SUMMER SALE 50% off The Dyrt PRO — just $2.49/moGet now
SALE: PRO just $2.49/mo
The Dyrt – find campgrounds for tents, RVs, cabins, glamping and more.
Open in App

Tent Camping near Caldwell, WV

41 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.

Search destinations
    Add dates
    SUMMARY PRESENTED BYT-Mobile

    The Greenbrier River Trail near Caldwell, West Virginia offers several primitive tent camping options along its 78-mile route. The trail's southern terminus at North Caldwell serves as a gateway to multiple walk-in tent sites, including the Greenbrier River Trail Mile Post 9.5 Primitive Campsite located between Keister and Hopper. This free, first-come, first-served campsite features raised tent pads, picnic tables, and fire rings. Stone Cliff Campground in New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, approximately 35 miles northwest of Caldwell, provides additional tent-only camping opportunities with riverside sites accessible via short walks from the parking area.

    Most tent campsites in the region have basic amenities suited for self-sufficient campers. The primitive sites along the Greenbrier River Trail typically include pit latrines, bear-proof trash receptacles, and in some locations, hand-pump well water that may be seasonally operational. Tent pads are often constructed of fine pea gravel with timber borders, providing level surfaces that drain well during West Virginia's frequent rain showers. Campers should bring water filtration equipment, as potable water is limited at most sites. At Meadow Creek Campground in New River Gorge, now designated as tent-only, vault toilets are available but no water service is provided. Strong winds can affect camping in valley locations, requiring secure tent stakes and anchoring.

    Visitors to the area's backcountry tent camping sites report varying experiences with privacy and natural settings. One camper at Stone Cliff noted, "There was plenty of room for 4 tents right along the river. It was a little rocky, but nothing a sleeping pad wouldn't take care of." The primitive campsites along the Greenbrier River Trail are particularly valued for their seclusion. According to reviews, the Mile Post 9.5 site features an Adirondack-style shelter that provides additional comfort during inclement weather. Wildlife sightings are common, with bears present in the area, necessitating proper food storage. The region experiences afternoon thunderstorms in summer months, with cool nights even in June, making these tent-only campgrounds ideal for those seeking a genuine outdoor experience.

    Connectivity Maps

    Presented byT-MobileT-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoorsLearn More
    Map showing cell service coverage and campground pins
    Try Connectivity Maps

    Best Tent Campgrounds near Caldwell (41)

    Filters    Tent onlyRVDispersedCabinGlampingPetsEquestrian

      1. Greenbrier River Trail Mile Post 9.5 Primitive Campsite (Between Keister and Hopper, WV)

      5.0(1)6mi from CaldwellTents

      "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…"

      Check Availability

      2. CB Ranch

      5.0(1)6mi from CaldwellTents, Cabins

      from $30 - $60 / night

      Check Availability

      3. Greenbrier River Trail Mile Post 28.5 Primitive Campsite

      5.0(1)16mi from CaldwellTents

      "**Campground Review: Greenbrier River Trail Mile Post 28.5 Primitive Campsite..."

      Check Availability

      4. Shirleys’ River Retreat

      5.0(1)23mi from CaldwellTents

      from $40 - $60 / night

      5. Meadow Creek Campground — New River Gorge National Park and Preserve

      4.2(6)29mi from CaldwellTents

      "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. Stone Cliff Campground — New River Gorge National Park and Preserve

      4.2(17)38mi from CaldwellTents

      "I used one of the walk in sites about half a mile into the trail. There was plenty of room for 4 tents right along the river. It was a little rocky, but nothing a sleeping pad wouldn't take care of"

      "Tucked away by the river past Thurmond. Great secluded sites. Trailhead for hiking from camp."

      Check Availability

      7. Chestnut Creek Campground

      4.5(21)42mi from CaldwellTents

      "Small primitive, family run campground in the heart of the gorgeous new river gorge area. Owner was super nice,helpful, and welcoming."

