The Monongahela National Forest surrounds Camden-on-Gauley, West Virginia, providing numerous campgrounds along rivers and mountain ridges. Cranberry Campground and Big Rock Campground offer primitive tent sites along the Cranberry River, while Mountain Lake Campground and Cabins provides more developed facilities with cabins and RV hookups near Summersville Lake. The region includes both established Forest Service campgrounds with basic amenities like vault toilets and hand pumps for water, as well as more remote primitive sites that cater to anglers and hikers exploring the Cranberry Wilderness.
Forest Service roads throughout the area vary significantly in quality, with many campgrounds accessed via gravel roads that may challenge larger RVs or trailers. Most campgrounds operate seasonally, typically from April through October or November, with limited winter access due to mountain conditions. Elevations range from riverside campsites to mountain ridge locations like Bishop Knob Campground, affecting temperatures even during summer months. Cell service is virtually nonexistent throughout much of the camping area, requiring advance planning and printed directions. A camper noted, "We rarely had GPS on the back roads and mountain area in WV so be sure to print directions just in case. Had service in Richwood though, which I recommend checking out if you need last minute camping supplies."
Fishing access ranks as the primary draw for many campgrounds in the region, particularly along the Cranberry River where campsites are positioned for trout fishing. Several visitors mentioned the appeal of riverside camping between established campgrounds. One visitor shared, "We moved to an empty 5-site campground right on the river between Big Rock and Cranberry campgrounds. Access to fishing is directly from your campsite, the water sounds so nice at night, and I love the river side exploring." Wildlife sightings, including black bears, are common enough that proper food storage is essential at all campgrounds. Campers seeking more amenities gravitate toward Summersville Lake areas, while those wanting solitude prefer the more remote forest campgrounds where generator noise and crowds are minimal.
"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."
"I used to love Mtn Lake because of their secluded primitive camping where deer often visit and provided a quiet place away from the busy RV sites, however they gave into demand and now have overrun the"
"Cranberry River dispersed camping along Forest Road 76 offers quiet, scenic, riverside primitive campsites with excellent fishing and easy access to the surrounding wilderness."
"long path along river, very beautiful area"
"It’s a great spot with flowers and plants planted around the site entrance, and the wooded area behind the site has been cleared out, giving it a more open and usable feel than many of the other sites."
"Cranberry Campground is located in West Virginia close to the town of Richwood on the Cranberry River. All the sites are rustic."
"We found a good tucked in site (#27) that was close to the water pump and was surrounded by the woods. "
$10 / night
"Summit Lake Campground is a quiet, clean campground in the Monongahela National Forest. I stayed one night and really enjoyed the fishing on the lake."
"Walking trails to the lake and what a lake! We shall return at some point when it doesn't snow between 80 degree weeks."
$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."
"The restroom & shower facilities were easily within walking distance. The facilities could use a deep clean but overall were fine."
$33 / night
"We're so excited to have Beaver Lakes Campground on our platform. Hop in your RV, or bring a tent!"
"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
"You check in in a fantastic little gift shop adjacent to the lighthouse The gift shop has everything from mugs to camping needs.. and a lovely selection of local wine (seasonally) The lighthouse who's"
"Dave and Kim are great people, have a beautiful and well cared for campground very close to the Gauley River."
"Big Rock Campground is a small heavily-wooded campground, with five-spaces, located next to the Cranberry River in Nicholas County, WV. Each site has a picnic table, fire ring and lantern pole."
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.
ScoutI haven't stayed a night here but have walked the entire camping area and camped near here many times. Most people access by water but there is also a trail that provides access to this location. It runs through Bolar Mountain Campground #2 & #3 and connects up to the beach area.
In the summer when the grass is high there can be a lot of ticks. Can get crowded on weekends. I've noticed it's a popular group spot - I mainly see groups of 6+ there at a minimum with multiple boats. Can get kind of trashy (littered) too. Beautiful setting though.
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 sites near Camden-on-Gauley, West Virginia sit at elevations between 2,100-3,800 feet, creating significant temperature variations even in summer months. The region receives approximately 50 inches of rainfall annually, supporting the dense hardwood forests surrounding most campsites. Access to potable water varies significantly by campground, with many primitive sites requiring campers to bring all water supplies.
