Army Camp Campground sits along the New River within New River Gorge National Park and Preserve at an elevation of approximately 1,600 feet. The small loop offers five drive-in sites on the outer perimeter and five on the inner perimeter, with sites separated by at least 50 feet. Tent pads at this free campground are gravel, making tent peg placement challenging but providing level spaces for camping near Lookout, West Virginia.
What to do
Fishing at the New River: Nearby Battle Run provides excellent access for anglers. The New River Gorge National Park website offers specific information about "species, bait, and lures" according to Jean C., who recommends checking this resource before planning your fishing trip.
Hiking on old railroad beds: Glade Creek Campground features trails following historic railroad routes. "Glade Creek Trail follows an old RR bed with easy terrain. Several trails break off Glade Creek trail…and worth taking," notes Dave V., who recommends visiting the New River Gorge Bridge Visitor's Center for trail information.
Mountain biking from your campsite: Arrowhead Bike Farm offers direct access to trails. "Within a short walk/bike to multiple biking and hiking trailheads. Close enough to bike into Fayetteville (a cool little town)," shares Charles C., who stayed in September.
River swimming: Find natural swimming holes at various campgrounds. "It is a great place for people to swim in the river or fish," writes Billy C. about Army Camp, while Tucker B. mentions enjoying "evening river dips before bed" at the same location.
What campers like
Free camping options: Several rv parks near Lookout, West Virginia charge no fees. "Hard to beat a free campsite right on the river," writes Tucker B. about Army Camp. Rachel S. agrees, stating "You can't beat an established campground (picnic tables, fire pits, bathrooms) in a national park that's also free!"
Mountain views: RV sites at Summer Wind RV Park offer scenic vistas. "Just a wonderful small RV park in rural West Virginia... Absolutely gorgeous views across the pastures and hills," reports Joseph F. Randy G. adds that visitors can "sit & watch deer in the valley most mornings" from the campground.
Waterfront access: Many campsites provide direct water access. "Area for people to swim in the river or fish," notes Billy C. about Army Camp. Caroline F. mentions the "easy access to river, able to hear it from campsite" as a key feature at the same location.
Proximity to climbing areas: The region offers excellent rock climbing opportunities. Corey M. notes that Arrowhead Bike Farm has "super close proximity to some fantastic climbing and the entire new river gorge national park."
What you should know
Cell service varies significantly: Connectivity is limited at many campgrounds. "No AT&T service so I only stayed two nights (gotta work during the week!)," reports Tucker B. about Army Camp. At some locations, you can find minimal service: "Had AT&T cell signal down by the river but no Sprint Signal," notes Zayne W. about Glade Creek.
Access roads can be challenging: Many campgrounds require driving on narrow or unpaved roads. At Shady Rest RV Park, Casey L. cautions about "a very narrow road, little to at times no room to allow for another vehicle if you happen to meet up."
Limited amenities at free sites: Free campgrounds lack many services. At Army Camp, Dave V. notes that "vitally important to realize there is no running water at any of these campgrounds. You must bring water or filter it from the New River…which I wouldn't recommend."
Weather considerations: River levels can change rapidly. At Army Camp, Dave V. observed that "after a night of rainfall, the New River has swollen beyond its boundaries by 50 feet or more on either shoreline" and continued rising even after rain stopped.
Tips for camping with families
Goat visits for kids: At Arrowhead Bike Farm, children can interact with farm animals. "They have goats and miles of bike trails," mentions Corey M. Aspen H. adds that the goats "are very loving and go by any name you can think to name them."
Water activities for all ages: Pipestem RV Park & Campground offers various water recreation options. "We enjoyed lots of the amenities, including the horseback riding, nature center and giant water inflatables," writes Molly F., who visited with a 37' travel trailer.
Spacious sites for family setups: Many campgrounds accommodate larger groups. At Army Camp, Corda B. reports, "Stayed here for a few nights with 3 other people. We had 1 big tent, 2 vehicles and a few dogs and had plenty of room."
Protection from wildlife: Secure food from nocturnal visitors. Andrew S. warns that at Pipestem, "The racoons at night have a schedule of getty any foods left out. Putting everything away is a must."
Tips from RVers
Honesty box payments: Some rv parks near Lookout accept self-service payments. At Summer Wind RV Park, Never Sitting S. explains, "Emailed to reserve spot in the evening and heard back right away. They have an honesty box to leave payment."
Pull-through availability: Level sites for larger rigs can be found. "If you want easy level spots row c is best (which is where 50 amps are). Easy off and on the interstate and we fit fine driving 40' towing," advises Never Sitting S. about Summer Wind RV Park.
Access considerations for larger vehicles: Some campgrounds accommodate big rigs despite challenging roads. Kristi D. reports about Army Camp: "It is a one lane road to get to the campground and can get tight when other vehicles pass, but we got down there with our F250 truck and camper when a big grater and the park ranger came by. It's very doable."
