Karissa R.
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ScoutArmy Camp — New River Gorge National Park and Preserve
Perfect camp spot
Perfect camp spot has a fire ring and table lots of trees around
Camping near Camden-on-Gauley, WV
146 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
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SUMMARY PRESENTED BY
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.
Best Campgrounds near Camden-on-Gauley (146)
1. Mountain Lake Campground and Cabins
"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"
2. Cranberry River Sites NF Campground
"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"
3. Bishop Knob Campground
"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."
4. Cranberry Campground
"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. "
5. Battle Run
"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."
from $24 - $40 / night
Check Availability6. Summit Lake Campground
"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."
from $10 / night
Check Availability7. Beaver Lakes Campground
"We're so excited to have Beaver Lakes Campground on our platform. Hop in your RV, or bring a tent!"
from $33 / night
Check Availability8. Gauley Tailwaters Campground — Gauley River National Recreation Area
"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!"
9. Summersville Lake Retreat & Lighthouse
"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."
from $40 - $56 / night
Check Availability10. Big Rock Campground
"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."
Drive Time
- 1 hr 5 min from Beckley, WV
- 2 hrs 22 min from Blacksburg, VA
- 2 hrs 25 min from Parkersburg, WV
Recent Camping Photos near Camden-on-Gauley, WV
276 Photos of 146 Camden-on-Gauley Campgrounds
Ash V.
Bishop Knob Campground
Michael L.
Basecamp Williams River
Jennifer B.
Big Rock Campground
Camp With Me
Cranberry River Sites NF Campground
Vicky M.
Cranberry Campground
Jim P.
Summit Lake Campground
bobbi L.
Camp Holly
Mounatin Lake C.
Mountain Lake Campground and Cabins
Ramone P.
Summersville Lake Tiny Camper
Chase J.
Summersville Lake Retreat & Lighthouse
Ruby W.
Gauley Tailwaters Campground — Gauley River National Recreation Area
Camp With Me
Williams River Sites
Recent Reviews near Camden-on-Gauley, WV
678 Reviews of 146 Camden-on-Gauley Campgrounds
- AAdee W.Scout
Rifrafters Campground
Homey feel, spotless grounds, and top-notch hospitality!
We had a wonderful stay at Rifrafters! The campground is remarkably clean, well-organized, and has a truly welcoming, homey feel. The dog park is large, open, and was a great spot for our dogs to run around and burn off some energy.What really sets this place apart is the incredible owners. They are as friendly, accessible, and easygoing as they come. They guided us into our spot perfectly on the first attempt, constantly checked in to ensure we were comfortable, and even recommended a great local mechanic when our truck needed service. You can really tell they care about their guests. We will definitely be staying here again next time we're in the area!
- BBen L.Scout
Rays Campground
Nice Place
Very low key place. Self check-in. Bath house is old but clean, plenty of hot water. Washing machine and dryer available. Free coffee every morning.
L H.
TravelerSeneca State Forest
A quiet and peaceful little campground amongst the tall trees
What a delight to rest here for two nights! The park is small (10 campsites, I think) and blanketed by a lovely green canopy. Amenities are few, but the nearby showers are clean, with hot water and electricity, and fresh water is available on site by a hand pumped cistern. The office and maintenance headquarters are also nearby, and the folks in the office are friendly and welcoming. I’ll visit here again!
- GGreta S.Scout
Hidden Valley
Clean and quiet
Well maintained and very quiet. Plenty of room when I was there with 2 dogs. Fairly good privacy between sites. I chose a spot in the woods at the edge of a large field. Plenty of air moving through. No cell service.
Ethan W.ScoutLake Sherwood Road Dispersed Camping in Monongahela National Forest
Great Spot, slightly dirty
If you’re expecting service just don’t. I didn’t get service till i left and drove for about an hour till i finally got one bar. If that isn’t an issue for you this place is pretty great. Solitude yourself deep in the forest and if you’re lucky you can get a site near the creak. Unfortunately my site was absolutely littered with trash when i arrived. I’m talking beer bottles and trash all over the place, DIAPERS IN THE FIRE PIT… I mean get a grip people. Other than that it was amazing.
- Ethan W.Scout
Dispersed Camping off Forest Road 227
one of the best sites i’ve ever been to
From what i can tell there is about 14 sites along about a 7-8 mile gravel road (some parts are rougher than other) each one different in size and shape. Some with astonishing nearly 360 views of the mountain ranges. Some small enough for 1-3 tent setups. This place is too cool, don’t ruin it with litter please. I have Verizon and was pleasantly surprised to see that from what i can tell sites 1-2 I was able to get a bar or two.
Andrew S.
GuideRifrafters Campground
Great Campground, TERRIBLE owners.
The owners of this campground are among the rudest people we have ever come across in the camping world.
On our first attempt at reserving a site, we reserved the site three months in advance. When we arrived, they moved us to a different spot to accommodate 'other campers' with zero explanation. When we tried to explain we reserved that site in advance and specifically, the older bald guy, became unprofessionally furious and threatened to kick us off the grounds without a refund. The second year we tried to stay there,we again, reserved a specific site AND paid the lock-in fee, thinking, surely, this will not happen again. Unfortunately, the campground is rather beautiful, so we simply tried to fully abide by THEIR OWN rules the second time to avoid unnecessary conflict.
Nope. When we arrived, they moved us AGAIN to a terrible site. Bottomline, these people are power-trippers. They're argumentative, they're rude, they're short, and if you even try to ask about the reservation process, they will just kick you off the property with no refund and no campsite.
And again, they do not calmy explain what they're doing or why. They just do it...and if you question them, they will escalate the situation to an incredulous level of arguing.
This place could be incredible, but the owners have completely ruined it. We will never be trying to stay here again, and will pass it along to anyone trying to stay in that area.
- EEric W.Guide
Summer Wind RV Park
Super convenient & peaceful
An exceptional setting, this RV park is conveniently located next to I-64 in the mountains of WV. While during the day one can hear the traffic, it’s not that bad, and it’s not loud at night. The park sits adjacent to a cattle ranch nestled in the mountains. All arrangements are made via text and payments are made via cash or Venmo. You definitely get a sense of community with the other campers here as all seem to be very courteous and cordial at the time of my stay. Sites are gravel and fairly level. A very clean and well kept bathhouse is on the premises. Laundry can also be done here with a load costing $2 to wash and $2 to dry. Currently there is no camp host but the park does have quite the surveillance camera set up. WiFi is also available and it works extremely well! All sites are pull-thru. I only planned to stay for one night but enjoyed it so much I decided to stay for two. I most certainly will be staying here during my next trip through WV!
Guide to Camden-on-Gauley
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.
What to do
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.
What campers like
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."
What you should know
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."
Tips for camping with families
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!"
Tips from RVers
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?
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 146 campgrounds and RV parks near Camden-on-Gauley, WV and 14 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Camden-on-Gauley, WV?
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?
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Camden-on-Gauley, WV?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 14 free dispersed camping spots near Camden-on-Gauley, WV.
What parks are 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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