Tent campsites in the mountains surrounding Gilbert, West Virginia provide a range of primitive camping experiences. Stone Cliff Campground in New River Gorge National Park and Preserve offers free first-come, first-served tent sites with river access. Plum Orchard Lake Wildlife Management Area features rustic tent sites that require permits from the area manager. Additional tent camping can be found at Chestnut Knob Shelter along the Appalachian Trail, which provides more remote backcountry camping opportunities.
Most tent sites in the region feature basic amenities with varying access conditions. At Stone Cliff Campground, sites are primarily sandy and located along the river, with most requiring a short walk-in from the parking area. One camper noted that "sites are first come first served, no reservation needed. Plenty of parking with 6+ isolated camp sites, all with view of river." Vault toilets are available at some locations, but campers should bring their own drinking water as potable water is rarely available. Access roads to campgrounds like Stone Cliff can be challenging, with narrow, winding roads requiring careful navigation.
The tent camping experience in this area often combines natural beauty with rustic conditions. Sites at Plum Orchard Lake WMA sit along a wildlife management area with good fishing access. Tent campers should be prepared for variable terrain, from sandy riverside sites to more rocky forest settings. A visitor to Plum Orchard Lake mentioned that the area has a "long, bumpy dirt road to reach the campsite" but offers "decent sites, heavily wooded" settings. Many locations provide fire rings but lack picnic tables. The New River Gorge area attracts hikers and climbers, with tent sites serving as convenient basecamps for outdoor activities. Proximity to the New River also allows for kayaking, rafting, and fishing opportunities directly from some camping areas.
"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."
"We camped in the "primitive loop" for a long holiday weekend. Tent sites were spaced a decent distance apart. Most were treed and had some shade during the day."
"Beautiful lake surrounded by gorgeous mountains, hiking, fishing and boating, amazing staff, very clean shower houses and laundry facility! Very family oriented and pet friendly!"
from $11 - $79 / night
"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
"There is a shelter at the top; this location is located along the Appalachian Trail and has wodden bunks and single platforms for pads and sleeping bags."
"Don’t make the same mistake I did and tent camp outside in a huge storm - just stay inside!"
from $25 / night
from $50 - $150 / night
from $12 - $160 / night
TravelerOn top of a mountain. Gorgeous afternoon and evening views but The fog is dense in the mornings, which comes with a lot of dew, but completely worth it for the afternoon view. No shade trees at our site, but they are large and offer fire rings and picnic tables. Direct access to the happy McCoy trails. We rented just down the street the side-by-side for a couple of days and had a fantastic time.
GuideWe camped in pull-thru A43. The site is decently level and spacious. The other campers were very friendly. The bath house was modern and clean.
There was so much to do here! We ventured out to most of the overlooks; the views were breathtaking! There were plenty of hiking opportunities on trails from easy to difficult. Kayaks also were available for rent.
There is a hotel in the park, but it's far enough from the campgrounds (A, B, C, and D) that the guests don't bother the campers.
I can't imagine how glorious this place must be in the fall!
TravelerEasy to get to, parking and bathrooms nearby, kayak access, 3+ mile trail access, cell service is reliable
GuideNice place to camp very relaxing.
TravelerAs others have reported, the 11 sites here are well maintained and spaced apart nicely. The road in is narrow and has a lot of low hanging limbs, so no big rigs here. It’s quiet apart from the sounds of the river and the bugs. Generators are allowed except for between 10p-6a. Verizon has no service here. Half the sites get decent exposure to charge the solar, the other half are mostly shade. The protected river bottom meant no breeze for the 5 nights we were here, so it remained hot and buggy. But overall it’s a great spot away from the madness. Most of the spots got filled every night during the week at the end of August with a lot of daily turnover, so arrive early.
GuideWe came late an did not get a campsite. So, being that we have a camper van, we stayed in the large on site parking area.
Very nice site. No cell service. Pit Toilets only. No water or electric. However, well maintained and great spot for our dog to enjoy.
We just needed a single night and this suited our needs well. It is a little out of the way just for a single night, but think of the adventure.
GuideThis was a quaint place to reset. Relaxing!
We came late and all of the sites were occupied, but when you are in a camper van the large day use parking area was perfect!
