Camping at the New River Gorge

I’m headed down to the New for the first time on my own and looking for the best place to camp if I plan to climb at Summersville Lake. Any suggestions???

The American Alpine Club campground would be a good option if you are looking for climbing partners. 

+1 for AAC campground, but that's closer to fayetteville

There's pay camping at summersville lake and free camping at the base of summersville dam

I’m having a hard time finding coordinates to get to the AAC... I’m coming from Ohio, any direction advice would be much appreciated

Its the left right past Country Thai off of Ames Heights Rd.  

Gotta give a shoutout to Chestnut Creek, too. Nice friendly owner and quiet campsites. I think it came out to cheaper if you weren't an AAC member but I can't be sure. AAC is solid though and a better bet if you're looking for a partner as someone else mentioned. Neither is that bad of a drive to the lake.

I stayed at the base of the dam once and meh

Ray's Campground in Hico! Cheaper than AAC campground and Chestnut, and closer to Summersville!  Cool scene there, oftentimes a fair amount of climbers.  That's where I stay when I go up that way. 

At the base of the damn free camping we were once woken up by a drunk woman yelling “let’s get naked” over and over.  If that’s your thing, cool, but if not, the pay options are way better. 

It depends what you want. There are better prices and commutes for climbing at Summersville Lake than the AAC campground. But one of the highlights of my trip to the NRG was hanging out with other climbers at the AAC campground--in fact, given the rain, that was actually more fun than the climbing.

Sheldon Deeny wrote: I'm also planning to camp and climb at Summersville Lake next weekend, my first time there, and I'm super psyched. In the event I can't find a partner ahead of time, is Ray's generally a good place to just roll up and ask groups if I can join them?

Just roll up and camp wherever, pretty much. Pay Ray when you leave. Honesty box last time I was there in case of late arrivals/early exits. Super chill spot, good folks.

Sheldon Deeny wrote: I'm also planning to camp and climb at Summersville Lake next weekend, my first time there, and I'm super psyched. In the event I can't find a partner ahead of time, is Ray's generally a good place to just roll up and ask groups if I can join them?

Ray's in my opinion is the most chill campground that's perfectly nestled between Summersville Lake and the rest of the climbs in NRG proper. You'll find a good mix of kayakers, BSA raft guides, climbers and just regular families camping there. I'll be there this coming weekend if you wanna link up.

Nooo!!!! Poor Ray :-(  I loved his campground

Rays is the way to go, some of nicest people on the planet. Plus showers!  Free showers.