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.
What to do
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.
What campers like
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.
What you should know
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.
Tips for camping with families
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.
Tips from RVers
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.
