Best Tent Camping near Ethel, WV
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Best Tent Sites Near Ethel, WV (11)
1. Chestnut Creek Campground
Lansing, West Virginia19 Reviews•44 Photos•243 SavesThe closest campground to the New River Gorge Bridge. Chestnut Creek Campground offers quiet primitive camping in the woods. We are a mere half a mile (0.5mi) from the New River Gorge Bridge! That's walking distance folks. Our hygienic facility has hot showers, lavatory stalls, hand washing sinks, and a wash basin located outside for dish washing and filling up water jugs. Firewood and Ice are available on site as well. Each campsite has a picnic table and a fire pit. A general store and burrito bar are located literally around the corner; Both are within walking distance. Hiking and Climbing trail-heads (Fern Buttress, Endless Wall, Beauty Mountain; to name a few) are just down the way and access to the river is a stone's throw away (our drive is just across from Fayette Station Rd). If you're wanting to venture further to more local restaurants/shops; we are only a 5 minute drive from downtown Fayetteville. We are a pet friendly establishment for those with dogs who love to travel as much as you do. We keep quiet hours from 11pm-7am (starts @ midnight on weekends). Mainly we accommodate rustic tent camping, however; some sites are able to accommodate pop-up campers and trailers up to 20ft (we do not have hookups/electric). Call today to reserve a site for your upcoming adventure at the New River Gorge.
- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- Tents
- Group
$10 - $11 / night
2. New River Gorge Campground - American Alpine Club
Lansing, West Virginia9 Reviews•22 Photos•70 SavesThe American Alpine Club (AAC) campground at the New River Gorge resides in Fayetteville, WV, on a 40-acre parcel adjacent to the National Park and within walking distance of popular crags at the New River Gorge. There are 40 private sites and ten communal sites. No RVs, no trailers, and no vehicles over 20' are permitted. There are two large communal fire pits, a bathhouse with coin-operated showers ($1 for minutes), and a pavilion. We're working on a wifi solution, but it comes and goes.
- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- Tents
- Group
$8 - $30 / night
3. Plum Orchard Lake WMA
Scarbro, West Virginia4 Reviews•41 Photos•27 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Tents
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Trash
- Picnic Table
$10 / night
4. R.d. Bailey Lake Group Shelters
Be the first to review!North Spring, West Virginia•3 Photos•1 SaveOverview
Choose from three day-use picnic shelters at R.D. Bailey Lake, a scenic reservoir with views of the surrounding tree-topped mountains.
Recreation
The lake is best known for boating and fishing for largemouth, smallmouth, striped bass and channel catfish. Hunting enthusiasts can hunt small game such as rabbits and turkey in-season. Head to the Visitor Center for interesting exhibits, educational programs and tours of the dam and intake structure. There's also an impressive observation deck with viewing telescopes.
Facilities
Each shelter has a playground, flush toilets, drinking water and plenty of grassy space for sports. All three are near excellent shore fishing areas as well. Big Branch Shelter Big Branch is close to the headwaters of the lake. It has the most space of the three shelters, with substantial room for extra cars and enough tables to seat 100 guests. Horseshoe pits, basketball and volleyball courts, and the largest, newest playground can be found here. The site is equipped with two grills and electric hookups. Guyandotte Point Day Use Shelter Guyandotte Point sits at the lake's headwaters, just a quarter mile past the Big Branch Recreation Area. This is the best location for those who plan to go boating, as it's the only location with a boat ramp. Electric hookups and a large charcoal grill are onsite. Visitor Center Day Use Shelter The Visitor Center Shelter is nearly 400 feet above the dam, offering spectacular views of the glistening lake. The shelter is, as named, right by the Visitor Center, which is worth a visit. It's also at the trailhead of two popular hiking trails and the Below Dam Fisherman's Access. Horseshoe pits are by the shelter. No electric hookups are available.
