooding. Even then, it is a beautiful location," shares a Glade Creek visitor. Another warns, "When breaking camp, it was noted the New River had encroached another 100ft through the woodland, flowing alongside the campground loop gravel drive…30 ft from our tent pad."
Access road challenges: Some campgrounds have difficult entry roads. A Rifrafters Campground visitor notes, "It is very much built into a big hill- I was a little worried our Avion (similar to airstream) that had low clearance would bottom out as we came in and out of entrance hill to road but we had no issue."
Limited cell service: Connectivity varies significantly by location. At Grandview Sandbar, a camper states, "No AT&T service so I only stayed two nights (gotta work during the week!)," highlighting the need to plan accordingly for remote work needs.
Seasonal availability: Some campgrounds close during winter. Regarding Little Beaver State Park, one reviewer mentions, "Just a quick FYI, there is no camping in the winter. We stopped by for an overnight while enroute to Ohio."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature dedicated play areas. At Little Beaver State Park Campground, a visitor appreciates "A nice playground for children. Lots of deer about." Babcock State Park offers "A fairly new playground sits right next to the bathhouse. All the equipment was well-maintained and freshly mulched."
Water recreation options: Kids enjoy the various swimming areas. "Pretty limited space so get there early if you want a spot. Right near the River, which was beautiful," shares a Grandview Sandbar camper.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Animal sightings enhance the experience. "Song birds, robins and crows competed vocally during daylight hours. Interesting insects crawled the river's sandy shore and a brightly colored Eastern box turtle searched for higher-dryer ground," notes an Army Camp visitor.
Easy hiking trails: Several family-friendly paths exist. "Island-In-the-Sky is a great climb through a tunnel of rhododendron that eventually winds up and around a rock shelf. To get to the top you have to climb up a couple ladders and over rocks," describes a Babcock State Park visitor, detailing an adventure kids would enjoy.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling: Some campgrounds require work to get level. At Little Beaver State Park, one RVer cautions, "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."
Dump station access: Facilities vary between campgrounds. Another Little Beaver State Park visitor observed, "Dump site was a little different. Had to make a uturn to get in to dump. I'd like to go back and spend some more time there."
Power availability: Electric hookups are limited at some locations. Lake Stephens Campground offers more robust services with "The extremely accessible pull-throughs strategically placed in a semi-circle/horse shoe. The entire park is very clean, sites are level and ample parking."
Length restrictions: Many campgrounds can't accommodate larger RVs. According to a visitor at Ace Adventure Resort, "The sites are up on top of a mountain side, so you will need a dependable vehicle to get up to your site," indicating potential challenges for bigger rigs.
