130 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
The camping landscape surrounding Hico, West Virginia centers around the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, with numerous established campgrounds serving various camping styles. Rifrafters Campground and Mountain Lake Campground provide accommodations ranging from tent sites to RV hookups and cabin rentals, while Adventures on the Gorge offers glamping options. The region includes several family-operated campgrounds like Chestnut Creek, which caters specifically to tent and car campers without RV hookups. Most developed campgrounds in the area sit within a 20-mile radius of Hico, providing convenient access to outdoor recreation areas.
Seasonal availability varies significantly across the region's campgrounds, with many operating from April through October. Peak season generally runs from Memorial Day through Labor Day, when advance reservations are strongly recommended. Several campgrounds, including New River Campground, remain open year-round for RV camping, though tent camping becomes limited in winter months. The proximity to the New River and Gauley River creates humid summer conditions and occasional flooding in lower elevation camping areas. Road access to most established campgrounds is well-maintained, though some tent-only areas may require moderate clearance vehicles. "Clean restrooms and showers. Owner is nice and helpful. He gave me good advice on what to see and cool uncommon attractions," noted one camper about Chestnut Creek Campground.
Campers consistently highlight the wooded, secluded nature of tent sites throughout the region's campgrounds. The tent areas at Rays Campground receive particular praise for spaciousness and privacy, with one visitor noting, "The tent area I stay in is very spacious and often you can't see any neighbors unless traveling to the shower house." Many camping areas maintain natural forest settings while providing access to basic amenities like showers and toilets. Water access serves as another key attraction, with campgrounds near Summersville Lake offering both land and water-based recreation opportunities. RV campers should note that while electric hookups are common at most established campgrounds, full hookups including sewer connections are less prevalent throughout the region, particularly at smaller, family-run operations.
"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
Check Availability"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
Check Availability"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
Check Availability"Whether it's weekend camping with friends/ family or some where to crash after a long day on the lake/ river you won't regret staying in beautiful West Virginia."
"The restroom & shower facilities were easily within walking distance. The facilities could use a deep clean but overall were fine."
from $24 - $40 / night
Check Availability"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
Check Availability"We took site 269 for the proximity to one of the little playgrounds and easy walk to bathrooms. We had a great time and it was easy to let our 3 year old play while we setup."
"I used to love Mtn Lake because of their secluded primitive camping where deer often visit and provided a quiet place away from the busy RV sites, however they gave into demand and now have overrun the"
"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
Check Availability"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
Check Availability"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
Check Availability"Easy to find, sites are tucked into the woods with a lot of space, good shower rooms. We enjoyed it!"
"Very close to the New River Gorge National Park. Back in the woods with a 1/4 mile gravel drive to enter the campground. "
from $9 - $34 / night
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ScoutBathrooms clean and spacious enough. Campsites close enough to access what water, trash, and other needs with still allowing for some privacy. The front has laundry, ice, firewood and tends to most needs. Dark skies and deer wandering around make for a peaceful and nice experience overall.
ScoutPerfect camp spot has a fire ring and table lots of trees around
ScoutWe had a wonderful stay at Rifrafters! The campground is remarkably clean, well-organized, and has a truly welcoming, homey feel. The dog park is large, open, and was a great spot for our dogs to run around and burn off some energy.What really sets this place apart is the incredible owners. They are as friendly, accessible, and easygoing as they come. They guided us into our spot perfectly on the first attempt, constantly checked in to ensure we were comfortable, and even recommended a great local mechanic when our truck needed service. You can really tell they care about their guests. We will definitely be staying here again next time we're in the area!
ScoutVery low key place. Self check-in. Bath house is old but clean, plenty of hot water. Washing machine and dryer available. Free coffee every morning.
GuideThe owners of this campground are among the rudest people we have ever come across in the camping world.
On our first attempt at reserving a site, we reserved the site three months in advance. When we arrived, they moved us to a different spot to accommodate 'other campers' with zero explanation. When we tried to explain we reserved that site in advance and specifically, the older bald guy, became unprofessionally furious and threatened to kick us off the grounds without a refund. The second year we tried to stay there,we again, reserved a specific site AND paid the lock-in fee, thinking, surely, this will not happen again. Unfortunately, the campground is rather beautiful, so we simply tried to fully abide by THEIR OWN rules the second time to avoid unnecessary conflict.
