Best Dispersed Camping near Summersville, WV

Dispersed camping near Summersville, West Virginia includes two free primitive camping areas—Army Camp in New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, and Elk River Dispersed Camping. Army Camp features 10 drive-in sites arranged in a small loop with gravel parking and tent pads. Located near Prince, the sites provide basic amenities including picnic tables, fire rings, and pit toilets, though no running water is available. Elk River Dispersed Camping offers more rugged primitive camping along a dirt road with several pull-off areas where previous campers have established fire rings.

Access to these areas varies significantly. Army Camp is reached via a narrow single-lane paved and gravel road that may present challenges for larger vehicles, though some small trailers and campers have successfully navigated it. The road to Elk River camping requires careful driving as it consists primarily of dirt surfaces not suitable for all vehicles. Neither location offers drinking water, showers, or hookups of any kind. Campers must pack in all necessary supplies and be prepared for self-sufficient camping. Cell service is notably absent at Army Camp, requiring offline maps for navigation.

Both locations provide proximity to water features, with Army Camp situated along the New River where campers can hear the water from their sites. Elk River Dispersed Camping allows visitors to set up directly alongside Rose Run. Fishing opportunities exist at both locations, with Elk River being a catch-and-release area. Weather conditions significantly impact accessibility, particularly at Elk River where road conditions deteriorate in wet weather. "No drinking water at either site, so plan to be ready to be off grid," noted one camper. Another reported that "This is a dispersed camping area so be self-sufficient. This is a dirt road so not for everyone to travel down." Both areas attract wildlife, with bear sightings reported at Army Camp.

Best Dispersed Sites Near Summersville, West Virginia (3)

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

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

    "Spots are shaded. Easy access to river, able to hear it from campsite. Very clean pit toilet bathroom. Road to access is single lane paved/gravel."

    "It has a small loop of campsites near the river."

    2. Elk River Dispersed camping

    1 Review
    Monterville, WV
    40 miles

    "Check weather conditions and map before heading here. This is a dispersed camping area so be self sufficient 

    This is a dirt road so not for everyone to travel down. "

    3. Sherwood Lake WV

    1 Review
    Covington, VA
    47 miles

    "Around a dozen sites with Rick fire rings, some are RV sized others are tent only. These are located along the road to Lake Sherwood in Neola WV off Rt. 92. First come first serve."

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Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos near Summersville, WV

14 Photos of 3 Summersville Campgrounds


Dispersed Camping Reviews near Summersville, WV

13 Reviews of 3 Summersville Campgrounds


  • Caroline F.
    Jun. 26, 2022

    Army Camp — New River Gorge National Park and Preserve

    Quiet, nice free campground

    FCFS. 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. Road to access is single lane paved/gravel. Best for cars/vans, but did see some small pull behinds.

  • Kristi D.
    Jul. 4, 2023

    Army Camp — New River Gorge National Park and Preserve

    You cant beat free!

    We spent a night here on our way to Ohio. It has a small loop of campsites near the river. 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. It's very doable. Campsites were mowed and it was a short walk to a really nice spot on the river. No electric/water, so plan to be ready to be off grid. Hard to complain about free!

  • Heather P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 9, 2022

    Elk River Dispersed camping

    Dirt Road camping

    Check weather conditions and map before heading here.

    This is a dispersed camping area so be self sufficient 

    This is a dirt road so not for everyone to travel down.  But we did travel on bikes so it is not horrible.  

    We set up camp right next to Rose Run, just East of the closed off bridge.

    Along this road you will see areas to pull off where people have set up fire rings.

    Just pull off and set up camp.  Our camp area apparently was well used with many beer cans and spent shell casings.

    There is not a ton of traffic on this road but since the site is close to the road you will hear some vehicles driving by.

    There is Elk Springs Resort & Fly Shop just down the road.  Here you can hire a guide, or pay to fly fish their well stocked area.  A well stocked fly shop as well.  Everyone there was great on suggestion on flies suggestions.

    The area where we camped is catch and release only!  Please be respectful of the river and rules.  Water levels were pretty low, but was nice to just sit by the river, listen to the sounds and relax.

