New River Gorge National Park and Preserve offers tent camping near Beckley, West Virginia across multiple environments from riverside to forested settings. Most campgrounds in this region sit at elevations between 1,300-2,500 feet, creating variable weather conditions even in summer months. Temperatures can drop below 50°F at night even when daytime highs reach 85°F, requiring tent campers to pack appropriate gear for significant temperature swings.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: At Plum Orchard Lake WMA, visitors can combine tent camping with fishing. "Plum Orchard Lake is a wildlife management area with rustic tent and camper sites... The lake is good for swimming but you're welcome to bring your boat, kayak or canoe too," notes one camper.
Hiking trail access: Tent campers at Stone Cliff Campground appreciate direct trail connections. "Trailhead for hiking from camp. A bit of a drive to visit any of the sites around New River but worth it to be away from it all," reports one visitor. Another adds, "There is a great trail nearby that runs along the river."
Rock climbing: Many tent campers visit specifically for climbing access. "There are so many things to come for and so many things to stay for! I've come here to climb and ended up fishing. I've come to fish and ended up hiking and climbing," explains one enthusiast who stayed at Stone Cliff.
What campers like
River proximity: Tent campers appreciate waterfront sites at Brooklyn Campground. "The view of the river is beautiful and you can watch trains pass on the opposite side of the river," notes one visitor. Tent sites directly next to water are relatively uncommon in the area.
Uncrowded camping: Even during peak season, many campgrounds remain below capacity. At Meadow Creek Campground, a camper noted, "We thought we'd have a hard time finding a spot on a Friday night but it was less than half full the whole 4 nights we were there."
Natural setting: Tent campers frequently mention wildlife encounters. "We were able to see deer, raccoons and some nice looking birds," reported a visitor at Plum Orchard Lake. Another camper at Stone Cliff noted, "My dog absolutely loved it-the swimming was A+ and the stick selection was up to her standards."
What you should know
Train noise: Several tent camping areas near Beckley sit close to active rail lines. A Brooklyn Campground visitor warns: "There is an active railroad across the river and there were probably 5-10 trains the Wednesday night that we stayed." At Meadow Creek, campers note trains "go by pretty frequently at all hours of day and night and are so loud you can feel the vibrations."
Weather preparedness: Tent campers should prepare for unpredictable conditions. At Chestnut Creek Campground, visitors note the combination of mountain elevation and river proximity creates variable weather patterns that can change rapidly.
Reservation systems: Many tent sites around Beckley operate on different reservation models. Chestnut Creek uses a text-based system: "We didn't have reservations but the manager told us to text him when we arrived after hours." Other campgrounds like Stone Cliff are strictly first-come, first-served with no reservation option.
Tips for camping with families
Site selection strategies: At American Alpine Club Campground, families should consider specific sites: "We were lucky to get campsite 23, which had a tent platform high up on a boulder. The campsite was fairly quiet and cozy!" This matters especially during busy weekends when communal areas become active.
Bug preparation: Parents should pack insect protection even in early spring. At Meadow Creek, a camper noted: "The gnats were out even in early April, so be sure you have bug protection." Ticks are also common in wooded tent sites throughout the region.
Bathroom considerations: Facility quality varies widely between tent campgrounds. At Chestnut Creek, "They have one clean shower house with toilets and hot water," while others have only vault toilets. Some families prefer bringing portable toilet options for night use since facilities can be distant from tent sites.
Tips from RVers
Access limitations: Most tent camping areas near Beckley have difficult RV access. At Plum Orchard Lake, a visitor warns of "Long, bumpy dirt roads to reach the campsite—it could be fun in the right vehicle." These roads become particularly challenging after rain.
Primitive camping preparation: RVers accustomed to hookups should prepare differently for tent camping in this region. Many sites lack potable water and electrical access. Bring battery-powered options for lighting and device charging, as generator use is restricted at most tent-only sites.
Tent platform advantages: At locations with uneven terrain, specialized platforms make a significant difference. At American Alpine Club Campground, each site has "a wooden tent platform (10'x10') to set up on, which is a huge plus since the ground is so uneven throughout."