Natural Features
R. D. Bailey Lake Group Shelters are on the Guyandotte River in West Virginia, about three miles east of the town of Justice. The R. D. Bailey Dam reaches 310 feet high, and the lake's surface area in summer is 630 acres. The region of the Appalachian Mountains boasts an abundance of oak, hickory and beech trees.
Nearby Attractions
Explore West Virginia's heritage at a living history pioneer farm in Twin Falls. Or traverse the beautiful Castle Rock Trail, great for hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding and ATVs.
- Electric Hookups
- Tents
- Group
$60 - $90 / night
5. Riverside R&R
Be the first to review!Alum Creek, West Virginia•7 Photos•7 SavesBeautiful rustic cabin and campsites along the Little Coal River. Enjoy the unique experience of floating in with your kayak or canoe and staying for the weekend at The Lillian, our newly built cabin or at one of our campsites located on the bank of the river.
Enjoy the sounds of the rippling water while snoozing in the shade of the hammock or the nightly whippoorwill’s song as you are relaxing by the warm glow of the campfire. Once you have experienced this slice of “almost heaven” you will most surely not want to leave.
- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- Tents
- Trash
$50 - $150 / night
6. Brooklyn Campground — New River Gorge National Park and Preserve
Thurmond, West Virginia3 Reviews•8 Photos•72 SavesThis tent only campground is located on the banks of the New River near the Cunard River Access point and Southside Trailhead. It offers 4 walk-in tents sites and 1 tent-only drive-in site. There are no drive-in sites for RVs or campers at this location. RV, camper, or car camping is prohibited.
- Phone Service
- Tents
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Trash
- Toilets
- Alcohol
7. Pleasant Ridge
Be the first to review!Adams, Kentucky•1 SaveThis recreation area is part of Yatesville Lake
- Tents
8. Lawrence County Recreation Area
Be the first to review!Adams, KentuckyThis recreation area is part of Yatesville Lake
- Tents
9. New & Gauley River Adventures Camping
Be the first to review!Thurmond, West Virginia•8 SavesWant to get even more out of the time you spend partaking in outdoor West Virginia fun with the New & Gauley Adventures team? Stay with us! We have both cabins and a campground available to accommodate you.
If you love to rough it, we offer you your choice of campsite — in “the field” next to the shower house or in a site a short walk away down our wooded trails. Our campground is conveniently located on our base camp, and our newly built shower house has hot water, bathrooms and electricity. And just in case you don’t want to rough it too much (or campfire cooking isn’t your thing), right next to the shower house is our own Undercut Pub and our great room.
For those who wish to stay close to the action but want a little more luxury — or a lot more — our Cabins are available for rent. There are affordable mini cabins available on our base camp that are close to everything; these rustic cabins have no electricity, come with a queen-sized bunk with mattress and require you to bring your own sleeping bag.
Enjoy a night of camping!. Our camping facilities are complete with a newly built shower house and bath rooms with hot water and electricity. Our camp ground is located right on our base camp, and you are allowed to choose where you camp! Wonderful adventure hikes and a cliff overlooking the Gorge are just a few miles’ walk!
How do you like the freedom of choosing your own campsite? We have 2 areas for camping with your choice of campsite! You have the option of camping in “the field” next to the shower house facilities or you can camp down our trail of wooded sites, just a short walk from the shower house as well.
Electricity and water is provided in the shower house.
- Reservable
- Tents
- Cabins
- Market
- Showers
- Drinking Water
$12 - $160 / night
10. Pack It In – Pack It Out Campground — Camp Creek State Park
Be the first to review!Camp Creek, West VirginiaNote: Coordinates listed on The Dyrt are to the park entrance. Please call 833-WV-PARKS to obtain detailed directions. Pack It In – Pack It Out Campground is the ideal spot for those looking to travel away from mainstream facilities. To reach the campsite, guests must hike or bike more than three miles to the Almost Heaven Road and Trail. Advance reservations for this remote campground are preferred.
