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The best camping near Gauley River National Recreation Area

Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Gauley River National Recreation Area adventure.

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Top-rated campgrounds reviewed by the Hipcamp community.

Top-rated campgrounds near Gauley River National Recreation Area

97%
(17)

Ray's Campground

25 sites ¡ Lodging, RVs, Tents50 acres ¡ Hico, WV
Ray's Campground is a picturesque camping facility located in Hico, West Virginia. Nestled in the heart of nature, this campground offers a serene and tranquil setting for outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy the beauty of the surrounding area. The campground is situated amidst lush greenery, with towering trees providing shade and a sense of privacy to campers. The natural landscape of the area creates a peaceful atmosphere that allows visitors to unwind and connect with nature. Ray's Campground offers a variety of camping options to cater to different preferences. Whether you prefer tent camping or RV camping, you'll find suitable accommodations here. The campground provides spacious campsites with fire rings and picnic tables, allowing you to have a comfortable and enjoyable camping experience. One of the highlights of Ray's Campground is its proximity to the scenic New River Gorge National River. This nationally recognized park offers breathtaking views of the New River and its impressive gorge. Visitors can engage in a range of outdoor activities, including hiking, fishing, kayaking, rock climbing, and mountain biking. The campground serves as an excellent base for exploring the natural wonders of the area. In addition to the stunning natural surroundings, Ray's Campground provides amenities to enhance your camping experience. The facilities may include clean restrooms with showers, and a communal gathering area where you can socialize with fellow campers. Whether you are seeking solitude in nature or looking to engage in thrilling outdoor adventures, Ray's Campground in Hico, WV, offers a welcoming and scenic environment for a memorable camping getaway.
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$10
 / night
100%
(9)

Mountain Magnolia Forest Farm

1 site ¡ RV, Tent8 acres ¡ Fayetteville, WV
8 acres of beautiful forested land with a small creek running nearby the campsite. WALKING distance to New River Gorge National Park! Approx 5min walk across edmond-lansing rd to short creek/head house trail. Hiking to views of the gorge, down to the river and plenty of climbing. Endless wall is 2 min drive down the road, some of the best hiking and climbing in the gorge! Beauty Mountain overlook is 1.5 miles away. Campsite is off of a private neighborhood road. GPS will NOT take you to our place. It will send you to the neighbors, so please follow written directions from host. We don’t want to burden our neighbors. Thank you! There is a small fire ring, bring dry wood and make sure to put your fire completely out anytime you wont be attending it, this is the woods. ALL are welcome. This space is a safe place, and prejudice or hate will not be tolerated. Thank you for treating others with respect and kindness.
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$25
 / night
95%
(111)

Beaver Lakes Campground LLC.

50 sites ¡ RVs, Tents250 acres ¡ Calvin, WV
Property was owned by my great grandfather , He lost 150 acres in the early 1900's due to a bad debt from neighboring landowner. Was so happy to be able to repurchase the 150 acres back in 2016,now own the original land tract and added more. 250 acres in total. Portions were strip mined around 1978-1982 creating some flat fields and access to all property. I might add that strip mining if done properly can and does enhance the property. Ponds were built to catch runoff and several new animal species moved in waterfowl ,muskrats, and beavers. The beavers have constructed large dams on property further adding to the beauty. Have seen several bald eagles on and around the property. 
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$32.99
 / night
97%
(77)

