New River Gorge National Park offers primitive camping sites within 30 miles of Saulsville, West Virginia. Situated at elevations between 1,400-2,800 feet, the area features a humid continental climate with four distinct seasons. Tent camping areas often sit on former coal mining lands, providing unique historical context to camping experiences in this region.
What to do
Riverside fishing: Try your luck at Army Camp Campground along the New River. The area allows fishing access with convenient shoreline sites. "Area for people to swim in the river or fish. One trail on far side of parking area that I haven't been on yet," notes Billy C.
Hiking to waterfalls: Explore multiple waterfall trails near Twin Falls Resort State Park. The park offers varied difficulty levels across numerous trails. "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!" recommends Tiffany A.
Wildlife viewing: Look for deer and other animals throughout park areas. Many campers report excellent wildlife sightings, especially during morning and evening hours. "I had so many deer along the roadways that loved to pose for pictures," shares Tom H. about his Twin Falls Resort experience.
What campers like
Clean bathrooms: Little Beaver State Park offers well-maintained shower facilities. Campers consistently rate the bathroom facilities highly. "Bathrooms are traditional but clean and functioning well. Laundry had only 1 washer and 1 dryer," notes Adam and Suzanne B.
Free camping options: Several no-cost sites exist within New River Gorge National Park. These primitive sites provide basic amenities without fees. "You can't beat an established campground (picnic tables, fire pits, bathrooms) in a national park that's also free!" remarks Rachel S. about her stay at Army Camp.
Open year-round sites: Some campgrounds remain accessible during winter months. This provides camping options regardless of season. "All sites are paved and some have electric hook ups. The bathhouse has heated, clean showers (score!). Digging this campground because it's open year round and the hiking trails are plentiful," explains Prim about Twin Falls.
What you should know
Flood risk: Riverside camping areas can experience rapid water rises. Monitoring weather conditions is essential when camping near water. "This was a peaceful, nice area but when there is a lot of rain there is definitely the chance it'll flood," warns Chaz M. about Grandview Sandbar Campground.
Train noise: Some camping areas sit near active train lines. Be prepared for occasional noise disturbances. "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," Mystic S. notes about Grandview Sandbar.
Limited cell service: Many campgrounds have spotty or no connectivity. Download maps and information before arrival. "No AT&T service so I only stayed two nights (gotta work during the week!). Still, it wasn't crowded and I enjoyed evening river dips before bed," shares Tucker B. about Army Camp.
Tips for camping with families
Water park access: Ace Adventure Resort offers unique water recreation for kids. The resort features lake-based inflatable attractions that children particularly enjoy. "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," describes Terah J.
Playground options: Several campgrounds include dedicated play areas for children. These provide entertainment between hiking and other activities. "A nice playground for children. Lots of deer about. The tent sites have water, fire ring, table and nice shade," recommends Michelle W. about Little Beaver State Park.
Yurt camping: Saulsville, West Virginia area offers family-friendly yurt accommodations. These structures provide more comfort than tents while maintaining an outdoor experience. "We stayed in a big tent with 3 other people and had plenty of room," notes Corda B. about her camping experience near New River Gorge.
Tips from RVers
Leveling challenges: Babcock State Park sites may require careful setup for larger rigs. RVers should bring leveling equipment. "Many sites looked like it may take some work to get level. We were in site 20 with a 23 ft TT and got level fairly easily but a longer rig may have difficulty in that site," advises Adam and Suzanne B.
Road access considerations: Some campgrounds have difficult approach roads. Be cautious when selecting sites for larger vehicles. "Make sure your truck/vehicle towing is not underrated for what you're pulling as it is a lot of big uphill elevation and tons of windy roads and tight turns," warns Austin-Tarra G. about Twin Falls Resort.
Limited hookup options: Many campgrounds offer only partial connections. Plan for more self-contained camping. "Sites have water and electric. fairly level gravel sites. Dump site was a little different. Had to make a uturn to get in to dump," explains Charlie W. about Little Beaver State Park.
