New River Gorge National Park dominates the landscape near Oak Hill, West Virginia, with sandstone cliffs reaching heights of 1,000 feet above the river. The region's humid continental climate delivers four distinct seasons, with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F during peak camping months. Fall foliage typically peaks in mid-October, creating ideal conditions for glamping close to Oak Hill, West Virginia through most of the autumn season.
What to do
Whitewater rafting on the Gauley River: The Gauley offers Class III-V rapids, with the biggest runs available during fall dam releases. According to a visitor at Rays Campground, "This is my favorite developed campground in the new river / gauley river area. Known by kayakers and rock climbers. It also has rustic cabin bunkhouses that are also reasonably priced."
Hiking the Endless Wall Trail: This 2.4-mile loop trail follows along the rim of the New River Gorge with multiple overlook points. A camper at Rifrafters Campground shared, "The New River Gorge area is amazing. We camped at Rifrafters Campground. It is family owned and operated. The owners were great and made a point to stop by our site and see how we were doing."
Fishing along the New River: The river contains smallmouth bass, walleye, bluegill, and catfish. A visitor to Army Camp noted, "Area for people to swim in the river or fish. Has always been quiet with good people camping while I was here."
Visiting historic mining sites: The region contains numerous abandoned coal mining towns and structures. "We stopped at The New River Gorge which was beautiful and then for a beer at Bridge Works Beer. We met Barley the brewery dog who became fast friends with our pup," writes a guest at The Outpost.
What campers like
Private campsites with space: Many campgrounds offer sites separated by trees and terrain for privacy. A reviewer at Babcock State Park described their experience: "We camped at site 21, which was the middle of a loop and it was space and flat. It had another site next to it but it was further apart than other sites."
Clean facilities: Many campgrounds maintain well-kept bathrooms and showers. "Bathrooms are nicer than our bathrooms at home. Friendly and helpful staff," notes a camper at The Outpost.
Quiet surroundings: The wooded settings provide peaceful camping experiences. A visitor to Rays Campground described: "This is my fiance and I's favorite spot. The tent area I stay in is very spacious and often you can't see any neighbors unless traveling to the shower house, with regular toilets electric and more."
Outdoor activities on-site: Many locations offer recreation without leaving the campground. At Little Beaver State Park, "They have a lot of trails and a lake but we didn't have time to check them out. Many sites looked like it may take some work to get level."
What you should know
Site leveling challenges: Many campgrounds have uneven terrain. "Most of the sites are not level at all, there is one single bath house for each level making some sites very far from a bathroom/shower," reports a camper at Mountain Lake Campground.
Limited water access: Not all campgrounds provide water hookups. "Be prepared to dry camp as there are no water hookups. That would be the only negative for us," notes a visitor at Adventures on the Gorge.
Weather variations: The region experiences sudden weather changes. "It rained the entire time I was there, yet I still enjoyed my stay. Campsite was clean and the other campers were quiet," shared a visitor at Grandview Sandbar.
Seasonal campground closures: Most campgrounds operate April through October. "Just a quick FYI, there is no camping in the winter. We stopped by for an overnight while enroute to Ohio," explained a visitor to Little Beaver State Park.
Train noise: Trains frequently pass through the area. "The really bad thing is that there is a train station directly across the river. And trains will and do pull through every couple of hours 24/7," noted a camper at Grandview Sandbar.
Tips for camping with families
Playgrounds: Several campgrounds feature play areas for children. At Mountain Lake Campground, "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."
Luxury glamping options: High-end accommodations provide comfort for families. According to a visitor at Babcock State Park, "Our cabin was pet friendly, clean, well stocked kitchen, COMFORTABLE DOUBLE BEDS, firewood, it was excellent. We had the best experience!"
Water activities: Lakes and pools offer swimming options during warm months. A visitor to Mountain Lake reported, "The lake swimming was fun. 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."
Nearby attractions: The region offers educational sites within short drives. "This area is gorgeous and should not be missed. The New River Gorge Bridge is not too far and I highly recommend going there to see it," shared a camper about their glamping experience near Oak Hill.
Tips from RVers
Limited pull-through sites: Many campgrounds have restricted space for larger vehicles. At Rifrafters, "Our site (19) was roomy and level. The owners were friendly. The playground was great for our daughters to burn off some energy. The site was plenty large and the concrete pad was perfectly level."
Electric hookup availability: Electric options vary by campground. At Little Beaver State Park, "This is a nice little campground. Clean and well kept. Most of the sites are wooded and would be a bit difficult for a rig our size but they are very nice."
Road conditions: Access roads to some campgrounds present challenges. "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," reported a visitor to Mountain Lake Campground.
Dump station locations: Not all sites provide full hookups. "Sites have water and electric. Several nice walking trails directly from the campground," noted a Mountain Lake Campground visitor about their luxury glamping experience close to Oak Hill, West Virginia.
