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.
"Small primitive, family run campground in the heart of the gorgeous new river gorge area. Owner was super nice,helpful, and welcoming."
"No electric or water at site but bathhouse with showers. Mostly tent sites in wooded area Our visit was the first full weekend I. November and many other campgrounds were closed for the winter."
from $10 - $11 / night
"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."
"This is a very well thought out campground and is a great option for climbers visiting the area. each site has a wooden tent platform (10'x10') to set up on, which is a huge plus since the ground is so"
"Super clean bathrooms and flat platforms for tent camping. It’s a little pricey in my opinion but it’s easy to get to and close to lots of climbing."
from $8 - $30 / 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
from $50 - $150 / night
"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"
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.
ScoutGreat campground, very nice, clean bath house. Park is easy to find
ScoutWe were told we couldn't stay there because we weren't members
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.
GuideBeautiful area but not really campervan friendly. Great location and climbing areas. But vehicle sites are very level.
TravelerYou would like the perfect location - reserve site 231 - at the end of- right by lake - cool breeze comes right into your camp
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
Tent camping near Ethel, West Virginia offers a mix of primitive and developed camping experiences at elevations ranging from 1,400 to 2,000 feet in the Appalachian region. The area experiences significant temperature fluctuations, with summer evenings dropping into the 60s even after warm days. Camping sites typically feature uneven terrain with rocky outcroppings and mixed hardwood forest cover providing natural boundaries between many campsites.
Trail hiking near riverside camping: The South Side Junction Trail starts near Brooklyn Campground and leads to the historic coal mining town of Thurmond. As camper Aspen H. notes, "South side junction trail is right there and leads to thurmond; an almost abandoned coal mining town."
Kayaking on mountain lakes: Located about 15 miles from Ethel, Plum Orchard Lake WMA offers calm waters surrounded by mountain terrain. One visitor shared that it's a "Great place for kayaking on a beautiful lake nestled in the mountains of Fayette county."
Disc golf between camping sessions: Some campgrounds offer recreational facilities beyond standard hiking. Chestnut Creek Campground features a disc golf course on the property. A camper noted, "Has a Frisbee/Disc Golf Course" among the amenities available to guests between climbing or hiking adventures.
Natural separation and privacy: The wooded settings at Chestnut Creek Campground create natural boundaries. According to Debra W., "There are lots of trees in between many of the sites for great privacy." This layout allows campers to enjoy their own space while still being part of a camping community.
River views with natural sounds: Brooklyn Campground offers direct river views, though campers should expect occasional train noise. Brittany S. explains, "the riverfront spot is perfect and it's a quite secluded campground! And who can beat the price! Note for light sleepers: there is an active railroad across the river."
Clean bathroom facilities: Despite being in remote settings, many campgrounds maintain clean facilities. At New River Gorge Campground - American Alpine Club, a camper reported, "Super clean bathrooms and flat platforms for tent camping. It's a little pricey in my opinion but it's easy to get to and close to lots of climbing."
Seasonal operations affect availability: Many of the best tent camping spots near Ethel operate on limited schedules. During off-season visits, expect reduced services. One camper at Chestnut Creek noted, "We didn't have reservations but the manager told us to text him when we arrived after hours. Charge was per person not per site, but reasonable at $15. This seams to be common practice in the area."
Access challenges for some vehicles: Some campgrounds have rough access roads or steep terrain. At Stone Cliff Campground, one visitor warned, "So we had no idea there was a steep gravel decline to get to the camp site. My wife and I had brought our hatchback instead of our SUV- so our fault, but if this had been mentioned somewhere then we would have known."
Water considerations: Potable water availability varies between campgrounds. At Plum Orchard Lake WMA, a visitor advised, "The water at the site is not potable, so plan accordingly. Latrines are provided." Always bring additional water or purification methods when camping in this region.
Look for campgrounds with clean facilities: Families especially appreciate reliable bathroom facilities. At Chestnut Creek Campground, a family camper reported, "The bathrooms are clean and spacious to accommodate the number of campers."
Consider noise factors when selecting sites: Train noise affects some riverside campgrounds. At Stone Cliff, one visitor mentioned, "We were hanging some hammock stapes up on our last evening and 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."
Pick sites with level ground for tents: Family camping requires adequate space for multiple tents. Linda L. shared about her experience at Chestnut Creek: "Stayed here 2 nights with all our children and grandchildren. We had a great couple days with rain at times. Site was large with lots of trees."
Limited RV options in immediate area: The best tent camping near Ethel, West Virginia generally doesn't accommodate larger RVs. Most campgrounds cater to tent campers with limited amenities for recreational vehicles. Lisa K. noted about Chestnut Creek: "This is a very nice little campground set up for tents, hammock campers and some car campers. No hook-ups. Definitely not for RVs or Camper trailers."
Consider tent platforms for challenging terrain: At New River Gorge Campground, wooden platforms provide level surfaces for tents in the rocky terrain. A visitor explained, "each site has a wooden tent platform (10'x10') to set up on, which is a huge plus since the ground is so uneven throughout."
Self-sufficient camping required: Most tent-focused sites near Ethel lack RV hookups or dump stations. Campers with small camper vans should bring all necessary supplies. At Plum Orchard, a visitor advised about the gravel roads: "Long, bumpy dirt road to reach the campsite—it could be fun in the right vehicle."
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 4.5-star rating from 21 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.
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