Travis L.
Scout
ScoutWalnut Flats
Closed nov to April.
Drove here to find it closed.
Best Camping Options in Nimitz, West Virginia
The New River Gorge region surrounding Nimitz, West Virginia features a range of campground options from primitive sites to full-service facilities. Several established campgrounds dot the area, including Pipestem Resort State Park and Bluestone Lake State Park, offering a mix of tent camping, RV sites, and cabin rentals. Army Camp in the New River Gorge National Park provides dispersed camping with more rustic amenities, while Little Beaver State Park Campground offers electric hookups and modern facilities. Most campgrounds in this mountainous region sit along rivers or lakes, providing access to water-based recreation and opportunities for memorable outdoor adventures.
Seasonal considerations affect camping experiences throughout the area, with most campgrounds operating between April and October when weather conditions are favorable. Winter camping is limited, with only a few facilities like Pipestem Resort State Park remaining open year-round. The New River area experiences significant water level fluctuations that campers should monitor, particularly at riverside campgrounds. Tent pads are typically gravel or grass, with level areas that can become muddy after rainfall. Cell service varies widely across the region, with reception generally better at developed campgrounds than at primitive sites. A camper wrote, "The New River is an incredibly popular whitewater rafting and paddling river...currents are fast, powerful and dangerous."
Waterfront camping ranks highly among visitors to the region, with sites along the New River and Bluestone Lake providing scenic views and recreation opportunities. Campsites at Bull Falls Campground offer direct river access for fishing, swimming and paddling. Many campers cite the quiet atmosphere and natural surroundings as highlights of their stays. According to one visitor, "You'll sleep underneath a clear sky, with the most brilliant stars, silver shining moon and the soft lull of trees swaying in the wind." Wildlife viewing opportunities include deer, various bird species, and occasionally river otters. Hiking trails connect many campgrounds to scenic overlooks and water features, with popular paths including those in New River Gorge National Park. Bathroom facilities range from modern showers at state parks to basic pit toilets at more remote locations.
Best Camping Sites Near Nimitz, West Virginia (128)
1. Little Beaver State Park Campground
19 ReviewsDaniels, WV10 milesWebsite+1 (304) 763-2494$35 - $40 / night
"This CCC State Park is very picturesque and has several hiking trails and the man-made lake is small but offers plenty of recreation possibilities. I found the layout a little strange."
"This campground is situated in the woods, near Lake. Has a good WFI everywhere, very clean and quiet."
2. Pipestem Resort State Park Campground
15 ReviewsPipestem, WV9 milesWebsite+1 (304) 466-1800"Pipestem Resort State Park Southern West Virginia. We spent 4 nights here. Used this park as a base camp for New River Gorge NP. There's many other State Parks we visited too.
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"There is plenty to do within walking distance or a short drive. There is hiking all around the Pipestem area. There is a lake to fish and boat on."
3. Glade Creek Campground — New River Gorge National Park and Preserve
20 ReviewsPrince, WV13 milesWebsite+1 (304) 465-0508"There is five drive-in sites and more walk-in sites on the edge of the camp. The drive-in sites filled and vacated several times throughout the weekend."
"the campsite is pretty far back into the gorge at the end of a dead end road, which inherently gives it a little bit of an advantage for those who wish to be not just off grid but away from"the madding"
4. Meador Campground — Bluestone Lake State Park
9 ReviewsNimitz, WV3 milesWebsite+1 (304) 466-2805"This campground rests by Bluestone Lake, which is where the Bluestone River runs runs into the New River."
"We stayed in Meador site 14, which was the furthest away from the bath house (still only maybe 150 yards), but it was on the water & was the most secluded (just meaning it's at the end of the row not"
5. Grandview Sandbar Campground — New River Gorge National Park and Preserve
23 ReviewsPrince, WV15 milesWebsite+1 (304) 465-0508"New River, just outside of Prince, WV off Route 41 offers upclose and personal riverside camping."
"Through Traffic: Access to the boat ramp is through the campground. Though, traffic is minimal, folks on the way to the ramp and picnic area often drive pretty fast."