Mountaintop Retreat

9 sites ¡ Lodging, RVs, Tents60 acres ¡ Jumping Branch, WV
Want to see 5 star panoramic views of the Appalachian Mountains? This ultra safe, ultra private property is located only 10 minutes off interstate 77. There is only one farm past ours so traffic is very minimal. Plenty of room to do what you and your pets want to do while exploring on our 60 acres. Come enjoy the view and recharge and relax in peace and quiet. The sun rises up behind the view and lets you see just a little further. It is magical and one of the best things this mountain has to offer. It will not disappoint. We can accommodate up to a 35ft RV. The best part is no long walk for the best views! You can park at the campsites and camp on flat ground. Each campsite features a bench and a camp cooktop. Nothing is needed to use the cook tops other than a campfire. The area has many parks, rivers and trails for fly fishing, kayaking, biking, hiking, horseback riding, bird watching, and photography, etc. View stars as only those miles away from any light can experience. The crickets and whippoorwills will sing you to sleep. Google link, trail map, and campsite location map will be emailed the day of arrival. Close to: Winterplace Ski Resort New River New River Gorge State Park Fayetteville Rafting & Tourism Camp Creek State Park Little Beaver State Park Grandview State Park Pipestem State Park Twin Falls Resort Babcock State Park Kanawha State Park Hawks Nest State Park Pinnacle Rock State Park Brush Creek Falls Bluestone State Park Sandstone Falls State Park
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$59
 / night
98%
(27)

Possum Holler Camp- New River Gorge

1 site ¡ RV, Tent3 acres ¡ Victor, WV
Camping at Possum Holler Camp will provide you the perfect blend of solitude and recreation access. You will truly be in the heart of the New River National Park, yet still feel secluded in the beautiful woods without neighbors. You will have private access to beautiful and idyllic Mill Creek, which has many beautiful emerald pools and is even seasonally stocked with rainbow trout! Within a mile you can access the New River Gorge Bridge and the Canyon Rim Visitor Center, and you are equally close to the park's world class climbing, rafting, hiking, ziplining, and mountain biking at the New River Gorge National Park and surrounding areas. Your group will have the entire camp to yourselves, so there's no need to worry about noisy neighbors. Our driveway has recently been revamped to include more flat parking and a less steep access route! While these improvements are great, we still caution our guests to avoid bringing large trailers and to use 4WD if available in an attempt to minimize rutting in the future. We want you to enjoy a lovely campfire, but we ask that you purchase firewood locally because invasive pest species can travel in firewood. Possum Holler Camp is a Leave No Trace campsite, guests are asked to pack out anything they bring in and leave the area undisturbed. This includes damaging vegetation, creating new fire rings, or altering the natural area in any way. Also, please do not camp in the meadow area and only use the cleared out areas in the woods surrounding the parking and picnic/fire area for pitching tents. If you stay below the high water line, then feel free to move as far up or downstream Mill Creek as you like. The creek is indescribably beautiful in both directions! But please keep in mind that there is private property once you are above the high water line, please do not trespass on our neighbor's property.
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$69
 / night
98%
(123)