      "No electric or water at site but bathhouse with showers. Mostly tent sites in wooded area Our visit was the first full weekend I. November and many other campgrounds were closed for the winter."

      from $10 - $11 / night

      Check Availability

      8. Greenwood Point Campground

      4.0(2)26mi from CaldwellTents

      "Beautiful quiet lake, not heavily trafficked. Campsite is only accessible via water, so we packed our gear up on paddle boards to get there."

      Check Availability

      9. Pine Run Camping Area

      5.0(1)26mi from CaldwellTents

      "LUV 31---tent pad is big enough to fit 2 large tents (that is us) plus it has the "low grill" (all food I cook is on the grill and the "big" grills suck for this"

      Check Availability

      10. Meadow Creek Camping Area

      5.0(1)27mi from CaldwellTents

      "Otherwise, you'll be driving several hours back to a hotel after you stay out all night looking at stars."

      Check Availability
    View all 41 campgrounds

    2026 Explorer Giveaway

    Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

    Enter to Win

    Caldwell Contest

    Enter to Win

    Drive Time

    Recent Tent Camping Photos near Caldwell, WV

    66 Photos of 41 Caldwell Campgrounds

    Tent Camping Reviews near Caldwell, WV

    743 Reviews of 41 Caldwell Campgrounds

    • Dave V.
      May. 26, 2018

      Grandview Sandbar Campground — New River Gorge National Park and Preserve

      Epic River Views and Access steps from your campsite!

      RANGER REIVEW: PRIMUS 4-SEASON STAINLESS STEEL 0.3L MUG AT GRANDVIEW SANDBAR CAMPGROUND, NEW RIVER GORGE NATIONAL RIVER, WV

      CAMPGROUND REVIEW:

      Grandview Sandbar Campground situated along the New River, just outside of Prince, WV off Route 41 offers upclose and personal riverside camping. https://www.nps.gov/neri/planyourvisit/campgrounds.htm

      This and the other riverside campgrounds in the New River Gorge National River offer a minimal number of sites, no water, no electric, no modern facilities…however, they are free and its all about location. Site availability is first come, first served. Length of stay is limited to 14 days.

      On the higher, wooded loop to the right as you travel down a very narrow, serpentine gravel road, there are 10 campsites. There are gravel parking pads that could accommodate a small RV/Camper/Pop-up…and a couple Pop-ups were present. How they navigated the winding steep park gravel road, is a mystery to me…the rains were eroding corners causing my truck to scrape.

      The sites do have a picnic table, lantern post and firepit. Depending on thr site you choose, the initial sites to the right are all below the campground roadway you wind down. The pit latrine is a short walking distance and directly next to the host site in the River Access parking lot and boat ramp area.

      The 8 tent sites are located on the far side of the boat ramp parking area and all but the two Handicap sites require a short walk to reach.

      Numbers are on the lantern posts and blend together but are distinguished by the firepit. These are directly on the sand "beach" area of the New River…and as seen in my photos are not only a bit angled, they can be a dangerous choice.

      The two handicap accessible sites are bordered by timbers, leveled and much more desirable, but you must possess a handicap placard/permit. It is not permissible to utilize them as overflow without a placard/permit.

      The walk-up tent area has its own pit latrine. Nothing special…but private.

      There is a river trail that will take you to Glade Creek and additional trails. Within a short drive are several additional nice hiking trails in the New River Gorge and nearby State parks.

      Note: This is a busier campground with the public access boat ramp and very busy on weekends. A very popular spot for locals. While alcohol is prohibited, there was substantial physical evidence to the contrary, mere steps from the dumpster. Also keep in mind, during rains, tributaries flow into the New River causing it to overflow its banks with some regularity in thr spring and early summer.

      Spring weekdays still saw several campers, even with the torrential rains and flooding. Free is a big draw.

      PRODUCT REVIEW:

      PRIMUS 4-SEASON STAINLESS STEEL 0.3L MUG

      https://primus.us/products/four-seasons-mug-35l-stainless-steel?variant=358039683090

      The Primus 4-Season Stainless Steel 0.3L Mug is a great option for the outdoorsperson searching for a do-all cup.