Nope. When we arrived, they moved us AGAIN to a terrible site. Bottomline, these people are power-trippers. They're argumentative, they're rude, they're short, and if you even try to ask about the reservation process, they will just kick you off the property with no refund and no campsite.
And again, they do not calmy explain what they're doing or why. They just do it...and if you question them, they will escalate the situation to an incredulous level of arguing.
This place could be incredible, but the owners have completely ruined it. We will never be trying to stay here again, and will pass it along to anyone trying to stay in that area.
GuideAn exceptional setting, this RV park is conveniently located next to I-64 in the mountains of WV. While during the day one can hear the traffic, it’s not that bad, and it’s not loud at night. The park sits adjacent to a cattle ranch nestled in the mountains. All arrangements are made via text and payments are made via cash or Venmo. You definitely get a sense of community with the other campers here as all seem to be very courteous and cordial at the time of my stay. Sites are gravel and fairly level. A very clean and well kept bathhouse is on the premises. Laundry can also be done here with a load costing $2 to wash and $2 to dry. Currently there is no camp host but the park does have quite the surveillance camera set up. WiFi is also available and it works extremely well! All sites are pull-thru. I only planned to stay for one night but enjoyed it so much I decided to stay for two. I most certainly will be staying here during my next trip through WV!
TravelerWe picked this spot because we were trying to make some miles on our way South and it was conveniently close to the highway. Only about 5 minutes off the freeway exit, it was extremely peaceful and quiet. We went to the camping loop a little further up the road rather the more RV oriented area closer to the highway. There were 12 small pull-through spots, suitable for trailers or RVs up to about 30 ft. No facilities other than pit toilets and a single water spigot. First come first served reservations by scanning a QR code on the picnic table at your site. There was a campground host trailer there, but we never saw the host themselves. Only one other camper when we were there. We didn't have time to explore the area much, but it is a national recreation area with a lake and the elk River nearby. There was a sign for a trail leading right out from the campground, we walked it and it quickly disappeared into a network of Little Jeep roads that might have been fun to explore.
GuideWe stayed here for 3 nights, occupying site 32. Although is was close to the bath house, I would not recommend this specific site, as it is not very level.(But, there are plenty of other nice sites around the park.) When you arrive, you check in at the small building along Clifftop Rd. They have ice($3/bag) and firewood(skip it...find another place to buy wood as the park's is too green to burn).
The campground is a maze of fairly unmarked roads winding lazily through the trees.(Seriously, put up a sign or two for direction.) The bath house is dated, but relatively clean. Showers take a minute or two to heat up and lack serious pressure, but they work. Sites are generally spaced far enough apart and noise is kept to a minimum. The weekend we were there had a lot of kids riding bikes, playing in the playground and doing kid stuff. Good to see.
The park is out of the way, but only a short drive to the New River Gorge and park system. Cell service was 5G for both Verizon and T-Mobile. The park has wi-fi, but we never needed it.
TravelerThis is a core engineer built Park sites are fairly level. Bath houses are old but clean. Electric only at sites. There’s water and a dump station at the entrance of the park. Which makes a little difficult if you here more than a few days and need water, you have to store everything in your motorhome pull in the electric cord, drive out and fill up with water and then come back and get leveled again.
The New River Gorge area surrounding Hico, West Virginia offers diverse camping opportunities at elevations ranging from 1,200 to 2,450 feet. Temperature variations can be significant, with summer nights typically dropping to the low 60s even after hot days. Winter camping is limited primarily to RVs at select year-round facilities where overnight temperatures regularly fall below freezing.
Paddle sports access: Summersville Lake provides excellent paddling opportunities with rental options at Mountain Lake Campground and Cabins. "The lake is amazing, clear and has so many visual gems that I highly suggest a visit," reports a camper at Mountain Lake Camping and Cabins.