- Reservable
- Tents
Showing results 1-10 of 11 campgrounds
Recent Tent Reviews in Ethel
432 Reviews of 11 Ethel Campgrounds
Bob M.
Ranger
Breaks Interstate Park Campground
Nice
Very scenic place!! We spent 6 nights here, hiked & biked a lot. Off season, so some of the amenities were closed (pool looks awesome). The campground itself isn't really all that great, prepare for some levelling. We lucked out in the B loop, as a small trail (Grassy Overlook trail) took us to see the northern lights one evening. I highly suggest stopping here for a few nights, an under rated area.
- Bob M.Ranger
East Fork (WV)
Decent Place
We camped here for 6 nights just before Halloween, enjoyed it. Not a lot to do unless you have a boat, but it's a scenic area. Ended up here because we had to avoid our original plans due to Hurricane Helene.
Benjy B.
Traveler
The Outpost at New River Gourge
Loved it here!
As a car camper I was initially hesitant about paying for a partial hookup RV spot knowing that I wouldn’t be fully utilizing what I was paying for, but man am I glad I chose to stay here.
The location is great for getting in and out of town and the park alike, and it was the ideal location for a hike base. In terms of the campground itself, I think it set a new standard for me that’ll be pretty hard to beat. The bathrooms were incredible, and the shower was so good that it was almost annoying (I’m jealous and want it at home now too).
Checking in and out was easy, and the staff was very kind in accommodating me extending my stay another day on two separate occasions. I’d been most in and out in the dark, but finally on the last day got to check out the rest of the place and it really is super nice with a great aesthetic to match.
The big kicker for me was the lodge/Wi-Fi situation. As someone camping in a Prius, it can get pretty tight at times, so having a nice big space with great internet to get some work done was a huge bonus. Even in my car, the WiFi was plenty good enough to use, albeit not quite as snappy fast as the lodge.
All in all, I’d happily come back here again and again if I were to find myself back in the area. Could not more highly recommend.
- KKim L.
Guide
Rifrafters Campground
Nearest CG to New River Gorge bridge and visitor center
Very comfortable and quiet campground. Camp hosts (owners?) and staff are very friendly and helpful. Close to local towns for services. The full hook up RV sites seem crowded, but the electric only sites were spacious and shady. I had a little deck with a picnic table. Even though the land is hilly, almost every site was level. The area where I camped had a single porta potty, but the main service area had clean showers and reasonably priced laundry. Short hiking trails are nearby. A children’s area is available but looked little used.
Molly R.
ScoutRifrafters Campground
Well managed everything you need.
Beautiful area, close to New River National Park. Very accommodating staff. Includes wifi, PBS TV, small dog run, small playground, picnic shelter, laundry, bathhouse, firewood, ice,etc. Clean, friendly without all the fancy extras. Reasonably priced.
Anna S.Ranger
Blue Jay Campground — Camp Creek State Park
Simple but sufficient - great location with miles of trails!
All 12 non-electric sites appeared to have fire ring, picnic table, trash can, flat parking area. They did vary a bit in size. I was there on Friday and Saturday and there were no more than 4 other sites occupied. I was surprised that the bathrooms had running water! Overall, everything was quiet and relaxing. Some traffic from people driving by, but not bad at this time of year. It was delightful falling asleep and waking up to the sound of the creek! There are miles and miles of trails, I hiked 16 and only encountered 1 couple. The other campgrounds in the park have more amenities, too.
- RRhys R.Guide
Army Camp — New River Gorge National Park and Preserve
Very relaxing spot
Very nice spot, right by the river with plenty of spaces to hammock down by there. We were lucky and got one of the last spots, there’s only 11. Fire rings with grill, and bench at each site. The ground is great for tents, no rocks. If you’re planning on coming here, make sure and come early. Pit toilets also available.
- Dane J.Guide
Glade Creek Campground — New River Gorge National Park and Preserve
Large isolated sites
Great place along the river. Low traffic, spots are large and spread out, there is s nice trail (5.6miles). Down side, no tmobile cell service, and a train runs on the other side if the river every few hours
Lee D.
