I just wrapped up my annual trip to New River Gorge National Park for four days of car camping and whitewater rafting! Every year, we stay at the Adventures on the Gorge (AOTG) resort, and we always request our same favorite rustic campsite. There is something truly special about this place—it brings an immediate sense of calm and peace.

Our annual routine is practically a science at this point: arrive, set up camp, cook, relax, listen to music by the fire, and sleep. Day two is reserved for epic whitewater rafting, and the rest is all about unplugging.

We got quite a bit of rain this year, but rainy-day camping doesn’t have to ruin your trip. In fact, if you have the right camping gear (or know how to improvise!), listening to the rain from camp can be the most peaceful experience in the world.

We arrived at our favorite site with rain clouds rolling in fast, turning setup into a race against the clock. While we don’t mind camping in the rain, setting up in a downpour is never fun!

First, we pitched the tent and an A-frame tarp directly over it. This gives us double protection—it sheds heavy rain and guards the tent against falling tree debris.

Next came the “outdoor kitchen.” We set up a large pop-up canopy to keep our table and chairs completely dry.

Pro Tip: A couple of years ago, we swapped out traditional multi-burner camp stoves for a Blackstone Flat-Top Griddle, and it completely elevated our camping experience. Everything cooks on one surface, we don’t need to haul extra pots and pans, and cleanup takes seconds.

After getting the camp dialed in, we lit the fire, tuned into some music, and unwound before calling it a night around 10:00 PM.

The New River is incredible—it’s actually one of the oldest rivers in North America, flowing north through the Appalachian Mountains into West Virginia. We always book our trip through Adventures on the Gorge, and they deliver an unforgettable experience year after year.

Our full-day trip delivered plenty of thrilling Class III and IV rapids. Midway through, AOTG provided a great picnic lunch right on the riverbank before we hit the second half of the water. Throughout the day, we had plenty of time for swimming, jumping off a massive river rock, and raft surfing.

Toward the end of the trip, you raft directly beneath the iconic New River Gorge Bridge—the view from the water is absolutely mesmerizing.

After drying off, we headed over to Chetty’s Pub right on the resort property for wings and a cold drink while watching the video footage the AOTG crew captured of our trip. We wrapped up the night back at the site with fire time and an early bedtime!

In years past, we’ve used this day to go ziplining through AOTG (which is fantastic if you want an adrenaline rush!). Lately, though, we prefer using Day 3 for short, easy hikes and general laziness in nature.

Since it rained heavily for most of the day, we spent hours lying in the tent listening to the rain canopy above us. It was honestly one of the most peaceful, grounding days I’ve had in a long time.

Later, as the rain eased, we fired up the griddle, listened to music by the fire, and celebrated a perfectly restful day.

West Virginia is breathtaking. The nearby town of Fayetteville is quaint, charming, and packed with local eateries and shops.

If you have extra time, there are incredible state parks nearby:

• Babcock State Park: Famous for the picturesque, historic Glade Creek Grist Mill.
• Hawks Nest State Park: Offers stunning panoramic views of the gorge.

One of these years, we’ll spend a trip tackling all the longer hiking trails. But for now, this trip remains our favorite annual reset—a chance to slow down and connect with nature, whatever the weather brings.