Best Tent Camping near Hernshaw, WV
The New River Gorge National Park and Preserve area near Hernshaw, West Virginia provides several primitive tent camping options along rivers and within forest settings. Stone Cliff Campground offers first-come, first-served walk-in tent sites situated along the New River, while Chestnut Creek Campground provides more developed tent sites with some amenities for those seeking a balance between primitive and established camping. The Meadow Creek Campground area has been converted to tent-only use, providing spacious sites in an open setting.
Most primitive tent sites in the region lack standard amenities, requiring self-sufficiency from campers. At Stone Cliff, tent campers must carry gear from the parking area down stairs or short trails to reach riverside sites, and no potable water is available. Based on reviews from The Dyrt, "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 typically available at established tent campgrounds, though their condition can vary. Tent pads are limited, with many sites requiring campers to find reasonably flat ground, sometimes on sand, gravel, or forest floor.
The tent camping experience in this region offers direct access to natural features and recreation. Areas farther from main roads provide deeper seclusion, though some sites experience railroad noise from nearby tracks. Many tent campsites have fire rings, though not all provide picnic tables. A visitor commented that at Meadow Creek, "Sites are flat, large and spaced out. However the trees are very newly planted so they provide no shade or privacy." Tent-only camping areas tend to be less crowded than mixed-use campgrounds, though accessible sites can fill quickly during peak season. Most tent campgrounds in the region provide convenient access to hiking trails, including the Stonecliff Trail which connects directly to some camping areas. Wildlife viewing opportunities exist throughout the region, with seasonal considerations for bear activity requiring proper food storage.
