Campgrounds and RV parks near Sprague, WV

Whitewater rafting on the New River is the region's signature activity, with commercial outfitters running trips on the Upper and Lower sections at varying difficulty levels. Grandview overlook, a short drive from Sprague, delivers the classic long view down the gorge and connects to short rim trails suitable for families. Inside New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, visitors can hike, mountain bike, rock climb, fish, and stargaze. The park protects a long stretch of the New River and includes multiple visitor centers spread across the unit. Closer to camp, Little Beaver State Park offers an 18-acre lake with paddleboard, canoe, kayak, and paddleboat rentals, close to 20 miles of trails, and picnic areas. The Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine, about a half-hour drive, is a common rainy-day stop for families.

The main camping season in southern West Virginia runs April through October. Little Beaver State Park's campground is open spring through fall, weather permitting, and closes for the winter months. Primitive National Park Service campgrounds such as Army Camp remain open year-round, but access roads to riverside sites can be rough after heavy rain or snow. Summer is the busiest window. Park campgrounds are small and fill quickly, especially on holiday weekends, so plan on arriving by early afternoon if targeting a first-come, first-served riverside site with only about 11 spots. Summer is also the wettest season locally, with July the peak rain month, so expect afternoon thunderstorms. Spring and fall bring cooler nights, lower crowds, and reliable rafting flows. Fall foliage in the gorge typically peaks in mid to late October, and October is one of the driest months. Winter camping is possible at year-round primitive sites, but snow, ice, and closed water systems make developed grounds a better fit for cold-weather RV stays.

Expect a clear split between developed and primitive experiences. Little Beaver State Park offers electric and water hookups on 30 of its 46 sites, a bathhouse with laundry, a dump station near the check-in area, and daily trash pickup. Sites are back-in, and Loop 1 campers face a longer walk to the bathhouse. Primitive National Park Service campgrounds provide vault or composting toilets, picnic tables, fire rings, and bear-proof trash receptacles, with no potable water, electricity, or showers. Army Camp has 11 gravel drive-in sites suitable for tents and RVs up to about 31 feet, with no pull-throughs. Large rigs over 31 feet are not recommended at the primitive riverside grounds. Cell service is limited or absent in the gorge, so download maps before leaving Sprague and bring drinking water for any primitive stay.