(48 votes, average: 3.38 out of 5)
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It will be helpful to know that when you get to the foot of the dam take a right and follow the road to the back. You will see fire rings & campsites. We read previously that the flush toilets were locked but this was not the case on our visit. There are two separate bathroom areas. Vault toilets are in the free camping area but the flush toilets are only about 50 yards from the free camping area. You pass them on the drive in. Resist the urge to park/camp near the water at the foot of the dam as they lock the entry gate at night and the area did have a lot of rain & the river rose a few feet while we were camping.
We felt it was overall a safe place to camp but just be aware that while there were respectable campers, climbers/rafters there was also a multi family campsite set your tag appeared to be there for a long period of time and also a squatters area set up that was completely trashed. That being said though no one bothered us, there wasn't loud partying going on or anything. The area was beautiful and the sites were flat and we'll maintained.
*Note- Our river guide told us it is also legal to camp anywhere within the New River Gorge National Park area. We have not researched this ourselves yet, but we did witness other campers camped along the river, which was why this topic came up.
Expect a $10 Site for Free Not a Resort
Stayed overnight here the last Friday in April in minivan conversion on the way to a gathering because it is only a few miles off Highway 19. Second left after crossing the dam (first is offices/maintenance) then wind down behind the dam staying right at the end. Modern restrooms were closed, but the pit toilets were lit and nice enough. It was about half full when I arrived around dark. Mostly tents except one big party rig which ran their generator till about 10pm which is irritating, but expected post-millennial. Small sites with picnic tables and fire rings I would expect to pay $10 for at a Wildlife Management Area. At 5am I creeped out without turning on headlights and was hiking into the Cranberry Backcountry by sunrise.
Stayed here in a 16 foot-long Passenger Vehicle. SeniorTravel.TV would stay here again.
Is this review helpful? 
4 
0
Very quiet stay
Stayed there last night. Campground was 60% full. Mostly tent campers and local family groups. Campsites where clean and people were friendly and polite. It was extremely quiet during the day and night. There were toilets and picnic tables but no showers. Would stay again.
Stayed here in a 19 foot-long Class B (RV). Claudia Veihl would stay here again.
Is this review helpful? 8 2
Basic campground
Stayed here on a Wednesday night in July 2021. Its just a basic campground with pit toilets and flush ones about 150 feet away. Sites are pretty close together but perfectly adequate with picnic tables and a fire pit. Place was full but quiet around 9pm. Would stay here again.
Stayed here with a passenger vehicle and a tent. isohel would stay here again.
Is this review helpful? 6 1
Great camp spot!
Great spot. Nice and clean,toilets, running water, trash receptacles. Great location to enjoy nearby river and lake.
Stayed here with a passenger vehicle and a tent. Forging Phoinex would stay here again.
Is this review helpful? 5 1
Campground still closed.
reginald would not stay here again.Is this review helpful? 0 2
Temporarily Closed
Campsite is temporarily closed for health precautions.
Roaming Interest would stay here again.
Is this review helpful? 4 0
Easy to find, clearly good for groups
At first glance, this campground is exactly what I signed up for - clean and free. But around 8pm at night, a loud and rowdy group of people (about 20) came into the site next to mine. Not a big deal (still before quiet hours), but then they continued to take over not only the site next door but part of mine -- including the picnic table -- as well. I sleep in the back of my converted SUV, so went out so they knew I was there, but it didn't matter. Attempted to sleep, but they were loud, drinking and carrying on, and then woke again to a man peering INTO my car(!!!) while another two parked on the other side of me and unpacked more tents/belongings around midnight. By the end, I was surrounded on three sides, and not one of them could understand why I would have a problem with that. Finally called it quits.
Probably fine for couples and clearly fine for groups, but as a woman traveling solo, I'll pass. Groups seemed to be congregating all along the campground, not just by me (although not to that extent). Safety first.
Stayed here with a passenger vehicle and a tent. itsemilycate would not stay here again.
Is this review helpful? 7 0
this spot is pretty cool. although there is very little privacy, it is free and worked for me. seemed to be quite empty during the week and on the weekends would fill up toward the evenings with people exploring and enjoying the area. no issues, everyone was respectful and friendly. toilets and trash nearby. ranger rolled through, not everyday though. i felt safe and would definitely stay here again. no usable cell signal with at&t, maybe 1 bar 4g that was in and out.
Stayed here in a 23 foot-long Class C (RV). roadwitch would stay here again.
Is this review helpful? 3 0
Been here, done that!
Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
Is this review helpful? 1 11
Cool place. Best vault toilet in the world! Doesn t stink!
Kayakers will be loud and rude!
Tadpol would stay here again.Is this review helpful? 0 2
Great spot
Fantastic little area for free camping! We were here mid-December and we were there alone. There’s about 20 campsites that are relatively close together. Deep pit toilets were unlocking extremely clean! There is a decent amount of firewood available in the area to have a nice little fire. Good walking trails throughout. Even though the cell phone service wasn’t high, there were no issues with surfing the web or making phone calls.
Stayed here in a 19 foot-long PopUp Trailer (RV). brenleyransome would stay here again.
