Best Dispersed Camping near Pipestem, WV

Free dispersed camping options exist near Pipestem, West Virginia, primarily at Army Camp in New River Gorge National Park and Preserve. This established primitive campground features 10 drive-up sites and 6 walk-in sites arranged in a small loop. Sites include gravel tent pads, fire rings with grills, picnic tables, and lantern poles. The campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis with no reservations accepted. Several campers note that "spots fill quickly," especially during peak seasons, so early arrival is recommended.

Access to Army Camp requires navigating a single-lane paved/gravel road that can be challenging for larger vehicles. According to reviews, the road is "pretty narrow" and "a little sketch but worth the trip in," though small RVs and campers can access the area. Standard cars, vans, and trucks with small trailers navigate the road successfully. No drinking water is available at the campground; visitors must bring their own water supplies or filter from the New River, which is not recommended due to potential contamination.

The campground's proximity to the New River provides opportunities for fishing, swimming, and scenic views. Pit toilets are maintained but basic. No cell phone reception exists in the area, creating a technology-free environment. Wildlife sightings are common, with bears reported in the vicinity. The river can rise significantly after rainfall, sometimes encroaching near the campground. Campers should exercise caution when near the water as "currents are fast, powerful and dangerous." The surrounding area offers numerous recreational activities including hiking, rock climbing, mountain biking, and whitewater rafting within the New River Gorge National Park.

Best Dispersed Sites Near Pipestem, West Virginia (3)

    1. Army Camp — New River Gorge National Park and Preserve

    12 Reviews
    Prince, WV
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (304) 465-0508

    "Spots are shaded. Easy access to river, able to hear it from campsite. Very clean pit toilet bathroom. Road to access is single lane paved/gravel."

    "It has a small loop of campsites near the river."

    2. Walnut Flats

    4 Reviews
    Staffordsville, VA
    24 miles

    "Quiet place with plenty of firewood on the ground. Occasional.peiole driving through but a great experience!"

    "There is no internet access but there is enough signal you can get text sometimes. You need to drive about ten minutes to the gas station to get dependable coverage."

    3. Johns Spring Shelter — Appalachian National Scenic Trail

    2 Reviews
    Salem, VA
    50 miles
    Website

    "I stayed at this AT shelter when I was doing a section hike with some friends. It's not bad as far as shelters on the AT go. There is not a water source too close to the shelter."

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Dispersed Camping Reviews near Pipestem, WV

18 Reviews of 3 Pipestem Campgrounds


  • Caroline F.
    Jun. 26, 2022

    Army Camp — New River Gorge National Park and Preserve

    Quiet, nice free campground

    FCFS. Spots are large enough to fit 2 vehicles. Sites are gravel with fire pit, charcoal grill, and picnic table. Spots are shaded. Easy access to river, able to hear it from campsite. Very clean pit toilet bathroom. Road to access is single lane paved/gravel. Best for cars/vans, but did see some small pull behinds.

  • Kristi D.
    Jul. 4, 2023

    Army Camp — New River Gorge National Park and Preserve

    You cant beat free!

    We spent a night here on our way to Ohio. It has a small loop of campsites near the river. 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. Campsites were mowed and it was a short walk to a really nice spot on the river. No electric/water, so plan to be ready to be off grid. Hard to complain about free!

  • Lucy P.
    Mar. 24, 2024

    Johns Spring Shelter — Appalachian National Scenic Trail

    Cute but very basic

    As far as AT shelters go this is pretty basic, except for the lack of a good water source. However, it's a decent spot to stay the night especially if it's not crowded! There's a few other shelters and stealth sites in the area that are also great options though.

  • Dave V.
    May. 21, 2018

    Army Camp — New River Gorge National Park and Preserve

    RANGER REVIEW: Primus Trailbottle S/S 1.0 liter at Army Camp Campground, WVk

    CAMPGROUND REVIEW: Army Camp Campground, New River Gorge National River, WV

    Army Camp Campground, New River Gorge National River, Prince, WV https://www.nps.gov/neri/learn/historyculture/army-camp.htm

    If you have never treated yourself to the beautiful diversity of the New River Gorge National River, you are truly missing out!

