Stephen R.
Guide
GuideBabcock State Park Campground
Very nice camping and mill near by
Glamping near Shady Spring, WV
Search destinations
Add dates
Adventures on the Gorge and Ace Adventure Resort offer boutique glamping options in the heart of West Virginia's dramatic New River Gorge landscape. These unique sites provide an elevated outdoor experience with safari-style canvas tents, wooden platforms, and luxury yurts outfitted with real beds, electricity, and heating options for year-round comfort. According to a camper, "The staff are friendly and attentive. We enjoyed several of the hiking trails and other features. The campground also has a coin operated laundry facility that we used during our stay." Both locations maintain pristine grounds with fire pits, picnic tables, and convenient access to shower facilities while offering the luxury camping comforts not found in traditional campgrounds, including premium linens, private seating areas, and climate control options for seasonal stays.
The dramatic landscape surrounding these glamping resorts provides a natural backdrop for whitewater rafting, rock climbing, and hiking expeditions. Each glamping site sits within minutes of the New River Gorge National Park's most picturesque viewpoints, with several offering direct river access for fishing or kayaking. One visitor noted, "The area around the campground has some of the most amazing scenery I've ever seen. The New River Gorge Bridge and the National Park visitor center is a very short drive away, the river offers great fishing, and recreation opportunities include whitewater rafting and hiking." On-site amenities typically include adventure planning services, equipment rentals, and guided excursions. Local restaurants in nearby Fayetteville and Oak Hill provide farm-to-table dining experiences, while some glamping sites offer food service directly at the resort for guests seeking complete immersion in their natural surroundings.
Best Glamping Campgrounds near Shady Spring (18)
1. Little Beaver State Park Campground
"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."
"The bathhouse is very clean with great water pressure and hot water. There is also a small laundry room. Sites have water and electric. "
Check Availabilityfrom $35 - $50 / night
2. Grandview Sandbar Campground — New River Gorge National Park and Preserve
"We came in and drove through the drive up sites, but there was no question once we saw the riverfront walk-in sites. Flat sanded area, riverfront with little beaches lining the river, and a bathroom."
"I heard from several people that the walk-in spots can get pretty rowdy with locals. The pull-in spots were fine. Picnic table, fire ring, grill, camping pad."
3. Army Camp — New River Gorge National Park and Preserve
"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."
"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."
4. Babcock State Park Campground
"Since we were traveling in the summer and brought our dogs along, we needed a spot where we could leave our doggos in a safe and air conditioned space while we explored."
"Babcock State Park, located in the thriving megapolis of Clifton, West Virginia is postcard perfect!"
Check Availabilityfrom $33 / night
5. Rifrafters Campground
"The campy was absolutely overrun with Scouts from all over the world, and the owners and staff managed the situation admirably!"
"and staff are very friendly and helpful. Close to local towns for services. The full hook up RV sites seem crowded, but the electric only sites were spacious and shady."
Check Availabilityfrom $15 - $50 / night
6. Ace Adventure Resort
"The area and cabins looked very cozy and welcoming; however, I didn’t stay in one. We hiked and ran in the trail system on site. Beautiful vistas and great opportunities for many activities."
"We stayed in their tent camping site, and there were plenty fire pits and picnic tables, but it was a little unclear where the sites started and ended."
Check Availabilityfrom $15 - $600 / night
7. West Virginia Adventures Campground
"Huge driving area, no problem maneuvering. Very simple set up. Nice bath house. RV spots are nice concrete pads and pretty level. Hookups work. Wide open skies- great for solar."
"Staff was excellent, had a great time camping and rafting. Bath house was clean. Will definitely come back again."
8. Twin Falls Resort State Park Campground
"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."
"I chose this particular place because it was two hours away from family that we had not seen in a while. Coming from South MS, I had no idea how stunning WV would be."
9. The Outpost at New River Gourge
"They have a large community center w/ clean bathrooms, a large green area w/ fire pits and a ton of space for a dog to run around in."
"The regular tent sites that you can drive in to are a bit crowded, but there are more secluded walk-in tent sites."
10. Adventures on the Gorge - Mill Creek
"The staff were accommodating of our late-night arrival. The cabins are heated, which kept us plenty warm in the middle of winter."
"What more can you want: campground, live music, beautiful patio bar, fire pit, volleyball court, awesome people."
Check Availabilityfrom $7 - $69 / night
Drive Time
- 18 min from Beckley, WV
- 1 hr 11 min from Blacksburg, VA
Recent Glamping Photos near Shady Spring, WV
29 Photos of 18 Shady Spring Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Glamping Reviews near Shady Spring, WV
226 Reviews of 18 Shady Spring Campgrounds
- kkelly P.
ScoutThe Outpost at New River Gourge
Very nice
Great campground, very nice, clean bath house. Park is easy to find
- iilona S.
Travelermountain lake campground
Beautiful
Huge campground. Well maintained. The lake is gorgeous, great for kayaking or paddle boarding
Hannah S.
RangerThe Outpost at New River Gourge
One of the best stays near New River!
