Camping sites near Hernshaw, West Virginia sit within the Appalachian Mountains at elevations ranging from 600 to 1,500 feet. The region experiences distinct seasons with summer temperatures typically between 70-85°F and winter temperatures often dropping below freezing. Fall camping conditions provide comfortable daytime temperatures and cool nights, while spring brings frequent rainfall that can create muddy campsites and challenging trail conditions.
What to do
Kayaking along the New River: Visit New River Campground for direct water access. "Beautiful night along the New River! Waterfront tent site with access to clean, personal bathrooms/showers assigned to each site. I love bringing my kayak here to paddle around!" according to Kenneth K.
Disc golf at mountain elevation: Ace Adventure Resort offers on-site disc golf courses among other activities. "On the campground there is disc golf and then a lake for swimming that has the huge inflatable courses on it (think like the game show wipeout) you can buy a day pass for a reasonable price to play on them all day," notes Renee G.
Hiking to waterfalls: Explore falls near various campgrounds. "There is a waterfall across the street and a nicer one just down the road," reports Thomas H. about New River Campground. Many trails connect to water features throughout the region.
Rock climbing excursions: The New River Gorge area provides world-class climbing opportunities. "This spot was a short drive away from awesome rock climbing in the New River Gorge," shares Les R. from Adventures on the Gorge.
What campers like
Private wooded sites: Chestnut Creek Campground offers secluded tent camping. "There are lots of trees in between many of the sites for great privacy. There is only one bath house and it can be a short hike depending on the location of your site," explains Debra W.
Riverside camping: Many campers appreciate sites directly on waterways. "From bumper of my TT to the river was about 30ft. Shade trees and a light morning mist on the river made a beautiful sunrise," describes Chris S. about their experience at New River Campground.
Clean bathhouse facilities: "The bathrooms are clean and well maintained," reports Sabrina B. from Kanawha State Forest. Multiple campgrounds in the region have updated their facilities in recent years, with several offering private shower rooms.
Lake activities: Several campgrounds feature swimming areas. "They have a nice picnic shelter and a small wedding chapel for weddings. Beside the lake is a nice shelter for having gatherings," notes Andrew S. about Rippling Waters Campground.
What you should know
Mountain road challenges: Roads leading to campgrounds often include steep grades and sharp turns. "The drive from Rt 19 to the campground is 8% grades both uphill and down, with twists, turns, and practical uturns with my 35ft. Fun for me, not for my wife lol," warns Chris S. about accessing New River Campground.
Limited connectivity: Cell service varies significantly by carrier. "I would describe the view, but wouldn't do it justice. The site was fairly level, had to use a few blocks on the driver side. There is no Wi-Fi or cable and the cell signal with Verizon was one bar at best," reports Larry about Rippling Waters.
Water quality concerns: Some campgrounds have heavily chlorinated water systems. "Water also had a strong odor of chlorine. After showers I felt like I was just getting out of a pool. So keep that in mind, might want a filter besides the typical blue filters," advises Larry at Rippling Waters.
Seasonal availability: Many tent camping areas close during winter months. "Our visit was the first full weekend in November and many other campgrounds were closed for the winter," shares Cathy D. about Chestnut Creek Campground, one of the few open later in the season.
Tips for camping with families
Playgrounds and recreation areas: Several campgrounds offer dedicated facilities for children. "They have a nice playground, banana bikes, and more. They showed a movie at 9pm on a big inflatable movie screen outside. Lots of other families there to hang out with," says Zach H. about his stay at Huntington/Fox Fire KOA.
Swimming options: Look for campgrounds with swimming facilities. "The kids absolutely loved it all. The pool, views, food were all amazing," describes Fred R. about Adventures on the Gorge.
Adequate site spacing: For family comfort, choose campgrounds with well-defined spaces. "The sites are all located along a winding road that parallels a river. Some sites are better than others! Our site was very hilly and the picnic table and fire pit were a bit treacherous to get to," warns Jacqueline K. about her experience at Kanawha State Forest.
Educational opportunities: The region offers learning experiences for children. "We spent the Labor Day Weekend in Fayetteville, WV. The New River Gorge area is amazing. It is only about 7 minutes from the New River Bridge welcome center," notes Kevin A. from Rifrafters Campground.
Tips from RVers
Site levelness varies: Be prepared for uneven terrain. "The site was fairly level, had to use a few blocks on the driver side," reports Larry about Rippling Waters. Many campgrounds are built into hillsides requiring leveling equipment.
Hookup limitations: Check what utilities are available. "RV sites are limited, but they're very nice. I wish they had water, and sewer would be an added bonus," advises Dustin N. about Adventures on the Gorge.
Roadside camping options: For quick overnight stops, consider Saint Albans Roadside Park. "Free electricity (30 amp). 3 spots available, first come first serve, no reservation. 2 nights max," explains Andrea W. This location provides convenient access to resupply options.
Generator restrictions: Several campgrounds restrict generator use. Check regulations before arrival as most campgrounds that offer electric hookups don't allow generators, which can impact boondocking capabilities during power outages.
