Camping in Summersville, West Virginia centers around Summersville Lake, providing options from primitive tent sites to full-service RV campgrounds and cabin rentals. Mountain Lake Campground and Cabins offers diverse accommodation types including tent camping, RV sites with hookups, cabins, and glamping options. Battle Run Campground provides established sites with electric hookups along the shoreline. The region also includes free primitive camping at Gauley Tailwaters Campground, located below Summersville Dam, appealing to budget-conscious adventurers and outdoor enthusiasts.
Most campgrounds in the Summersville area operate seasonally, with the main camping season running from April through October. Mountain Lake Campground operates from April 15 to October 31, while Battle Run is open from May 1 until Columbus Day. Several sites require reservations, especially during summer weekends when waterfront locations fill quickly. Winter camping options are limited, with only a few campgrounds like Summersville Lake Retreat remaining open year-round for RVs. Roads within campgrounds can present challenges, particularly for larger vehicles. "The road to area 4 was horrendous to be pulling a camper. Had to use 4Low to creep out. It should be paved, no exceptions for that hill," noted one visitor about Mountain Lake Campground.
Waterfront camping receives consistently high ratings from visitors who appreciate the clear water and scenic shorelines of Summersville Lake. Campground amenities vary widely across the area, with some offering extensive facilities like playgrounds, mini-golf, swimming pools, and ice cream shops, while others provide only basic services. Several campers mention the spaciousness of sites at Mountain Lake Campground as a significant advantage. "Mountain Lake Campground is a large campground with four different main sections. All of the spaces that we saw seem to be quite spacious, and many of them are shaded at least in part," reported one reviewer. Gauley Tailwaters Campground, though primitive, earns praise for its free camping with basic amenities and riverside location. Many visitors note the convenient access to recreational activities like boating, fishing, kayaking, and rock climbing opportunities nearby.
"Best camp ground in Summersville lot of things you keep the kids occupied"
"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."
$24 - $40 / night
"Whether it's weekend camping with friends/ family or some where to crash after a long day on the lake/ river you won't regret staying in beautiful West Virginia."
"This campground is situated on gorgeous Summersville Lake!"
"there are bathrooms and tap water, but no electrical or showers. you park right next to your tent. you can walk down to the gauley river. you may see many white water rafters here for this reason."
"You can hike trails to the river, even to a beautiful swimming spot just below the dam and camping sites!"
$40 - $56 / night
"I’m 42 yrs old and I’ve been camping at Summersville Lake since shortly after I was given birth too( no joke)! Therefore I’ve been camping at Summersville for my whole life!"
"Summersville is a pretty lake. Fayetteville is close & a really cute town. Bridge Day happens at a near bye bridge over the New River."
$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!"
$10 - $11 / night
"It is a nice little campground near New river gorge bridge and Summersville lake. It is a heavily forest area with lots of sing birds. The owner was friendly."
"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."
$15 - $50 / night
"A 3 mile drive to long point trailhead and only 20 minutes from the beautiful Summersville lake. The campground has a bathhouse and store but we didn’t use either so can’t comment on those amenities."
"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."
$9 - $34 / night
"And about 30 mins south of summersville lake!"
"Easy to find, sites are tucked into the woods with a lot of space, good shower rooms. We enjoyed it!"
$30 - $40 / night
"I told them I did not have these capabilities in my rig and they gave me sole access to the handicapped shower."
"The owner goes around the campground at 430p offering firewood for $5/bundle. The view from our full hookup campsite is hands down amazing!! We're situated directly on the New River in Gauley Bridge."
$7 - $69 / night
"This spot was a short drive away from awesome rock climbing in the New River Gorge."
"The white water rafting was incredible and the staff all around was FANTASTIC. The only downside would be the campsites (tent camping) being very close to one another."
TravelerBabcock SP is a nice out of the way park. Great base to explore New River Gorge with plenty of local history it could be a trip on its own.
Bathrooms were remodeled a few years ago and very clean, and they have laundry facilities.
