Tent camping near Ansted, West Virginia offers diverse options within the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve. The region sits at approximately 1,800 feet elevation with significant temperature variations between spring and fall, often dropping into the 40s at night even when daytime temperatures reach the 70s. Camping sites throughout the area feature varied terrain and accessibility considerations, with many locations requiring campers to navigate gravel roads or stairs.
What to do
Disc golf course access: Chestnut Creek Campground features a disc golf course on-site. A reviewer noted the campground "has a Frisbee/Disc Golf Course" and is "close to rivers, climbing and hiking activities," making it a convenient base for multiple outdoor pursuits.
Fishing opportunities: The Plum Orchard Lake WMA provides excellent fishing access with boat launch facilities. One visitor described it as a "great place for kayaking on a beautiful lake nestled in the mountains of Fayette county," while another mentioned "plenty of fishing and hiking areas within a 20 mile radius."
Trail access: Several campgrounds offer direct trail connections. At Brooklyn Campground, one camper mentioned "South side junction trail is right there and leads to thurmond; an almost abandoned coal mining town," providing historical exploration opportunities.
What campers like
Clean facilities: The American Alpine Club campground receives praise for its "big sinks for dishes" and bathrooms that were "big and clean." Another camper mentioned "the covered pavilion was used for large gatherings and yoga type classes both nights we were there."
Cell service quality: Unlike many wilderness areas, several campgrounds offer decent connectivity. At Meadow Creek Campground, visitors reported "1 bar of unboosted cell service with ATT with some drop off if raining, but fine for streaming videos." Similarly, at Chestnut Creek Campground, campers noted "cell reception was great all throughout this area... with a variety of network providers."
Privacy between sites: Stone Cliff Campground offers good separation between camping areas. A visitor mentioned "it still felt secluded with the sites distance from each other and the wooded area," while another described it as a "tucked away by the river past Thurmond. Great secluded sites."
What you should know
Weather considerations: Strong winds affect several campgrounds. At Meadow Creek, a camper warned "the wind here is also very strong and without strong anchors could easily pull up your tent. We were having to restake the corners throughout our stay."
Noise factors: Train noise affects multiple campgrounds. At Brooklyn Campground, a visitor cautioned "there is an active railroad across the river and there were probably 5-10 trains the Wednesday night that we stayed," while at Meadow Creek, trains run "at all hours of day and night and are so loud you can feel the vibrations."
Site access challenges: Some campgrounds require effort to reach. At Stone Cliff Beach, one visitor noted "we had no idea there was a steep gravel decline to get to the camp site," which prevented them from reaching it in their hatchback.
Tips for camping with families
Site selection for privacy: At Chestnut Creek Campground, families appreciate that "there are lots of trees in between many of the sites for great privacy" and that "most sites are simple with just a picnic table and fire pit."
Campground layout considerations: The American Alpine Club campground layout works well for family groups. One reviewer noted they "managed to get multiple sites next to each other, which was nice" though "there aren't group sites available."
Swimming access: Plum Orchard Lake WMA offers good swimming options. A camper mentioned "the lake is good for swimming but you're welcome to bring your boat, kayak or canoe too," providing multiple water recreation options for families.
Tips from RVers
RV restrictions: Many tent camping areas near Ansted explicitly prohibit RVs. At Meadow Creek Campground, a ranger informed campers that "someone who stayed here in an RV had a close call crossing the train tracks and now they have decided to make this campground a tent only place."
Road conditions: Access roads can be challenging for larger vehicles. At Plum Orchard Lake WMA, a visitor described "long, bumpy dirt road to reach the campsite—it could be fun in the right vehicle," suggesting careful vehicle selection when visiting certain campgrounds.
Alternative parking: Some campgrounds require separate parking from camping areas. At Brooklyn Campground, a reviewer explained "the 4 sites by the river have a parking lot and you walk (not very far at all, 10-50 yards) to them," with only the handicap site allowing direct vehicle access.
