Best Campgrounds near Scarbro, WV

The New River Gorge National Park area near Scarbro, West Virginia contains numerous camping options ranging from primitive tent sites to full-service RV campgrounds. Established facilities include Rifrafters Campground in Fayetteville with 40 sites offering water and electric hookups for tents, RVs, and cabin rentals, while Army Camp provides free dispersed camping within the national park boundaries. Ace Adventure Resort offers additional lodging with tent sites, RV spots, cabins, and glamping accommodations alongside adventure activities. The region features both public lands with basic amenities and private campgrounds with full hookups, primarily concentrated along the New River corridor.

Seasonal considerations heavily impact camping availability around Scarbro, with many sites operating only from April through October or November. Several campgrounds in the national park feature primitive facilities with vault toilets but no drinking water or hookups, while others like Babcock State Park Campground provide more developed sites with electric, water, and sewer connections. Campground roads in wildlife management areas and dispersed sites often require careful navigation. Some camping areas remain open year-round for RVs but close tent camping during winter months. One visitor noted, "Long, bumpy dirt road to reach the campsite—it could be fun in the right vehicle. Decent sites, heavily wooded. Luckily we had an axe, we had to chop a tree that fell overnight blocking the road out of the campsite."

Proximity to outdoor recreation drives many camping experiences in the area. Campgrounds provide convenient access to whitewater rafting, hiking trails, and fishing at locations like Plum Orchard Lake Wildlife Management Area. Basic sites at Grandview Sandbar and Stone Cliff campgrounds within the national park boundaries attract visitors seeking more rustic experiences with river access. A camper described their experience at Ace Adventure Resort: "Beautiful mountain top camping at Ace! Peaceful, spacious and unmatched scenery. Hiking trails all over the mountain and a fun water park at the end." Many campers appreciate the central location for exploring the gorge, with multiple reviews highlighting the convenience for adventures throughout the New River Gorge area while enjoying varied camping experiences from primitive to resort-style accommodations.

Best Camping Sites Near Scarbro, West Virginia (114)

    1. Rifrafters Campground

    30 Reviews
    Fayetteville, WV
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (304) 564-1065

    $15 - $50 / night

    "Some really great beer places close by as well. Nice a shady too. I’d like to go back and do some exploring around the area. Just be careful with what gps app you use."

    "They walked us to our site and helped us back into our spot. Everything worked well with all of the hookups. It was a quiet and clean campground."

    2. Grandview Sandbar Campground — New River Gorge National Park and Preserve

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

    "New River, just outside of Prince, WV off Route 41 offers upclose and personal riverside camping."

    "Through Traffic: Access to the boat ramp is through the campground. Though, traffic is minimal, folks on the way to the ramp and picnic area often drive pretty fast."

    3. Stone Cliff Campground — New River Gorge National Park and Preserve

    17 Reviews
    Thurmond, WV
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (304) 465-0508

    "Tucked away by the river past Thurmond. Great secluded sites. Trailhead for hiking from camp."

    "We put our tent a few feet away from the water facing the river and our canopy further up in the woods by the firepit."

    4. Ace Adventure Resort

    15 Reviews
    Thurmond, WV
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (800) 787-3982

    $15 - $600 / night

    "Nearby are showers and restrooms. They have individual rooms that can be locked that has the restroom in with the shower stall. Lots of biking and equestrian trails available."

    "We were able to go whitewater rafting one day and then explored the surrounding area on another day. The resort is awesome. They have cabins and they have hot tubs."

    5. Chestnut Creek Campground

    21 Reviews
    Lansing, WV
    10 miles
    Website

    $10 - $11 / night

    "Great tent campground very near the New River gorge and close by Summerville Lake and the Gulley River. Multiple campsites in heavily forested area. Drive up to the sites."

    "They have showers and clean bathrooms just a short walk from any site. All sites are big and you can pick from any available. The host is just a text or call away and he replies very quickly."

    6. Babcock State Park Campground

    25 Reviews
    Winona, WV
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (304) 438-3004

    $33 / night

    "The most photographed place in west Virginia is the grist mill. Awesome trails all around."

    "Babcock State Park, located in the thriving megapolis of Clifton, West Virginia is postcard perfect!"

    7. Glade Creek Campground — New River Gorge National Park and Preserve

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

    "There is five drive-in sites and more walk-in sites on the edge of the camp. The drive-in sites filled and vacated several times throughout the weekend."

    "Glade Creek Campground has six (6) walk-in tent sites and five (5) drive in sites inside the loop for tents or medium sized RV/Campers."

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

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

    "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."

    "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."

