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Tent Camping near Charleston, WV

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    Tent campsites near Charleston, West Virginia cluster primarily around the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve area, providing access to scenic riverside locations and wooded terrain. Top-rated tent campgrounds in this region range from first-come, first-served sites directly on the New River at Stone Cliff Campground to family-run Chestnut Creek Campground, which offers wooden platforms at some sites. The American Alpine Club's New River Gorge Campground caters specifically to tent campers with dedicated wooden tent platforms set among boulders and rhododendrons.

    Most tent sites in this region feature basic amenities suited for self-sufficient campers. Fire rings are common at established sites, though some locations like Chief Cornstalk Wildlife Management Area have more limited facilities. Vault toilets are available at most public campgrounds, with a few like Chestnut Creek offering shower facilities. Several reviewers noted the importance of bringing your own drinking water, as potable water is limited or unavailable at many locations. According to one visitor at Stone Cliff Campground, "You have to bring your own water. There are garbage cans in the parking area above." Access roads to more remote tent camping areas can be challenging, with one camper describing the route to Plum Orchard Lake WMA as a "long, bumpy dirt road to reach the campsite."

    Walk-in tent sites provide the most secluded camping experiences in the region. The riverside locations at Stone Cliff Beach Campground require a short walk from the parking area, with sites positioned directly along the New River's sandy shores. A reviewer mentioned that "the camp sites are well marked and maintained. There are some right on the river and a couple more set back closer to the trail." Many tent-only sites throughout the region offer excellent proximity to hiking trails, climbing areas, and water access. Tent campers frequently encounter wildlife and enjoy the privacy afforded by wooded sites, especially at Chestnut Creek where "there are lots of trees in between many of the sites for great privacy." Sites can fill quickly during peak seasons, particularly on weekends, so midweek arrivals are recommended for those seeking the best tent camping spots.

    Best Tent Campgrounds near Charleston (10)

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      1. Chestnut Creek Campground

      4.5(21)36mi from CharlestonTents

      "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

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      2. Riverside R&R

      Be the first to review13mi from Charleston1 siteTents

      from $50 - $150 / night

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

      4.2(18)42mi from CharlestonTents

      "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."

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      4. New River Gorge Campground - American Alpine Club

      4.0(9)35mi from CharlestonTents

      "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"

      "Super clean bathrooms and flat platforms for tent camping. It’s a little pricey in my opinion but it’s easy to get to and close to lots of climbing."

      from $8 - $30 / night

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      5. Plum Orchard Lake WMA

      3.8(4)35mi from CharlestonTents

      "Ok vault toilets. Luckily we had an axe, we had to chop a tree that fell overnight blocking the road out of the campsite."

      "Plum Orchard Lake is a wildlife management area with rustic tent and camper sites. You do need to obtain a permit from the manager."

      from $10 / night

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      6. Brooklyn Campground — New River Gorge National Park and Preserve

      4.0(3)41mi from CharlestonTents

      "We came out of regular camping season so we couldn’t find anywhere near by that sold firewood. There is 1 handicap site and 4 sites by the river."

      "South side junction trail is right there and leads to thurmond ; an almost abondoned coal mining town"

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      7. Chief Cornstalk Wildlife Management Area

      1.0(1)35mi from CharlestonTents
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      8. Timbre Ridge Lake

      3.0(1)46mi from CharlestonTents
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      9. Long Point Campground

      1.0(1)42mi from CharlestonTents
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      10. New & Gauley River Adventures Camping

      Be the first to review41mi from CharlestonTents, Cabins

      from $12 - $160 / night

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    Recent Tent Camping Photos near Charleston, WV

    37 Photos of 10 Charleston Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers

    Tent Camping Reviews near Charleston, WV

    480 Reviews of 10 Charleston 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!

    • 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!!

    • 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!