      With it's all stainless steel double wall construction, it offers rust resistance, a clean appearance, the ability to keep contents their desired temperature longer, and remains odorless/tasteless. The mug is lightweight at just under 4 ounces.

      The 0.3L/10 oz. mug is convenient and held single servings of beverage and food. However, I might migrate to Primus' other offering in the 0.2L/8 oz. mug for the volume I prefer.

      The only potential achilles heel, would be the same with any other mug and that is the handle. Though I experienced no issues and don't foresee any…if there were to be one, it's likely with a mug's handle.

      All in all, a great mug choice!

    • RL
      Oct. 2, 2019

      Breeden Bottom Campground

      Wonderful Trip

      Our site was RIGHT on the river. It was peaceful and private. No water, no electricity available. Not for RVs. There is a railroad track that runs along the James River near the sites, but it never bothered us. Great fishing.

      A little additional info from the internet:

      BREEDEN BOTTOM CAMPGROUND is located on the James River about 1/4 mile down stream of the Arcadia bridge about 5 mile drive from our canoe livery in Buchanan, VA. It is situated about 6 river miles downstream of our Buchanan based canoe livery location near river mile marker 19. This campground can accommodate both paddle in and drive in campers. Each site is numbered and include a fire ring, picnic table, parking area, and level tent pad. Portable toilets and a dumpster are conveniently located in the center of the campground. Guests will need to bring their own water as no potable water source is provided. $36.00 per site for up to 4 campers.

    • Hannah V.The Dyrt PRO User
      Nov. 1, 2018

      Peaks Of Otter Campground — Blue Ridge Parkway

      Great Trails

      This is a huge campground it has 137 sites that is right in between two mountains. Each site has picnic tables, lantern poles, tent pads, food storage lockers, and campfire rings. 63 of their sites are available for advanced reservation and then 79 first come-first serve basis. The bath house has flush toilets, water spigots, but no showers. There is also no electric, water, or sewer hook-ups.

      Lots of hiking trails, but make sure you look at the map because we unfortunately did not look at it well enough and thought that the trail was a loop when it led to the opposite side of the mountain and we had to hitch hike back to the campsite. The trails are well marked and lead to awesome views. Rate is $20 a night.

    • H. K.
      Jun. 26, 2022

      Stone Cliff Campground — New River Gorge National Park and Preserve

      Free, centrally located & meh

      Stone Cliff campground is a sandy, walk in campground. There is one site that you can park beside which I think is supposed to be ADA accessible. The rest of the sites require a short walk in or down about a flight of steps.

      We camped right below the stairs. There was a pole for a lantern but no picnic table (although there are some near the parking area), no fire ring (previous campers had made one out of stone that we used), and no flat tent pad area. We pitched our tent in the flattest spot and it was acceptable.

      There are vault toilets up the stairs and across the parking lot. They smelled awful and needed to be cleaned. Although it didn't seem like Stone Cliff was a busy campground (we only had a couple neighbors) the rafting companies put in right there and bring bus loads of rafters who use the vault toilets so they are used by lots of people.

      You have to bring your own water. There are garbage cans in the parking area above.

      It is right on the New River on a sand bar which is nice except there was SO MUCH BROKEN GLASS. Honestly it was the most broken glass I've seen on a beach. There was also quite a lot of litter which is obnoxious.

      Overall it was fine. It was free and it was close to the Visitor's Center and most of the trails I wanted to hike. But it wasn't a beautiful or serene nature setting.

    • Heather P.The Dyrt PRO User
      Mar. 9, 2022

      Babcock State Park Campground

      Choose your site wisely

      My suggestion is take a good look at the sites before setting up camp.

      With 51 sites, maybe 20 were populated.  

      While we had no rain, you could tell some sites could easily be washed out or have

      a nice stream that would run through your site with heavy rains.

      Picnic table and fire ring in sites.  Firewood can be purchased from the check in building.

