Stone Cliff Campground

When it comes down to brass tacks, and we all know how often those come down in this modern era, national park campgrounds are often vastly inferior to national forest campgrounds in general, with about the same amenities. This campground is average if not a bit lame for a national park, given it’s generally wide open nature. If you’re expecting privacy, shade or quiet, you should familiarize with the saying, “expectation breeds disappointment,” and then expect to be severely disappointed.

As you can’t call anyone for information about campground availability — the rangers have no info on whether a campground is full or not — you just have to drive down and check it out. There are only 11 sites, and this is a popular area, though the smallish nature of the sites at least limits campers to small trailers, vans or less, but in any case, arriving on a Friday or Saturday is probably a no go, even outside of prime summer. Which, as much of America is forcing their children back to school in early to mid-August to promote family untogetherness in these trying times, means we are now outside of that prime sunshine.

All of that to say, we didn’t get a spot. However, we were able to snag a spot along the road leading into the site. We set up our tent, kids were tucked in, and the misses and I were enjoying the serenity of a roadside spot where a train only often makes a bunch of noise.

Two rangers, one truck, drove by and toward the campground, but didn’t stop or say anything to us. We were fairly certain we could camp there, because, and this is according to park literature:

“CAMPING is allowed throughout the park on federally-owned lands unless
Otherwise posted. Unless developed sites are offered, camp sites must be at least 100 feet away from any river access area, developed trailhead area, top edge or bottom of any cliff, park structure or historic ruin. The maximum stay is 14 days in any park camping area within a 28 day period. There is no camping fee.”

So, our spot was not at a (marked) trailhead, there were no “no camping” or any other types of signs, and we were a 100 yards easy from the river or cliffs. Still, on their way back out, pistol toting rangers did approach us and ask us to leave. When we mentioned our kids were sleeping, they let us slide. Another guy, completely in his van with no chairs or anything else set up, about 50’ down the road was not asked to leave.

The rangers stated that because there was a little foot path to the river, that counted as river access. All in all, they were cool and we did get to stay the night…but given the unclear nature of the park’s actual rules about camping “anywhere…” it seems more education or signage is needed.

At the end of the day, though, it’s so great to see that New River Gorge got a promotion, and with it some spicy new amenities (like roads that don’t crumble just from looking at them.)

This is definitely a tent area. It's a bit of a haul to the campsites from the parking lot. The sites on the riverfront were packed in and sloped too much for my taste. Relatively clean sites. A train goes by twice at night, one at 3:00 am . Yikes. It was quiet during the week. Rafting tours bring busses in and use the ramp. This extra traffic adds to the load on the pit toilets.

This site says that there is a spot for 1 RV and the rear primitive camping. We came in and it was dark (always a no no in camping to arrive at dark) it was also raining. We were not able to find the 1 Rv camping site so we just set up shop where we had room. If you have a small rv or want to do tent camping this spot is great. To wake up on the river and have breakfast was great!! Totally worth checking out. We were totally alone. No other campers rv or tent so was a little creepy because it’s far from anything. Still had fun!

Trying to be as unbiased as possible, I was very pleased with this spot. It’s right on the river, pretty spread out from the other spots. Of course, we were tent camping in late November, so I have no idea how busy it is during the summer, but we didn’t have to deal with much more than a few cars pulling up to the boat dock area. A few things that I believe some other people might not like that wasn’t a big deal for me, my buddy, or my dog: 1) the area we camped was fairly sandy, which I didn’t care, so be sure to bring some sand stakes for your tent. 2) being so close to the river might attract a ton of mosquitoes in the summer so just be wary of that as well 3) you’re unable to park at the campsite we stayed at, so we had to make several trips to lug all of our gear... again, not a huge deal for us, but some might complain.

The only one massive thing we didn’t like was my buddy found a needle in one of the stalls at the bathhouse. Be careful! Also, stalls didn’t have doors on them either

Perfect spot for tent camping. It was pretty quiet because it was a Sunday night, but I imagine it would be more popular on the weekend and in the summer. Overall, great views, has picnic tables, grills, and bathrooms. There is a nearby hiking trail, a place where people fish, and a train across the river that can be a little noisy. One of the better free campsites I’ve stayed at.