Best Tent Camping near Pipestem, WV
Tent campsites near Pipestem, West Virginia cluster around the Bluestone Lake area and New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, offering primitive outdoor experiences in wooded settings. Old Mill Campground in Bluestone Lake State Park provides established tent sites with some basic amenities, while Meadow Creek Campground within the national park features spacious, flat sites that accommodate tent campers seeking more remote experiences. Stone Cliff Campground offers walk-in tent locations along the river with secluded sites approximately half a mile from the parking area.
Most tent campgrounds in the region provide fire rings and picnic tables, though facilities are generally basic. Vault toilets are available at Meadow Creek and Stone Cliff campgrounds, but many sites lack running water, requiring campers to bring their own supplies. Several campgrounds have seasonal restrictions, with Bull Falls and Indian Mills camping areas in the Bluestone Lake Wildlife Management Area typically open from mid-April through mid-October. Tent campers should note that Meadow Creek Campground has been converted to tent-only use, prohibiting RVs due to safety concerns at nearby railroad crossings.
The Pipestem area's tent sites offer varying levels of seclusion and natural features. Riverside locations provide direct water access, though strong currents may limit swimming opportunities. Meadow Creek's tent-only sites are spacious but offer minimal shade due to newly planted trees, while Stone Cliff Campground features more wooded campsites. Both locations accommodate multiple tents with adequate privacy between sites. Weather conditions can bring challenges, particularly wind at valley locations. One camper noted, "The wind here is also very strong and without strong anchors could easily pull up your tent." At Stone Cliff, primitive tent sites require a short hike but reward campers with riverside locations, as a reviewer mentioned, "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."