LegendBlue Jay Campground — Camp Creek State Park
Peaceful now but....
One of three campgrounds in Camp Creek State Park; this is the primitive one (the other two are a horse camp and a developed one with hookups). Most sites are on the creek, but the road runs right past them. On a weekday in the fall, the road was very quiet, but I imagine that in the summer when carloads of people head to Campbell Falls, it would be a different story and would take away from the peacefulness of the campground.
This campground would not be suitable for large RVs, but our campervan fit just fine in the mostly level (but rooty) sites, Obviously, good for tents.
There are two vault toilets – one for women and one for men. They were in reasonably clean condition.
Campbell Falls is just down the road from the campground and there is access to many hiking trails.
No one other than us was there on a weekday in mid-October so it was very peaceful and quiet.
Patrick C.Scout
Mash Fork Campground — Camp Creek State Park
Great Stay
Stopped here for a quick overnight and this beautiful campground had us wishing we could stay longer.
- Ioan P.Legend
Little Beaver State Park Campground
Super nice
This campground is situated in the woods, near Lake. Has a good WFI everywhere, very clean and quiet.
- HHeather E.Guide
Little Beaver State Park Campground
Nice stop
Nice spot to stop for a night on our way north - level private spot for our rooftop tent. Sites 38-45 have the most privacy. Check website as we were there during a fire ban.
Ashley P.Traveler
Falls Campground
Great spot.
The people that work here are so very nice. I love the relaxed chill atmosphere. I always come on a Sunday or a weeknights it is pretty empty and the campsites are too close together for me to go on a weekend. I think the sites should be less than $40 on a slow night but I still love it here.
Tanner W.Scout
Arrowhead Bike Farm
Great spot
Great spot and very close to the national park, but site 5 was very un-level.
- JJulie M.Traveler
Rifrafters Campground
Great overnight stop very shaded and peaceful
We stayed overnight on our way up the coast and had a great visit. I wish we could’ve stayed longer. The campground was very peaceful and shaded people were very friendly and the facilities were exceptionally clean.
- ZZachary P.Traveler
Kanawha State Forest
Not bad
Overall not a bad campground. Very pricey in my mind, $43 after taxes for 1 night of primitive camping. Got there at 4 on a monday and no one was in the office, ended up riding 45 minutes up the road to call to reserve a spot, they said everything was a 3 night minimum. I ended up booking online for just 1 night. Campground was clean and quiet, directions aren’t super clear as to where the campground is. Would stay here again if I had to, but wouldn’t be my first pick.
- ZZachary P.Traveler
Glade Creek Campground — New River Gorge National Park and Preserve
Great spot!
Great quiet spot. All primitive, does have a bathhouse with toilets only. Pretty good drive to any stores, so pack in what you need. It is about a 7 mile ride down a gravel road. I did the trip on a motorcycle so the road isn’t bad. I got there at 6pm on a tuesday and got the last spot! Get there early to make sure you get a spot. Very well maintained.
- Susan B.Traveler
Army Camp - New River National Scenic River
2-3 dispersed sites before this campground
The Campground is small...Maybe 15 sites. It was full when we arrived. Luckily, there are 2 or 3 dispersed sites along the road into the Campground. They are on the river, too. Perfect for an overnighter.
Kel J.TravelerArmy Camp — New River Gorge National Park and Preserve
Free Camping & Beautiful Scenary
Pit toilets, but was nice to have something ++ FREE. Super cool river near by, great scenery.