    Rock climbing, mountain biking, whitewater paddling, rafting, hiking, camping, birding?…it’s all here and more. I’ve spent over 150 days camping and hiking in West Virginia n the past four years and keep finding new, wonderful places to enjoy.

    There are three very nice, somewhat primitive, free, campgrounds located within six miles of each other right outside Prince, WV. Grandview Sandbar and Glades Creek along one side of the New River and Army Camp across the Rt 41 bridge and downriver.

    Note: 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.

    https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=3QnnaIl-xgE

    Each site has a picnic table, grill, fire pit, dual lantern post and pit latrines. Of the three New River Gorge National River campgrounds in this immediate area, Army Camps pit latrines are maintained but in dire need of paint. Parking and tent pads are gravel…(making tent peg placement laborious). Plenty of hammocking opportunities.

    Army Camp is open for day use fishing and picnicking. The campground consists of one small loop with five sites on the outside perimeter and five on the inner perimeter. Scattered mature trees dot the inner circle with open line of sight. Outside perimeter sites are wooded and offer more privacy. Though all sites are separated by 50 ft or more.

    Army Camp lies in a narrow river valley between steep, wooded 2500-3200 ft mountains offering spectacular views.

    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.

    Though all campground trails are short and directly to the edge of the New River…innumerable trails are a short drive away.

    Caution: Use extreme prudence if choosing to enter the New River itself. This is an incredibly popular whitewater rafting and paddling river…currents are fast, powerful and dangerous.

    At this visit, after a night of rainfall, the New River has swollen beyond its boundaries by 50 feet or more on either shoreline.

    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. The powerful drone of the New River never subsides.

    **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. Exercise greater wisdom than I did.

    Product Review: New Primus Trailbottle S/S 1.0 liter

    The new Primus Trailbottle stainless steel line offers a 0.6L, a 1.0L, a vacuum 0.5L, and a vacuum 0.8L. For purposes of this review, I’m putting the 1.0L S/S Trailbottle through its paces. https://primus.us/products/trailbottle-s-s-1-0l?variant=38421366546

    The Primus Trailbottle 1.0L comes in four (4) color options: black, red, light green and powder blue. Being on the trail or kayak in direct sunlight, I opted to not pursue the black so I could keep fluids cooler. The added bonus of brighter colors decreases the chances of me losing the bottle.

    As a Review Ranger for TheDyrt, these products were provided by Primus https://primus.us/ .

    I have been using various Primus stoves for many years with great success while backpacking and paddling, so I look forward to their new innovative and trustworthy products.

    The new Primus Trailbottle S/S 1.0L appears larger than it is. I was initially surprised by that illusion and feared it wouldn’t fit in my Gregory Baltoro Sidewinder Bottle holster…but fitment was actually easier than most water bottles. The bottom is a full inch smaller in diameter than the shoulder.

    Dimensions:

    •Height: 9” Base to Top of cap

    •O.D. Base: 10.25”/ O.D. Top: 11.25”

    •Weight: 10 grams

    Materials:

    •18/8 Food Grade stainless steel

    •Tritan lid (BPA free)

    One clear benefit of the S/S…it doesn’t possess or retain flavors…you get only what put in it.

    While the Primus Trailbottle S/S version has lightweight, thin walls that can likely dent with misuse…longevity of use sets this apart from the basic plastic or Lexan bottle. The mouth of the bottle is fairly large, making it easier to fill or add ice. Not being double walled, exterior sides sweat with ice cold beverages, but the painted surface has just enough grip texture not to slip when wet. The temperature of the Trailbottle contents will be felt by your hand.

