Camping sites near Nimitz, West Virginia lie within the Allegheny Plateau region, with elevations ranging from 1,300 to 3,000 feet throughout the New River Gorge area. The plateau's varied topography creates distinct microclimates, with temperature differences of 5-8 degrees between riverside camps and those on higher ground. Most campgrounds remain partially open during winter months, but water systems are typically winterized from November through March.
What to do
Hiking to waterfalls: 5 miles from Little Beaver State Park Campground, several trails lead to seasonal waterfalls. "The walking trail system connected to camp sites" provides access to numerous hiking options according to Todd S., who called the park a "little secret gem."
Zipline adventures: Pipestem Resort State Park Campground offers a zipline course among its many recreational activities. Marie B. noted "They have zipling, axe throwing, disc shooting and archery, play grounds and splash water park" making it a comprehensive outdoor recreation destination.
River fishing access: The boat ramp at Grandview Sandbar Campground provides direct river access for anglers. According to Zayne W., who camped there in September, "Was able to let my dog off the leash down by the river to play and even played frisbee in our campsite and on the camp road."
Rock scrambling: The rocky terrain throughout the area allows for beginner-friendly bouldering and scrambling. Glade Creek Campground features "trails that are to die for" according to Jonda M., who adds "The second oldest river in the world new river meet glade creek at the campgrounds."
What campers like
Quiet weekday camping: Weekdays offer significantly less crowded experiences at most campgrounds. At Grandview Sandbar Campground, Abby M. noted "There were 2 other campers on a Saturday night, which was nice and quiet," adding that each site has "a fire ring, picnic table and a pole to hang food from."
Freshwater swimming: Many campers appreciate the swimming opportunities in the New River. Tucker B., who stayed at Army Camp, wrote "I enjoyed evening river dips before bed," though cautions about strong currents that require caution.
Dark sky viewing: The limited light pollution creates excellent stargazing opportunities throughout the region. Sites at Little Beaver State Park are "spacious, private" with good spacing between campsites according to Charlie W., making them ideal for nighttime sky watching.
Seasonal wildlife: Deer sightings are common at campgrounds throughout the area. Jay N. reported "TONS of deer all around (just hanging out eating vegetation)" during a stay at Meador Campground, adding that their site was "freshly mowed, had a fire ring, picnic table, & was right on the water."
What you should know
Seasonal flooding risk: River levels can change dramatically, especially in spring. At Glade Creek Campground, Dave V. observed "the New River had encroached another 100ft through the woodland, flowing alongside the campground loop gravel drive…30 ft from our tent pad" even after rain had stopped.
Limited cell coverage: Most campgrounds have minimal to no cellular service. Mystic S. at Grandview Sandbar reported "There is a train station directly across the river. And trains will and do pull through every couple of hours 24/7" which can affect sleep quality.
Campground access challenges: Many campground access roads are narrow and rough. At Army Camp, Kristi D. noted "It is a one lane road to get to the campground and can get tight when other vehicles pass, but we got down there with our F250 truck and camper."
Seasonal facility closures: While many campgrounds remain open year-round, facilities may be limited. Jessica D. at Mash Fork Campground discovered "even though the campground is open year round, the bathrooms are not. We were told there was one open bathroom however it was not made clear this was 1-2 miles away."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Mash Fork Campground offers family-friendly amenities including a playground. According to Dawn M., "This campground was very nice and very clean. The staff was awesome. Spots were nice. Campground was small but quaint."
Easy biking paths: Paved roads at several campgrounds create safe cycling areas for children. Michael at Meador Campground noted "All the roads are paved making it easy for the little ones to ride bikes."
Swimming alternatives: When river conditions are unsafe, consider the splash pads and pools. "No pool but a splash pad" is available at Pipestem Resort State Park according to Cynthia K., who also mentioned "A lake with fishing & boating. You can rent a boat."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Dawn periods provide excellent wildlife viewing. At Bluestone State Park, Mark K. reported "We enjoyed hiking the trails, swimming in the lake and sitting by our campfire" during multiple visits to the park.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Many RV sites require significant leveling. Adam and Suzanne B. at Little Beaver State Park advised "Many sites looked like it may take some work to get level. We were in site 20 with a 23 ft TT and got level fairly easily but a longer rig may have difficulty in that site."
Dump station locations: Plan dump station visits strategically as some are awkwardly positioned. Charlie W. noted at Little Beaver, "Dump site was a little different. Had to make a uturn to get in to dump."
RV length limitations: Carefully check site lengths when booking. At Pipestem Resort State Park, Cynthia K. advised "watch the site descriptions for the incline" and noted that the 82 sites include a mix of hookup options with "1-31 have full hookup, 32-49 electric only, 50-82 water & electric."
Winter utility shutoffs: Prepare for limited water access in colder months. Jeremiah S. at Meador Campground noted "Our site was one of only a handful with water and electric but there is a dump station on the way out of the campground area."