      NO Alcohol allowed in campground!

      Restrooms and the campground was well maintained.

      Checking out the Glade Creek Grist Mill is a MUST!!

    • Christy M.
      Jul. 21, 2020

      Day Run Campground

      Spent 4 days here July 17-20

      Nice size sites for tents and/or RV. All come with Lantern pole, fire ring with grate for cooking on, and picnic table. There are 2 restrooms located in this camping area with vault toilets only. Take your own toilet paper if campground isn’t busy because it doesn’t get maintained daily and we ran out. Trash cans are in fencing for bear proofing. Self pay.

    • Abby M.The Dyrt PRO User
      Dec. 6, 2020

      Glade Creek Campground — New River Gorge National Park and Preserve

      Good spot for the night

      Stopped by on my way up north. Beautiful view of the river, which was high. There’s 5 pull in sites and 5 walk in tent sites. Multiple bathrooms, including ADA friendly, all clean. There were 2 other campers on a Saturday night, which was nice and quiet. It’s about 5 miles down a nice dirt road, easy to drive on. There’s no AT&T service upon arrival. A few spots you could locate a bar to send a message, but that’s it. Lots of trees to hang a hammock. Each site had a fire ring, picnic table and a pole to hang food from. No electricity or water so be sure to bring your own. Overall, enjoyed my stay!

    • Dave V.
      Sep. 12, 2020

      Greenbrier River Trail Mile Post 49.3 Primitive Campsite

      A Welcomed Reststop along the Trail

      Greenbrier River Trail Mile Post 49.3 Primitive Campsite, Watoga, WV

      West Virginia's **Greenbrier River Trail  (GRT) **stretches from its Northern Terminus at the Cass Railroad Station, Stumptown 78-80 miles (depending on what resource you read) to it's Southern Terminus in North Caldwell. The Greenbrier River Trail is a Rails-to-Trails initiative, so being a former track bed, the surface is predominantly ballast, though there are some black-topped areas. Some locations of the trail that either see more sunlight or less traffic have seen grass overtake the trail to form a "two-track" or at times a mown grass trail. Most parts drain well and easy to navigate, while some heavily wooded areas adjacent to rocky cliffs see more puddling and thus muddier...but all navigable. 

      Because of it's relative remoteness and light traffic, wildlife flourishes along the GRT. This is bear country so I would recommend utilizing a bear bag or bear canister for your food and toiletries. I used a BearVault BV500 that I strapped to the Salsa EXP Anything Cradle attached to my handlebars...worked great. Eliminated concerns about losing food items and attracting Yogi and Boo-Boo. A Father/Daughter duo trailing us observed a juvenile bear not far off the trail mid-day. But bears aside, raccoons, chipmunks and other rodents can wreak havoc on panniers or backpacks containing food and fragrant toiletries. 

      At the time of our visit there were 15 Primitive or Rustic Campsites along the Greenbrier River Trail. Each person traveling the Greenbrier River Trail will determine which primitive campsite they prefer for a night's rest. 

      All the primitive campsites positioned along the Greenbrier River Trail (GRT) are free, first-come, first-served. Note that some offer more amenities than others, so those will likely be the sought after locations.

      Traveling West Virginia's Greenbrier River Trail is a highlight whatever mode of travel permitted, whether on foot, horseback, bicycling or even paddlecraft...no motorized vehicles are permited. The Greenbrier River Trail was chosen by Backpacker Magazine as one of the top ten best hikes in the U.S. of A. That's quite the billing to live up to.

      I will add that we chose to bikepack the GRT, so I felt we did not stop at all the available sites, cascades, waterfalls, bridges, etc purely because we were a little spread out and by the time you past by a special site, the others were too far down the trail. While I absolutely loved our entire GRT trip...had I been on foot...more exploring would have taken place.