    The screw-on lid has an additional small screw-on tethered cap. Instead of knurling around the sides of both caps, Primus uses a triangle pattern that mimics the cutout pattern on their stove/pot cooking systems Primus states the bottle opening and thread pattern fits some water filtration systems, but not my Katadyn Vario…nor does my Sawyer Mini thread onto the cap, as the threads are located on the inside of the spout..

    The rubber lanyard attaches to the small threaded cap by a recessed ring, then snakes through a bar on the larger bottle screw lid and attaches to that lid via a rubber style pop-rivet. Personally, I would not attach the Primus bottle to my pack by this rubber lanyard, but will run some para cord through the integrated bar on the lid…to carabiner to my pack (if I didn’t have a water bottle pocket).

    When partaking of its contents through the smaller lid opening, it is like any other solid-sided bottle. However, I found it was much easier pouring Trailbottle contents into a cup than a wide-mouth bottle.

    Final Thoughts

    I like it’s distinctiveness, versatility and light weight. I’m looking forward to many years of service from the Primus Trailbottle S/S 1.0 liter.

  • Jean C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 1, 2021

    Army Camp — New River Gorge National Park and Preserve

    Free camping near, but not on the river

    This is another of the free national park campgrounds in the New River Gorge, with sites that are more developed than many of the others. These are in a small open loop, largely level gravel parking and tent pads. They have picnic tables, fire rings, and lantern poles. No drinking water, so bring your own. No hookups. The river is nearby, but none of the sites are on the river. There’s an accessible site and also accessible trail to a bench along the river. There are latrines.

    If you enjoy fishing, the New River Gorge website offers a lot of specific information about species, bait, and lures

    If you can't find a site at one of the other campgrounds or you have a slightly larger rig, ths may be a better option for you. No cell service, so download your maps. The New River Gorge also offers rafting, and hiking options. Check out some of the mining history at the Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine, abuut 30 minutes away, and get up early to catch the sunrise from Grandview Point.

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 24, 2024

    Army Camp — New River Gorge National Park and Preserve

    Very relaxing spot

    Very nice spot, right by the river with plenty of spaces to hammock down by there. 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. If you’re planning on coming here, make sure and come early. Pit toilets also available.

  • Sam M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 29, 2018

    Johns Spring Shelter — Appalachian National Scenic Trail

    nice little AT shelter

    I stayed at this AT shelter when I was doing a section hike with some friends. It's not bad as far as shelters on the AT go. There is not a water source too close to the shelter. The closest one is about 3 miles North. The sites aren't bad though, pretty flat. There is also a wooden shelter maintained by the AT, but those aren't my favorite to sleep in. Seemed nice as far as they go though.

    I was hiking a little section that includes Mcafee Knob, one of the most photographed spots on the AT. This spot is really awesome. It can also just be done as a day hike, so I recommend it to anyone who doesn't mind a 8ish mile hike. Another cool thing about this area is that there's some fairly nice bouldering to be found near the top. Some of the routes are a little under maintained and mossy, but there are some fun ones. Lugging a crash pad all the way to the top isn't the most fun, but worth it if you want to get some cool bouldering in.

  • Dennis R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 17, 2025

    Walnut Flats

    Nice place

    5 sites, stayed. In the double site. Quiet place with plenty of firewood on the ground. Occasional.peiole driving through but a great experience!


Guide to Pipestem

Dispersed camping options near Pipestem, West Virginia extend beyond Army Camp to include several primitive sites throughout the New River Gorge region. The area sits at elevations ranging from 1,400 to 3,200 feet with a humid continental climate producing moderate rainfall year-round. Night temperatures can drop significantly even in summer months, requiring proper insulation for tent campers during spring and fall seasons.

What to do

Hiking access: Walnut Flats campground features direct trail access with "the Appalachian trail just across the road" according to camper SomadNomad M., creating convenient day hiking opportunities without driving.

Bouldering adventures: Johns Spring Shelter area offers unique climbing opportunities with "some fairly nice bouldering to be found near the top. Some of the routes are a little under maintained and mossy, but there are some fun ones," notes Sam M., who recommends bringing a crash pad for safety.

