Army Camp Campground provides 10 tent sites with gravel pads about 50 feet apart near Prince, West Virginia. Located in a narrow valley between steep 2,500-3,200 foot wooded mountains, this free campground sits along the New River. The small loop offers five outer perimeter sites with more privacy and five inner sites with open views. Each site includes a fire pit, grill, picnic table and dual lantern post. The campground has pit toilets but no running water, requiring campers to bring their own supplies.
What to do
River access: Army Camp Campground offers direct river access for swimming, fishing, or simply relaxing. "Area for people to swim in the river or fish. One trail on far side of parking area that I haven't been on yet," notes camper Billy C.
Historic exploration: Visit Thurmond's abandoned town structures minutes from Stone Cliff Campground. "The campground is very close to the abandoned town of Thurmond (very cool site to see) and is within earshot of the train tracks," shares Kaylee F.
Trail hiking: Explore Glade Creek Trail following an old railroad bed near Glade Creek Campground. "The trails are to die for. An old railroad runs by glade creek and it is incredible," writes Jonda M. The trail offers moderate terrain with access to smaller side trails.
Coal mining history: Travel 30 minutes from RV parks in Thurmond to see the Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine. Jean C. reports, "Check out some of the mining history at the Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine, about 30 minutes away, and get up early to catch the sunrise from Grandview Point."
What campers like
Free camping with amenities: National Park campsites provide established facilities without fees. "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," writes Rachel S. about Army Camp.
Privacy between sites: Campers appreciate the spacious layout at many locations. "Even with the rainy weather the area wasn't too muddy and the campsite we stayed at was level so there wasn't any issue. Even with 2-3 other groups there it still felt secluded with the sites distance from each other and the wooded area," notes Hallie W.
River sounds: The consistent sound of flowing water creates a peaceful backdrop for camping. One visitor at Stone Cliff Campground mentions, "The powerful drone of the New River never subsides."
Evening views: Sunset and nighttime views provide memorable experiences. At Summer Wind RV Park, a camper notes, "Sit & watch deer in the valley most mornings" with "stunning view of the pastures."
What you should know
No water sources: Critical planning is required as most primitive sites have no water access. "No sources of freshwater available @ the campground. The nearest convenient store is some miles away," warns Matt G. about Glade Creek Campground.
Cell service limitations: Communication options vary widely by location. Tucker B. shares about Army Camp Campground, "No AT&T service so I only stayed two nights (gotta work during the week!)." Download maps and information beforehand.
Limited site availability: Popular areas fill quickly, especially on weekends and during peak seasons. "We were lucky and got one of the last spots, there's only 11. If you're planning on coming here, make sure and come early," advises Rhys R.
Weather-related river changes: The New River water levels can change dramatically after rainfall. "At this visit, after a night of rainfall, the New River has swollen beyond its boundaries by 50 feet or more on either shoreline," one camper reports, with water continuing to rise even 18 hours after rain stopped.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Rifrafters Campground offers playground equipment for children to burn energy after travel days. "The playground was great for our daughters to burn off some energy," shares Melissa O.
Water activities: Summer options include swimming areas and water play structures at some locations. At Pipestem RV Park & Campground, one visitor shares, "We enjoyed lots of the amenities, including the horseback riding, nature center and giant water inflatables."
Wildlife viewing: Morning animal watching provides educational opportunities. Randy G. notes at Summer Wind RV Park that families can "watch deer in the valley most mornings" with both AT&T and Verizon showing 5 bars of service for sharing photos.
Food storage: Secure all food items to prevent animal encounters. Andrew S. warns, "The racoons at night have a schedule of getty any foods left out. Putting everything away is a must."
Tips from RVers
Road access considerations: Hilltop Sunrise and other RV sites require careful navigation to access. Casey L. advises, "Just beware when getting here there is a very narrow road, little to at times no room to allow for another vehicle if you happen to meet up. Some large rigs got through it just don't go fast."
Level sites: Look for prepared camping pads when selecting Thurmond area RV parks. "Sites are level gravel with fire pit, charcoal grill, and picnic table. Spots are shaded," reports Caroline F. about Army Camp sites.
Hookup availability: Know exactly what utilities are available at each location. At Summer Wind RV Park, a visitor explains, "No frills with pull thru 30/50 amp spots. Easy off and on the interstate and we fit fine driving 40' towing."
Weather preparedness: Be ready for overnight storms with proper anchoring and equipment. "Only bummer was my own failure to prepare for an overnight rainstorm, which resulted in a broken pole on my ARB awning," shares Tucker B.