TravelerThis was one of the quietest campgrounds I've ever been to. I heard owls and coyotes overnight which was nice! Super clean bathhouse too. The tent sites are a little small and some are on a slope, especially the ones on the outer loop. 18 was good, just a bit small and in a bend of a road which made me feel a little exposed. All in all, not a bad place to camp for a day or two.
ScoutBeautiful quiet place
ScoutVery nice, clean and spacious. This free boondocking campground does not have any hookups or utilities, but the beauty of the surounding mountans, the view down the valley and the songs of the birds makes this campsite priceless. The vault toilets were clean and stocked. Each site has a picnic table, standing grill and a firepit. Looking forward to seeing the stars this evening in this shielded valley.
ScoutSpent a night here, everything needed for tent camping (although there was plenty of room for RVs), easily collectible wood in the surrounding area. This campground is off the main train tracts so I didn't hear any trains throughout the night.
TravelerWe are here off season so there aren’t a lot of other campers but it is beautiful, quiet and very well kept.
LegendCranberry River dispersed camping along Forest Road 76 offers quiet, scenic, riverside primitive campsites with excellent fishing and easy access to the surrounding wilderness. We stayed a couple of nights at Site 8 and had great river access with only a small amount of road traffic. There were campers at about five other sites during our stay, but it still felt peaceful and spread out. With inexpensive sites spaced along roughly five miles of road, this is a great area to camp. Roads like this in West Virginia are home to some of my favorite campsites, and we will definitely be back.
Check out all the sites with GPS locations in our video.
https://youtu.be/q6G3fhvmfoY
LegendSummit Lake Campground is a quiet, clean campground in the Monongahela National Forest. I stayed one night and really enjoyed the fishing on the lake. The campground wasn’t busy, the sites were well maintained, and it was a relaxing place to spend the night surrounded by nature.
Check out the 360° Drive through showing all the sites.
https://youtu.be/GxE0sj5xZ98
LegendWe stayed at Cranberry Campground for one night and really enjoyed how quiet and peaceful it was. There were only a couple of other campers in the campground, and we were able to get a site in the back away from them, which made it feel like we had the place to ourselves. The campground is spacious, well kept, and surrounded by forest, making it a great spot to relax and unwind. If you’re looking for a quiet National Forest campground with plenty of room and a secluded feel, this is a great place to stay.
Check out our 360° video that shows all campground and sites.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FlTOJ_YkSKg
Camping spots near Summersville, West Virginia offer more than just proximity to the lake. Located in the Appalachian Plateau region at elevations averaging 1,800 feet, the area experiences relatively mild summers with temperatures rarely exceeding 85°F. The surrounding Nicholas County terrain features both steep forested hillsides and flat plateaus, creating diverse camping experiences from riverside sites to mountain settings.
Hiking near the dam: Gauley Tailwaters Campground provides access to trails leading directly to the river. "This place provides an amazing view of the gauley river just below the dam! You can hike trails to the river, even to a beautiful swimming spot just below the dam and camping sites!" reports Ashley W.
Watersports beyond the lake: While Summersville Lake is well-known, the nearby New River offers different water experiences. At New River Campground, "You can fish right from your site" and it's "a great place for kayaks," according to Jim C. and Nikhil.
Climbing opportunities: The region features excellent rock climbing options. According to Ruby W. at Gauley Tailwaters Campground, the area is "Very close to Summersville Lake, where there is a lot of boating, deep water soloing, and hiking." Paul P. notes it's "Known by kayakers and rock climbers."
Historical exploration: Visit historical sites like the nearby grist mill. At Babcock State Park, "The beautiful gift shop was once a former park restaurant of a bygone era" and "three remaining gristmills from around the state were dismantled and rebuilt into one at the present location over 30 years ago," according to Dave V.
Budget-friendly options: Free camping at Gauley Tailwaters appeals to cost-conscious campers. Amber W. calls it the "Best free camping, HANDS DOWN" with "flat & comfortable sites" and notes it's "Close to any store you may need."