Is this review helpful? 6 0
Showers are still locked. Pit toilets inside the site were absolutely disgusting. Flush toilets in the parking lot were a little better but still pretty bad.
Campsites are close together with no privacy and very little shade. This campground is at bottom of the dam which feeds the river from it's base so the water is ICE cold. Refreshing but too cold to swim or bathe.
The majority of campers seemed to be white water kayakers and were gone most of the day. There was drinking water but only via a water fountain so don't expect to fill your tanks. We had no trouble getting our 26 ft bus down.
A decent so for a night or two but I wouldn't want to hang out here for the whole 14 days.
Stayed here in a 26 foot-long Class C (RV). Serenity would not stay here again.
Is this review helpful? 1 1
Excellent site for free!
It will be helpful to know that when you get to the foot of the dam take a right and follow the road to the back. You will see fire rings & campsites. We read previously that the flush toilets were locked but this was not the case on our visit. There are two separate bathroom areas. Vault toilets are in the free camping area but the flush toilets are only about 50 yards from the free camping area. You pass them on the drive in. Resist the urge to park/camp near the water at the foot of the dam as they lock the entry gate at night and the area did have a lot of rain & the river rose a few feet while we were camping.
We felt it was overall a safe place to camp but just be aware that while there were respectable campers, climbers/rafters there was also a multi family campsite set your tag appeared to be there for a long period of time and also a squatters area set up that was completely trashed. That being said though no one bothered us, there wasn't loud partying going on or anything. The area was beautiful and the sites were flat and we'll maintained.
*Note- Our river guide told us it is also legal to camp anywhere within the New River Gorge National Park area. We have not researched this ourselves yet, but we did witness other campers camped along the river, which was why this topic came up.
Stayed here in a 19 foot-long Class B (RV). viavacavi would stay here again.
Is this review helpful? 8 0
Thanks for the tip that you can sleep along the river. I found this map link to maps that I thing would better help. We plan to try one out this Dec.
From this site: https://www.nps.gov/neri/planyourvisit/maps.htm
Select the "Park Map - New River Gorge National River". Once downloaded, look for the "Primitive Campsite" icons on the map.
Also, this site will give you detailed driving directions for each spot in the "Plan your visit" section".
Is this review helpful? 3 0
Thank you so much for the map link. It has lead me to a whole new place to stay. Great find
Is this review helpful? 0 0
The showers are permanently locked and the flush toilet area is kind of dirty. There is a vault toilet in the campground. Sites have no privacy. It is an OK spot to overnight, though
MimiAdrija would stay here again.Is this review helpful? 1 0
Correction: This public campground is owned and managed by the National Park Service, not the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The Corps still owns and operates the Summersville Dam and Lake, but this campground located below Summersville Dam was transferred to the NPS many years ago after the Gauley River was declared a National Recreation Area. Contact the NPS at 304-465-0508 for more information on this campground.
Note: Yes, the Corps does have a restriction that prohibits cliff jumping on Summersville Lake for public safety purposes. This restriction has lead to a drastic decline in serious accidents that have occurred from this activity.
Is this review helpful? 3 0
Clean. Well protected. Lots of rock climbers. Pretty nice for tent camping. Lots of free firewood. Fishing Gauley tailwaters.
Is this review helpful? 4 0
Yup, base of the dam about 20 basic but free campsites. Friends and I use them when scuba diving the lake. Out of the campsites top the hill you have
1-across the road little dirt road on the left of that parking lot is Winter Access for diving and some swimming.
2-left on the road and I think first right to Battle Run is a better beach and boat ramp
3-right to the highway then left a few miles maybe then left again and right at last to the main marina which has a floating dive shop for air fills and gear. Be nice, military, police, fire department ID and maybe a discount.
Is this review helpful? 2 4
I like to get directions to the campsites from Saint Albans, WV
between charleston and huntington to there the easy way to get there Pulling a 14ft camper by a small v6 suv.
Is this review helpful? 1 0
It's just a mile or 2 off 19 which is a divided highway. The only treacherous part is going down to the campsite from the main road, but you should be able to handle it.
Is this review helpful? 2 0
A decent campsite with newer facilities. At the base of the Summersville dam. Just north of the dam on 19 on the east side of the road there is a parking lot with a path that leads to some sweet cliffs that you can jump off. Watch out for the US Army Corps of Engineers, they will chase you off the cliffs if they catch you there. I've been caught 1 of 10 times I've gone, they were nice enough about it, but will ticket you if caught more than once. Its actually how I found this campsite, the US ACE gave us a ride with our gear back to the parking lot and gave us directions here.
Is this review helpful? 1 1
Great Location, Tough to Get a Spot During Rafting Season
Good location close to the dam and not far from other attractions in the Summersville Lake area. Depending on the time of year, take the "first come, first serve" very seriously since there aren't many sites at this campground. Sites are also close together. Regardless, the campground is also within walking distance of one of the most beautiful parts of the Gauley River, which is why it is so popular during rafting season. Sunsets are a real treat at this campground, as well.
Jason would stay here again.Is this review helpful?
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