Fishing the New River and watching coal trains roll through the valley are two constants at Meadow Creek Campground, a free, tent-only site within New River Gorge National Park and Preserve. The campground sits in open terrain close to the river, which carries a strong current, so anglers and swimmers should approach the water with care. Quick access to Interstate 64 and the Sandstone Visitor Center makes this a practical base for exploring the broader park.
Sites here are flat, large, and spread out, each with a picnic table, grill, and fire ring. No hookups, no water. The trees on-site are newly planted and provide neither shade nor privacy, so campers should plan accordingly, especially in warmer months. Reviewers consistently describe the vault toilets as clean and stocked. Crowds tend to stay light; one camper spent four nights on a fall weekend and found the campground less than half full the entire stay.
The railroad is the defining feature of this location. Four active sets of tracks run adjacent to the campground, with trains passing as often as every 20 minutes at all hours, horns included. Earplugs are worth packing. Wind can also be strong in this valley, and reviewers report needing to re-stake tent corners during storms. Cell coverage runs around one bar on major carriers, enough for basic streaming. Casey L. notes the trees are "very newly planted so they provide no shade or privacy," a detail worth factoring into any summer trip.
Those wanting a quieter alternative can look at nearby options like War Ridge - New River National Scenic River a few miles to the northwest. Meadow Creek is open year-round, no pets are allowed, and no reservation is needed, so it rewards spontaneous trips when the New River is calling.
Description
This tent-only primitive campground located along the New River is only one mile from the Sandstone Visitor Center. It offers 17 tent sites in an open field. There are no drive-in sites at this campground. The railroad crossing is dangerous for RVs and trailers. RV, trailer, or car camping is prohibited. Campers should expect to hear some noise such as train horns. There is a group site for groups of 8 or more available by permit - contact the permits office at 304-465-6517.
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsMeadow Creek Campground is located in West Virginia near Meadow Creek
Directions
Exit Interstate 64 at exit 139 and drive north past Sandstone Visitor Center towards Meadow Creek. In about 1.5 miles turn left and cross the railroad tracks. Bear right and follow the road into the campground.
Address
774 South Riverside Road
Sandstone, WV 25977
Coordinates
37.797891 N
80.921046 W
Connectivity
T-MobileNo CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 7/5/26
VerizonLTESome CoverageVerified by 4 usersLast on 7/20/26
AT&TPossible CoverageVerified by 32 usersLast on 7/20/26
Connectivity
- T-MobileNo CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 7/5/26
- VerizonLTESome CoverageVerified by 4 usersLast on 7/20/26
- AT&TPossible CoverageVerified by 32 usersLast on 7/20/26
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
Site Types
- Tent Sites
Features
For Campers
- Trash
- Phone Service
- Toilets
