Tent campsites scatter the landscape surrounding Nimitz, West Virginia, with established options concentrated along the New River and Bluestone Lake areas. Stone Cliff Campground in New River Gorge National Park and Preserve offers walk-in tent sites directly on sandy riverfront terrain, while Bluestone Lake State Park provides multiple tent camping areas including Old Mill Campground and East Shore Campground. Meadow Creek Campground, formerly allowing RVs but now designated tent-only, serves as another base for exploring the region's waterways and forest trails.
Sites may be set on varied terrain including sand, dirt, and occasional gravel with minimal improvements. Most primitive tent campgrounds provide fire rings but lack amenities like running water, requiring campers to bring their own supplies. Vault toilets are common but maintenance varies, with Stone Cliff's facilities described as needing "extreme cleaning" in visitor reports. Access often requires navigating narrow, winding roads, and some sites involve moderate walks from parking areas. Bluestone Lake area campsites frequently require boat-in access, appealing to backcountry tent campers seeking greater isolation. Campers should note that railroad tracks near several campgrounds create noise disruptions throughout the night.
In early fall, many sites offer cooler temperatures and reduced crowds, making them ideal for tent campers seeking tranquility. Areas farther from highways provide deeper seclusion, though tent sites near water often experience more daytime traffic from fishing and rafting activities. Several tent campgrounds place visitors within walking distance of hiking trails and water access, providing both recreation and scenic appeal. Tent campers frequently mention the proximity to multiple trail networks as a significant benefit. One camper noted that Meadow Creek Campground offers "spacious sites with tables and BBQ pits" but warned that "the gnats were out even in early April, so be sure you have bug protection." New River Gorge backcountry tent sites provide particularly striking scenery with direct river access for fishing, swimming, and kayaking opportunities.
"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."
"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."
"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."
"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."
"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."
"If you’re looking for an out-of-the-way camping spot that comes with supreme quiet, solitude and a close embrace of the best of West Virginia nature as it was meant to be experienced, then make your way"
"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
"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"
GuideNeed an overnight stay on 81/77 this is the place. Booked is call them complete the reservation via Campspot app which they use so I had to download it. Place had plenty of sites pull through which I didnt need but they were so accommodating. I had a perfect view of mountains and cow pasture Relaxation and sleep close to bathhouse and office. They also have propane fill for your camper
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.
ScoutFrom check in to our stay, large big rig drive through lot. Quiet and clean park. Even had pizza and delicious wings delivered right to our coach. Next time through we hope to stay again.
ScoutGreat campground, very nice, clean bath house. Park is easy to find
ScoutOwner is friendly, people staying here consist of workers and retired people for the most part so the people are very quiet, beautiful river running through the end of the campground and a nice little hiking trail and a wide open area for kids to run and play. Only “bad” part is the road noise you are about 200 yards off that highway and can here it all day and night! But if your like me and don’t mind you will love it here!
TravelerHuge campground. Well maintained. The lake is gorgeous, great for kayaking or paddle boarding
GuideWhat a great find! Private sites, nice walking areas, and great hosts. Top it off with clean bathrooms with great showers and this was a win for us. It may not be suitable for bigger rigs but for our 22’ van, it was perfect.
ScoutThe website is dead and so is the phone number. No reservations possible.
ScoutGreat campground. Very clean. Campsites are well placed.
Tent campsites near Nimitz, West Virginia offer camping options on varied landscapes where the New and Bluestone rivers converge at elevations ranging from 1,400 to 2,500 feet. The region experiences moderate precipitation year-round with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F during peak camping months. Most primitive camping areas maintain their facilities through volunteer efforts or limited park service maintenance schedules.
Climbing access: Stone Cliff Campground provides a strategic base for rock climbers with sites near popular routes. "There are so many things to come for and so many things to stay for! I've come here to climb and ended up fishing. I've come to fish and ended up hiking and climbing," notes one visitor.
