James S.
Traveler
TravelerArmy Camp — New River Gorge National Park and Preserve
ROAD IN IS QUITE STEEP. DEFINATELY LOTS AND LOTS OF ROOM.
Tent Camping near George Washington & Jefferson National Forest, VA
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Primitive tent camping options around George Washington & Jefferson National Forest in Virginia range from established sites to more secluded backcountry experiences. Dragon's Tooth, located near the Appalachian Trail, provides free tent sites with fire rings and vault toilets but no running water. Several campsites near Bluestone Lake State Park, including Old Mill Campground and East Shore Campground, offer additional tent-only areas with varying levels of amenities.
Tent sites throughout the region typically feature basic accommodations such as picnic tables and fire rings, while facilities vary considerably between locations. At Meadow Creek Campground in New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, campers find spacious tent-only sites with grills and vault toilets, though no water is available. Several primitive tent areas require hikers to pack in their own water and supplies, particularly at higher elevations or remote locations. Many campgrounds operate on a first-come, first-served basis, especially those managed by wildlife management areas like Indian Mills at Bluestone Lake WMA, which has running water and fire rings but minimal other facilities.
The tent camping experience in this region offers unique opportunities for solitude and nature immersion. Greenbrier River Trail provides tent sites with raised tent pads and pit latrines, making it suitable for backpackers looking for overnight stops. Areas near the New River provide water access for fishing and paddling, though campers should be prepared for varying conditions. Tent-specific areas often provide more secluded experiences than developed campgrounds. A visitor to Meadow Creek noted, "The sites are spacious and each site has a sturdy metal table and BBQ pit. You can easily walk to the river from the campground." Many tent campers appreciate the natural settings, though some areas like Meadow Creek experience frequent train noise that can impact the wilderness experience.
Best Tent Campgrounds near George Washington & Jefferson National Forest (36)
1. CB Ranch
Check Availabilityfrom $30 - $60 / night
2. Indian Mills Camping Area — Bluestone Lake Wildlife Management Area
"You’ll have quite the drive to get here, but once you’ve arrived, you’ll be incredibly grateful for all the effort."
3. Old Mill Campground — Bluestone Lake State Park
"Camp ground was clean, bathhouse was clean and neighbors were all spaced out pretty good. Staff was kind and helpful. We enjoyed ourselves and will for sure go back."
"West Virginia at its finest! Blue stone state park is right next door to the lake so there are wonderful water activities here."
4. Whitt Riverbend Park
"There is no potable water."
"Cozy little site not too far from the main highway! Checked this out on my way to Tennessee. Primitive camping but has plenty of natural wonders to keep you busy!"
Check Availabilityfrom $5 / night
5. Meadow Creek Campground — New River Gorge National Park and Preserve
"The ranger informed us someone who stayed here in a rv had a close call crossing the train tracks and now they have decided to make this campground a tent only place."
"Recovering RV park, now tents only. Watched a cluster of fireflies that looked like a lightning storm. Just off the river and just off the highway, no water."
6. East Shore Campground — Bluestone Lake State Park
"site: some shaded sites. some sites along water. semi-private sites. amenities: a few campground options. pretty clean. attractions: near town. fishing. near pool. hiking. nature activities."
7. Camp Success
"I didn’t camp here, but I took out my kayak at the boat ramp and looked around. Vault M/F toilet, BYOTP. No hookups and I didn’t see a water spigot. Plenty of shade. Closed during flood."
"Beautiful spot on the New River in Giles County, VA located right outside downtown Narrows. There's a Disc Golf Course, Fishing, Camping, and Community Events. Well kept, clean, and perfect."
8. Bull Falls Campground — Bluestone Lake Wildlife Management Area
"You’ve struck gold here at Bull Falls Campground if you’re looking to get away from it all, discover solitude in the heart of West Virginia’s lush, verdant nature garden of Eden."
9. Greenbrier River Trail Mile Post 9.5 Primitive Campsite (Between Keister and Hopper, WV)
"GREENBRIER RIVER TRAIL MILE POST 9.5 PRIMITIVE CAMPSITE, KEISTER, WV Greenbrier River Trail Primitive Campsite at Mile Post 9.5 is close enough to North Caldwell, WV…the GBT Southern Terminus…"
10. Dragon's Tooth
"The trailhead connects to the Appalachian Trail, so there were several other cars parked overnight as well. It is a gravel lot, pretty level. There is a little road noise until about 1030 PM."