Fishing opportunities: The New River provides excellent fishing access at Army Camp where visitors can find detailed information about "species, bait, and lures" according to Jean C., who recommends checking the New River Gorge website for specific fishing guidance.

What campers like

Natural swimming: Army Camp's river proximity allows for "evening river dips before bed" as described by Tucker B., providing natural cooling during hot summer days without requiring additional travel.

Quiet atmosphere: Dennis R. notes that Walnut Flats offers a "quiet place with plenty of firewood on the ground" despite "occasional people driving through," creating a peaceful setting for extended stays.

Free amenities: Rachel S. appreciates that Army Camp provides "an established campground (picnic tables, fire pits, bathrooms) in a national park that's also free!" which differentiates it from typical dispersed camping areas that lack facilities.

What you should know

Water planning: Army Camp has no drinking water source, requiring visitors to bring all necessary water. Alice S. notes that at Walnut Flats there is a "well water pump for drinking water but didn't use it," suggesting that even when facilities exist, campers often rely on brought supplies.

Wildlife awareness: Rachel S. mentions "good amount of spiders and ants but didn't notice any mosquitoes in mid May" at Army Camp, indicating that insect activity varies seasonally.

Weather preparedness: Following rainfall, the river can rise quickly. As one camper noted at Army Camp, "when breaking camp, it was noted the New River had encroached another 100ft through the woodland, flowing alongside the campground loop gravel drive."

Tips for camping with families

Site selection: At Army Camp, Caroline F. notes that "spots are large enough to fit 2 vehicles" and "sites are gravel with fire pit, charcoal grill, and picnic table," providing adequate space for family setups.

Timing arrival: For families planning to stay at Army Camp, Rhys R. advises "If you're planning on coming here, make sure and come early" since there are limited sites available on a first-come basis.

Accessibility options: Jean C. mentions that Army Camp has "an accessible site and also accessible trail to a bench along the river," making it suitable for families with mobility considerations.

Tips from RVers

Road conditions: Kristi D. shares that Army Camp has "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."

Extended stays: At Walnut Flats, SomadNomad M. reported staying "just shy of 2 weeks" and noted that another RV camper "came in a few days after me and stayed the whole time I was there and both of us worked on our rv without any disturbances."

Self-sufficiency: For RV campers at Army Camp, Kristi D. emphasizes "No electric/water, so plan to be ready to be off grid," reminding visitors that free camping near Pipestem requires complete self-sufficiency.

Frequently Asked Questions

What facilities or amenities are available at Pipestem dispersed camping?

Pipestem dispersed camping areas typically offer basic amenities. At Walnut Flats, you'll find five established sites with fire rings and picnic tables, plus a clean pit toilet. The sites are situated in a quiet, wooded setting with plenty of natural firewood available. Most Pipestem dispersed camping locations don't provide drinking water, so you'll need to bring your own. Cell service is limited, with occasional text capability. While amenities are minimal compared to developed campgrounds, the natural setting and peaceful environment compensate for the rustic facilities.

Where is the Pipestem dispersed camping area located?

Pipestem dispersed camping is primarily located in West Virginia, with several options available in the region. The most notable is Army Camp — New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, which features dispersed camping sites along the New River. The area is accessible via a single-lane paved/gravel road that might be challenging but is manageable for most vehicles. The campground's location offers beautiful riverside views and easy access to the water, making it a popular choice for outdoor enthusiasts exploring the Pipestem region.

Do I need a permit for dispersed camping at Pipestem?

Most dispersed camping in the Pipestem area doesn't require advance permits but operates on a first-come, first-served basis. At Johns Spring Shelter — Appalachian National Scenic Trail, typical of dispersed sites in the region, no formal permit system exists for overnight stays. However, it's always advisable to check with the managing agency (National Park Service or Forest Service) before your visit, as regulations can change seasonally. Some areas may have stay limits, typically 14 days, and specific rules about camping locations. Always practice Leave No Trace principles regardless of permit requirements.