Photo: Gary Hartley

← New River Gorge National Park & Preserve · Camping

War Ridge/Backus Mountain Campground

8 sites · Free · First come, first served · RVs to 25 ft

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First come, first servedFree / night

No reservations. Sites are first come, first served, so arrive early.

🧭 Directions Apple Maps

8Sites

8First come

FreePer night

25 ftRVs

Reservations

All sites are managed on a first-come, first-served basis and reservations are not accepted.

Fees

War Ridge Campground These primitive camping areas have no drinking water or hookups, and limited restroom facilities. All sites are managed on a first-come, first-served basis and reservations are not accepted. There are no fees for camping.	Free

Season & hours

War Ridge Campground is open year round.

Amenities

Toilets · none
Showers · none
Drinking water · none
Trash / recycling · none
Laundry · none
Camp store · none
Firewood for sale · none
Ice for sale · none
Food storage lockers · none
Dump station · none
Amphitheater · none
Camp host · none
Cell reception · year round
Internet · none

RVs, trailers & access

RVs	Allowed, up to 25 ft
Trailers	Allowed, up to 25 ft
RV notes	All campsites are drive in and can accommodate small (less than 25 feet in total length) RVs or trailers. Large RVs or trailers (over 25 feet in length) are not recommended. There are no pull-through campsites.
Roads	Unpaved Roads - All vehicles OK in good weather
Type	Primitive Camping Areas
Campfires	Use existing fire rings at campsites. Burn only dead wood found on the ground. Damaging or cutting down trees or branches for firewood is prohibited.
Wheelchair	There are no wheelchair accessible campsites or restrooms at this location.
ADA	There are no ADA compliant accessible campsites or restrooms at this location.
Cell	Cell service is spotty and may not be reliable based on provider, weather, and location.

Getting there

War Ridge Campground, Prince, WV 25907

From Beckley, take Highway 41 to McCreery, cross the river, and continue towards Danese. Turn right onto Backus Mountain Road, drive approximately 1 1/2 miles and turn right at the gravel road (SR 22/7). The campground is on your right approximately 1/2 mile off Backus Road.

Contact

(304) 465-0508 · neri_interpretation@nps.gov

Other campgrounds in New River Gorge National Park & Preserve

Army Camp11 sites · Free · First come, first served · RVs to 31 ft Brooklyn5 sites · Free · First come, first served · No RVs Burnwood Group Campsite1 sites · $75 · Reservations · RVs OK Glade Creek11 sites · Free · First come, first served · RVs to 31 ft Grandview Sandbar16 sites · Free · First come, first served · RVs to 31 ft Meadow Creek17 sites · Free · Check availability on arrival · No RVs Stone Cliff7 sites · Free · First come, first served · No RVs Thayer4 sites · Free · First come, first served · No RVs

About War Ridge/Backus Mountain

This is the only campground in the park that is not along the river. It is located on a ridgetop near Backus Mountain. There are 8 drive-in sites for tents, RVs, or campers. Only small (less than 25 feet) RVs or campers are recommended. Camp only at designated sites. RV, camper, or car camping in non-designated sites or any parking area is strictly prohibited.

Photos

campground with fog — War Ridge Campground · NPS photo

campground — War Ridge Campground · Dave Bieri

Campsites

Site-by-site details (sizes, hookups, shade) for this campground are coming soon.

Conditions at camp

🌤️ Forecast

Thu, Nov 12

Overnight

45°F

Light Rain

Thu, Nov 12

Day

50°F

Light Rain

Thu, Nov 12

Night

34°F

Chance Light Rain then Slight Chance Sleet

Fri, Nov 13

Day

38°F

Rain And Snow

Fri, Nov 13

Night

28°F

Rain And Snow Likely

Sat, Nov 14

Day

36°F

Chance Light Snow

Sat, Nov 14

Night

27°F

Mostly Cloudy

Sun, Nov 15

Day

40°F

Mostly Sunny

Source: National Weather Service (weather.gov)

🔥 Wildfires nearby

No active fire perimeters nearby. ✅

Source: National Interagency Fire Center (WFIGS)

🗓️ Typical weather

Weather in the Appalachian Mountains can be unpredictable and can change quickly. Always be prepared for the possibility of sudden storms. Weather in the mountains is often cooler and wetter than the surrounding area. On average, the warmest month is July. The maximum average precipitation also occurs in July.

Rules

•Camp only in designated campsites. •RV, Camper, and Car camping only permitted at drive-in campsites. •No more than 2 tents or 1 tent and 1 RV/Camper per campsite. •No more than 2 vehicles permitted per campsite. •Campers must occupy permitted campsites each night. •No more than 8 people and 4 pets per campsite. •Camping limit of no more than a total of 14 days per 28-day period in any park campground. •Quiet hours are from 10:00 PM to 6:00 AM. •Pets must be kept on a leash. •Use existing fire rings for campfires. Burn only dead wood found on the ground. •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. •Littering is prohibited. Dispose of trash in a bear-proof trash receptacle. •Avoid glass containers, use plastic or aluminum. •Respect all other park visitors and campers.

Trails near camp

Campground information from the National Park Service. Confirm current status with the park before you go.