- Tia B.Traveler
Stone Cliff Campground — New River Gorge National Park and Preserve
First come first serve river front camping
We arrived from Cleveland late on a Thursday evening and every one of the 7 sites was full, luckily we met another couple who let us share their site for the night which was great because they let us have their site when they left in the morning. We were on site 2/3 which are right at the bottom of a large staircase down from the parking lot. We put our tent a few feet away from the water facing the river and our canopy further up in the woods by the firepit. Access to a hiking trail at the end of the parking lot - Stonecliff Trail, garbage bins and bathrooms available, no running water so bring hand sanitizer, Dunloup waterfall ~8 min down the road right off the side of the road was beautiful and a great place to swim, hiked a few trails down to town of Thurmond which is a a great little historical train town with a nice visitors center
Cons - No picnic tables on any of the sites, carrying our things up the 3 flights of stairs to the parking lot was a little exhausting but not bad if you’re more of a minimalist camper, road access to campground is well paved but is very very narrow and windy so be careful of other cars flying around the bends, trains go by on other side of the river ~2-3 times per night, be careful of glass in the sand as well as bees, sites 2-5 are all right on top of each other (within 10 feet) with minimal trees in between so they’re good for groups but not if you don’t want to be right next to people.
Pete M.ScoutRifrafters Campground
Nice location and a great location.
Rifrafters is a wonderful family run campground that was the perfect location for us to explore New River Gorge NP and the surrounding area. The area is very hilly and the campground is no exception but they did a good job of creating roomy, mainly level campsites. Unlike Bear Mountain Campground, Rifrafters is far enough off of US 19 to avoid most of the road noise. The bath house was VERY clean and the showers had great water pressure and plenty of hot water. Cell reception for Verizon was 3 bars, but the campground Wi-Fi was awesome! It was strong enough and had enough bandwidth for my wife to work remotely while the kids and I went whitewater rafting(go with ACE Adventures, they're great). The details make or break your stay and Rifrafters gets them all right. Good, steady power and water at the site, Wi-Fi, dry firewood, great bath house and clean/tidy everywhere. Lastly, the location was perfect for us. You''re just a few miles from the bridge and visitor's center to the north and a few miles to shopping/necessities to the south. Having stayed here made us realize we'd rather camp near US 19 and use our toad to drive the windy roads into t
Todd C.Ranger
Yatesville Lake State Park Campground
Still a favorite
We had a great time as usual. Nice, quiet and overall clean. Our fire pit was dirty with trash and looked like it had been ran over or something which is surprising for the park.
Jeff E.TravelerThe Outpost at New River Gourge
Great location and nice updates
Stayed in the tent area. Site was good. Bathhouse was great and newly remodeled. Had a band and food trucks.
Jeremiah S.Guide
Chief Logan State Park Campground
Lots to do
Chief Logan has a lot of interesting things to see, including an outdoor animal exhibit, a lodge, a pool, a theatre, and a museum all close together.
Our site was full hook up and very level. There was creek nearby and walking paths all over. We went over to the lodge and was able to swim in the pool and hot tub as part of the price of our campsite. There was solar event with super rare aurora light show for this part of the world while we were there.
Corda B.GuideArmy Camp — New River Gorge National Park and Preserve
Spots fill quickly
Stayed here for a few nights with 3 other people. We had 1 big tent, 2 vehicles and a few dogs and had plenty of room. The road getting back to the site is a little sketch but worth the trip in. Just remember you have to make that trip all the way back out if you forget anything at the store (like we did) so be prepared to have plenty of food and wood. Water access is not problem if you have a good filtration system. The view of the river is absolutely beautiful!!
Ember M.GuideBear Mountain Cabins & Campground
Right next to New River Gorge National Park
We stayed here on our visit to Great Smoky mountain National Park on our way to Tennessee and then back home.
Nice shaded wooded sights that are quiet and right off the interstate. Would recommend for anyone traveling to and from the area.
Theresa D.TravelerArrowhead Bike Farm
What a gem!
We just arrived and haven’t even camped overnight yet! Love it! Waiting on n food from the Handlebar kitchen. Such a vibe! Just felt relaxed driving onto the property! The roaming goats are a treat!
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Ethel, WV?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Ethel, WV is Chestnut Creek Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 19 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Ethel, WV?
TheDyrt.com has all 11 tent camping locations near Ethel, WV, with real photos and reviews from campers.