New River Gorge Camping
New River Gorge Camping and Campgrounds
Roger’s Rocky Top Retreat. Yes, unfortunately it is true. Roger threw in the towel and closed down this historic campground. He endeared himself to everyone who stayed there and those days will be fondly remembered by everyone who experienced this wacky, NRG institution. Thanks for everything Roger!
American Alpine Club Campground. Fortunately, just as Roger’s was closing, the AAC decided to build a campground here. They only have three others (Tetons, Gunks, Hueco) so we are lucky. Incredibly well situated, the campground is just uphill from the Junkyard crag. Each of the 40 sites comes with one or two carefully located tent platforms and a picnic table. The bath house is open, complete with pay showers. a radiant slab and a generous covered porch for getting out of the rain. Individual fires are forbidden but wait til you get a load of the two group fire rings–spectacular! Paul Nelson, the hilarious campground manager will be around to collect your money $5 for AAC members, $6 for Access Fund members, $7 for everyone else. Open year round. Take the Ames Heights Rd exit off Rt. 19 (north of the bridge) Take a left at the three way intersection, heading to Junkyard Wall. Watch for signs. Sorry, no number yet. Check out the facebook page…
Chestnut Creek Campground. A more traditional camping option with individual, woodsy sites equipped with fire rings and picnic tables Located on the north side of the gorge, just off Rt. 19 on Lansing Road, this place is close to Fern Creek, Endless Wall and Beauty Mountain. Nice shower house. Sadly, Brian McClung, who started and managed the campground died last year. His daughter Sierra has picked up the reins. Brian was a good fellow but a curmudgeon and he garnered some negative reviews because of it. Please disregard! This is a terrific campground and Sierra and Seth are great folks. Inside scoop: quiet hours are enforced! 304-574-3136
Cooter’s Campground. A small, peaceful, secluded and rustic campground located just off Gatewood Rd. in Fayetteville. 304-574-2772
Ray’s Campground. Midway between the New and Gauley Rivers. Tent camping, RV sites and cabins. 304-658-4386
Mountain State Outdoor Center. This conveniently located campground is owned and operated by Adventures on the Gorge. Just off Rt. 19 on Ames Heights Rd., it offers different camping options, a store, and a clean shower house. The only minor drawback is road noise from Rt. 19. 304-574-0704
Rifrafters Campground. Located two miles south of the bridge, this campground is clean, quiet and offers a variety of camping options. They pride themselves on being family friendly. 304-574-1065
Summersville Lake Retreat. If you plan on climbing at Summersville most of your visit, you may want to consider staying here, just off Rt. 19 on Rt. 129. Wooded tent sites available. Steve and Donna, your super-friendly, knowledgeable hosts, have a well-run clean campground and loads of local info. They can also rent you a stand up paddleboard or a sea kayak. Check out the lighthouse that they built with a damaged wind turbine–way cool! 304-872-5975
Most of the raft companies also have campgrounds, but be forewarned, rafters tend to stay up late, drink gallons of cheap beer and make lots of noise. Caveat emptor!!