  • Dave V.
    May. 21, 2018

    Army Camp — New River Gorge National Park and Preserve

    RANGER REVIEW: Primus Trailbottle S/S 1.0 liter at Army Camp Campground, WVk

    CAMPGROUND REVIEW: Army Camp Campground, New River Gorge National River, WV

    Army Camp Campground, New River Gorge National River, Prince, WV https://www.nps.gov/neri/learn/historyculture/army-camp.htm

    If you have never treated yourself to the beautiful diversity of the New River Gorge National River, you are truly missing out!

    Rock climbing, mountain biking, whitewater paddling, rafting, hiking, camping, birding?…it’s all here and more. 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.

    There are three very nice, somewhat primitive, free, campgrounds located within six miles of each other right outside Prince, WV. Grandview Sandbar and Glades Creek along one side of the New River and Army Camp across the Rt 41 bridge and downriver.

    Note: vitally important to realize there is no running water at any of these campgrounds. You must bring water or filter it from the New River…which I wouldn’t recommend.

    https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=3QnnaIl-xgE

    Each site has a picnic table, grill, fire pit, dual lantern post and pit latrines. Of the three New River Gorge National River campgrounds in this immediate area, Army Camps pit latrines are maintained but in dire need of paint. Parking and tent pads are gravel…(making tent peg placement laborious). Plenty of hammocking opportunities.

    Army Camp is open for day use fishing and picnicking. The campground consists of one small loop with five sites on the outside perimeter and five on the inner perimeter. Scattered mature trees dot the inner circle with open line of sight. Outside perimeter sites are wooded and offer more privacy. Though all sites are separated by 50 ft or more.

    Army Camp lies in a narrow river valley between steep, wooded 2500-3200 ft mountains offering spectacular views.

    Military history buffs will appreciate the remains of an Army training encampment along the gravel road driving in. Known for equipping soldiers to build floating bridges across rivers to move troops and heavy artillery.

    Though all campground trails are short and directly to the edge of the New River…innumerable trails are a short drive away.

    Caution: Use extreme prudence if choosing to enter the New River itself. This is an incredibly popular whitewater rafting and paddling river…currents are fast, powerful and dangerous.

    At this visit, after a night of rainfall, the New River has swollen beyond its boundaries by 50 feet or more on either shoreline.

    Song birds, robins and crows competed vocally during daylight hours. Interesting insects crawled the river’s sandy shore and a brightly colored Eastern box turtle searched for higher-dryer ground. The powerful drone of the New River never subsides.

    **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 beyond what I thought probable. Exercise greater wisdom than I did.

    Product Review: New Primus Trailbottle S/S 1.0 liter

    The new Primus Trailbottle stainless steel line offers a 0.6L, a 1.0L, a vacuum 0.5L, and a vacuum 0.8L. For purposes of this review, I’m putting the 1.0L S/S Trailbottle through its paces. https://primus.us/products/trailbottle-s-s-1-0l?variant=38421366546

    The Primus Trailbottle 1.0L comes in four (4) color options: black, red, light green and powder blue. Being on the trail or kayak in direct sunlight, I opted to not pursue the black so I could keep fluids cooler. The added bonus of brighter colors decreases the chances of me losing the bottle.

    As a Review Ranger for TheDyrt, these products were provided by Primus https://primus.us/ .

    I have been using various Primus stoves for many years with great success while backpacking and paddling, so I look forward to their new innovative and trustworthy products.

    The new Primus Trailbottle S/S 1.0L appears larger than it is. I was initially surprised by that illusion and feared it wouldn’t fit in my Gregory Baltoro Sidewinder Bottle holster…but fitment was actually easier than most water bottles. The bottom is a full inch smaller in diameter than the shoulder.

    Dimensions:

    •Height: 9” Base to Top of cap

    •O.D. Base: 10.25”/ O.D. Top: 11.25”

    •Weight: 10 grams

    Materials:

    •18/8 Food Grade stainless steel

    •Tritan lid (BPA free)

    One clear benefit of the S/S…it doesn’t possess or retain flavors…you get only what put in it.

