The tent campsites near Richwood, West Virginia sit within the Monongahela National Forest region at elevations ranging from 2,000 to 4,000 feet. This area experiences cool mountain temperatures even in summer months, with overnight lows often dropping into the 50s during peak camping season. Many primitive camping areas require visitors to pack in all supplies as services are limited within a 20-mile radius of Richwood.
What to do
Disc golf at campgrounds: Chestnut Creek Campground offers a dedicated disc golf course on the property. According to Katie M., "It can be a little old school in that you have to text to get in touch with them and make reservations but they are always willing to make things work so you can have a good place to sleep."
Explore abandoned mining towns: Brooklyn Campground provides easy access to historic sites. One camper noted, "South side junction trail is right there and leads to Thurmond; an almost abandoned coal mining town."
Train watching: Several camping areas offer views of active railroads. As Cody T. mentioned about Brooklyn Campground, "The view of the river is beautiful and you can watch trains pass on the opposite side of the river."
Mountain biking access: The extensive trail system connects many camping areas. Dave V. described biking near Greenbrier River Trail Milepost 63.8 Primitive Campsite: "Trail conditions were wonderful, typical Railroad ballast, crushed gravel...at times it was wide like they recently removed the track, and other sections grass has grown down the middle to make it two track."
What campers like
Wooded privacy: The forested campsites provide natural separation between sites. Lisa K. described Chestnut Creek Campground: "This is a very nice little campground set up for tents, hammock campers and some car campers. No hook-ups. Definitely not for RVs or Camper trailers. All the sites are wooded and they allow you to use fallen trees/branches for your fires."
Clean facilities: Despite primitive settings, bathroom facilities receive consistent maintenance. According to Christy M. at Day Run Campground: "Nice size sites for tents and/or RV. All come with Lantern pole, fire ring with grate for cooking on, and picnic table. There are 2 restrooms located in this camping area with vault toilets only."
River proximity: Many tent sites near Richwood feature water access. Hallie W. described Stone Cliff Campground: "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. Great spot to set up a hammock, go swimming, or walk on the nearby trails."
Reasonably priced: Most tent camping options charge per-person rates. One camper noted about Chestnut Creek Campground: "The campground charges per person which was different from what I'm used to, but it was very reasonable and comparable to other campgrounds in the area."
What you should know
Reservation systems vary: Many primitive sites operate on different systems than established campgrounds. For Chestnut Creek, Sienna L. explained, "The host is just a text or call away and he replies very quickly."
Cell reception changes by location: While many campgrounds lack reliable service, there are exceptions. Debra W. noted, "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."
Water availability fluctuates: Hand pumps at primitive sites require verification. Dave V. cautioned about Greenbrier River Trail Mile Post 9.5 Primitive Campsite: "Hand pump well water was inoperable during our late June 2020 visit."
Seasonal operations: Several campgrounds close during winter months. Cathy D. reported, "Our visit was the first full weekend in November and many other campgrounds were closed for the winter."
Tips for camping with families
Shelter options for unpredictable weather: Some primitive sites offer protection from rain. Dave V. mentioned, "The Dale McCutcheon Shelter was so clean and comfortable, it's hard to call this primitive camping."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Family-friendly animal spotting is common. Dave V. observed, "Wildlife and songbirds were abundant and as shocked to see you as you were them. Oftentimes, the deer would run the trail ahead of you for 200 yards before cutting off onto their sidetrail."
Swimming access points: Several sites provide safe water recreation. Hallie W. mentioned about Stone Cliff: "My dog absolutely loved it-the swimming was A+ and the stick selection was up to her standards."
Family-friendly camp layouts: Some sites specifically accommodate groups. Linda L. from New River Gorge Campground - American Alpine Club shared, "Stayed here 2 nights with all our children and grandchildren. We had a great couple days with rain at times. Site was large with lots of trees."
Tips from RVers
Site limitations for larger vehicles: Most tent camping areas near Richwood cannot accommodate RVs. Lisa K. warned about Chestnut Creek: "Definitely not for RVs or Camper trailers."
Elevation challenges for access: Some campsites require careful vehicle selection. Zac R. cautioned, "So we had no idea there was a steep gravel decline to get to the camp site. My wife and I had brought our hatchback instead of our SUV- so our fault, but if this had been mentioned somewhere then we would have known."
Walk-in requirements: Many sites require gear to be carried from parking areas. Brittany S. noted about Brooklyn Campground, "The 4 sites by the river have a parking lot and you walk (not very far at all, 10-50 yards) to them."