6. Mash Fork Campground — Camp Creek State Park
16 ReviewsCamp Creek, WV14 milesWebsite+1 (304) 425-9481"This was a convienent campground right off the highway, easy to get to, small but has a few full hookup sites."
"Both CGs have a large creek running adjacent to the CG. Trout fishing was very popular though I didn’t catch any. They do restock this time of year."
7. Old Mill Campground — Bluestone Lake State Park
5 ReviewsNimitz, WV3 milesWebsite+1 (304) 466-2805"West Virginia at its finest! Blue stone state park is right next door to the lake so there are wonderful water activities here."
"We enjoyed hiking the trails, swimming in the lake and sitting by our campfire. The ladies working at the check-in office were absolutely the sweetest and extremely helpful."
8. Army Camp — New River Gorge National Park and Preserve
12 ReviewsPrince, WV17 milesWebsite+1 (304) 465-0508"I’ve spent over 150 days camping and hiking in West Virginia n the past four years and keep finding new, wonderful places to enjoy."
"Easy access to river, able to hear it from campsite. Very clean pit toilet bathroom. Road to access is single lane paved/gravel. Best for cars/vans, but did see some small pull behinds."
9. Pipestem Camping
4 ReviewsPipestem, WV8 milesWebsite+1 (304) 466-9121$55 - $65 / night
"Besides the aforementioned site hookups there are a lot of new activities to do at pipestem close to the campground on the Pipestem park property such as ziplining and swimming on the lake with inflatables"
"Short drive to Sandstone Falls, which are stunning."
10. East Shore Campground — Bluestone Lake State Park
2 ReviewsNimitz, WV3 milesWebsite+1 (304) 466-2805"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."
Recent Camping Photos near Nimitz, WV
229 Photos of 128 Nimitz Campgrounds
Jeremiah S.
Meador Campground — Bluestone Lake State Park
Chelsey R.
Old Mill Campground — Bluestone Lake State Park
Molly F.
Pipestem Camping
Jennifer S.
Pipestem Resort State Park Campground
Adam and Suzanne B.
Little Beaver State Park Campground
Casey L.
Meadow Creek Campground — New River Gorge National Park and Preserve
Stuart K.
Indian Mills Camping Area — Bluestone Lake Wildlife Management Area
The Dyrt
Glade Creek Campground — New River Gorge National Park and Preserve
Anna S.
Blue Jay Campground — Camp Creek State Park
Tim M.
War Ridge / Backus Mountain Campground — New River Gorge National Park and Preserve
The Dyrt
Tentrr Signature Site - Cub
Jim P.
Mash Fork Campground — Camp Creek State Park
Recent Reviews near Nimitz, WV
649 Reviews of 128 Nimitz Campgrounds
- HHarold
GuideFort Chiswell RV Park
Full hookups and nice restrooms
the host is easy to deal with. If you arrive late, pay in the morning. My wife said the restrooms were old but were in excellent condition and clean. In fact, she raved about them.
- DDeborah A.
TravelerFour Fillies Lodge
Cabins with 3 RV sites
This is a lovely little cabin resort with 3 RV sites. We are here just 1 night enroute. It is beautiful and well maintained. I would definitely come back.
- KKerri B.Scout
Blue Jay Campground — Camp Creek State Park
Cozy
Nice even sites with firepits and picnic table. You're not super secluded and you will hear your neighbors. Overall a great place if you wanna just have a cozy night or two camping. Beautiful creek access too.
Sam S.ScoutCaldwell Fields Group Campground
Large site - Great for Groups - Amazing Stars
Caldwell Fields is a great group campground with clean, large bathrooms (one for men, one for women, but they're identical pit toilets in the toilet facility) with a large firepit and creek access. Nice hikes walking distance with lots of beautiful stars, trees, and wildlife! Make sure you don't need to text though, you only are able to send messages via satelite.
Janet R.
LegendThe Outpost at New River Gourge
Outpost with the mostest
This is a popular multi-level campround, from basic tent sites to cabins to really upscale glamping. The tent platforms or basic camper cabins are probably midling. The regular tent sites that you can drive in to are a bit crowded, but there are more secluded walk-in tent sites. The tent platforms are also walk-in but provide more space and shelter, which is nice as it did seem to rain a lot when we were there. The prices are all more than you would pay at a state or national park campground, but there is a lot going on here like concerts and other events, and a little of well kept amenities like bathrooms, and also equipment to rent to get out into the gorge. The Outpost is near the iconic gorge bridge as well as the Canyon Rim NPS visitor center which has a lot of good educational displays about the geology, geography and history of that part of the gorge, so the proximity is nice.