    While the Primus Trailbottle S/S version has lightweight, thin walls that can likely dent with misuse…longevity of use sets this apart from the basic plastic or Lexan bottle. The mouth of the bottle is fairly large, making it easier to fill or add ice. Not being double walled, exterior sides sweat with ice cold beverages, but the painted surface has just enough grip texture not to slip when wet. The temperature of the Trailbottle contents will be felt by your hand.

    The screw-on lid has an additional small screw-on tethered cap. Instead of knurling around the sides of both caps, Primus uses a triangle pattern that mimics the cutout pattern on their stove/pot cooking systems Primus states the bottle opening and thread pattern fits some water filtration systems, but not my Katadyn Vario…nor does my Sawyer Mini thread onto the cap, as the threads are located on the inside of the spout..

    The rubber lanyard attaches to the small threaded cap by a recessed ring, then snakes through a bar on the larger bottle screw lid and attaches to that lid via a rubber style pop-rivet. Personally, I would not attach the Primus bottle to my pack by this rubber lanyard, but will run some para cord through the integrated bar on the lid…to carabiner to my pack (if I didn’t have a water bottle pocket).

    When partaking of its contents through the smaller lid opening, it is like any other solid-sided bottle. However, I found it was much easier pouring Trailbottle contents into a cup than a wide-mouth bottle.

    Final Thoughts

    I like it’s distinctiveness, versatility and light weight. I’m looking forward to many years of service from the Primus Trailbottle S/S 1.0 liter.

  • Jean C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 1, 2021

    Army Camp — New River Gorge National Park and Preserve

    Free camping near, but not on the river

    This is another of the free national park campgrounds in the New River Gorge, with sites that are more developed than many of the others. These are in a small open loop, largely level gravel parking and tent pads. They have picnic tables, fire rings, and lantern poles. No drinking water, so bring your own. No hookups. The river is nearby, but none of the sites are on the river. There’s an accessible site and also accessible trail to a bench along the river. There are latrines.

    If you enjoy fishing, the New River Gorge website offers a lot of specific information about species, bait, and lures

    If you can't find a site at one of the other campgrounds or you have a slightly larger rig, ths may be a better option for you. No cell service, so download your maps. The New River Gorge also offers rafting, and hiking options. Check out some of the mining history at the Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine, abuut 30 minutes away, and get up early to catch the sunrise from Grandview Point.

  • R
    Oct. 24, 2024

    Army Camp — New River Gorge National Park and Preserve

    Very relaxing spot

    Very nice spot, right by the river with plenty of spaces 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. The ground is great for tents, no rocks. If you’re planning on coming here, make sure and come early. Pit toilets also available.

  • Corda B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 6, 2024

    Army Camp — New River Gorge National Park and Preserve

    Spots fill quickly

    Stayed here for a few nights with 3 other people. We had 1 big tent, 2 vehicles and a few dogs and had plenty of room. 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 (like we did) so be prepared to have plenty of food and wood. Water access is not problem if you have a good filtration system. The view of the river is absolutely beautiful!!


Guide to Summersville

Primitive camping near Summersville, West Virginia offers several rustic sites within the Monongahela National Forest and New River Gorge National Park. The region features elevations ranging from 1,400 to 3,000 feet with summer temperatures typically reaching the 80s and winter lows frequently below freezing. Flash flooding can occur rapidly in this mountainous terrain, particularly after heavy rainfall when water levels in rivers and streams rise quickly.

What to do

Fishing the New River: Army Camp provides convenient river access where anglers can target smallmouth bass, bluegill, and catfish. "It's hard to beat a free campsite right on the river... I enjoyed evening river dips before bed," reports Tucker B. who stayed at Army Camp.

Wildlife watching: Early morning and dusk offer optimal viewing times for deer, turkey, and various bird species. "Song birds, robins and crows competed vocally during daylight hours. Interesting insects crawled the river's sandy shore and a brightly colored Eastern box turtle searched for higher-dryer ground," notes a camper at Army Camp.

Fly fishing: The Elk River area provides catch-and-release fly fishing opportunities. "There is Elk Springs Resort & Fly Shop just down the road. Here you can hire a guide, or pay to fly fish their well stocked area. A well stocked fly shop as well. Everyone there was great on suggestion on flies suggestions," shares Heather P. from Elk River Dispersed camping.