Riverside views: Many campers appreciate waterfront access. At New River Campground, Kenneth K. describes "Beautiful night along the New River! Waterfront tent site with access to clean, personal bathrooms/showers assigned to each site." Thomas H. adds, "The spots on the river are darn near in the river lol. It is really cool being that close to the river."
Wooded privacy: For those seeking seclusion, Rays Campground offers natural separation between sites. Tyler H. calls it a "Hidden Gem" with "large and secluded" sites, while tawney notes, "The tent area I stay in Is very spacious and often you cant see any neighbors unless traveling to the shower house."
Swimming access: Many campgrounds offer direct water access. Battle Run receives praise for its "large beach area" and "super clean" water. Jason Y. notes it has "several site right on the lake" and "a large beach area."
Reservation timing: The most popular waterfront sites fill extremely quickly. Jason Y. warns that Battle Run is "Very hard to get sites. Must be booked 6 months in advance." Plan accordingly, especially for summer weekends.
Road conditions: Some campground access roads present challenges. At Mountain Lake Campground and Cabins, Fred R. cautions, "The road to 4 was horrendous to be pulling a camper. Had to use 4Low to creep out." Similarly, at New River Campground, Chris S. notes, "The drive from Rt 19 to the campground is 8% grades both uphill and down, with twists, turns, and practical uturns with my 35ft."
Bathroom facilities vary: Quality of facilities differs significantly between campgrounds. At Chestnut Creek Campground, Lisa K. describes "Nice bathhouse with good hot water and water pressure," while at Rifrafters Campground, Jaime H. found "The bathrooms weren't in any where close to great shape."
Weather considerations: The region can experience severe storms. Patience W. at Rifrafters Campground recommends being prepared: "We stopped in one night on our way back to Pennsylvania. We had a lovely stay and the hosts were so hospitable."
Playground proximity: Choose sites near play areas. At Mountain Lake Campground, Nick C. recommends 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 local campgrounds offer nature encounters. At Adventures on the Gorge - Mill Creek, Fred R. mentions "friendly skunks visit every night. They keep the Raccoons away and didn't spray any one or any dogs." At Babcock State Park, Carissa V. suggests families "pack a lunch" as there are "Great areas for picnics."
Multiple activity options: Some sites offer extensive recreation beyond swimming. At Mountain Lake Campground, Fred J. reports, "This place is huge! There is so much to see and do" including "the mini golf was fun" and "the ice cream store was also satisfying."
Educational opportunities: The region provides learning experiences for children. Babcock State Park offers historical structures where "the beautiful gift shop was once a former park restaurant of a bygone era" according to Dave V., making it perfect for explaining local history to children.
Limited hookup options: Many sites lack full hookups. Thomas H. notes about New River Campground: "The sites are gravel, or at least the patio area is" and "I put my passenger side wheels just on the edge of the gravel patio so my entry steps wouldn't be in the mud and I was nearly level."
Site selection strategy: Look for specific locations within larger campgrounds. At Summersville Lake Retreat & Lighthouse, Larry M. advises, "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."
Connectivity issues: Cell service varies significantly. At New River Campground, Sammii D. warns, "Verizon service is terrible. Perfect for the weekend getaway but not during work hours. AT&T is flawless though."
Seasonal maintenance differences: Some campgrounds have better upkeep depending on the season. Rachel S. at Adventures on the Gorge mentions, "Bathhouses were very clean, firewood was delivered which made things easy. Be prepared to dry camp as there are no water hookups."
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Summersville, WV?
According to TheDyrt.com, Summersville, WV offers a wide range of camping options, with 125 campgrounds and RV parks near Summersville, WV and 3 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Summersville, WV?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Summersville, WV is Mountain Lake Campground and Cabins with a 4.3-star rating from 19 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Summersville, WV?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 3 free dispersed camping spots near Summersville, WV.
What parks are near Summersville, WV?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 26 parks near Summersville, WV that allow camping, notably Summersville Lake and Sutton Lake.
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