Mountain biking trails: The area offers extensive mountain biking networks directly accessible from some campgrounds. "Mt biking from the campground - a bike shop, food and beverages, showers, and goats! Great for families, too," notes a visitor to Arrowhead Bike Farm.
Historical exploration: Visit preserved CCC structures and restored gristmills. "The park office staff were very helpful, friendly and wear many hats... This building and surrounding stone structures, retaining walls, and staircases were built by the CCC and are magnificent and in great shape," writes a camper at Babcock State Park.
Riverside camping spots: Many campers specifically seek waterfront sites. "Spent two nights here, with a full hook up on the edge of the New River. From bumper of my TT to the river was about 30ft. Shade trees and a light morning mist on the river made a beautiful sunrise," shares a visitor at New River Campground.
Wooded privacy: Tent campers appreciate the natural settings at smaller campgrounds. "Sites are primitive with plenty of trees for shade and hammocks. The owner is super nice and very helpful," reports a camper at Chestnut Creek Campground.
On-site amenities: Many campgrounds offer recreational facilities beyond basic camping. "We truly enjoyed our stay at this park. Its peacefully serene setting was exactly what we needed after a weekend long festival. Ya just can't beat a free hot shower with great water pressure and affordable laundry facilities!" notes a visitor to Babcock State Park Campground.
Varying cellular coverage: Signal strength differs dramatically between carriers and locations. "I would expect better bath houses. Verizon service is terrible. Perfect for the weekend getaway but not during work hours. AT&T is flawless though," a camper at New River Campground explains.
Reservation timing: For popular waterfront sites, plan six months ahead. "Beautiful campground with several site right on the lake. Has a large beach area and bathhouses are cleaned regularly. Water is super clean. This is our favorite campground! Very hard to get sites. Must be booked 6 months in advance," notes a visitor to Battle Run.
Free dispersed options: Limited free camping exists but with minimal facilities. "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. Trash bins and restroom located nearby. No cell phone service," shares a camper at Stone Cliff Campground.
Playground proximity: Some campgrounds offer sites adjacent to play areas. "We took site 269 for the proximity to one of the little playgrounds and easy walk to bathrooms. We had a great time and it was easy to let our 3 year old play while we setup. Nice little trail near bath house gets you down to the beach," advises a family at Mountain Lake Campground.
Activity planning: Many families balance outdoor recreation with on-site amenities. "We loved our experience here! Bathhouses were very clean, firewood was delivered which made things easy. We enjoyed live music and dinner one night at Canyon Rim. And despite the rainy weather that weekend, our kids enjoyed the pool," shares a family visiting Adventures on the Gorge.
Wildlife encounters: Prepare children for natural wildlife interactions. "Lots of deer, we even saw a mother with 2 fawn! They had a mini golf course, a small pool, a jumping pad, and an ice cream shop in the general store. Very quiet at night," notes a family at Mountain Lake Campground.
Site leveling considerations: Many campsites require significant leveling. "The sites not directly in the river ain't but a stones throw away. It was raining off and on and was pretty muddy in spots. My camper isn't very big so I put my passenger side wheels just on the edge of the gravel patio so my entry steps wouldn't be in the mud and I was nearly level," advises an RVer at New River Campground.
Interior campground roads: Access to some campgrounds requires careful driving. "The road to 4 was horrendous to be pulling a camper. Had to use 4Low to creep out. It should be paved, no exceptions for that hill," cautions a visitor at Mountain Lake Campground.
Electrical capacity: Some campgrounds experience power limitations during peak usage. "A/C power was an issue. 1 camper had 30 amp breaker blow 2 days in a row and my 50 amp ran A.C. units fan but didn't cool all day," warns an RVer staying at Mountain Lake Campground.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Hico, WV?
According to TheDyrt.com, Hico, WV offers a wide range of camping options, with 130 campgrounds and RV parks near Hico, WV and 1 free dispersed camping spot.
Which is the most popular campground near Hico, WV?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Hico, WV is Rifrafters Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 34 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Hico, WV?
According to TheDyrt.com, there is 1 free dispersed camping spot near Hico, WV.
What parks are near Hico, WV?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 27 parks near Hico, WV that allow camping, notably Summersville Lake and New River Gorge National River.
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