    • Roger W.The Dyrt Pro User
      May. 8, 2023

      Grandview Sandbar Campground — New River Gorge National Park and Preserve

      Only The Noise of Flowing Water

      GLADE CREEK - New River Gorge (Scale 1- bad, 5-Very good 70 yr olds in 17’ trailer: Overall Rating: 4.5 Price. Free Usage during visit: Trailer sites usually filled up by the end of the day. Site Privacy: 2. Little understory plants Site 1 is very private. Site Spacing: 5. Very large sotes Site surface: Gravel/ mud Reservations: First come, first serve Campground Noise : 5. Very little Road Noise: 4.5 Glade Rd is behind site 1., but not close. Site 1 is still the best trailer site. Traffic can hardly be seen through the trees. Minimal traffic and minimal noise . Through Traffic: Access to the boat ramp is through the campground. Though, traffic is minimal, folks on the way to the ramp and picnic area often drive pretty fast. Electricity: No Water: River only - bring drinking water. Sewer: No Dump: No Generators: Allowed Bathroom: Nice pit toilet near site 2(a nice handicap site.
      Showers: No Pull Throughs: Most sites Cell Service (Verizon): No Setting: 5. We can hear the river from all sites, which is just a short walk away. Weather: Rain, clouds, sunshine Bugs: None Solar: Minimal and surely less when the trees leaf out more. Site 2 looks to have the best solar for a roof mount. Still minimal . Host: None Rig size: Limited by a narrow one lane . bridge on Glade Rd . A 30’ trailer arrived. There is plenty of room in the 5 trailer sites.
      Access: 20 minute drive from 41 on maintained and pretty smooth gravel road. UPON ARRIVAL, IF PULLING A TRAILER , I SUGGEST THAT YOU OCCUPY THE FIRST SITS YOU SEE. That is because reentry into the campground, while pulling a trailer, requires extra driving away from the campground entry for turn around. Sites: Site 1 is best for a trailer - isolated from the rest . Site 2 is a handicap site, which is not enforced by park service . Sites 3-5 are nice and large but not very private . Site 6, as looping back around, is the absolute best site, right on the river. It is suitable for truck campers, vans, and tents. A small trailer which can be hand maneuvered will also work there. There are some walk-in tent sites I did not evaluate.
      Notes: There are reports from others of safety concerns. I checked with park ranger officers and they said there are no safety concerns, “especially way back here.” We didn’t experience any issues. That said, this issues reported in other reviews took place at the boat ramp, which is in ear shot of the walk-in sites, for sure.

    • 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!

    • Alex M.
      Jul. 20, 2022

      Krodel Park Campground

      Nice park, awful bathrooms

      This is a strange campground, but not a bad one. It is minutes away from downtown Point Pleasant. I had spent the afternoon exploring the town and didn't feel like driving further. There aren't many campgrounds nearby, so this place came to the rescue.

      The park's main feature is a lake that looks to be artificial. Maybe an old gravel quarry? The terrain around the lake is nicely landscaped. There is a paved path along the shore, along with picnic tables and shelters. Kayak rentals are available and the lake is stocked with fish.

      Most of the campground is RV focused, but I stayed at a primitive tent site. These are located closer to the entrance. There are no site numbers. Just pull your car up onto the grass and set up wherever. A few picnic tables and electrical outlets are spaced out along the road. There were a few other campers here when I visited, but there was enough room for us to maintain good separation. No shade trees or shrubs for privacy, though.

      This is not a particularly quiet or restful campground. The day use area around the lake was hopping, with people coming and going well into the night. No closing time, or just not enforced? Not sure. Having so much traffic was a little uncomfortable from a safety standpoint, but nothing untoward happened while I was there. There was also quite a bit of noise from the nearby road and railroad.

      The biggest problem with this campground was the bathroom. It was one of the worst I've seen. It may very well have been cleaned recently, but it was so dark and dingy that I couldn't tell. No windows and just a single bare incandescent bulb for illumination. Reminded me of a gas station toilet. The sink barely drained, the toilet barely flushed, and the urinal looked like it was about to fall off the wall. I have used vault toilets that were much, much nicer than this. I found myself wishing for one of those. Gross.

      There is only one other bathroom located closer to the RV area, and this looked to be just as bad. To be clear, there are only two single occupancy men's rooms for the ENTIRE campground. Yes, there are a few porta potties scattered around as well, but this is ridiculous. This place needs to invest in better facilities.

    • MThe Dyrt Pro User
      Sep. 5, 2026

      Gauley Tailwaters Campground — Gauley River National Recreation Area

      Army corps of engineers campground

      On west side of Summersville lake, 18 free first come campsites, drive-in, level. Vault toilets, no water. Picnic tables, grill and fire ring. Access to free swimming across road at winter boat ramp. Sandy beach swimming down the road for $5. Lake is clear and warm.

    • Roger W.The Dyrt Pro User
      May. 8, 2023

      Grandview Sandbar Campground — New River Gorge National Park and Preserve

      Quiet, Small, and Peaceful

      Sandbar: (Scale 1- bad, 5-Very good (70 yr olds in 17’ trailer) Overall Rating: 4.5 Price: Free Usage during visit: 80% full Site Privacy: 4 Pretty good if you’re backing in a trailer or van Site Spacing: 4.0. Pretty good Reservations: First come - first serve Campground Noise: 5. Very Quiet while there Road Noise: 5. None. May be some boat noise Through Traffic: None. Campground is a circle drive. Electricity: No Water: No Sewer: No Dump: No Generators: Allowed Bathroom: Yes Showers: No Pull Throughs: Most, if not all we’re back-ins. Short pads .
      Cell Service (Verizon): 3 Fair .
      Setting: 4.5 Very nice setting surrounded by deciduous forest. The trailer sites are all on the outer perimeter of a circle drive. Large diameter , so not close to the folks across the way.
      Fixed Roof Solar: A couple sites might be okay Host: None Rig size: Some sites look like they will only accommodate a 20’ - 25’ trailer., Carefully check website There is enough room on the pad to park vehicle next to the trailer.

