KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
Operating Hours: The park is open year-round. The Canyon Rim Visitor Center and Sandstone Visitor Center are open most days of the year from 9:00am to 5:00pm. The Thurmond Depot Center Visitor Center and Grandview Visitor Center are open seasonally.
Fees: NONE. There are no entrance passes or fees required to visit the park.
Weather: Keep in mind that many of the trails can be very hot and humid during the warmer months. Make sure to bring plenty of water for your dog and avoid hitting the trails when it might be too much for your dog.
Pets: Pets must be on a maximum 6 foot leash and under control. Pick up after your dog and carry out. Pets are not allowed in any buildings or visitor centers. Do not let your dog drink from streams in the park, which may contain harmful bacteria or parasites. Water stations are available at every visitor center.
B.A.R.K. Ranger Program: Stop by a visitor center to learn about and complete the B.A.R.K Ranger Program with your dog. Your dog can leave with a certificate (free) and B.A.R.K. Ranger collar tag (for purchase).
WHERE TO STAY
Primitive Campgrounds In/Near New River Gorge
New River Gorge National Park has 8 primitive campgrounds, while the neighboring Gauley River Recreation Area offers the Gauley Tailwaters Campground. Primitive camping areas have no drinking water, no hookups, no electricity, and limited restroom facilities. All are dog-friendly and have no camping fees.
NOTE:These campgrounds can fill up quickly, especially on weekends, so have a back-up plan. When we visited, we could only find one site and it was very close to the bathrooms and a neighboring dog so we ended up booking a private Hipcamp site instead.
Stone Cliff Beach Campground
The Basics: 7 walk-in tent sites (5 on the sandy beach of the New River and 2 in the forest). No RV, camper or car camping allowed. Fire rings. Composting toilets.
Army Camp Campground
The Basics: 11 drive-in tent and RV campsites located along the banks of the New River. Larger RVs (>31 feet) not recommended. Sites are partially shaded or have no shade. Fire rings. Composting toilets.
Grandview Sandbar Campground
The Basics: Shaded, wooded campsites located near the banks of the New River. 10 are wooded drive-in sites for RVs, campers, cars and tents, 6 are walk-in tent sites, and 2 are accessible sites by the river. Campers smaller than 31.5 feet recommended due to the tight access road. Fire rings. Composting toilets.
Glade Creek Campground
The Basics: Shaded, wood campsites near the banks of the New River and the Glade Creek Trailhead. 6 sites are walk-in tent sites and 5 sites are drive-in for tents, RVs or campers. There is 1 accessible site. Only RVs smaller than 31.5 feet are recommended. Fire rings. Composting toilets available.
War Ridge/Backus Mountain Campground
The Basics: Located on a ridgetop near Backups Mountain. 8 drive-in sites for tents, RVs or campers. Only small RVs or campers less than 25 feet are recommended. Fire rings. No toilets.
Brooklyn Campground
The Basics: Located on the banks of the New River near the Cunard River Access point and Southside Trailhead. 4 walk-in tents sites and 1 tent-only, drive-in site. RV, camper, or car camping prohibited. Fire rings. Portable toilets.
Thayer Campground
The Basics: Located along the banks of the New River. 4 walk-in tent sites. RV, camper, or car camping prohibited. Fire rings. No toilets.
Meadow Creek Campground
The Basics: Primitive campground with 17 tent sites in an open field. RV, trailer, or car camping prohibited. Campers should expect to hear some noise such as train horns. Group site (for 8 or more people) available by permit by calling 304-465-6517. Fire rings. Composting toilets.
Gauley Tailwaters Campground
The Basics: Primitive camping located in Gauley River National Recreation Area, just below Summersville Dam. 18 drive-in sites for tents and RVs. Open fires are allowed where campfire receptacles are provided. Vault toilets.
