If camping is a means to be as close to your rafting put-in as necessary, then these 6 campgrounds near rafting destinations are perfect for your next whitewater adventure.
Are you the type of person to judge a campsite by it’s proximity to the water? We get it. Especially if your reason for being is to barrel through rapids with 10 of your closest buddies. Or maybe you’re checking out rafting for the first time, and want to setup camp nearby so you’re up and at ’em when the guide comes to pick you up in the morning.
Rapids by Day, Campfire by Night
Fall asleep to the sound of churning rapids, and wake up early to hit the water at these six campgrounds near rafting opportunities.
1. Lees Ferry – Glen Canyon Area, AZ
Photo by The Dyrt user Maddy D.
Operated by the National Park Service, the Lees Ferry campground offers primitive camping next to the put-in for single or multi-day rafting trips through the Grand Canyon. It’s also the starting point for exploring Page Canyon and Horseshoe bend.
2. Lake Powhatan, NC
Photo by The Dyrt user Angel K.
Asheville, NC is the epicenter for outdoor activity on the east coast. As a day trip you can access three national forests, Great Smokey Mountains National Park, and your pick of waterways to float, raft, or wade down. Lake Powhatan offers many campgrounds near rafting opportunities by the falls, but you can also enjoy the lake or the various hiking trails surrounding the campground.
3. Rifrafters Campground, WV
Photo by The Dyrt user Dave V.
Aptly named, the Rifrafters Campground is only two miles south of the New River Gorge Bridge which spans The Gauley River. Fayetteville, WV is the jumping off point for single-day or multi-day raft trips. Rafting the Upper Gauley is recommend for thrill seekers who wish to take on “the beast of the east,” while the Lower and Upper New offer fun for everyone.
4. Railroad Bridge Arkansas Headwaters State Rec Area
Kodi Rafting©
Rafting the Arkansas is different. Instead of being surrounded by canyon walls, rafters are surrounded by 14,000ft mountain peaks. Our friends at Kodi Rafting offer multiple trips on the Arkansas, as well as the surrounding Colorado rivers. The Railroad Bridge campground is close to Buena Vista, where one of their outposts are located. Here, you’ll find many campgrounds near rafting options, so don’t forget to do some research first.
5. Pines Campground, CA
Image by The Dyrt user Kevin L.
If the crowds at Yosemite National Park are too much to bear, head out to this spacious campground near the Tuolumne River. You’ll still have plenty of options for rafting trips, treks beneath and around Half Dome, and a cozy spot to call home for a few days.
6. Ohiopyle State Park, PA
Image from The Dyrt user Deanna B.
The Youghiogeny river flows through West Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania, making it’s way through the quaint river town of Ohiopyle. Here, campers can visit the Youghiogeny Dam, or the many hiking trails winding through the area.
Whichever campgrounds near rafting destinations you find yourself gravitating toward, be sure to share your review with us at The Dyrt!
Related Campgrounds:
- Lake Catherine State Park, Hot Springs, AR
