Located within the mountainous region of West Virginia, New Richmond sits at elevations ranging from 1,600-3,200 feet, resulting in significant temperature variations between valleys and peaks. Many campgrounds open April through October, with primitive sites available year-round at some locations. Cell service remains unreliable throughout much of the region, particularly in deeper valleys and forested areas.
What to do
River access: At Army Camp Campground, visitors can enjoy direct access to the New River for swimming and fishing. "Area for people to swim in the river or fish. One trail on far side of parking area that I haven't explored yet," notes Billy C. The campground features ten tent sites including two accessible options.
Waterfall hiking: Explore cascading falls near Twin Falls Resort State Park, which offers multiple difficulty levels of trails. "It is a must to go on the trail that leads to both of the waterfalls," recommends Austin-Tarra G. The park features paved sites with electric hookups and heated showers.
Historical exploration: Learn about the region's mining heritage by visiting historic sites. "Military history buffs will appreciate the remains of an Army training encampment along the gravel road driving in. Known for equipping soldiers to build floating bridges across rivers to move troops and heavy artillery," explains Dave V. about the Army Camp area.
What campers like
Natural soundscapes: Many campers appreciate the constant river sounds that provide natural white noise. "The powerful drone of the New River never subsides," says one visitor to Glade Creek. Another notes that "you can hear the river from the campsite" at Glade Creek Campground.
Free camping options: Several campgrounds in the New River Gorge area charge no fees. "You can't beat an established campground (picnic tables, fire pits, bathrooms) in a national park that's also free! Good amount of spiders and ants but didn't notice any mosquitoes in mid May," writes Rachel S. about Army Camp Campground.
Wildlife viewing: The area supports diverse wildlife populations that visitors frequently encounter. "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," reports one camper at Army Camp.
What you should know
Water availability: Most primitive campgrounds lack potable water sources. "No sources of freshwater available at the campground. The nearest convenient store is some miles away," warns Matt G. about Glade Creek Campground. Campers should bring sufficient water supplies.
Flooding potential: Sites near rivers may experience sudden water level changes, even without local rainfall. "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. Even though it had not rained in 18 hours, the New River continued to swell beyond what I thought probable."
Accessibility limitations: Reach many campgrounds via narrow, winding roads with challenging conditions. "The road getting back to the site is a little sketch but worth the trip in. Just remember you have to make that trip all the way back out if you forget anything at the store," advises Corda B. about Army Camp.
Tips for camping with families
Swimming spots: Pipestem RV Park & Campground offers family-friendly water activities. "We enjoyed lots of the amenities, including the horseback riding, nature center and giant water inflatables," shares Molly F. This campground provides spacious sites suitable for larger groups.
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature play areas for children. "We were lucky and got one of the last spots. There's only 11. Fire rings with grill, and bench at each site. The ground is great for tents, no rocks," reports Rhys R. about the tent camping areas.
Multiple recreation options: Beyond camping, families can access diverse activities. "Great area for people to swim in the river or fish," notes Billy C. Twin Falls Resort State Park offers "hiking, picnics, campfires and ghost hunting," according to Kim S.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: For RV sites near New Richmond, West Virginia, level pads can be scarce. At Brushcreek Falls RV Resort, "like a lot of private RV parks, the sites tend to be very close to each other. Beautiful backdrop of the mountains with mist and low clouds. Gravel parking pads," explains Eric H.
Off-season considerations: Services decrease significantly during winter months. "Staff was excellent, had a great time camping and rafting. Bath house was clean. Will definitely come back again," mentions George B., though another camper notes, "I'd skip this site out of tourist season" due to reduced staffing.
Road navigation: Approach RV sites with caution, especially larger rigs. "We're a triple axl so we had to take it nice and slow getting there with the road and even navigating the property but it was fine," advises Heather H. about Brushcreek Falls. Another visitor warns, "Make sure your truck/vehicle towing is not underrated for what you're pulling as it is a lot of big uphill elevation and tons of windy roads and tight turns."