Overall the campground is a luxury set up for camping. I just reduced it by one stat because the price, the crowdedness, and the distance from the south end of the gorge where the Sandstone Falls and Sandstone Visitor. I do appreciate that they are dog friendly though!
Camp With MeLegendMonongahela National Forest Blue Bend Campground
Neat old National Forest Campground with a swimming area
Great old campground with a few electric sites and an awesome swimming area. Not too far from the Greenbrier River Trail for biking.
Check out our 360° Video of all the sites and the recreation area.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4mD3zXOIQbE
- RRic M.
RangerGlade Creek Campground — New River Gorge National Park and Preserve
Free, not dispersed, easy river access
the campsite is pretty far back into the gorge at the end of a dead end road, which inherently gives it a little bit of an advantage for those who wish to be not just off grid but away from"the madding crowd."
That said, I would not call this dispersed camping. Free, yes, and mighty fine camping considering it's free. But most of the sites are within sight of one another, and all are right next to the loop dirt road that circles the campground. So unless you are completely alone— not likely except in the dead of winter— how quiet the campground is depends on how quiet your neighbors are.
In that regard, I got pretty lucky, camping here in late November, which only two other groups — a couple and a group of friendly hunters — chose to brave, all of whom were courteous and reasonable regarding noise levels, and even friendly.
One thing to be aware of is that the proximity to the beautiful New River also means proximity to the active railroad on the opposite side of the river. I've heard it described by some as "rarely used" but that is not at all accurate; in the five days I was there, there were trains rolling through each day starting as early as 4:20 AM, with the last ones rolling through as late as 10 PM. Particularly when it was a freight train (rather than an Amtrak train), you FEEL the train coming about a minute before you hear it, and then you unavoidably hear it from any and every campsite on the grounds. The way you feel it before hearing it can be rather disturbing if you are from, say, California, where that rumbling feeling is usually an earthquake LOL. Those early morning freight trains felt very similar. So if you are a light sleeper, you might not want to camp here. OTOH, if you can acquire the mindset that it's a romantic sort of sound, a throwback to the early 1900s, you can come to enjoy the sound.
Also note: none of the campsites one can drive up to have a view of the river from the site— only the walk up campsites do, all of which have a STELLAR view of the river with easy access points for fishing or wading in. But the river is within easy walking distance of every campsite, like just a few hundred feet, or a few feet for the walk-in campsites.
Also very nice were the pit toilet restrooms. By"nice" I mean its maintenance; the park personnel do an awesome job of keeping them clean!
One more noteworthy thing is if you are there to hike or hunt, the campgrounds are perfectly suited for those who wish to hop on the Glade Creek Trail, which starts about 1/8 of a mile from the grounds. That trail is more than 10 miles out and back, and beautiful all the way!
- MMB A.Scout
Arrowhead Bike Farm
Perfect Jumping Off Spot
Purposefully came here in off season, stayed a week and used this location to hit all the area scenes and trails.
Great staff; friendly and helpful. We were able to adjust our spot because it was not crowded.
Clean facilities. Quiet and restful
The first two days it snowed. Simply stunning!
Guide to Nimitz
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."
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Nimitz, WV?
What camping is available near Nimitz, WV?
According to TheDyrt.com, Nimitz, WV offers a wide range of camping options, with 128 campgrounds and RV parks near Nimitz, WV and 2 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Nimitz, WV?
Which is the most popular campground near Nimitz, WV?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Nimitz, WV is Little Beaver State Park Campground with a 4.3-star rating from 19 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Nimitz, WV?
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Nimitz, WV?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 2 free dispersed camping spots near Nimitz, WV.
What parks are near Nimitz, WV?
What parks are near Nimitz, WV?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 25 parks near Nimitz, WV that allow camping, notably Bluestone Lake and New River Gorge National River.
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