    Guide to Charleston

    Tent camping near Charleston, West Virginia offers access to scenic gorges and forested mountain terrain throughout the Appalachian region. The area receives approximately 44 inches of rainfall annually, creating lush vegetation and numerous waterways for paddling and fishing. Summer temperatures typically range from 60°F to 85°F, making lightweight tents and rain protection essential camping gear.

    What to do

    Hiking trails: Accessible directly from Stone Cliff Campground, the nearby trail system offers riverside walking routes. One reviewer noted, "There is a great trail nearby that runs along the river."

    Kayaking on mountain lakes: Plum Orchard Lake WMA provides quiet water paddling opportunities on its 202-acre lake. A visitor mentioned it's a "Great place for kayaking on a beautiful lake nestled in the mountains of Fayette county."

    Disc golf course: Athletic campers can enjoy outdoor games at Chestnut Creek Campground, where one camper highlighted that the grounds "Has a Frisbee/Disc Golf Course" among the wooded setting.

    Train watching: Several campgrounds sit near active rail lines that follow the river valleys. At Brooklyn Campground, a visitor observed, "The view of the river is beautiful and you can watch trains pass on the opposite side of the river."

    What campers like

    Boulder settings: The New River Gorge Campground offers unique tent platforms built among natural rock formations. One camper shared, "We were lucky to get campsite 23, which had a tent platform high up on a boulder. The campsite was fairly quiet and cozy!"

    Riverside camping: Sandy beaches at several campsites provide direct water access. A Stone Cliff camper commented, "Very quiet, sand bottom site areas right on the water."

    Cell reception: Unlike many remote camping areas, some campgrounds maintain good connectivity. At Chestnut Creek Campground, a visitor 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."

    Campsite privacy: Natural vegetation creates separation between sites at certain campgrounds. A Chestnut Creek visitor mentioned, "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. All the sites are wooded."

    What you should know

    Road access challenges: Many campgrounds require driving on unpaved roads. At Plum Orchard Lake WMA, a camper warned of a "Long, bumpy dirt road to reach the campsite—it could be fun in the right vehicle."

    Water sources: Pack your own drinking water for most sites. At the Brooklyn Campground, a visitor noted, "We came out of regular camping season so we couldn't find anywhere near by that sold firewood."

    Train noise: Railroad tracks follow river valleys and can disturb light sleepers. One camper at Brooklyn Campground advised, "Note for light sleepers: there is an active railroad across the river and there were probably 5-10 trains the Wednesday night that we stayed."

    Bathroom facilities: Restroom quality varies significantly between locations. A review of Chief Cornstalk Wildlife Management Area cautioned, "There is an out house that looks like something from an 80's horror movie... It oughta be bulldozed."

    Payment systems: Different campgrounds use various payment methods. At Stone Cliff Campground, campsites are "first come first serve basis. Also can access by boat if taking a trip on the river."

    Tips for camping with families

    Consider shower facilities: For multi-day trips with children, prioritize campgrounds with cleaned facilities. At Riverside R&R, bathing options are limited, so families should pack accordingly.

    Handicap-accessible options: Some campgrounds offer specific sites designed for easier access. At Brooklyn Campground, a visitor noted, "There is 1 handicap site and 4 sites by the river. The handicap site is the only one that you can drive directly up to."

    Campground supervision: Family-run operations often provide additional safety and support. At Chestnut Creek Campground, a visitor shared, "The owner is just a text or call away and he replies very quickly. It was quiet with just faint noise from the highway, but not very noticeable."

    Wildlife viewing opportunities: Children can observe native species in their natural habitats. A Plum Orchard Lake WMA visitor reported, "We were able to see deer, raccoons and some nice looking birds."

    Tips from RVers

    Size restrictions: Most tent camping areas near Charleston have limited RV capacity. A Chestnut Creek reviewer 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: At some sites, RVs must use designated parking areas separate from tent sites. At Brooklyn Campground, "The 4 sites by the river have a parking lot and you walk (not very far at all, 10 - 50 yards) to them."

    Seasonal considerations: Off-season camping may mean limited facilities. One Brooklyn Campground visitor shared, "We came out of regular camping season so we couldn't find anywhere near by that sold firewood."

    Frequently Asked Questions

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

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Charleston, WV is Chestnut Creek Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 21 reviews.

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

    TheDyrt.com has all 10 tent camping locations near Charleston, WV, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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