Tent campsites near Oak Hill, West Virginia sit within Appalachian mountain terrain at elevations between 1,300-3,000 feet. The New River Gorge region experiences temperature fluctuations of 20-30°F between day and night, particularly in spring and fall. Most campgrounds remain open from March through early December, with limited winter availability due to freezing conditions and seasonal facility closures.
What to do
Hiking accessible trails: The Chestnut Creek Campground offers easy access to multiple trail systems. According to a camper, "We hiked Endless Wall Trail and Glade Creek Trail to Kate's Falls" while staying at the campground, noting these trails were manageable with children.
Disc golf on-site: Several campgrounds provide recreational facilities beyond hiking. One reviewer noted that Chestnut Creek has "a Frisbee/Disc Golf Course" making it possible to enjoy outdoor activities without leaving the campground premises.
Fishing opportunities: The Plum Orchard Lake WMA provides excellent fishing access. A visitor described it as a "Great place for kayaking on a beautiful lake nestled in the mountains of Fayette county," with multiple fishing spots along the shoreline.
Train watching: Several campgrounds offer unique railroad viewing opportunities. At Brooklyn Campground, "there is an active railroad across the river and there were probably 5-10 trains the Wednesday night that we stayed," providing an unexpected attraction for train enthusiasts.
What campers like
Secluded riverside camping: Stone Cliff Campground provides quiet sites along the water. A camper reported, "I loved the experience I had at stone cliff. The camp sites are well marked and maintained. There are some right on the river and a couple more set back closer to the trail."
Communal spaces: The New River Gorge Campground - American Alpine Club offers social areas for campers. One reviewer appreciated that "We ended up doing all of our cooking and eating in the big covered communal porch on the shower house with lights and big kitchen sinks for cleaning up as it was a very rainy weekend."
Well-designed tent platforms: Several campgrounds feature wooden platforms that improve the tent camping experience. A visitor to the American Alpine Club campground noted, "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."
Wildlife viewing: Tent camping options near Oak Hill provide opportunities to observe local wildlife. At Plum Orchard Lake, campers reported being "able to see deer, raccoons and some nice looking birds" during their stay.
What you should know
Cell phone reception varies: Connectivity differs significantly between camping areas. At Meadow Creek Campground, one camper reported, "1 bar of unboosted cell service with ATT with some drop off if raining, but fine for streaming videos."
Train noise levels: Several campgrounds experience regular train traffic. A Meadow Creek camper warned that "the multi-track railroad right next to the campground. They go by pretty frequently at all hours of day and night and are so loud you can feel the vibrations."
Wind conditions: Some camping areas experience stronger winds than others. At Meadow Creek, a camper cautioned that "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."
Site privacy variations: Tent sites offer different levels of seclusion. At Stone Cliff, a camper observed, "There were 2-3 other groups there and it still felt secluded with the sites distance from each other and the wooded area."
Tips for camping with families
Bathroom accessibility: When camping with children, bathroom proximity matters. At Chestnut Creek Campground, "There is only one bath house and it can be a short hike depending on the location of your site, but it was clean, had several stalls, showers, sinks and electricity."
Swimming options: Several campgrounds provide water access for kids. Stone Cliff offers spots where "the swimming was A+ and the stick selection was up to her standards," according to one dog owner whose experience would apply equally to families with children.
Site selection for groups: Some camping areas work better for family gatherings. One camper at Brooklyn noted, "Setup is four sites in one line, so to get to the pot-o-potty or parking lot, you walk through other sites," which might be ideal for families camping together but less private for separate groups.
Weather preparedness: The region experiences rapid weather changes. At Stone Cliff, a camper advised, "Even with the rainy weather the area wasn't too muddy and the campsite we stayed at was level so there wasn't any issue," suggesting good drainage at certain sites.