Tawney Farm's Wild & Woolly

10 sites ¡ RVs, Tents126 acres ¡ Summersville, WV
What says agritourism more than a primitive campground on a sheep farm in the beautiful mountains of West Virginia? Here you’re only a short drive from the New River Gorge National Park where you can go whitewater rafting or take a hike and experience the stunning beauty of the gorge, swim or paddleboard in Summersville Lake or go rock climbing on one of around 150 routes on the crags of the lake. In addition, you’ll be within walking distance of the Gauley River with all it’s wild untamed beauty where you can kayak, swim, fish, paddleboard, or splash in a waterfall. Not to mention being on a sheep farm, you can have the opportunity to learn about wool and wool processing. You can even learn how to felt wool and take home your creation! The Tawney Farm is a small-scale wool sheep farm adjacent to the beautiful Gauley River National Recreation Area and just a short drive to the New River Gorge National Park. Our 126 acre farm lies nestled in between two beautiful mountains, one of them named Panther Mountain, in the Gauley River gorge. Here we raise Merino and Jacob sheep for wool where we process the fiber and either sell it to other fiber artists or felt it into crafts and hats ourselves. Our farm is also home to a miniature horse, chickens, and of course dogs and cats. In addition to the NRG and Summersville Lake and Dam, also close by are Carnifex Ferry Battleground State Park where you can see where a crucial civil war battle took place, as well as Babcock State Park with its iconic grist mill and waterfall. Our region has it all! But why stay in an overcrowded, commercial campground? Leave the beaten path and enjoy peaceful and private, safe and secure primitive camping on our mountain farm. We provide 8 sites on our farm for every camping style, from RV to tent, each with a table, fire pit and grill. All sites are spaciously separate from one another for privacy and perfect for couples who want to get away from it all, or for families or groups of friends who want to reconnect and catch up. Get away from it all! Experience the wilderness and wonder of West Virginia as only a native West Virginian could. Fry up some farm fresh eggs over the campfire or grill. Park-style grills, fire pit grills and tables are provided for your use. Very affordable firewood is available. And to make your "roughing it" camping experience not so rough, we've added a few amenities! Clean portajohns are provided as well as a common area with a dishwashing station and a "to die for" outdoor hot water shower (above-freezing temperatures permitting)! Drink in the beautiful views of the Gauley River gorge while hiking our nature trails and experience the sights and sounds of a real working farm. Green and lush in the summer and brilliant hues of red, gold and orange in the fall. Come see what the mountain lakes region of West Virginia has to offer at the Tawney Farm. DURING GAULEY WHITEWATER SEASON (SEPT. 6 - OCT. 15), THE PRICE IS DISCOUNTED TO $35/NIGHT AS ​WE BEGIN FESTIVAL-STYLE CAMPING. TENT, VEHICLE AND SMALL RV CAMPING (DRY-ONLY) ARE STILL PERMITTED, BUT THE ONLY DESIGNATED SITES AVAILABLE WILL BE THE WALK-IN AND HIKE-IN (MTN. TOP) SITES. ​
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$45
 / night
100%
(1)

Bee Glamping Farm

1 site ¡ Lodging26 acres ¡ Victor, WV
You'll love this unique and romantic escape. Just 15 minutes from New River Gorge National Park, 15 minutes from Hawks Nest State Park, and 20 min from the all New Summersville Lake State Park.. at Bee Glamping Farm you will be camping with all the perks.. Your Bell tent includes a Queen size bed, WiFi, small fridge, all ran by solar power.. Cowboy pool/hot tub, Grill, Hot/Cold shower compost toilet.. Lots of back roads for riding your Atv’s (must bring your own, and ride at your own risk)
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$169
 / night
96%
(12)

