Camping options near R.D. Bailey Lake span across 5,600 acres of mountainous terrain in Wyoming County, West Virginia. Winter temperatures often drop below freezing from December through February, with summer highs reaching the 80s. Mountain roads in the area frequently narrow to single lanes on approaches to many campgrounds, requiring careful navigation for larger vehicles.
What to do
Fishing access points: Army Camp at New River Gorge provides direct river access with ample space. "The view of the river is absolutely beautiful!!" notes Corda B., who recommends bringing "plenty of food and wood" since the campground is remote with no stores nearby.
Hiking trails: Twin Falls Resort State Park Campground offers numerous trail options with varying difficulty levels. A camper shared, "They have an abundance of trails with varying difficultly levels. We were here for almost a week and had the time only to get in about half of them. The Cliffside Trail is an absolute must!"
ATV riding: Hilltop Escape LLC provides direct trail access for off-road enthusiasts. "The campground is literally on several trails. Restaurant on-site. From breakfast to supper," reports Linda R., highlighting the convenience for riders.
What campers like
Free camping options: Glade Creek Campground offers no-cost sites with basic amenities. "You can't beat an established campground (picnic tables, fire pits, bathrooms) in a national park that's also free!" says Rachel S., though she notes there were "good amount of spiders and ants" during her May visit.
Privacy between sites: Many campers appreciate the spacing at certain parks. At Army Camp, one reviewer noted, "Outside perimeter sites are wooded and offer more privacy. Though all sites are separated by 50 ft or more."
Clean facilities: Rifrafters Campground maintains well-kept bathrooms. "The bathrooms were very nice and clean! The owners were also great," shares Melissa W., who appreciated their flexibility during rainy weather when they "gave us a different tent site than originally booked so that we had a shelter."
What you should know
Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies dramatically between campgrounds. At Army Camp, Tucker B. reported, "No AT&T service so I only stayed two nights (gotta work during the week!)." Similar reports come from other parks in the region.
Road conditions: Many campgrounds require navigating challenging access roads. Caroline F. describes Army Camp's road as "single lane paved/gravel. Best for cars/vans, but did see some small pull behinds."
Water availability: Numerous campgrounds lack potable water. "No drinking water, so bring your own," warns Jean C. about Army Camp, a common situation at more primitive sites throughout the area.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Some rv campgrounds near R.D. Bailey Lake offer dedicated children's areas. At Rifrafters, one parent mentioned, "The playground was great for our daughters to burn off some energy."
Swimming options: Water activities are available at select locations. "Area for people to swim in the river or fish," notes Billy C. about Army Camp, though caution is advised as currents can be strong in many water bodies.
Wildlife viewing: Brushcreek Falls RV Resort provides opportunities to observe local fauna. "Beautiful backdrop of the mountains with mist and low clouds," notes Eric H., while multiple visitors mentioned deer sightings at Twin Falls Resort State Park.
Tips from RVers
Leveling considerations: At R.D. Bailey Lake rv campgrounds, site terrain varies significantly. One camper at Rifrafters appreciated that "The site (19) was roomy and level," noting this was particularly helpful as "this was our first trip with this camper."
Single host sites: Hilltop Sunrise offers a unique single-site RV experience with personalized service. Randy & T. described it as having "electric, water & sewer hook-up and was easy no hassle camping," adding that the host "left us firewood and a hospitality box with water, snacks & fire-starters!"
Site spacing: For larger rigs, spaciousness matters. At Brushcreek Falls RV Resort, a camper noted that "Spots are long but pretty close together," and recommended taking it "nice and slow getting there with the road and even navigating the property."