Burnwood Group Camp Site
The Basics: Group site only for groups of 8 or more. Special Use Permit is required by calling 304-465-6517. Fire rings. Flush toilets.
Developed Campgrounds and Resorts Near New River Gorge
Camping near New River Gorge National Park with your dog doesn’t have to be without amenities. Whether you’re looking for just a hot shower or a deluxe cabin and a range of activities on-site, nearby campgrounds and resorts offer a range of amenities and accommodations for every type of visitor.
Arrowhead Bike Farm
Offering wooded and field tent camping as well as RV sites with amenities that include a fire ring, picnic table, water hook-ups, electricity, and bath house. The on-site eatery and biergarten The Handle Bar + Kitchen is also dog-friendly at all outdoor tables and offers a range of food and craft beers.
Ace Adventure Resort
The Basics: Large outdoor resort offering a range of lodging and activities on 1500 acres of property. Vaccinated pets are allowed in designated pet friendly cabins, chalets, and camping sites. There is a one-time, non-refundable pet cleaning fee of $50 per cabin for up to two animals. View their pet policy here.
River Expeditions Campground
The Basics: Campground of more than 100 acres that offers pet-friendly rustic cabins, bungalows, safari tents, RVs and tent camping. Tent sites are wooded with picnic tables and fire rings. Leashed pets are allowed so long as they don’t disturb other guests. Rates start at $15/person for tent camping. Amenities on-site include a pool and hot tub, dining area, shower house and restrooms, as well as on-site activities that include paintball, zipline-canopy tour, sand volleyball and hiking.
Adventures on the Gorge
The Basics: Adventure resort that offers activities, lodging and dining. Lodging includes everything from tent and RV sites to glamping in a platform tent or staying in your choice of cabin, from rustic to delux or hotel-style. Pets are are allowed at tent/RV sites, and there are pet-friendly cabin options for a pet fee.
The Outpost – New River Gorge Campground
The Basics: Campground offering cabins, vintage camper camping, RV sites, platform tent and field tent camping. Amenities include climate-controlled bathhouse, provision store, laundry facilities, music events, and more. Dogs are allowed at RV and tent sites for free. Up to 2 well-behaved, vaccinated dogs are allowed in cabins for a $15/night fee. Dogs are not allowed to be left in cabins or tied at campsite without the owner present.
New River Gorge – American Alpine Club
The Basics: Campground close to popular hiking trails that has 40 private tent sites, 7 vehicle camping spots (no RVs) and 10 communal camping spots. Reservations are required. Pets are allowed so long as they are kept on leash.
Rifrafters Campground
The Basics: Quiet and wooded family-friendly 40-acre campground offering RV and tent camping as well as rustic cabin rentals. Amenities include hot showers, laundry room, playground and small convenience store. Dogs are allowed so long as they remain on-leash.
Dog-Friendly Hotels Near New River Gorge
Hampton Inn Summersville
Pet Policy: Up to two pets allowed for an additional fee of $50 (1-4 nights) or $75 (5+ nights).
La Quinta Inn & Suites Summersville
Pet Policy: Up to two pets less than 75lbs each are allowed for an additional fee of $25 per pet, per night (not to exceed $75 per pet). Rooms on the 4th floor are not pet friendly.
Quality Inn New River Gorge(Fayetteville)
Pet Policy: Up to 3 dogs or cats are allowed in designated pet-friendly rooms for an additional cleaning fee of $15 per pet per night. Pet registration is required at check-in.
Sleep Inn Summersville
Pet Policy: Up to two pets are allowed in designated pet-friendly rooms for a fee of $15 per pet per night. There is a $50 fine for not registering a pet in a pet-friendly room.
WHERE TO PLAY
Dog Friendly Hiking
All trails in New River Gorge National Park are dog friendly. Make sure to pick up after your dog and keep them on a leash no longer than 6 feet. Stop by a visitor center if you want to get your dog certified as a B.A.R.K. Ranger.