Pit toilets are clean! Not that we used them. No hookups of any kind.
Short walk to the river and some well maintained picnic benches.
LegendI loved my experience. I got spot 6 which back right next to a creek. It was really peaceful. The shower facilities were clean though did smell a bit like mildew. There was no signal in the park itself but signal really close by incase of emergency.
ScoutPerfect camp spot has a fire ring and table lots of trees around
Tent campsites near Gilbert, West Virginia offer primitive camping experiences within the mountainous terrain of southern West Virginia. The region sits at elevations between 1,200-3,000 feet with a temperate climate that features warm summers and cool nights. Most primitive camping areas require campers to bring their own water and prepare for limited facilities across the various wildlife management areas and national park sites.
Fishing access: At Plum Orchard Lake WMA, campers have excellent fishing opportunities on the wildlife management area's lake. One visitor noted it's a "Great place for kayaking on a beautiful lake nestled in the mountains of Fayette county."
Hiking nearby trails: The tent sites at Chestnut Knob Shelter provide access to Appalachian Trail sections with significant elevation gains. A camper mentioned, "It is a great shorter hike with great views over Burkes Garden (nicknamed God's Thumbprint)." The shelter area includes wooden bunks with platforms for sleeping pads.
River activities: The tent sites along New River provide options for water recreation beyond just camping. A reviewer at Stone Cliff Campground described their experience: "I've come here to climb and ended up fishing. I've come to fish and ended up hiking and climbing. There is no wrong turn here!"
Private riverside settings: Campers appreciate the isolated nature of many tent sites in the region. At Stone Cliff Campground, a visitor mentioned the "Very quiet, sand bottom site areas right on the water," highlighting the peaceful setting along the New River.
Wildlife viewing: The natural setting provides opportunities to observe local animals. One camper at Plum Orchard Lake reported, "We were able to see deer, raccoons and some nice looking birds," making it ideal for nature photography.
Natural swimming areas: Several campgrounds offer water access for swimming during warmer months. A Stone Cliff camper reported, "My dog absolutely loved it-the swimming was A+ and the stick selection was up to her standards."
Access challenges: Many campgrounds in the region have difficult access roads. At Cavitts Creek Park, a motorcyclist warned: "The 'gravel' parking lot from the road to the office and in the RV/electric loop is more like rocks, and you stand a good chance of dropping your bike."
Limited facilities: Expect basic amenities at most primitive sites. One visitor to Plum Orchard Lake cautioned, "The water at the site is not potable, so plan accordingly. Latrines are provided."
Weather considerations: The mountain location means weather can change rapidly. A camper at Chestnut Knob noted, "Don't make the same mistake I did and tent camp outside in a huge storm - just stay inside!"
Site selection: Choose larger, more accessible sites when camping with children. At Stone Cliff, a camper recommended: "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."
Natural play areas: Look for campgrounds with sandy beaches for children. A visitor to Goforth Mountain Homestead highlighted that their "private homestead with only one site for a single tent" allows access to "fish the 1 acre pond and hike around the 76 acre land."
Wildlife encounters: Prepare children for possible wildlife sightings. One camper at Stone Cliff warned, "We saw the largest spider I've ever seen in the hollow of one of the trees at the campsite. If spiders aren't your thing consider another site."
Site limitations: Most primitive tent areas near Gilbert aren't suitable for RVs. At Cavitts Creek Park, a reviewer observed the stark difference: "We camped in the 'primitive loop' for a long holiday weekend. Tent sites were spaced a decent distance apart. Most were treed and had some shade during the day. The RV parking was a gravel lot with large RVs packed in tight."
Road conditions: Access roads to many campgrounds are challenging for larger vehicles. One camper at Plum Orchard Lake described the "Long, bumpy dirt road to reach the campsite—it could be fun in the right vehicle."
Year-round considerations: Some campgrounds have seasonal closures. Cavitts Creek Park operates from "May 1 to September 30," limiting RV camping options during off-season periods.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Gilbert, WV?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Gilbert, WV is Stone Cliff Campground — New River Gorge National Park and Preserve with a 4.2-star rating from 18 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Gilbert, WV?
TheDyrt.com has all 9 tent camping locations near Gilbert, WV, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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