Wildlife viewing: The area supports diverse bird populations and nocturnal creatures. At Bull Falls Campground, campers can spot multiple species. "There's some really great bird watching in these parts, so bring your binoculars," recommends a regular visitor.
Disc golf: Certain campgrounds offer recreational facilities beyond typical hiking trails. "Has a Frisbee/Disc Golf Course," reports one camper about Chestnut Creek, noting its proximity to other activities makes it versatile for groups with varied interests.
Historical exploration: Several abandoned mining towns provide opportunities for historical day trips from camp. "The campground is very close to the abandoned town of Thurmond (very cool site to see)," writes one camper about their experience at Stone Cliff.
Riverside locations: Brooklyn Campground offers direct water access. "The view of the river is beautiful and you can watch trains pass on the opposite side of the river," notes a camper, highlighting the scenic setting despite some noise.
Isolation options: Many tent camping areas near Nimitz provide seclusion for those seeking quiet. "It had been raining a lot the days before but did not rain at all the three days we stayed. It was incredibly private, we were the only ones staying overnight," reported one camper about Stone Cliff.
Budget-friendly options: Several campgrounds in the area offer free or low-cost camping. "You just arrive and pick a site," explains a Brooklyn Campground visitor, detailing the straightforward no-reservation system common at primitive sites.
Trail connections: Chestnut Creek Campground provides convenient access to regional hiking networks. "We hiked Endless Wall Trail and Glade Creek Trail to Kate's Falls," explains a visitor who appreciated the central location for exploring multiple trails.
Train noise: Railroad tracks run throughout the region, affecting sleep at multiple campgrounds. "The trains run through at all hours of the night and blow their horns. Bring earplugs," advises a camper at Meadow Creek Campground, where trains pass frequently.
Variable bathroom conditions: Facilities range widely across tent sites. "The bathhouse is open air over half of it. Had no soap or toilet paper and the toilets were all plugged up," reported one visitor to Old Mill Campground in July 2024.
Insects year-round: Bug presence extends beyond summer months at lower elevations. "The gnats were out even in early April, so be sure you have bug protection," advises a Meadow Creek visitor from early spring camping.
Site selection strategy: Campers recommend arriving early for optimal spots. "There are 4 nice spots down on the beach and two up a small hill close to the parking lot and trailhead. We stayed at #6," notes a Stone Cliff camper who weighed the pros and cons of sand versus elevated sites.
Swimming options: Old Mill Campground offers water recreation suitable for children. "They had a swimming pool and it was clean. I loved the lake. Big and beautiful. Great time on the water!" reports a family who appreciated the maintained facilities.
Wildlife education: Prepare children for encounters with local fauna, including spiders. "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," warns a camper about Stone Cliff's natural residents.
Weather preparedness: Tent campers should secure equipment against sudden mountain weather changes. "The wind here is also very strong and without strong anchors could easily pull up your tent. We were having to restake the corners throughout our stay," advises a Meadow Creek camper.
Video monitoring: Some campgrounds employ security measures affecting privacy. "The place is monitored via videocamera as signed," notes a visitor to Meadow Creek, information parents might find reassuring or concerning depending on preference.
Access limitations: Many tent sites near Nimitz have recently restricted RV access due to safety concerns. "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," explains a visitor about Meadow Creek's policy change.
Cell coverage: Connectivity varies widely across camping areas. "Cell reception was great all throughout this area. That's not a camping necessity for us, but we all noticed that everyone's phone had great reception with a variety of network providers," reports a visitor to Chestnut Creek, helpful for families needing to stay connected.
Site orientation: RVers converting to tent camping should select locations carefully. "We didn't want to clean sand out of everything when we packed up," notes a Stone Cliff camper who chose higher elevation sites despite proximity to water.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Nimitz, WV?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Nimitz, WV is Old Mill Campground — Bluestone Lake State Park with a 4-star rating from 5 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Nimitz, WV?
TheDyrt.com has all 29 tent camping locations near Nimitz, WV, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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