State parks near New River Gorge also offer dog friendly hiking with beautiful views:
Hawks Nest State Park (10 miles north of New River Gorge Bridge)
Babcock State Park (20 miles southeast of New River Gorge Bridge)
Bluestone State Park (13 miles from Sandstone Visitor Center)
Pipestem Resort State Park (25 miles from Sandstone Visitor Center)
Dog Friendly Shopping
Take your dog for a walk through Fayetteville’s charming downtown. Leashed and well-behaved dogs are welcome in several stores, including Waterstone Outdoors, Ace Adventure Shop, and Wild Art and Wonderful Things.
Dog Parks Near New River Gorge
Need a place for your dog to run free off-leash? Check out the Doc Hamilton Dog Park and K-9 Memorial in nearby Oak Hill or one of the dog parks within the Charlie McCoy Town Park in Fayetteville.
WHERE TO EAT
Dog Friendly Restaurants in Fayetteville
Located on the edge of the New River Gorge, Fayetteville offers a charming downtown where you can walk around, window shop and grab a bite to eat or a brew with your dog. Below are some of the most dog friendly restaurants and breweries in Fayetteville.
Bridge Brew Works
Craft beer with frequent food trucks. Leashed dogs are welcome at the picnic tables in the large outdoor space.
Cathedral Cafe
Former church converted into an artsy, laidback hangout for coffee & eclectic American fare. Dogs are allowed at the outdoor table.
The Handle Bar + Kitchen at Arrowhead Bike Farm
Laid-back eatery offering a range of food, including sandwiches and specialty bratwurst. Dogs are welcome on their covered porch and in the outdoor Biergarten, featuring craft beers and an outdoor fire pit.
The Freefolk Brewery Taproom
Laid-back eatery offering a range of draft beers, wine, cocktails and food. Dogs are welcome on the covered and uncovered patio and there is an outdoor and indoor stage for music most weekends.
Wood Iron Eatery
Downtown cafe serving breakfast, lunch, and baked goods and fresh coffee. Dogs are allowed on their outdoor porch.
Elliot’s Whitewater Bar & Grill
Located on the premises of the dog-friendly Quality Inn, the restaurant offers traditional American cuisine. Dogs are welcome on the outdoor covered patio.
Firecreek BBQ & Steaks
Restaurant offering classic barbecue and local beers. Dogs are allowed in the outdoor dining area.
Dog Friendly Restaurants in Summersville
Located about 20-25 minutes north of the New River Gorge bridge, Summersville offers a number of dog friendly restaurants to stop at with your dog for a bite to eat or a brew.
Gad Dam Brewing
Brewing offering craft beer, fruit smoothies, premium coffee, and American food with a custom bar, fire pit and back deck. Dogs are allowed in the outdoor areas, where you can play games such as giant Connect 4 and corn hole.
Original Flavor Bistro
Eatery featuring Caribbean, Venezuelan, South American and Puerto Rican cuisines. Dogs are allowed in the outdoor dining area.
Maloney’s Pub
Pub offering menu items such as sandwiches, wraps, salads, burgers, wings and more. Dogs are allowed on their covered outdoor patio.
The Local 805
Family friendly restaurant offering a range of sandwiches, salads, burgers, hot dogs, chicken dishes and more. The outdoor space is dog friendly.
The Vault on Main
Farm to table restaurant and wine bar. Dogs are allowed at their outdoor tables.
Dog Friendly Restaurants in Oak Hill
Located only minutes away from New River Gorge National Park, Oak Hill offers a couple of places to stop with your dog for a burger or a sweet treat after a day of hiking the trails.
The Frozen Barn
Hand-dipped ice cream parlor where you can grab a sweet treat. Dogs are allowed at the outdoor tables.
Pinheads
Bowling center with restaurant and large selection of craft beer. Dogs are welcome at the tables on the nice and new outdoor patio where you can also play games like cornhole and darts.