What campers like

River proximity: Many campers appreciate the sound of flowing water from their sites. "Easy access to river, able to hear it from campsite," mentions Caroline F. about Army Camp.

Hammocking spots: Several areas offer ideal trees for setting up hammocks. "Very nice spot, right by the river with plenty of spaces to hammock down by there," explains Rhys R. from Army Camp.

Free established sites: The cost-free camping with basic amenities draws many visitors. "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," reports Rachel S. about her experience at Army Camp.

What you should know

Weather impacts: Monitor forecasts carefully as conditions can change rapidly. "Check weather conditions and map before heading here... This is a dirt road so not for everyone to travel down," warns Heather P. about Elk River Dispersed camping.

Limited supplies: No stores exist near most dispersed sites. "Just remember you have to make that trip all the way back out if you forget anything at the store (like we did) so be prepared to have plenty of food and wood," advises Corda B. from Army Camp.

Site availability: Arrive early as spots fill quickly, especially during peak season. "We were lucky and got one of the last spots, there's only 11. Fire rings with grill, and bench at each site. The ground is great for tents, no rocks. If you're planning on coming here, make sure and come early," suggests Rhys R.

Tips for camping with families

Space considerations: Most Army Camp sites accommodate multiple tents. "Stayed here for a few nights with 3 other people. We had 1 big tent, 2 vehicles and a few dogs and had plenty of room," reports Corda B.

River safety: The New River has powerful currents requiring constant supervision of children. "Caution: Use extreme prudence if choosing to enter the New River itself. This is an incredibly popular whitewater rafting and paddling river...currents are fast, powerful and dangerous," advises Dave V. from his experience at Army Camp.

Bug preparation: Depending on season, insects can be prevalent. "Good amount of spiders and ants but didn't notice any mosquitoes in mid May," notes a camper, suggesting families bring appropriate repellent and screen tents for more comfortable camping.

Tips from RVers

Road access limitations: Many primitive sites have challenging access roads. "Road to access is single lane paved/gravel. Best for cars/vans, but did see some small pull behinds," shares Caroline F. about Army Camp.

Size restrictions: Large RVs will find most dispersed sites inaccessible. "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. It's very doable," explains Kristi D. about Army Camp.

Self-sufficiency required: No hookups or services available at any primitive sites. "No electric/water, so plan to be ready to be off grid," notes Kristi D., emphasizing the importance of arriving with full water tanks and charged batteries.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I find free dispersed camping in Summersville, WV?

Free dispersed camping is available at Army Camp — New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, located near Summersville. This campground offers 10 drive-up sites and 6 walk-in sites on a first-come, first-served basis. The sites are situated in a wooded area along the New River, providing a peaceful natural setting. The campground is free to use but has limited spots, so arriving early is recommended, especially during peak season. The road to the campground is a single lane (paved/gravel) which can be navigated with most vehicles, though large RVs may find access challenging.

What are the regulations for dispersed camping around Summersville, WV?

When camping at Elk River Dispersed camping near Summersville, you must be fully self-sufficient as this is true dispersed camping with minimal infrastructure. Always check weather conditions and consult maps before heading out, as access is via dirt roads that may not be suitable for all vehicles. General dispersed camping regulations in the area include packing out all trash, respecting quiet hours, properly extinguishing campfires, and camping only in designated areas. Stay limits typically range from 7-14 days. Before heading out, verify current regulations with the local Forest Service or Park Service office.

What amenities are available at Summersville Lake dispersed camping areas?

Dispersed camping areas around Summersville Lake offer minimal amenities, requiring campers to be largely self-sufficient. At more developed sites like Army Camp, you'll find basic amenities including gravel parking pads, fire rings with grills, picnic tables, and lantern poles. Pit toilets are available, but there is no drinking water, so you must bring your own. Most sites offer good shade from trees and access to the river for swimming and recreation. Cell phone reception is typically limited or non-existent in these areas, making them ideal for a tech-free outdoor experience. There are no electric hookups, showers, or dump stations, so come prepared with all necessary supplies.