Trout fishing: $5 riverside primitive sites can be found between established campgrounds along the Cranberry River. At Big Rock Campground, campers appreciate the fishing access. "Long path along river, very beautiful area," notes Heather L. The Cranberry River area offers both stocked and wild trout.
Waterfall exploration: Hills Creek Falls is accessible from several area campgrounds. Three distinct waterfalls range from 25 to 65 feet in height. A camper visiting Summit Lake Campground mentioned, "Multiple areas to fish including lake and river. Beautiful waterfalls and access via bike trails."
Scuba diving: Summersville Lake reaches depths up to 327 feet with exceptional water clarity. Dive shops in Summersville offer equipment rentals. "Summersville Lake is surrounded by cliffs topped by trees. Perfect for exploring by boat," reports Dan N. who stayed at Battle Run.
Mountain isolation: Many campers value the remote locations for stargazing and wildlife viewing. At Cranberry River Sites, Joseph K. noted simply, "There are bears." Appropriate food storage is essential throughout the region due to active black bear populations.
River sounds: Riverside camping provides natural white noise for sleeping. A visitor to Gauley Tailwaters Campground shared, "This was the best camping experience. waking up to the sound of the river and then paired with the most gorgeous view. unbeatable. way worth the drive to get there."
Diverse camping environments: The region offers both high-elevation mountain ridge sites and riverside locations. Mike F. described his experience: "Backpacked and Camped here multiple times for both hiking and fishing. The main trail is graveled and very easily accessed. It runs along the Cranberry River with beautiful views all along the way."
Cell service limitations: Prepare for communications blackout in most camping areas. While the existing description mentions limited cell service, specific locations with connectivity include: "Had service in Richwood" and at Mountain Lake Campground a camper noted, "I had great cell service."
Variable bathroom conditions: Facility maintenance varies widely between campgrounds. A visitor to Mountain Lake reported, "Gross as in they didn't look cleaned regularly, the shower heads were terrible, never looked cleaned, rusty." By contrast, campers at Summersville Lake Retreat describe "clean bathrooms."
Seasonal conditions: Spring fishing attracts crowds to Cranberry River areas, while summer focuses on lake recreation. Fall foliage season brings additional visitors. A visitor to Summit Lake noted, "Our first trip to this area and we weren't disappointed. Wonderful country and scenery...We shall return at some point when it doesn't snow between 80 degree weeks."
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature play areas for children. At Summersville Lake Retreat, visitors appreciate family amenities: "Sites are big, easily accessible, clean, and not too close to your neighbors... Weekend activities for the kids, putt putt, a pool, several swingset/play areas."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Children can observe deer and various bird species from campsites. One family reported, "Lots of deer, we even saw a mother with 2 fawn! They had a mini golf course, a small pool, a jumping pad, and an ice cream shop in the general store."
Lake swimming options: Several campgrounds provide beach access with designated swimming areas. A family camping at Battle Run shared, "We had a tent site with a fire pit and picnic table on a point of land surrounded by water! We didn't fish much but the swimming was incredible!"
Power challenges: Electrical service reliability varies at hookup sites. At Mountain Lake, campers reported: "A/C power was an issue. 1 camper had 30 amp breaker blow 2 days in a row and my 50 amp ran A.C. units fan but didn't cool all day."
Site leveling: Many campgrounds feature uneven terrain requiring blocking. Tamara W. warned, "The cons most sites are not level at all, there is one single bath house for each level making some sites very far from a bathroom/shower."
Road conditions: Access roads to several campgrounds require careful navigation. Fred R. noted about Mountain Lake, "The road to 4 was horrendous to be pulling a camper. Had to use 4Low to creep out. It should be paved, no exceptions for that hill."
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Camden-on-Gauley, WV?
According to TheDyrt.com, Camden-on-Gauley, WV offers a wide range of camping options, with 140 campgrounds and RV parks near Camden-on-Gauley, WV and 13 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Camden-on-Gauley, WV?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Camden-on-Gauley, WV is Mountain Lake Campground and Cabins with a 4.3-star rating from 19 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Camden-on-Gauley, WV?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 13 free dispersed camping spots near Camden-on-Gauley, WV.
What parks are near Camden-on-Gauley, WV?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 23 parks near Camden-on-Gauley, WV that allow camping, notably Summersville Lake and Sutton Lake.
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