War Ridge Campground

Overview

If you want solitude over river access, War Ridge / Backus Mountain is your spot. It’s the park’s outlier—set on a ridgetop rather than along the New River—so you trade beachy sandbars for breeze, quiet, and stargazing. Sites are free and first-come, first-served, with a distinctly primitive vibe.

What You’ll Find

Expect a small cluster of drive-in sites with picnic tables and fire rings. There are no hookups and no drinking water, and trash service may be absent—plan to pack everything in and out. Restroom-wise, there’s typically a single porta-toilet; condition varies, so bring sanitizer and a backup plan. Fires are allowed only in existing rings and only when conditions permit.

Access and Rigs

Getting here means a curvy, partly one-lane gravel approach with some switchbacks. Most vehicles do fine with patience; smaller RVs and trailers fare best. Multiple camper reports recommend keeping rigs under roughly 25 feet due to the road and site layout.

Atmosphere and What’s Unique

Because it’s the only campground not on the river, War Ridge is often quieter and less busy than the riverside campgrounds. The tradeoff is little to no shade and a more exposed feel—but that pays off at night with dark skies. Cell service on the ridge can be decent depending on your carrier, but it’s inconsistent—don’t rely on it.

Safety and Wildlife

This is a remote, low-amenity site. Secure valuables, especially if you’re camping solo; a few campers have reported late-night drive-through traffic that felt sketchy, while many others describe peaceful, uneventful nights. You’re in typical Appalachian wildlife country (think deer, bears, birds, and the occasional snake), so store food properly and keep a clean camp. During hunting seasons, expect distant gunshots and consider wearing blaze orange when wandering away from camp.

Best Time to Visit

• Weekdays and shoulder seasons (spring and fall) offer the most solitude.
• Arrive well before sunset—both to snag a site and to handle the gravel approach in daylight.
• Summer can be hot with limited shade; winter access depends on road conditions. For star photography, aim for clear, moonless nights.

Who It’s For (and Not)

Choose War Ridge if you value quiet, sky, and simplicity over facilities and river access. If you want easy water entry, more neighbors, or vault toilets in better shape, consider one of the riverside campgrounds elsewhere in the park.

Rules Snapshot

Free, first-come sites; quiet hours at night; camp only in designated spots; leash pets; use existing fire rings; gather only dead-and-down wood; respect stay limits; and pack out trash if no containers are provided.