This campground provides an off the main road and in the woods experience. Tents have grassy spots and elevated platforms overlooking the area. There are several camper/RV spots along with cabins of various sizes. A calm creek runs through the property and within minutes of the New River National Park visitor center, downtown Fayetteville, and other adventure businesses.
- Stephen R.Guide
Grandview Sandbar Campground — New River Gorge National Park and Preserve
By the river
Nice place to camp very relaxing.
- AAmy S.Traveler
Army Camp — New River Gorge National Park and Preserve
Great Boondocking Spots
As others have reported, the 11 sites here are well maintained and spaced apart nicely. The road in is narrow and has a lot of low hanging limbs, so no big rigs here. It’s quiet apart from the sounds of the river and the bugs. Generators are allowed except for between 10p-6a. Verizon has no service here. Half the sites get decent exposure to charge the solar, the other half are mostly shade. The protected river bottom meant no breeze for the 5 nights we were here, so it remained hot and buggy. But overall it’s a great spot away from the madness. Most of the spots got filled every night during the week at the end of August with a lot of daily turnover, so arrive early.
- BBruce W.Guide
Army Camp — New River Gorge National Park and Preserve
Well maintained and peaceful
This was a quaint place to reset. Relaxing!
We came late and all of the sites were occupied, but when you are in a camper van the large day use parking area was perfect!
Pit toilets are clean! Not that we used them. No hookups of any kind.
Short walk to the river and some well maintained picnic benches.
- Dennis R.Traveler
Gatewood Park & Reservoir Campground
beautiful...peaceful...clean
Camped here Aug 7-11. What a great place; the hosts were fantastic and the people were very friendly. If craft beer is what you like there are four (Im sure there is more) interesting breweries within 30 miles. There are also trails to take if you are a jeepster like myself. I'm going back in Sept!
Karissa R.ScoutArmy Camp — New River Gorge National Park and Preserve
Perfect camp spot
Perfect camp spot has a fire ring and table lots of trees around
Guide to Shady Spring
Shady Spring sits at approximately 2,400 feet elevation in the Appalachian Mountains, with surrounding forests that experience vibrant fall colors from mid-October through early November. The area receives about 45 inches of annual rainfall, creating lush conditions for camping among the deciduous forests and sandstone outcroppings characteristic of this part of West Virginia.
What to do
Hiking accessible trails: Visitors to Little Beaver State Park Campground can explore several hiking trails directly from the campground. "There are miles of trails for hiking and biking. Large open field nearby gives you a great view of the sky for stargazing," shares Jean C., who appreciated the park's natural amenities.
Whitewater adventures: The New River provides thrilling kayaking and rafting experiences within 30 minutes of Shady Spring. "This area is gorgeous and should not be missed," notes Bridget H. from Ace Adventure Resort, which offers guided rafting trips starting at $109 per person.
Waterpark fun: For families seeking an alternative to wilderness activities, Ace Adventure Resort features an inflatable water park on their lake. "The main one is the Lake with multiple giant anchored inflatables to play on for all ages," explains Terah J., highlighting one of the more unique recreational options near Shady Spring.
What campers like
Free riverside camping: Budget-conscious campers appreciate the cost-free options at Grandview Sandbar Campground in the New River Gorge National Park. "Great Weather. Nice elevated fire pits at most campsites. best of all it was free (NO FEES)," mentions Ben R., highlighting the economic advantage of these primitive sites.
Private wooded sites: Campers seeking more seclusion can find it at certain campgrounds. "Sites with water and electric hookup 1-20. Spacious, private. We had #9. Level..walking trail system connected to camp sites," explains Todd S. about Little Beaver State Park, which offers sites starting at $28 per night.
Proximity to New River Gorge: Location remains a key draw for campers visiting the Shady Spring area. "The campground is a quick run over to Grandview Point at New River Gorge to catch sunrise over the horseshoe bend or to walk trails there," notes Jean C., referencing the convenient access to scenic overlooks within a 20-minute drive.
What you should know
Water safety concerns: Some campgrounds report occasional water quality issues. "We spent the weekend of the 4th of July here. My 9 year old was playing with the water spicket and scratched a bug bite. He ended up with a flesh eating bacteria from camping here," warns Angelica D. from Little Beaver State Park, suggesting campers should be cautious with water sources.
Flooding potential: The New River can rise quickly after rainfall. "This was a peaceful, nice area but when there is a lot of rain there is definitely the chance it'll flood," cautions Chaz M. about Army Camp Campground, noting a common concern for riverside camping in the region.
Limited cell service: Many campgrounds near Shady Spring have poor connectivity. "Cell reception is scarce, but that's not a problem, just an observation," mentions Todd V. about Grandview Sandbar Campground, suggesting visitors should plan offline activities and download maps in advance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular glamping
campsite near Shady Spring, WV?
Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Shady Spring, WV?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Shady Spring, WV is Little Beaver State Park Campground with a 4.3-star rating from 23 reviews.
What is the best site to find
glamping camping near
Shady Spring, WV?
What is the best site to find glamping camping near Shady Spring, WV?
TheDyrt.com has all 18 glamping camping locations near Shady Spring, WV, with real photos and reviews from campers.
Keep Exploring