"dragons tooth is off a path that is part of the Appalachian Trail, there is a good amount of parking with a bathroom and garbage, once you begin the trail there are a few dispersed obvious camping spots"
Drive Time
- 1 hr 4 min from Blacksburg, VA
- 1 hr 17 min from Beckley, WV
Recent Tent Camping Photos near George Washington & Jefferson National Forest
58 Photos of 36 George Washington & Jefferson National Forest Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
CB Ranchc
Indian Mills Camping Area — Bluestone Lake Wildlife Management Area
Old Mill Campground — Bluestone Lake State Park
Meadow Creek Campground — New River Gorge National Park and Preserve
Floating Heaven
Greenbrier River Trail Mile Post 28.5 Primitive Campsite
Walnut Flats Campground
Stone Cliff Campground — New River Gorge National Park and Preserve
Brooklyn Campground — New River Gorge National Park and Preserve
Greenwood Point Campground
Chestnut Creek CampgroundG
Plum Orchard Lake WMA
Tent Camping Reviews near George Washington & Jefferson National Forest
713 Reviews of 36 George Washington & Jefferson National Forest Campgrounds
Gary R.
ScoutSummer Wind RV Park
Very well maintained, quite, level sceni.
I have known tbe owners for 30 years, great folks ,honest caring. We stayed from April 2026 through August 2026 while building our new place. Never any issues .Peaceful quiet setting, we made reservations, although we were a couple days the owners were glad to accommodate. We highly recommend staying here to anyone from tent to toy hauler they can cover your needs.
Debbie A.ScoutShady Rest RV Park
Left early — we did not feel safe
Shady Rest RV Park — one night, Nov 7–8, 2026
We stayed one night in our 31.5-ft Class C and left early the next morning because we didn't feel safe — and we couldn't sleep.
Getting in was the first warning. The road in narrows to one lane for a long stretch, and it's muddy — I nearly got stuck, and the rig coming the other way nearly went over the drop-off. There's no office and no signs telling you where to check in. I called first and got voicemail; I emailed and it bounced. (The website even says the GPS coordinates are wrong, though our RV-safe navigation brought us right in.)
A kind older woman came out of the trailer at the top of the hill, calling for 'John.' John is the property manager — he's in the blue trailer at the front of the row, landscaping equipment by the porch. The woman is the owner; her husband recently passed away, and he was the one who ran everything. That's clearly why nothing gets answered. I feel for her — truly. But the place is in chaos.
The owner and John argue constantly, in public, and it turned physical more than once while we were there. She told us John would take care of us, then whispered that she's his foster mother and that he has an intellectual disability. She couldn't tell us the rates. Later John knocked on our door with a handwritten note: $50/night, $175/week. We considered the week — we didn't take it, and I'm glad.
This isn't an RV park anymore; it's a run-down trailer park with long-term residents, only about half the trailers occupied. Sites aren't marked — a man just waved us to a spot, and we had to move because it was 50-amp and we need 30-amp. The gravel sites are unlevel and ungroomed. The electric will make you glad you have a surge protector. The water is cold, the sewer is just a hole in the ground, and the 'bathrooms' are glorified outhouses. There's a horde of cats and kittens across the road, and the whole park is their litter box — our dog found every spot. Three trailers I walked past were empty and falling apart. The one next to us had been sitting so long the grass had grown over its sewer hose.
We left at 9 AM after spending half an hour looking for someone to pay. When we finally found John and handed him the $50, the owner stormed out of her trailer demanding to know if we'd paid him, how much, and why — she's the owner, after all. Then she tackled him to get the $50 from him. It was awful to watch.
I have nothing against mom-and-pop campgrounds. But this place is disorganized, unkempt, and — with the constant public fighting — we did not feel safe there, not leaving our dog, and not leaving our whole life in the rig while we went to see the New River Gorge. (Yes, it pained me to skip the Gorge.) The whole time, I swear I could hear the Deliverance banjo.
I don't recommend it. The value just isn't there at $50 a night. It's an old park in a great location that is way past its heyday — and until someone is actually running it, it's not a resting place for RVers.
Stephen R.
GuideBabcock State Park Campground
Very nice camping and mill near by
- TTeresa A.Traveler
Dixie Caverns
Showers themselves are nice but don't have privacy room to dry and get dressed. Spots are fairly close together. $50 for one night seemed kinda high. There is highway noise. You do get a discount on your cave tour.
- MMichelle A.Guide
Fort Chiswell RV Park
Overnight Stay
Need an overnight stay on 81/77 this is the place. Booked is call them complete the reservation via Campspot app which they use so I had to download it. Place had plenty of sites pull through which I didnt need but they were so accommodating. I had a perfect view of mountains and cow pasture Relaxation and sleep close to bathhouse and office. They also have propane fill for your camper
David B.ScoutPipestem Camping
We stayed in Site number 24 which is full hook ups, however, just about all of the sites number is one through 32 are less than desirable either very little room outside your camper or the back in sites are steep hard to level your camper and very little room to set a set of chairs out I would not camp in this area of the campground again.
