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."
"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."
"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."
"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."
"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."
"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"
"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."
"I didn’t camp here, but I took out my kayak at the boat ramp and looked around. Vault M/F toilet, BYOTP. No hookups and I didn’t see a water spigot. Plenty of shade. Closed during flood."
"Beautiful spot on the New River in Giles County, VA located right outside downtown Narrows. There's a Disc Golf Course, Fishing, Camping, and Community Events. Well kept, clean, and perfect."
"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."
TravelerShowers themselves are nice but don't have privacy room to dry and get dressed. Spots are fairly close together. $50 for one night seemed kinda high. There is highway noise. You do get a discount on your cave tour.
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.
Tent camping near Pipestem, West Virginia offers primitive sites amid the Appalachian foothills, with many locations sitting at elevations between 1,500-2,500 feet. The region experiences significant seasonal temperature variations, with summer highs typically in the 80s and winter lows frequently dropping below freezing. While several campgrounds operate year-round, Bull Falls and Indian Mills camping areas in the wildlife management areas maintain a mid-April to mid-October season.
Fishing access: Old Mill Campground provides excellent catfishing opportunities on Bluestone Lake. "The marina where we got to rent a boat and the catfish were plentiful," reports one visitor who enjoyed both camping and fishing at this location.
Disc golf: Camp Success offers a complete disc golf course alongside its tent camping area. "There's a Disc Golf Course, Fishing, Camping, and Community Events. Well kept, clean, and perfect," notes a regular visitor to this Narrows, VA location.
River activities: Many campgrounds offer direct water access for swimming, though current strength varies by location. At East Shore Campground, one camper noted it's "a good place" with "some sites along water" making it ideal for "fishing" and "water activities."
Spacious sites: Campers appreciate the generous tent pads at many Pipestem area campgrounds. At Meadow Creek Campground, a visitor observed, "Sites are flat, large and spaced out," making them comfortable for multiple tents or larger camping setups.
Riverside locations: Many campers seek sites with water views and direct river access. "There was plenty of room for 4 tents right along the river," reported a camper who stayed at Stone Cliff Campground, though they also noted the terrain had some challenges: "It was a little rocky, but nothing a sleeping pad wouldn't take care of."
Fishing opportunities: Bluestone Lake and New River provide ample fishing options. A visitor to Old Mill Campground mentioned, "We enjoyed hiking the trails, swimming in the lake and sitting by our campfire," highlighting the combination of activities available at many sites.
Weather considerations: Strong valley winds can affect tent stability in some locations, particularly at lower elevations. One camper at Meadow Creek noted, "The wind is also very strong and without strong anchors could easily pull up your tent."
Train noise: Several campgrounds sit near active rail lines, which affects the camping experience. "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," warns a Meadow Creek visitor.
Bathroom facilities: Amenities vary widely across campgrounds. At Indian Mills Camping Area, "The bathroom/shower facilities are slightly better than primitive, but clean. You'll find running water, fire ring and picnic table at each site."
Site access: Some campgrounds require additional effort to reach. At Stone Cliff, a visitor explained the sites are "walk-in first come first serve" with some located "about half a mile into the trail."
Swimming options: For families with children, swimming access varies by location. At Old Mill Campground, one visitor shared, "They had a swimming pool and it was clean. I loved the lake. Big and beautiful."
Terrain awareness: Some campgrounds have challenging access points that might be difficult with young children. One visitor to Stone Cliff noted, "We had no idea there was a steep gravel decline to get to the camp site," which prevented them from camping with their vehicle.
Wildlife viewing: The region offers excellent opportunities for nature observation. At Stone Cliff Campground, "It was incredibly private...There were some visitors throughout the days, hiking, fishing, and a lot of white water rafters."
RV restrictions: Some previously RV-friendly sites now limit access. At Meadow Creek Campground, "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."
Alternative parking: For RV campers visiting tent-only sites, consider nearby parking options. "You can camp here for free on first come first serve basis. Also can access by boat if taking a trip on the river," notes a visitor to Stone Cliff, where some campers park at the lot and walk to tent sites.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Pipestem, WV?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Pipestem, 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 Pipestem, WV?
TheDyrt.com has all 31 tent camping locations near Pipestem, WV, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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