Camping is a favorite pasttime at national parks across the United States. Visitors to New River Gorge National Park and Preserve can enjoy primitive camping at one of our 8 primitive campgrounds. Primitive camping areas have no drinking water, no hookups, no electricity, and limited restroom facilities. There are no camping fees at park campgrounds. Reservations are not available; all sites are first-come, first-serve. In busy months, campgrounds fill quickly and it is recommended to have a back-up plan.
There are no developed campgrounds in the park. Visitors that need or prefer a developed campgrounds can find options throughout the surrounding area at state parks and private campgrounds.
Map of the campgrounds of New River Gorge National Park and Preserve*. Not shown on the map is Gauley Tailwaters Campground, which is located north of New River Gorge National Park and Preserve in Gauley River National Recreation Area.
NPS
Campgrounds
New River Gorge National Park and Preserve offers 8 primitive campgrounds. The nearby Gauley River National Recreation Area also offers one primitive campground, Gauley Tailwaters. Campgrounds have different types of campsites including walk-in campsites for tents only and drive-in campsites for RVs, campers, car camping, and tents. Walk-in campsites require walking a short distance from the parking area to the tent-only campsite. Drive-in campsites have their own parking spot next to a camping pad that can accomodate varying sizes of RVs and campers. Picnic tables, fire rings, and grills are available at campsites.
Camping in a non-designated site or using a walk-in parking lot for RV, camper, or car camping is prohibited.
All campgrounds are located on maintained gravel or dirt roads in somewhat remote locations within New River Gorge National Park and Preserve. Campgrounds will be several miles from gas stations, grocery stores, or other markets. Campers are recommended to bring plenty of drinking water, food, and any other necessities with them.
All campgrounds except War Ridge are located on the New River. Easy access to the river for fishing and boating is available. Swimming is strongly discouraged as the New River has powerful currents, rocky banks and shoals, and sudden dropoffs. Anyone near the banks of the New River is recommended to wear an approved personal flotation device such as a life jacket.
All designated sites are managed on a first-come, first-served basis. Reservations are not accepted.
No more than 2 vehicles permitted per campsite. RVs do not count towards vehicle limits
No more than 2 tents or 1 tent and 1 RV/Camper per campsite. RV, camper, and car camping only permitted at drive-in campsites. Tent camping permitted at all campsites.
Camp only in designated campsites. Camping in any day use, river access, trailhead, or walk-in campsite parking lot is prohibited.
No more than 8 people and 4 pets per campsite
Camping limit of no more than a total of 14 days within a 28-day period within any park campground and camping area.
Quiet hours are from 10:00 PM to 6:00 AM.
Check-out time is 12:00 PM noon on the day the permit expires
Pets must be kept on a leash.
Use existing fire rings for campfires. Burn only dead wood found on the ground. Damaging or cutting live trees or branches for firewood is prohibited.
Use the provided toilet facilities.
Do not drive nails into trees or hang lanterns against trees.
Public intoxication, disorderly conduct, and possession of alcohol by minors is prohibited. Alcohol is prohibited at Thayer campground.
Littering is prohibited. Dispose of trash in a bear-proof trash can or dumpster. Pack out all trash if there is no available bear-proof trash can or dumpster.
Broken glass is a hazard. Use plastic and aluminum containers when possible.
Respect all other park visitors including hikers, river users, and other campers.
Group camping is available by permit at Meadow Creek Campground
NPS
Group Camping
The park a group camping area available for groups of 8 or more people. This site requires a Special Use Permit. For a permit for the group campsite, contact the permits office at 304-465-6517. Permits require a minimum of 10 business days after the application has been received.
Areas suitable for camping are located adjacent to trails such as Glade Creek, Brooklyn-Southside Junction, and Stone Cliff trails. Other sites are along the river, accessible by boat. Camping is prohibited within 100 feet of developed trails.For safety purpose, it is recommended to discuss your plans with a ranger before an overnight boating or backpacking trip. Trail maps and river maps are available at park visitor centers.
Backcountry Regulations
Reservations or permits are not required for backcountry camping
Camping is prohibited at Grandview, Brookside Island, day-use areas, and within Bluestone National Scenic River
Camping is prohibited within 100 feet of state roads, parking lots, trailheads, boat launch areas, visitor centers, park structures, top or bottom of cliffs, and historic areas.
Camp above the high water line of any river, creek, or stream if possible.
Use existing campsites and fire rings where provided.
Dead, down wood may be used for campfires. Damaging or cutting live trees or branches for firewood is prohibited. Only use hand tools on collected firewood.
Trespassing is prohibited on all CSX or RJ Corman property including railroad tracks and roads.
Any person within 0.25 miles from a restroom or other toilet facility must dispose of human waste within that facility.
Properly dispose of human waste in non-developed areas more than a 0.25 miles from restroom facilities. Human waste may be containerized in an appropriate receptical and carried out or it may be buried. All buried waste must be buried 6 inches deep in organic soil in a location that is not within 200 feet or in sight of any trail, road, parking lot, developed area, campsite, cliff or rock formation, climbing route, climbing area, water source, or high water mark, intermittent or otherwise, of any stream.
Littering is prohibited. Pack out all trash and properly dispose of it in a bear-proof trash can or dumpster.
More Information
General camping information (weekdays only) - 304-465-0508
Group camping permit application (weekdays only) - 304-465-6517
