Best Tent Camping near Ethel, WV
Tent campers visiting the New River Gorge area near Ethel, West Virginia have several established campgrounds that cater specifically to tent camping. Stone Cliff Campground within New River Gorge National Park and Preserve offers riverside tent sites with walk-in access, while Chestnut Creek Campground provides wooded tent sites in a family-run setting just minutes from popular hiking trails and climbing areas.
Most tent sites in the region feature natural, uneven terrain with minimal site development. Stone Cliff has sandy riverside sites requiring a short walk from the parking area, with some sites located down a flight of stairs. Vault toilets are available at most locations, though campers should bring their own drinking water as potable water is limited. Chestnut Creek charges per person rather than per site, with rates around $15 per person per night. Many campgrounds operate seasonally, with Stone Cliff offering first-come, first-served sites and no reservations required. Fire rings are present at some locations, though they may be improvised stone rings rather than permanent metal structures.
The tent camping experience in this region provides direct access to the natural environment with varying levels of privacy between sites. Areas near the New River offer swimming opportunities directly from campsites, though a visitor noted "there was SO MUCH BROKEN GLASS" at Stone Cliff beach. The American Alpine Club's New River Gorge Campground features wooden tent platforms that provide level surfaces on the otherwise uneven ground, with sites "tucked among boulders and rhodies." Tent campers frequently mention the proximity to outdoor recreation as a primary benefit, with one camper describing Chestnut Creek as "a great launching pad for river activities and climbing." Train tracks run along the opposite side of the river from some campgrounds, creating occasional noise during overnight stays.