    9. Arrowhead Bike Farm

    11 Reviews
    Fayetteville, WV
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (304) 900-5501

    $10 - $85 / night

    "Great campground adjacent to New River Gorge National Park. Within a short walk/bike to multiple biking and hiking trailheads. Close enough to bike into Fayetteville (a cool little town)."

    "Good amenities plenty of space, and walking distance from some of the best views in the park!"

    10. Little Beaver State Park Campground

    19 Reviews
    Daniels, WV
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (304) 763-2494

    $35 - $40 / night

    "This CCC State Park is very picturesque and has several hiking trails and the man-made lake is small but offers plenty of recreation possibilities. I found the layout a little strange."

    "This campground is situated in the woods, near Lake. Has a good WFI everywhere, very clean and quiet."

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Recent Reviews near Scarbro, WV

547 Reviews of 114 Scarbro Campgrounds


  • Tracy B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 25, 2025

    Summersville Lake Retreat & Lighthouse

    Great for the whole family

    The staff here is wonderful. You check in in a fantastic little gift shop adjacent to the lighthouse The gift shop has everything from mugs to camping needs.. and a lovely selection of local wine (seasonally) The lighthouse who's moved here by the last owners and designed interiorly by local students there is a person on staff and the area is password-controlled we tent camped it was very safe there was a low number of animals from what we could see they had accommodations of small campers for up to four people and then they have several regular size lodges they have a firewood service until 7:00 p.m. where they deliver would directly to your site and charge it to your listed card... absolutely a return spot

  • Irene C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 18, 2025

    Ace Adventure Resort

    Everything in one place

    Great place. The bathroom/showers were not great but I’m told they are updating those this summer. We came during Bridge Day but I would definitely come back in the summer.

  • AThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 18, 2025

    Chestnut Creek Campground

    Great Spot

    This is the spot to be if you're visiting the NRG area and want a chill experience as opposed to the party atmosphere that goes on at the outfitters. Sites are primitive with plenty of trees for and shade and hammocks. The owner is super nice and very helpful.

  • Irene C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 17, 2025

    Hilltop Sunrise - Half acre RV Site with full hookups

    Hospitable convenience

    Easy access area. The host is friendly and accommodating. We used the 110 electric for overnight in my campervan, but the hilltop tent with outdoor shower is very cute. I would stay here again.

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 5, 2025

    Babcock State Park Campground

    Spacious campground. Near RiverGorge National Park

    The facilities were clean and well maintained. Babcock State Park has access to trails, a scenic drive, grist mill, and souvenir store. WIFI is slow but there is a WiFi lounge at park store. No food store or restaurants nearby. Limited large rig sites and roadways are very narrow.

  • Aly E.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 3, 2025

    Grandview Sandbar Campground — New River Gorge National Park and Preserve

    Great area!

    This was near the water with pit toilets available but not in good condition. Areas to fish and good camping areas spaced apart. Friday night and there was only a few campers. If it’s full glade creek is four miles up the road and our personal favorite. So plenty of options and both great spots!

  • Aly E.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 3, 2025

    Glade Creek Campground — New River Gorge National Park and Preserve

    New favorite!

    This area is our favorite we have been in all of the eastern states. So the sites all have fire pits and picnic tables and there’s tons of wood around to burn. There’s two pit toilet restrooms on both sides of the campground and a full area by the water for walk in tent camping. Boat ramp for anyone wanting to kayak and a big beach area to play in the water so perfect for my dog and kid. No one was around so we had the place to ourselves but each area is well spaced.

  • SkywaystoHighways.com Y.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 30, 2025

    Babcock State Park Campground

    All the Amenities and then some!

    We truly enjoyed our stay at this park. Its peacefully serene setting was exactly what we needed after a weekend long festival. Ya just can’t beat a free hot shower with great water pressure and affordable laundry facilities! Ya know?! Nice trails to forage and nearby Gristmill to top it all off. If we’d had the time, we would’ve stayed an extra night.


Guide to Scarbro

Camping opportunities near Scarbro, West Virginia cluster along the New River at elevations between 1,300-2,500 feet. The region experiences distinct seasonal changes with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F and winter lows frequently dropping below freezing. Most primitive campsites in the area lack cell service, with spotty coverage at established campgrounds primarily limited to major carriers like Verizon.

What to do

Fishing access: 30 minutes from campsites at Plum Orchard Lake Wildlife Management Area, where the sandbar areas provide exceptional river fishing. "This is an exceptionally well maintained camping area. There are 2 separate pit toilet bathrooms with dumpsters, one by the dispersed camping and one by the main parking area," notes a camper who appreciated the clean facilities.

Trail hiking: Under 15 minutes from most Fayetteville area campgrounds. "The trailhead at the top of the campground was beautiful for hiking. Not great for trail runners though," reports one visitor to Glade Creek Campground. Multiple trails connect directly to camping areas.

