Camping near Prince, WV

Camping spots near Prince, West Virginia sit within the heart of the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, where elevations range from 1,400 to 2,200 feet. The region experiences distinct seasonal changes with summer temperatures averaging 85°F and frequent afternoon thunderstorms from June through August. Fall camping presents cooler temperatures and colorful foliage displays, while spring brings wildflowers and higher water levels on the New River.

What to do

Hiking trails access: The Stone Cliff Campground provides direct access to riverside trails. "There is a great trail nearby that runs along the river," notes James A., and several campers mention the convenience of walking straight from camp to explore.

Water activities: At ACE Adventure Resort, visitors can enjoy both river and lake recreation. "The main one is the Lake with multiple giant anchored inflatables to play on for all ages. Others include white water rafting (day trips and overnighters), ziplines, mud course, biking and more," explains Terah J.

Mountain biking: Arrowhead Bike Farm offers direct access to bike trails. "They have an assortment of accessible bike trails, bike shop, AMAZING FOOD, spectacular local beers and PBR, GOAT PENS, camping, a pump track, and lots of cool things to do in the local area," states Aspen H.

Fishing opportunities: The region offers freshwater fishing, with some campers specifically coming to fish. At Army Camp, visitors can "swim in the river or fish" according to Billy C., while Glade Creek offers "a big beach area to play in the water" that's "perfect for my dog and kid," according to Aly E.

What campers like

Natural water features: Campers consistently rate sites with river access highly. At Glade Creek Campground, "The creek joins the New River here, you can hear the water from the sites," notes Juliana. The flowing water creates a peaceful soundscape at many campgrounds.

Affordability: Several free camping options exist in the area. At Glade Creek, Aly E. reports "all sites have fire pits and picnic tables and there's tons of wood around to burn," while noting "two pit toilet restrooms on both sides of the campground."

Privacy between sites: At Chestnut Creek Campground, "There are lots of trees in between many of the sites for great privacy," writes Debra W., and "the site was large with lots of trees," according to Linda L.

Clean facilities: Despite being primitive, many campgrounds maintain clean restrooms. Little Beaver State Park offers "Cleanest bathrooms and showers I've seen," according to Todd S., who also appreciated the "daily trash pickup."

What you should know

Reservation systems vary: Most National Park Service campgrounds operate on a first-come, first-served basis. Glade Creek sites "filled and vacated several times throughout the weekend," according to Gage W., suggesting regular turnover.

Limited services: Many primitive sites lack drinking water. At Stone Cliff Campground, there are "trash bins and restroom located nearby" but "No cell phone service," states James A.

Weather considerations: Flash flooding can affect riverside camping. At Grandview Sandbar, Chaz M. notes "this was a peaceful, nice area but when there is a lot of rain there is definitely the chance it'll flood."

Noise factors: Some campgrounds experience regular train noise. At Grandview Sandbar, Mystic S. reports "there is a train station directly across the river. And trains will and do pull through every couple of hours 24/7."

Campground popularity: The free sites fill quickly, especially on weekends. "Spots fill quickly" at Army Camp according to Corda B., who recommends being prepared with "plenty of food and wood."

Tips for camping with families

Kid-friendly activities: Little Beaver State Park Campground offers "a nice playground for children" according to Michelle W., who also noted "lots of deer about" which can excite young wildlife watchers.

Swimming areas: Glade Creek features "a big beach area to play in the water so perfect for my dog and kid," according to Aly E., offering safe water access for supervised play.

Group camping considerations: Some sites accommodate multiple tents. At Stone Cliff, Dillon found "plenty of room for 4 tents right along the river," making it suitable for family outings.

Seasonal timing: Visit in early fall for moderate temperatures and fewer insects. Todd S. found Little Beaver had "spacious, private" sites in September with walking trails connected to the campsites.

RV tips

Access challenges: Many campgrounds have narrow, steep access roads. At Army Camp, Kristi D. notes "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."

Limited hookup options: For those needing electric and water, Little Beaver State Park has "16 sites with water and 30 sites with both electric and water. Some of the sites are pull throughs which could accommodate big rigs," according to Mary S.

Leveling requirements: Prepare for uneven terrain at some campgrounds. At Arrowhead Bike Farm, Tanner W. reports that "site 5 was very un-level," highlighting the importance of bringing leveling blocks.

Dump station availability: Little Beaver offers a dump station that Marshall P. described as having "water and electric. Sites have water and electric," making it suitable for shorter RV stays without full hookups.