Tent camping near Camden-on-Gauley takes advantage of West Virginia's diverse Appalachian terrain, with elevations ranging from 1,800 to 2,500 feet in nearby camping areas. Summer nights typically drop to 55-65°F even when daytime temperatures reach the 80s, making sleeping conditions comfortable but requiring proper insulation. Most primitive sites in this region feature fine gravel tent pads designed to improve drainage during the frequent rain showers common to this mountain environment.
What to do
Mountain biking access points: Several trails near Chestnut Creek Campground connect to more extensive networks, with direct access to local singletrack within a mile of camp. "This campground is less than a mile from the Canyon Rim Visitor Center and the Bridge and only 15 minutes from Summerville Lake," notes camper Sienna L., highlighting the convenient location for outdoor activities.
Swimming opportunities: Multiple river access points provide natural swimming spots during summer months when water temperatures reach the mid-70s. At Stone Cliff Campground, one camper reported, "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."
Disc golf courses: Some campgrounds maintain small courses as recreational amenities. At Chestnut Creek Campground, reviewer Debra W. mentioned that it "Has a Frisbee/Disc Golf Course" among its features, providing an activity option for campers without leaving the grounds.
What campers like
Shelter options during rain: Several primitive sites along Greenbrier River Trail Mile Post 28.5 offer Adirondack-style shelters for protection during West Virginia's frequent showers. According to one camper, "Late afternoon showers soaked the three groups of bikepackers that set up camp at Mile Post 28.5 for the night. So being the first to claim the Shelter is a coveted position."
Clean bathroom facilities: Despite being primitive, many campgrounds maintain well-kept facilities. A visitor to New River Gorge Campground wrote, "The communal area was quiet and spacious. The bathrooms had bugs but very clean! Cute little place to stay." Another camper noted, "We ended up doing all of our cooking and eating in the big covered communal porch on the shower house with lights and big kitchen sinks for cleaning up."
Site privacy: Many tent sites in the Camden-on-Gauley area feature natural separation between camping areas. One camper at Chestnut Creek Campground observed, "This is a very nice little campground set up for tents, hammock campers and some car campers... All the sites are wooded and they allow you to use fallen trees/branches for your fires."
What you should know
Train noise considerations: Railroad tracks run parallel to several camping areas, affecting some sites more than others. At Brooklyn Campground, one camper reported, "There is an active railroad across the river and there were probably 5-10 trains the Wednesday night that we stayed."
Water availability varies: Hand-pump wells exist at some sites but functionality depends on season and maintenance. At Greenbrier River Trail Mile Post 28.5, a camper noted functional facilities: "Hand-pump well water" was among the amenities listed as pros, but visitors should bring filtration options as backup.
Per-person pricing: Some local campgrounds charge by individual rather than site. A reviewer at Chestnut Creek Campground explained, "It was 15 dollars per person per night. They have showers and clean bathrooms just a short walk from any site." Another camper added, "The campground charges per person which was different from what I'm used to, but it was very reasonable and comparable to other campgrounds in the area."
Tips for camping with families
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Dawn and dusk offer prime animal sighting times along riverfront sites. At Greenbrier River Trail MP 69.6, a visitor observed, "The MP 69.6 Camping Area is along the Greenbrier River, so camping along it affords great wildlife viewing at dawn and dusk when the animals head to the water to drink. The amount of wildlife we saw throughout the day was incredible while biking the trail."
Cell service considerations: Most camping areas have limited connectivity, affecting navigation and emergency communications. One camper at Chestnut Creek noted, "Cell reception was great all throughout this area. That's not a camping necessity for us, but we all noticed that everyone's phone had great reception with a variety of network providers."
Tent platform advantages: Raised platforms at several sites keep tents dry during wet conditions common to the area. A camper at New River Gorge Campground wrote, "This is a very well thought out campground and is a great option for climbers visiting the area. 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."
Tips from RVers
Size restrictions: Most tent camping areas near Camden-on-Gauley cannot accommodate large rigs. At Chestnut Creek Campground, a reviewer specifically warned, "This is a very nice little campground set up for tents, hammock campers and some car campers. No hook-ups. Definitely not for RVs or Camper trailers."
Alternative parking arrangements: Some campgrounds require equipment carrying from parking areas. At Stone Cliff Campground, a camper explained the setup: "The 4 sites by the river have a parking lot and you walk (not very far at all, 10 - 50 yards) to them. The view of the river is beautiful and you can watch trains pass on the opposite side of the river."
