The Best Budget-Friendly National Park For Camping On The East Coast

If you find yourself longing to explore every national park on the map, you're in good company. The National Park Service collects visitor information for over 400 national parks each year as part of its social science program. Records show that in 2022, more than 311 million visitors explored national parks across the U.S.

While the idea of visiting a national park can be endlessly appealing, it's not always necessarily a budget-friendly prospect. This is especially true if you plan on securing a campsite and staying for more than a day. The team at National Park Obsessed reports at least 116 national parks charging entrance fees up to $35 per vehicle while Advnture reports it can cost up to $30 a night for campsites as well. Depending on how long you plan to stay, this can add up quite quickly.

When you're looking to save money and still have incredible camping experiences at national parks, it's worth your while to look at lesser-recognized options out there. While Yellowstone National Park, Yosemite National Park, Zion National Park, and beyond often top traveler lists, other options just might come at a lower price point. New River Gorge National Park and Preserve in West Virginia is a great example of a perhaps lesser-known, but refreshingly budget-friendly national park on the East Coast. Here, great camping and extraordinary adventures are both easy to access for adventurers.

New River Gorge National Park and Preserve welcomed just under 1.7 million visitors in 2021, according to West Virginia Public Broadcasting. Those looking to explore nature and camp will love that this national park doesn't charge an entrance fee. There are also no camping fees in place no matter when you arrive.

This budget-friendly approach to national park camping on the East Coast runs on a first-come, first-served basis. If you secure a campsite, it's important to know ahead of time that there are no hookups or drinking water available on-site. There are also limited restrooms available. This means campers will want to be well prepared for a more primitive camping experience within a rugged, yet undeniably stunning landscape.

For many campers, the budget-friendly appeal of camping at New River Gorge National Park and Preserve is only enhanced by the beautiful landmarks and rich areas of history waiting to be explored. Visitors are often surprised to learn that 12,000 years ago, it was home to Native American tribes; the Tutelo, Mingo, Cherokee, Saponi, Shawnee, and Delaware have all called the area home.

Guests who camp here can also get out and enjoy everything from hiking and whitewater rafting to rock climbing during their stay. A visit to the New River Gorge Bridge is frequently a highlight. The park also hosts a collection of historic homes and structures that date back to the 19th century.

As More Than Just Parks points out, New River Gorge National Park and Preserve covers more than 70,000 acres of terrain. This means there's no shortage of options for new discoveries. Many of the activities on-site are cost-friendly too.

Consider going on a free ranger-led park hike while you're here. If you're a nature photographer, this park provides stunning views to capture around the New River Gorge Bridge. You'll also want to set aside time to explore the scenic drive that encircles the park. This route takes about three hours to complete and offers up stop points for taking in the sights.

Wildlife enthusiasts will quickly find this is an idyllic destination for observation. The park is home to everything from white-tailed deer and beavers to mink, river otters, raccoons, fox squirrels, and groundhogs. When you plan to camp for a few days, having your binoculars handy for these sightings is a must.

If your camping trip to New River Gorge National Park and Preserve happens to happen around the third Saturday of October, you'll be just in time to enjoy the annual Bridge Day celebrations. This is the one day of the year that the New River Gorge Bridge becomes a pedestrian-friendly hotspot complete with activities to observe and enjoy like BASE jumping, rappelling, live music, food vendors, crafts, and more. There's no entrance fee to enjoy the fun and it's considered one of West Virginia's largest festivals.