New River Gorge Lodging

9 sites ¡ Lodging10 acres ¡ Hico, WV
Retreat to our tiny houses that look like miniature log cabins inside & enjoy the freedom of having the whole space to yourselves. Just like the kind in the TV shows, we built these last year. Our 18'x8' tiny house can sleep up to four. We are located right off of the main highway, in a campground/RV park ***off to the side in our own area where we have 4 tiny houses in total**. All are self contained and on grid with full electric & water. **No children under age 10 and not pet friendly**WE CLOSE THEM DOWN FOR THE WINTER FROM OCT 22, 2023 to MAY 1, 2024*** We are located exactly 2 & 1/2 miles north of the New River Gorge Bridge which is the edge of town of Fayetteville. We are close to the location that Airbnb put us, but due to West Virginia addressing it is the closest we could show on their map. Please ask us any questions you may have prior to booking about location, the tiny houses, activities, or anything!! ** No children under age of 10 and all tiny houses are not pet friendly** We love the location being 2 minutes from the New river and close to all national parks. The Gorge is an awesome site and we hope others enjoy are area as much as we do. Close to white water rafting and rock climbing areas too. Guests have access to the parking lot and the yards in back of the cabins. Feel free to bring a frisbie! Also have free access to free washing machines and dryers on the property as well. ***PLEASE NOTE*** Even though they can sleep up to 4 people, it may be very cramped inside with that many.**** Please note the tiny house is 18' X 8'. The first floor approximately 126 square feet including the bathroom. The second floor loft is approx. 80 square feet. Our water is city water on tap. ALSO, there are 4 of the tiny houses on that part of the campground. EVERY tiny house has it's own picnic table and fire ring. You will never share anything with any other tiny house guest. This is like the new tiny house hotels! All 4 of them are listed on Airbnb. Ask us for the Airbnb links to the others! Built just last year, our 18'x8' tiny house can sleep up to four. **Our tiny house ceilings are low, with just 6’2’’ in the kitchen. Clearance in the loft is about 4 feet. There’s a steep, narrow ladder into the open loft, which has a small railing, and doorways are narrow at 24 inches wide.** We have 4 tiny houses in total. We are located right off of the main highway, in a campground/RV park ***off to the side in our own area***. All of our tiny houses are completely self contained and on grid with full electricity and running water. ***Please note*** Even though they can sleep up to 4 people, it may be cramped inside with that many.**** Please note the tiny house is 18' X 8'. ***IN THE EARLY SPRING AND AGAIN IN THE FALL UNTIL END OF OCTOBER**There is a space heater and also a wall heater. Please note that these may not warm up to 80 degrees or more*** ***PLEASE NOTE****The couch on the first floor has 3 sections that are stacked and are made out of a regular 8 " memory foam , full size bed mattress. The mattress was cut into 3 sections and each section covered. This can sleep 2 people but please note it is a full size mattress, not a queen size. The 3 sections lay next to each other & become a regular full size mattress on the floor. *****The fitted sheet included in the bedding will keep all the pieces put tightly together side by side*** Please ask us any questions you may have prior to booking if you are unsure. There is a regular home mattress that is queen size in the loft as well. Both are very thick memory foam, regular bed mattresses with all pillows and bed linens provided. The bedding for the first floor bed will be laid out on the couch when you come in. There is a folding card table and 2 metal folding chairs in the tiny house. The full bathroom has a shower, toilet, and sink. We include towels, toilet paper, and hand soap. Usually the towel sets are underneath the bathroom sinks. You will have access to the laundry building where washers and dryers are free to use. Kitchenette has a kitchen sink with running water, mini fridge, coffee maker, microwave and a hot plate. We include a Mr Coffee type coffee maker, filters, coffee and styrofoam coffee cups. We have one pot, one pan (which are specific to the hot plate), paper plates, paper bowls, plastic ware -knives, forks, and spoons, & plastic cups. We also provide liquid dish soap and paper towels. There is a television but no satellite, cable or local stations. Feel free to bring your own DVD player, games, etc. and cords. We do not supply cords for your devices. **Please Note** There is NO wifi. The entire New River Gorge area does not have a good service provider yet. Cell service in our area is usually very good for most carriers, as we are high up and off the main highway. Your cellular hot spot should work very well. Outside the tiny house, there is a picnic table and fire ring that you’re able to use to cook and push aside the grate later to sit around a fire. Firewood is for sale for $5 per bundle if you call the phone # on the door. They will deliver it in a short period of time. You may want to bring lawn chairs as I do not supply them. Also any outdoor cooking utensils would be good to bring as well. Love playing games? This is the place for you! More than enough space outside to play bags, horses, washers, frisbee, soccer, kickball...you name it! Ask me about our space! There is plenty of parking to include trailers and toys. Our tiny houses are along the side on the inside of a campground. Feel free to have a friend camp outside the tiny house. We have no parking rules, feel free to park right by your tiny house. **Our tiny house ceilings are low, with just 6’2’’ in the kitchen. Clearance in the loft is about 4 feet. There’s a steep, narrow ladder into the open loft, which has a small railing, and doorways are narrow at 24 inches wide.** We clean and sanitize your space according to Airbnb’s enhanced cleaning protocol that was developed Internationally with EcoLab. Here are a few highlights: We sanitize high-touch surfaces, down to the doorknob. We use cleaners and disinfectants approved by global health agencies, and the cleaning team wear protective gear to help prevent cross-contamination. We clean each room using extensive cleaning checklists. If you would like extra cleaning supplies, please call us, do not message or email. We also comply with local laws, including any additional safety or cleaning guidelines. Please ask us any questions you may have. We have also own 7 cabins on one property about 2 miles north of the tiny houses. They are also listed in Airbnb, if you can't find their listing please message and I will send you the link to their listings. All are listed in Airbnb. Great for groups or family get togethers! Our intention is for the tiny house to be affordable and work with your schedule. If the price you see for the dates you want is not available, please message us and let us know what would work for you so we can try to accommodate you. **PLEASE NOTE** Our general area has a few food delivery services. However, most restaurants will also have carry outs available for you to pick up. Also our guests have ordered groceries at our local Walmart for pick up. This is very handy for groups.
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$149
 / night
100%
(8)

