Glamping near Meadow Creek, West Virginia offers primitive to upscale options within the mountainous region at elevations between 1,200-2,500 feet. Summer temperatures typically range from 65-85°F with cool mornings even in July. Fall brings temperature swings of up to 30 degrees between day and night, requiring campers to pack additional layers regardless of season.
What to do
River access fishing spots: New River Gorge National Park has several free campgrounds with direct water access. At Army Camp — New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, one camper noted, "Area for people to swim in the river or fish. One trail on far side of parking area that I haven't been on yet."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Forested campgrounds provide excellent habitat for observing local wildlife. At Little Beaver State Park Campground, visitors report, "Lots of deer about. The tent sites have water, fire ring, table and nice shade. Lots of lovely trails to explore."
Train watching: For railway enthusiasts, some riverside locations offer unique views of active rail lines. As one camper at Grandview Sandbar described, "Trains passing in the night are oddly soothing."
Historical exploration: The region contains preserved sites from military history. Near Army Camp, "Military history buffs will appreciate the remains of an Army training encampment along the gravel road driving in. Known for equipping soldiers to build floating bridges across rivers to move troops and heavy artillery."
What campers like
Clean bathroom facilities: Many glamping sites near Meadow Creek prioritize quality facilities. One visitor to The Outpost at New River Gorge stated, "Bathrooms are nicer than our bathrooms at home," while another added, "The bathhouse was clean, big and heated."
Secluded wooded sites: Several campgrounds offer private, tree-covered locations despite being developed properties. At Rays Campground, campers appreciate that "The site we had, site 10, was large and secluded," and another mentioned, "The tent area I stay in is very spacious and often you can't see any neighbors unless traveling to the shower house."
Morning wildlife encounters: Early risers often spot local fauna. One camper at Little Beaver noted "Lots of deer about," while others mentioned morning visits from various woodland creatures.
Live entertainment options: Some glamping properties feature scheduled performances. The Outpost provides "Live music on weekends throughout the summer included with your stay. Also, they have some ticketed events for live music."
What you should know
Seasonal flooding concerns: River proximity means potential water issues in spring. At Grandview Sandbar Campground — New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, one camper warned, "This was a peaceful, nice area but when there is a lot of rain there is definitely the chance it'll flood."
Limited cell service: Communication can be spotty throughout the region. One camper noted, "Cell reception is scarce, but that's not a problem, just an observation," while others reported having "No AT&T service" at certain locations.
Train noise considerations: Rail lines run alongside several riverside camping areas. A visitor noted, "The really bad thing is that there is a train station directly across the river. And trains will and do pull through every couple of hours 24/7."
Weekend popularity: Free camping areas fill quickly, particularly during summer. "We showed up Saturday evening and was able to get a great spot with a view of the river," suggesting that arriving earlier provides better options.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds offer dedicated play areas for children. At Greenbrier River Campground, visitors appreciate the "Lots of space for kids to play" with one parent noting, "I love the swimming area my kids had such a great time."
Water activity options: Multiple locations offer safe water access points. As one visitor mentioned, "Rented tubes and floated down the river. The staff was great and the grounds well kept."
Cabin alternatives: For families new to camping or during inclement weather, cabin options provide comfort. Babcock State Park Campground offers family-friendly accommodations where "Our cabin was pet friendly, clean, well stocked kitchen, COMFORTABLE DOUBLE BEDS, firewood, it was excellent."
Trail accessibility: Most campgrounds feature trails suitable for younger hikers. A family noted, "Despite the rainy weather that weekend, our kids enjoyed the pool. Hiking was great and my young children hiked all of it with us."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Many mountain campgrounds require effort to level larger vehicles. At Adventures on the Gorge - Mill Creek, campers note, "Sites are big, a few are un-level but ours in site 15 was great."
Road access considerations: The region's winding mountain roads present challenges. One RVer cautioned, "Limited large rig sites and roadways are very narrow," while another mentioned, "It would be a nice little place to spend the night if you were in the area doing other things."
Partial hookup preparation: Several glamping locations offer limited services. One RVer advised, "Be prepared to dry camp as there are no water hookups. That would be the only negative for us."
Arrival timing strategy: For easier site access, plan morning arrivals. A camper suggested, "Sites are large enough to fit 2 vehicles. Sites are gravel with fire pit, charcoal grill, and picnic table. Road to access is single lane paved/gravel. Best for cars/vans, but did see some small pull behinds."
