Best Tent Camping near Nimitz, WV
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.
