Best Glamping near R.D. Bailey Lake

We booked our stay a full TWO YEARS in advance, because we were staying here in order to visit the 24th World Scout Jamboree. The campy was absolutely overrun with Scouts from all over the world, and the owners and staff managed the situation admirably! They kept bathhouses clean (despite constant rain), the ensured quiet hours were adhered to, and our stay was great.

The area around the campground has some of the most amazing scenery I’ve ever seen. The New River Gorge Bridge and the National Park visitor center is a very short drive away, the river offers great fishing, and recreation opportunities include whitewater rafting and hiking. We’ll absolutely be back.

The Outpost was a great place to camp. We stayed in a full service RV spot, but the camp offered a variety of accommodations. Power had been knocked out the few days prior to our visit but luckily came back on soon after we checked in. They have a large community center w/ clean bathrooms, a large green area w/ fire pits and a ton of space for a dog to run around in. Our site was right on a little creek, had a picnic table and fire pit. The bathhouse was clean, big and heated. On our way in, 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. The beer was great and there were plenty of heaters on the patio to keep us warm in the rain and cold. 🍻

I stayed 3 nights, and first two were fantastic. On the 3rd night a vehicle parked in the boat ramp lot and blasted music started at 2am, lots of yelling. I heard from several people that the walk-in spots can get pretty rowdy with locals. The pull-in spots were fine. Picnic table, fire ring, grill, camping pad. They were all at least partially shaded, with trees all around. Some girls at site 2 got some food taken from their picnic table overnight and we found bear tracks around their site - don't be stupid like them - keep your food in your car or in a bear safe bag. From the looks of it, people were using the camp as a base, and going out during the day - lots of kayaks and bikes. I ran to the Little Laurel trailhead and took that up to the Grandview park - a long run but fantastic. I drove down to Glade Creek and had a great 12 mile run there, too - I think I'll camp there next time. Anyways, definitely a nice little spot. Bathrooms were clean. Limited cell signal at best (Verizon). No running water.

With impending storms, we chose to rent a cabin midweek at Riftrafters Campground in Fayetteville, WV.(riftrafters.com) rather than set up the tent in the rain.

Riftrafters Campground is centrally located in Fayetteville right of Rt.19, close to The New River Gorge, rafting, climbing, hiking, biking and some good eateries.

We stayed in Cabin 5, which offered a few wooden bunkbeds, one table, four chairs, one door and two windows...that's all you get in a camper cabin. Other cabins offer different bed options. No water or restroom/showers in the Cabins. Pricing is based on occupancy, much like tent camping. Which actually places it close to local hotel/motel lodging. Note: Do not anticipate spotless cabins or odor free, comfortable mattress...without heat or AC things tend to get musty.

Riftrafters Campground offers RV/Camper sites (13) which have water and electric, Cabins (8) no water, but has electric, and several tent areas which are rated primitive. I recommend securing reservations by telephone.

There is a covered picnic shelter and the showerhouse/restroom is clean, well-maintained and centrally located.

Within two miles you can enjoy breakfast at Tudor's and lunch/dinner at the Secret Sandwich Society...both of which we frequented. For outdoor equipment needs, I prefer Waterstone Outdoors (waterstoneoutdoors.com), but there is another new business that recently opened between Tudor's and Secret Sandwich Society (secretsandwichsociety.com).

Obviously, you will search the web for whatever activities you want to engage in, but I recommend paying a visit to The New River Gorge Canyon Rim Visitor Center on the NE corner of The New River Bridge. Rangers there know most of the best trails to hike and how to get there. The Park is 70,000 acres, after all. I'd also recommend Class VI River Runners if you plan on hitting the New or Gauley Rivers...(class-vi.com). Hint: If you really are looking for an experience...run the Gauley in spring or fall during the dam release.

There is really so much to do in this area that a week is just too short. I gave Riftrafters 4 stars based on their proximity to local activities, but believe they could do much to spruce up the cabins.