Moore Mountain

2 sites ¡ Tents20 acres ¡ Summersville, WV
Sitting at 2500' elevation we are offering 20 acres of mixed hardwood forest with berry picking and wildlife viewing, including a hiking trail that ends at a mountaintop veiw. We are located 10 min from summersville lake and 20 min from Monongahela National forest. Backpacking tents or hammocks are well suited for the mtn top camping site. Fresh garden veggies, farm eggs and spring water available while in season
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$35
 / night
100%
(2)

Stay by the New River

3 sites ¡ Lodging, Tents1 acre ¡ Hinton, WV
Come to the Southern Gateway of the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve. Serenity with the sound of the falls. I have a beautiful spot on the New River at the top of Brooks Falls that we call “Rock Bottom”. Electricity, coffee pot, a grill and a sink may be available - just ask!. You will have access to a private toilet as well.
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$25
 / night
100%
(5)

Baber Mountain Sanctuary

11 sites ¡ Tents30 acres ¡ Richwood, WV
High above historic Richwood WV, Baber Mountain Sanctuary offers a unique setting at elevation 3,700 ft. on the top of the eastern Continental Divide. 30 acres are available from primitive camping to glamping and everything in between. The historic 1912 Baber farmhouse sleeps up to 12; a nearby cabin sleeps up to 8 (bring your own bedding for the cabin). Pump your own fresh potable water. Indoor toilet in the house is available for campers, if needed. Site can accommodate multiple small RV's and camper vehicles. Solar, pasture, and wooded sites are plentiful. A Little Laurel feeder stream bounds joyfully down a cozy corner of the property. Wildflowers and plants abound. A level walking path around the top affords wonderful views of sunrises and sunsets and a 360 degree panorama. Multiple bonfire pits, wood provided. Wild edible famous (and infamous!) ramps (pungent and delicious wild leeks) are available in early spring as well as greens such as polk and milkweed seasonally, mushrooms, and many medicinal plants. Richwood hosts the world’s largest and oldest Ramp feed but they are better dug and cooked fresh on-site In early spring. Catering and cooking are available upon request. No poisonous plants or snakes; and mosquitoes and ticks are rare due to elevation. Game is plentiful, including deer, foxes, rabbits, turkeys, hawks, eagles and even very, very, rare bear and cub sightings Baber Mountain is off a little-used backcountry road, so let the dogs and critters run free. They will be happy because this is the last dwelling on the grid and there is no place to run off to! The historic 1912 house has been completely restored and has the feel of a an Air B & B. The house is an art gallery unto itself and features various regional artists as well as original mosaics created by Dr. Bob Henry Baber, former Mayor and current Poet Laureate of Richwood. Bob Henry is a widely published Appalachian poet, master storyteller and historian who will be your guide and host. Bob Henry can conduct "Make a Memory" Mosaic Workshops and Journaling/Creative Writing Workshops upon request for individuals and/or groups. He is an expert on Appalachian, West Virginia, and Richwood History. Upon request Bob Henry will conduct fireside chats with interactive storytelling, including original children's ' stories. Free literary gifts suitable for framing, such as A Bed Tyme Rhyme, will be complimentarily to all guests. Signed editions of his novel, Pure Orange Sunshine, and other books are for sale. Within in a few minutes are the stunning resources and scenery of the West Virginia Highlands. The Monongahela National Forest offers the Cranberry Glades, Hills Creek Falls, the 37,000 acres Cranberry Wilderness (which grew by 17,000 acres in 2006 and for which Dr. Baber received the National Wilderness Society Hero Award), the Scenic Highway (one of the best in the country, but closed for the winter) the Cranberry Glades, the Nature Center and numerous hiking trails and swimming holes. Fishing is stupendous in the stocked Cranberry, Williams and Cherry rivers. Autumn rivals and even surpasses New England's foliage due to the diversity of trees here where north meets south. Leaves peak around October 15. Wishing for a White Christmas, just like the ones we used to know? Chances are 3 out of 4 we will have one. Want to camp but pamper Grandma at the same time? This is the perfect place! You and the kids can stay outside, she will enjoy the quaint comforts of the house. Fishing, swimming, kayaking, hiking and picnicking opportunities abound. Stunning Summersville Lake is 30 miles away, with beautiful backwater kayaking within 20 miles. Baber Mountain is in the middle of charming Fayetteville, Webster Springs, Snowshoe Ski Resort, Marlinton, and historic and charming Lewisburg. At Baber Mountain Eco-tourism can be explored from old growth timber on-site to nearby clear-cutting, strip-mining for coal and wind generation. Hundreds of miles of backcountry roads depart from the entrance to Baber Mountain and can accommodate biking, dirt biking, horseback riding, four-wheeling and more. Forget about the Hatfield and McCoy Trail. Why share the road when you can have it all to yourself? Baber Mountain Sanctuary is ideal for romantic getaways, reunions, educational retreats, spiritual gatherings, alternative weddings/honeymoons, personal growth and development retreats and so on. Bird, Moon, and Milky Way Star gazing are a must. Disc Golf is coming! Civil War buff? Nancy Hart, a civil war Confederate spy who tricked her way out of jail, is buried just up the road. Also nearby is the Baber Mountain family cemetery. There's more, much more to tell, I can't wait to meet you and share Almost Heaven, West Virginia. See You Soon! 🦋🍒🌺🌸🎉❤️
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$29
 / night
100%
(1)