- kkelly P.Scout
The Outpost at New River Gourge
Very nice
Great campground, very nice, clean bath house. Park is easy to find
Jordan Y.ScoutPioneer Village
Nice place
Owner is friendly, people staying here consist of workers and retired people for the most part so the people are very quiet, beautiful river running through the end of the campground and a nice little hiking trail and a wide open area for kids to run and play. Only “bad” part is the road noise you are about 200 yards off that highway and can here it all day and night! But if your like me and don’t mind you will love it here!
Guide to George Washington & Jefferson National Forest
Tent camping near George Washington & Jefferson National Forest spans both West Virginia and Virginia across elevations ranging from 1,600 to 4,000 feet. The area receives approximately 40 inches of rainfall annually with summer temperatures typically reaching 85°F during day and dropping to 55°F at night. Several primitive camping areas sit at river confluences where the New River meets smaller tributaries.
What to do
Kayaking access points: At CB Ranch, the proximity to Greenbrier River provides excellent water access. "Lots of local attractions from State parks, Greenbrier rails to tails (77 miles long), Greenbrier river (Kayaking) and a couple caves to explore," notes camper Cheryl B.
Fishing options: The Old Mill Campground near Bluestone State Park offers productive fishing areas. "Blue stone state park is right next door to the lake so there are wonderful water activities here. There is a marina where we got to rent a boat and the catfish were plentiful," shares Mike T.
Hiking trails: Multiple established trails connect tent sites to viewpoints. A reviewer at Dragon's Tooth describes, "Dragons tooth is off a path that is part of the Appalachian Trail, there is a good amount of parking with a bathroom and garbage, once you begin the trail there are a few dispersed obvious camping spots."
What campers like
River proximity: Campsites at Camp Success provide direct river access. "Beautiful spot on the New River in Giles County, VA located right outside downtown Narrows. There's a Disc Golf Course, Fishing, Camping, and Community Events," according to Wendy G.
Raised tent pads: The Greenbrier River Trail Mile Post 9.5 campsite features purpose-built platforms. A camper describes, "Adirondock Style Shelter (New), Raised Tent pads, Picnic Tables, Metal Fire Rings, Large, clean Pit Latrine."
Evening atmosphere: Night sky visibility rates highly for tent campers. At East Shore Campground, a reviewer appreciated the setting: "If you like hiking and fishing this is the place." Another camper noted the campground offered "some shaded sites. some sites along water. semi-private sites."
What you should know
Train noise issues: At Meadow Creek Campground, railroad tracks create significant noise. "The trains are fun to watch but very loud and frequent. They go by pretty frequently at all hours of day and night and are so loud you can feel the vibrations," notes Casey L.
Bathroom conditions: Facilities vary widely between sites. One camper at Old Mill Campground reported, "The bathhouse is open air over half of it. Had no soap or toilet paper and the toilets were all plugged up."
Water availability: Many tent campsites near George Washington & Jefferson National Forest lack running water. At Indian Mills Camping Area, a reviewer noted, "The campground itself is just basic– and it's still a good 10 minute or so drive to the New River, but out here, you'll sleep underneath a clear sky."
Tips for camping with families
Weather preparation: Pack for significant temperature changes. At Bull Falls Campground, a visitor recommended, "This is a fantastic spot for you to bring all your water toys from snorkeling and innertubes to fishing, kayaking and anything else that you want to submerge in this slow moving, tranquil snake-like river."
Wildlife viewing spots: Morning hours provide better wildlife sightings. As one camper at Greenbrier River Trail noted, "With a few short miles until the journey ends at the Southern Terminus…we slowed our paced and stopped more frequently to enjoy all the sights and sounds."
Entertainment options: No cellular coverage means bringing alternatives. At Indian Mills, a camper advised, "Unlike a lot of other places that come baked in with all of the amenities of an amusement camping ground park, here you'll have to bring your own entertainment, so get creative."
Tips from RVers
Site limitations: Several campgrounds have recently changed policies. At Meadow Creek, a camper reported, "The ranger informed us someone who stayed here in a rv had a close call crossing the train tracks and now they have decided to make this campground a tent only place."
Access challenges: Crossing active railroad tracks can complicate RV entry. "You have to cross train tracks to get here and it's 4 sets of tracks all are very active with trains coming as often as every 20 minutes and they do not stop," notes a visitor to Meadow Creek.
Alternative lodging: Consider small cabins when tent camping isn't ideal. A visitor to CB Ranch described their experience: "We loved every moment of our stay from the fire pit to the beautiful tails on the property to seeing the farm animals. The cabin was decorated very nicely and was clean and the bed was very comfy also."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent
campsite near George Washington & Jefferson National Forest?
Which is the most popular tent campsite near George Washington & Jefferson National Forest?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near George Washington & Jefferson National Forest is CB Ranch with a 5.0-star rating from 1 review.
What is the best site to find
tent camping near
George Washington & Jefferson National Forest?
What is the best site to find tent camping near George Washington & Jefferson National Forest?
TheDyrt.com has all 36 tent camping locations near George Washington & Jefferson National Forest, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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