Summersville Lake, at 2,800 acres with 60 miles of shoreline, offers dispersed camping options within the surrounding hills and valleys. The lake reaches depths of 327 feet with underwater remnants of the town of Gad still present. Tent campers can find free primitive sites at Army Camp, while RV campers have multiple hookup options at private facilities near the water.
What to do
River fishing access: Army Camp Campground provides shoreline fishing along the New River. "Plenty of room to hammock down by there. We were lucky and got one of the last spots, there's only 11. Fire rings with grill, and bench at each site," notes Rhys R. about the riverside setup at Army Camp.
Lighthouse viewing: Summersville Lake Retreat offers access to the only lighthouse in West Virginia. "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," explains Tracy B. about this unique Summersville Lake Retreat feature.
Mountain biking trails: Access multiple bike trails directly from Arrowhead Bike Farm. "Very nice place to camp. Spacious campsites with picnic tables and fire rings. Amazingly helpful staff. Plus there is a bar!!" says Tyler H. about the convenience of Arrowhead Bike Farm.
Historical exploration: Visit Carnifex Ferry Battlefield State Park, located 5 minutes from Battle Run Campground. "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," shares Rachel S. about the surrounding area.
What campers like
Free waterfront camping: Army Camp offers no-cost sites near the river. "It's hard to beat a free campsite right on the river. Got lucky to find a site here after trying both Grandview Sandbar and Glade's Creek on the other side of the road," states Tucker B.
Rural pastoral views: Summer Wind RV Park provides elevated vistas overlooking farmland. "Amazingly beautiful! Relaxing! Quiet! Recharge here! Full hook ups, dog friendly, very level gravel site with a stunning view of the pastures," Kelly N. describes the setting at Summer Wind RV Park.
Wildlife sightings: Early risers often spot deer in the valley below Summer Wind. "Sit & watch deer in the valley most mornings. No on-site management, you have to txt for reservations," Randy G. reports about morning routines.
Farm animals on-site: Arrowhead Bike Farm includes resident goats as a unique feature. "They have an assortment of accessible bike trails, bike shop, AMAZING FOOD, spectacular local beers, GOAT PENS, camping, a pump track, and lots of cool things to do," Aspen H. explains about this multi-purpose facility.
What you should know
Reservation systems vary: Many campgrounds use non-standard booking methods. "Booking was a little strange, there's no website or confirmation. You pay by check in a lockbox. But there was plenty of room and everything worked out fine," shares Whistle P. about Rifrafters Campground.
Narrow access roads: Several campgrounds have challenging entry points. "It is a one lane road to get to the campground and can get tight when other vehicles pass, but we got down there with our F250 truck and camper when a big grater and the park ranger came by," notes Kristi D.
Limited availability: Popular sites fill quickly, especially free locations. "Stayed here for a few nights with 3 other people. The road getting back to the site is a little sketch but worth the trip in. Just remember you have to make that trip all the way back out if you forget anything at the store," warns Corda B.
No drinking water: Many primitive sites require bringing your own water. "No drinking water, so bring your own. No hookups. The river is nearby, but none of the sites are on the river," Jean C. explains about Army Camp's facilities.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Rifrafters offers play equipment for children. "The playground was great for our daughters to burn off some energy. We would stay here again, especially for a weekend to see the area," Melissa O. mentions about family amenities at Rifrafters.
Water activities: Pipestem RV Park provides multiple water recreation options. "We enjoyed lots of the amenities, including the horseback riding, nature center and giant water inflatables," Molly F. shares about Pipestem RV Park family activities.
Food options: Some campgrounds include on-site dining. "Their tacos are to die for and the staff is super friendly. I stay here every time I go to the New, almost entirely for the tacos," Corey M. mentions about Arrowhead Bike Farm.
Pet policies: Rules regarding animals vary significantly between facilities. "One clear benefit of the S/S…it doesn't possess or retain flavors…you get only what put in it," explains Dave V., noting that unlike some other campgrounds, Battle Run prohibits pets completely.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling considerations: Pay attention to pad construction when selecting sites. "If you want easy level spots row c is best (which is where 50 amps are). Easy off and on the interstate and we fit fine driving 40' towing," advises Never Sitting S. about staying at Summer Wind RV Park.
Hookup varieties: Electricity options vary widely between campgrounds. "Mix of wonderful water and electric sites with ok full hookups. Beautiful river spots. The owner was wonderful. No laundry, showers or wifi. The price was $40 a night full hookups," John R. reports about Elk River Camp.
Door positioning: Consider your RV layout when booking. "We had a great time here. A very clean, peaceful, and enjoyable campground. The staff were amazing and will definitely be back soon! Our site worked out but if your entry door is at the back of the camper you could have troubles," Todd C. cautions about Summersville Lake Retreat.
Site spacing: Many RV parks Summersville Lake have variable site proximity. "The fact that they had reliable WiFi throughout the park was a huge bonus for a remote worker. The staff was friendly, helpful, and the restroom facilities were quite nice. They even delivered firewood right to my site!" shares Tucker B. about Rifrafters.
