Campgrounds and RV parks near Shrewsbury, WV

Whitewater is the region's headline attraction. The New River offers rafting for a wide range of ability levels from spring through early fall, and the dam-controlled Gauley River draws paddlers from around the world during scheduled fall releases from Summersville Lake. Beyond rafting, the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve covers a large tract of land along the New River, with rock climbing, mountain biking, and hiking trails, plus the New River Gorge Bridge overlook at Canyon Rim. Closer to Shrewsbury, the Elk River near Lazy K's Campground and Canoe Livery is suited to canoeing, kayaking, and fishing at a slower pace. Families traveling with kids often mix a rafting or float day with easier stops like the Canyon Rim Visitor Center, Babcock State Park, and the shops and restaurants in Fayetteville.

Peak season along the New River and Gauley runs from late May through mid-October. Summer brings warm, humid days ideal for river time, and campgrounds near the gorge fill quickly around holiday weekends. Family rafting on the Lower New is generally reliable through the warmer months. Fall is the marquee season for serious paddlers. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers releases water from Summersville Dam on scheduled dates beginning the Friday after Labor Day and running about seven weekends into mid-October, creating guaranteed flows on the Gauley River. Foliage typically peaks in mid to late October, and lodging near Fayetteville books far in advance for those release weekends. Spring is cooler and wetter, with high water on the New River early in the season. Winter is short but cold with periods of snow and freezing temperatures. Some private campgrounds and most primitive National Park Service sites remain accessible, but services are limited, and Lazy K's Campground and Canoe Livery is one of the few properties in the area that stays open year-round.

Roads into the gorge and along the rivers are winding and sometimes steep. Larger rigs should check access notes with each campground before arrival, as some riverside routes narrow or lose pavement near the sites. GPS routing occasionally suggests very rough shortcuts, so following the campground's own directions is safer. Most private parks in the area offer 30 and 50 amp service, water, and sewer, along with picnic tables and fire rings. National Park Service sites are primitive: pit or vault toilets, picnic tables, and fire rings, but no potable water and no hookups. Cell service is inconsistent in the gorge. Black bears are present throughout the region, so food should be stored in the RV or a hard-sided container. Summer humidity is high, evenings can be cool at elevation, and rain gear is worth packing in any season.