Mountain biking: $25-45 daily rentals available at Arrowhead Bike Farm, which combines camping with immediate trail access. One visitor describes it as having "an assortment of accessible bike trails, bike shop, AMAZING FOOD (tacos, pretzels, spinach artichoke dip, etc.) spectacular local beers and PBR, GOAT PENS, camping, a pump track, and lots of cool things to do in the local area."

What campers like

Riverside privacy: Sites spaced 50+ feet apart at primitive camping areas like Army Camp, which offers a quieter experience than commercial campgrounds. "Army Camp is my favorite place to camp. 10 tent sites. 2 are handicap. Has always been quiet with good people camping while I was here. Area for people to swim in the river or fish," notes a regular visitor.

Clean facilities at state parks: Daily maintenance makes a difference at parks like Little Beaver State Park. "Sites with water and electric hookup 1-20. Spacious, private. We had #9. Level..walking trail system connected to camp sites. Cleanest bathrooms and showers I've seen. Cute little store for firewood...they bring to you. Daily trash pickup."

Wildlife viewing opportunities: Dawn and dusk deer sightings common at forested campgrounds. "The campground is situated in the woods, near Lake. Has a good WFI everywhere, very clean and quiet," reports one visitor to Little Beaver State Park, where woodland creatures frequent the camping loops.

What you should know

Limited water sources: No drinking water available at Stone Cliff Campground and other primitive sites. "I used one of the walk in sites about half a mile into the trail. There was plenty of room for 4 tents right along the river. It was a little rocky, but nothing a sleeping pad wouldn't take care of," explains one camper who came prepared for basic conditions.

Road conditions vary significantly: Many campgrounds require navigating gravel access roads. "Long, bumpy dirt road to reach the campsite—it could be fun in the right vehicle," notes one camper about road conditions common to wildlife management areas.

Seasonal floods affect riverside camps: Spring rains can cause rapid water level changes. "We stayed the weekend of 3/13/20-3/15/20 and had fairly good weather despite the damp mornings. There is five drive-in sites and more walk-in sites on the edge of the camp. The drive-in sites filled and vacated several times throughout the weekend," reports a Glade Creek camper, noting the popularity despite occasional challenging conditions.

Tips for camping with families

Playground access: Dedicated play areas at established campgrounds provide entertainment for children. "A nice playground for children. Lots of deer about. The tent sites have water, fire ring, table and nice shade. Lots of lovely trails to explore. It was quiet and super clean," notes a family who visited Little Beaver State Park.

Water activities: Summer swimming spots available at several locations. One family at Rifrafters Campground appreciated the central location: "We stopped for 2 nights as part of a big cross country trip. The campground is clean and well maintained. It is very much built into a big hill- I was a little worried our Avion (similar to airstream) that had low clearance would bottom out as we came in and out of entrance hill to road but we had no issue."

Private cabin options: $75-150 nightly for families wanting more comfort. "We chose this campground because it's proximity to the main hub of New River Gorge. It was definitely quick and easy to get to from the main headquarters of the park," shared a family appreciating the convenience of Rifrafters Campground's location.

Tips from RVers

Site selection priorities: Focus on leveling: Many campgrounds built on slopes require additional equipment. "We just used this park for a night stop over on our return trip from SC. Beautiful park. Had water and electric. Fairly level gravel sites. Dump site was a little different. Had to make a uturn to get in to dump," notes an RVer at Little Beaver State Park Campground.

Hook-up availability limited: Most primitive sites lack hookups entirely. At Rifrafters Campground, one RVer shared: "Up front is a regular campground but we are in the back, secluded and peaceful. Site 34. There are about 8 nice sites out back with water and electricity. Ken and staff are good. We were here in a travel trailer."

Seasonal restrictions: Many campgrounds close to RVs November-March: Winter camping options severely limited. "We didn't have reservations but the manager told us to text him when we arrived after hours. Charge was per person not per site, but reasonable at $15. This seams to be common practice in the area. No electric or water at site but bathhouse with showers," explains a camper who found Chestnut Creek Campground open when others had closed.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Scarbro, WV?

According to TheDyrt.com, Scarbro, WV offers a wide range of camping options, with 114 campgrounds and RV parks near Scarbro, WV and 1 free dispersed camping spot.

Which is the most popular campground near Scarbro, WV?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Scarbro, WV is Rifrafters Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 30 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Scarbro, WV?

According to TheDyrt.com, there is 1 free dispersed camping spot near Scarbro, WV.

What parks are near Scarbro, WV?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 27 parks near Scarbro, WV that allow camping, notably New River Gorge National River and Summersville Lake.