      PROS:

      • Raised fine gravel tent pad
      • Nice, clean, maintained and stocked pit latrine
      • Picnic table
      • Metal fire ring
      • Metal Bear-proof trash receptacle
      • No cell service

      CONS:

      • No water pump
      • No cell service
      • Tent pad located very close to elevated trail

      NEARBY HIGHLIGHTS:

      • Town of Marlinton
      • Watoga State Park
      • Greenbrier Resort
      • Snowshoe Mountain Resort
      • Cass Railroad
      • Seneca State Forest
      • Seneca Rocks
      • Spruce Knob (WV highest elevation)
      • The Wild Bean Cafe and Thunderbird Taco (Lewisburg)  (Suggestion: Order the Guacadilla!...thank me later)

      The GRT Mile Post 49.3 Primitive Campsite does not offer a well water, so fill up before you get there. Although, if you utilize a filter, you can draw water from the river or the tributary down the trail several hundred feet. Even though Mile Post 49.3 tent pad is directly alongside the trail, traffic is so light that it is really a non-issue. There is not a large clearing and with dense vegetation...pack your bug juice.

      This is West Virginia, so even in populated areas cell service can be spotty...but on the trail, I would not count on it. This is both a blessing and a curse. However, for safety purposes, I do carry a Garmin InReach Explorer + in case of emergencies.

      The GRT Mile Post 49.3 Primitive Campsite makes for a great overnighter from either Marlinton or a nice out-and-back from Cass Railroad from the north or from North Caldwell from the South...eliminating the need for a shuttle.

      Final Thoughts: Whether you chose to spend the night at Mile Post 49.3 or not, is not the point...all the primitive campsites along the Greenbrier River Trail are great choices...the point is, mark your calendars, plan this trip and travel West Virginia's Greenbrier River Trail!

    • Janet R.The Dyrt PRO User
      Jan. 1, 2026

      The Outpost at New River Gourge

      Outpost with the mostest

      This is a popular multi-level campround, from basic tent sites to cabins to really upscale glamping. The tent platforms or basic camper cabins are probably midling. The regular tent sites that you can drive in to are a bit crowded, but there are more secluded walk-in tent sites. The tent platforms are also walk-in but provide more space and shelter, which is nice as it did seem to rain a lot when we were there. The prices are all more than you would pay at a state or national park campground, but there is a lot going on here like concerts and other events, and a little of well kept amenities like bathrooms, and also equipment to rent to get out into the gorge. The Outpost is near the iconic gorge bridge as well as the Canyon Rim NPS visitor center which has a lot of good educational displays about the geology, geography and history of that part of the gorge, so the proximity is nice.

      Overall the campground is a luxury set up for camping. I just reduced it by one stat because the price, the crowdedness, and the distance from the south end of the gorge where the Sandstone Falls and Sandstone Visitor. I do appreciate that they are dog friendly though!

    Guide to Caldwell

    The Greenbrier River Trail offers multiple tent campsites near Caldwell, West Virginia along its 78-mile path through Pocahontas and Greenbrier counties. The trail follows the former Chesapeake and Ohio Railway and maintains an easy grade of less than 1% throughout its length, making it accessible for campers arriving by bicycle. The area typically experiences mild summers with temperatures averaging 75-85°F during daylight hours but can drop to 55-65°F overnight, requiring campers to pack layers for comfortable sleeping.

    What to do

    Explore the Greenbrier River Trail: The rail-trail offers camping access to excellent fishing spots. At Greenbrier River Trail Mile Post 28.5 Primitive Campsite, one reviewer noted, "Swimming and fishing are permitted in the Greenbrier River (Fishing: if you have a WV Fishing License). In late June, temperatures were still quite cool, so while the river looked inviting, we did not take the plunge."

    Visit nearby attractions: Make time to explore the surrounding area's historic sites. From CB Ranch, a camper shared, "The farm is 4 miles from a quaint small town with shops and great restaurants. Lots of local attractions from State parks, Greenbrier rails to tails (77 miles long), Greenbrier river (Kayaking) and a couple caves to explore."

