Tent campsites near R.D. Bailey Lake in West Virginia offer several primitive options for campers seeking forested experiences. Stone Cliff Campground in New River Gorge National Park and Preserve provides riverside tent sites with first-come, first-served availability, while Plum Orchard Lake Wildlife Management Area features rustic tent camping along a mountain lake about 30 miles northeast. Most tent camping locations in this region are situated within federally managed lands, providing access to hiking trails and water recreation.
Walk-in tent sites predominate at Stone Cliff Campground, where campers must carry gear down stairs or short trails to reach sandy riverside locations. Most tent campgrounds lack amenities like running water, requiring visitors to bring their own supplies. Vault toilets are typically available but can be poorly maintained during peak seasons. Fire rings exist at some sites but not all, and campers should check current fire restrictions before arrival. The terrain at most tent-only areas consists of uneven ground with minimal site preparation, often requiring careful tent placement to avoid rocks and slopes. Sites at Plum Orchard Lake require visitors to travel several miles on bumpy gravel roads.
Tent camping experiences in the region feature varying levels of solitude depending on location and season. The New River Gorge area offers tent-only sites with river access, making these locations popular with paddlers and anglers. Several tent campgrounds experience periodic train noise, particularly those along the New River. The primitive camping areas provide varying degrees of shade, with Stone Cliff offering some riverside sites with limited tree cover. One reviewer noted that "sites are spaced a decent distance apart" at the primitive loop areas, though tent pads can be "sloped upwards with some very slick crushed rock," making setup challenging. Many tent campsites fill quickly on summer weekends, with better availability during weekdays or shoulder seasons.
"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
"The ranger informed us someone who stayed here in a rv had a close call crossing the train tracks and now they have decided to make this campground a tent only place."
"Recovering RV park, now tents only. Watched a cluster of fireflies that looked like a lightning storm. Just off the river and just off the highway, no water."
"West Virginia at its finest! Blue stone state park is right next door to the lake so there are wonderful water activities here."
"Camp ground was clean, bathhouse was clean and neighbors were all spaced out pretty good. Staff was kind and helpful. We enjoyed ourselves and will for sure go back."
"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!"
"site: some shaded sites. some sites along water. semi-private sites. amenities: a few campground options. pretty clean. attractions: near town. fishing. near pool. hiking. nature activities."
"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"
"Firewood is available and bathrooms too with no running water or electric makes for a beautiful dark night under the stars filled with only the sounds of nature and the occasional CSX train."
"The location was easy to get to and there were lots of open spaces. I practically had the campground to myself. The sites are spacious and each site has a sturdy metal table and BBQ pit."
"You’ve struck gold here at Bull Falls Campground if you’re looking to get away from it all, discover solitude in the heart of West Virginia’s lush, verdant nature garden of Eden."
ScoutWe stayed in Site number 24 which is full hook ups, however, just about all of the sites number is one through 32 are less than desirable either very little room outside your camper or the back in sites are steep hard to level your camper and very little room to set a set of chairs out I would not camp in this area of the campground again.
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.
ScoutGreat campground, very nice, clean bath house. Park is easy to find
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!
ScoutThe website is dead and so is the phone number. No reservations possible.
RangerThis campground provides an off the main road and in the woods experience. Tents have grassy spots and elevated platforms overlooking the area. There are several camper/RV spots along with cabins of various sizes. A calm creek runs through the property and within minutes of the New River National Park visitor center, downtown Fayetteville, and other adventure businesses.
TravelerEasy to get to, parking and bathrooms nearby, kayak access, 3+ mile trail access, cell service is reliable
GuideNice place to camp very relaxing.
GuideWe where the only ones there
Tent campsites near R.D. Bailey Lake include several primitive sites within a 30-mile radius, all situated in rugged Appalachian Mountain terrain with elevations between 1,500-3,000 feet. The camping season typically runs April through October, with temperatures dropping into the 40s overnight even in summer months. Winter tent camping remains possible at several sites, though facilities may be limited or closed.
Fishing access points: Stone Cliff Campground provides riverside tent sites with good fishing spots. "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!" notes one visitor.
Hiking options: Multiple trail networks connect camping areas to longer routes. At Chestnut Knob Shelter on the Appalachian Trail, campers mention "It is a great shorter hike with great views over Burkes Garden (nicknamed God's Thumbprint)." The shelter features wooden bunks and platforms for sleeping bags.
Water activities: Plum Orchard Lake WMA offers kayaking opportunities on a mountain lake. "Great place for kayaking on a beautiful lake nestled in the mountains of Fayette county," notes one camper. The lake includes a small dock and boat launch area past the campground spur.
Riverside camping: Brooklyn Campground features four riverside sites with train-watching opportunities. "The view of the river is beautiful and you can watch trains pass on the opposite side of the river," mentions one camper. Sites require a short walk from the parking area, between 10-50 yards.
Privacy between sites: Many tent campers value the spacing between campsites. At Meadow Creek Campground, "There are 17 sites, all free FCFS tent only sites... Sites are flat, large and spaced out." This campground recently converted from an RV park to tent-only sites.
Wildlife viewing: Campers report seeing diverse wildlife near tent sites. "We were able to see deer, raccoons and some nice looking birds," notes a visitor to Plum Orchard Lake. Another camper at Stone Cliff mentioned, "My dog absolutely loved it-the swimming was A+ and the stick selection was up to her standards."
Road conditions: Access to several tent camping areas involves unpaved roads. At Plum Orchard Lake WMA, one camper notes "Long, bumpy dirt road to reach the campsite—it could be fun in the right vehicle." Another mentions, "You do need to obtain a permit from the manager."
Train noise: Multiple tent camping areas experience regular train traffic. At Brooklyn Campground, "there is an active railroad across the river and there were probably 5-10 trains the Wednesday night that we stayed." Similarly, Meadow Creek Campground has "trains coming as often as every 20 minutes and they do not stop."
Bathhouse maintenance: Facilities at tent campgrounds vary significantly. At Cavitts Creek Park, "The bathhouse in the primitive loop was a little bit rough and not well maintained. Quite hilly to get to it from some of the spots." Many sites have vault toilets rather than flush toilets or showers.
Site selection strategies: Choose sites based on specific family needs. At Cavitts Creek Park, "The tent camping (primitive) is off a paved lane a lot further down the hill past the office. The sign for the lane says primitive. Straight up at the top of the hill for that lane is site 6."
Accessible options: Limited accessible sites exist for families with mobility needs. "The handicap site is the only one that you can drive directly up to. The 4 sites by the river have a parking lot and you walk (not very far at all, 10 - 50 yards) to them," notes a Brooklyn Campground visitor.
Weather preparedness: Mountain weather can change rapidly. One camper at Stone Cliff noted, "Even with the rainy weather the area wasn't too muddy and the campsite we stayed at was level so there wasn't any issue." Many sites have limited tree cover for shade or weather protection.
Tent-only restrictions: Some formerly RV-friendly areas now prohibit RVs. At Meadow Creek Campground, "The ranger informed us someone who stayed here in a rv had a close call crossing the train tracks and now they have decided to make this campground a tent only place. Which is very unfortunate since this place is beautiful."
Ground conditions: Hard-packed or rocky sites can make tent setup difficult. At Cavitts Creek Park primitive loop, "Bring a hammer or find a rock to hammer your tent stakes in because the ground where you would want to pitch a tent is mostly rock." This challenges both RVers converting to tent camping and traditional tent users.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near R.D. Bailey Lake?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near R.D. Bailey Lake 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 R.D. Bailey Lake?
TheDyrt.com has all 16 tent camping locations near R.D. Bailey Lake, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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