Nestled in the mountainous region of southern West Virginia, Scarbro sits at approximately 1,800 feet elevation with terrain characterized by steep wooded hills and valleys. The area experiences four distinct seasons with warm summers reaching into the 80s and cold winters that can drop below freezing. Camping options near Scarbro range from primitive riverside sites to upscale glamping accommodations, with peak season running May through October when temperatures remain most moderate.
What to do
Riverside fishing spots: Grandview Sandbar Campground offers direct water access for anglers. "Areas to fish and good camping areas spaced apart. Friday night and there was only a few campers," notes one visitor. The New River provides excellent smallmouth bass fishing opportunities throughout the warmer months.
Trail exploration: 20+ miles of diverse hiking paths. Babcock State Park Campground features numerous hiking trails across its 4,127 acres. "Hiking was great and my young children hiked all of it with us," shares one camper. The park's trail system accommodates various skill levels with routes through forests, along streams, and past historic structures.
Winter activities: Limited but available. Though most campgrounds operate seasonally, some cabin accommodations remain open year-round. "We stayed in one of the cabins for Christmas. We were one of a handful of visitors staying at that time of year. The cabins are heated, which kept us plenty warm in the middle of winter," reports a winter visitor at Adventures on the Gorge.
What campers like
Private bathroom facilities: Many campers appreciate individual shower rooms. At Army Camp Campground, "Spots are large enough to fit 2 vehicles. Sites are gravel with fire pit, charcoal grill, and picnic table. Spots are shaded. Easy access to river, able to hear it from campsite. Very clean pit toilet bathroom."
Proximity to New River Gorge National Park: Location serves as key advantage for many sites. "You can't beat an established campground (picnic tables, fire pits, bathrooms) in a national park that's also free! Good amount of spiders and ants but didn't notice any mosquitoes in mid May," notes one Army Camp visitor.
Free camping options: Budget-conscious travelers appreciate no-cost sites. "This is a busier campground with the public access boat ramp and very busy on weekends. A very popular spot for locals. While alcohol is prohibited, there was substantial physical evidence to the contrary, mere steps from the dumpster," explains one reviewer about Grandview Sandbar.
What you should know
Seasonal flooding risks: River-adjacent sites can experience rapid water level changes. At Army Camp, one camper noted: "When breaking camp, it was noted the New River had encroached another 100ft through the woodland, flowing alongside the campground loop gravel drive...30 ft from our tent pad. Even though it had not rained in 18 hours, the New River continued to swell."
Train noise disruptions: Some campsites experience regular train disturbances. At Grandview Sandbar, a camper reported: "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. That includes during the night, yes. Ear plugs only did so much for me."
Campsite availability patterns: Little Beaver State Park Campground offers predictable availability. "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," shares a visitor. Most campgrounds fill quickly on summer weekends but remain relatively open midweek.
Tips for camping with families
Playground proximity consideration: When booking, request sites near play areas. At Mountain Lake Campground and Cabins, one family shared: "We took site 269 for the proximity to one of the little playgrounds and easy walk to bathrooms. We had a great time and it was easy to let our 3 year old play while we setup."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Many campsites offer animal sighting chances. "The campground is very clean and the staff were very helpful. The surrounding mountains and valleys are absolutely beautiful. The New River Gorge Bridge is not too far and I highly recommend going there to see it," reports a family that experienced luxury glamping in Scarbro at Ace Adventure Resort.
Multiple bathroom options: Choose sites strategically near facilities. "Nice campground but...There is one single bath house for each level making some sites very far from a bathroom/shower," warns a Mountain Lake visitor. This becomes especially important with young children who may need frequent bathroom trips.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Many campsites require significant effort to level. At The Outpost at New River Gorge, a camper noted: "Sites really tight, all large gravel, clean but really ugly. Right on road. Some Sites no shade." Bringing additional leveling blocks is recommended for RV glamping near Scarbro.
Limited full hookup availability: Most sites offer partial connections only. "Just stayed for one night passing through and we were sad we couldn't stay longer. Sites are big and spread out. It's quiet. Walking trails all over. We had site 19 which is one of the few pull thrus. We have a triple axl, had plenty of room and the site is wooded," reports a Little Beaver visitor.
Access road considerations: Some campgrounds have challenging entry roads. "The road to 4 was horrendous to be pulling a camper. Had to use 4Low to creep out. It should be paved, no exceptions for that hill," warns a Mountain Lake RVer. Researching access details before booking prevents unexpected difficulties when arriving with larger rigs.