    Watch trains pass: The active rail lines near camping areas provide unique experiences. At Meadow Creek Campground, a camper observed, "The trains are fun to watch but very loud and frequent." Another camper mentioned, "The coal trains run through at all hours of the night—and blow their horns (earplugs)."

    What campers like

    Adirondack-style shelters: Several tent camping locations offer covered structures. A reviewer at Greenbrier River Trail Mile Post 9.5 Primitive Campsite explained, "The Shelter is so new its not even noted on any but the newest Trail Map. It appears that individuals or families have either constructed or donated for the construction of both shelters and several protected bench areas."

    Riverside camping spots: Campers appreciate sites positioned along the water. At Stone Cliff Campground, a reviewer noted, "Location was amazing. Sites are first come first served, no reservation needed. Plenty of parking with 6+ isolated camp sites, all with view of river. There is a great trail nearby that runs along the river."

    Site privacy and spacing: Many tent campsites near Caldwell provide good separation between sites. At Chestnut Creek Campground, a visitor observed, "Most sites are simple with just a picnic table and fire pit. There are lots of trees in between many of the sites for great privacy."

    What you should know

    Water availability varies: Many campgrounds have unreliable water sources. A camper at Greenbrier River Trail Mile Post 28.5 noted, "Hand-pump well water" as a pro, while at Mile Post 9.5 another camper reported, "Hand pump well water was inoperable during our late June 2020 visit."

    Train noise: Railway traffic affects multiple campgrounds. A reviewer at Meadow Creek Campground stated, "The biggest con to this is the multi-track railroad right next to the campground. They go by pretty frequently at all hours of day and night and are so loud you can feel the vibrations."

    Wind conditions: Valley locations can experience strong gusts. A camper at Meadow Creek Campground 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 and thought we might loose our rain fly a few times."

    Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies significantly. A camper at Shirleys' River Retreat mentioned, "1 bar of unboosted cell service with ATT with some drop off if raining, but fine for streaming videos." At Mile Post 28.5, another camper listed "No cell service" as both a pro and con.

    Tips for camping with families

    Consider private campgrounds: Some offer unique experiences for children. At CB Ranch, a family camper shared, "We loved every moment of our stay from the fire pit to the beautiful tails on the property to seeing the farm animals. The constant songs of the birds is a reminder that we belong in nature."

    Check tent pad sizes: Some sites accommodate multiple tents for family groups. At Stone Cliff Beach, a camper noted, "There was plenty of room for 4 tents right along the river. It was a little rocky, but nothing a sleeping pad wouldn't take care of."

    Look for campgrounds with wildlife viewing: Families can enjoy nature observation opportunities. At Chestnut Creek Campground, a visitor reported, "We had a great couple days with rain at times. Site was large with lots of trees. We hiked Endless Wall Trail and Glade Creek Trail to Kate's Falls."

    Tips from RVers

    Know site restrictions: Some previously RV-friendly areas have changed policies. A visitor to Meadow Creek Campground warned, "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. Which is very unfortunate since this place is beautiful and the sites were big enough for rv and tent use."

    Research access roads: Not all campgrounds have suitable approach routes. One visitor to Stone Cliff noted, "So we had no idea there was a steep gravel decline to get to the camp site. My wife and I had brought our hatchback instead of our SUV- so our fault, but if this had been mentioned somewhere then we would have known."

    Consider private options for RVs: Some campgrounds near Caldwell offer both tent and RV accommodations. At CB Ranch, offerings include "alcohol-allowed, fires-allowed, firewood, reservable, showers, toilets" and accommodations for both tents and cabins.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Which is the most popular tent campsite near Caldwell, WV?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Caldwell, WV is Greenbrier River Trail Mile Post 9.5 Primitive Campsite (Between Keister and Hopper, WV) with a 5-star rating from 1 review.

    What is the best site to find tent camping near Caldwell, WV?

    TheDyrt.com has all 41 tent camping locations near Caldwell, WV, with real photos and reviews from campers.

    Keep Exploring

    3. View all West Virginia cities for camping