The Wanderer @ McFadden Ridge

1 site ¡ Lodging4 acres ¡ Pool, WV
Learn more about this land: Not all who wander are lost...enjoy your unique stay in our 300 sq ft container cabin in the woods. The space is thoughtfully designed for a couple (with or without kids) or friends on a fun trip. Enjoy breathtaking views (especially in the fall!) gaze at the starry night from the hot tub or fire pit, hike nearby trails throughout the New River Gorge National Park, relax on the Summersville lake beach just mins away! Adventurers can enjoy ziplining, whitewater rafting and kayaking down the Gauley River.
from 
$175
 / night

The best camping near Gauley River National Recreation Area guide

Overview

About

This national recreation area is an outdoor lover's dream vacation. There's 31 miles of river (25 from the Gauley and six from the Meadow), more than 100 rapids, and 11,000 acres of land. The wooded hills, green mountains, and deep woods are perfect for hiking and camping. Camp onsite if you so desire, or stay at Summersville Lake on the northeast side of the park.

When you're not lounging by the river, take a trip back to history at Carnifex Ferry Battlefield. The 156-acre area is a Civil War site that hosted a pivotal moment in history. Get your heart pumping on the class 5+ rapids, which are not for the faint of heart. If whitewater rafting is your thing, visit during the fall when the water is rough and wild, thanks to its 668-foot drop. Most of the fun happens in the upper Gauley at Sweet's Falls and Shipwreck. For water fun that's a little less turbulent, opt for some fishing at the lower Gauley or Meadow River. Both fall and spring are great fishing times.

To get to the Gauley recreation site, take Route 19 south from Summersville to Route 129 and turn northwest to the Summersville Dam and Upper Gauley River Put-In.

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