Best Tent Camping near Shady Spring, WV

New River Gorge National Park and Preserve offers several tent-only campgrounds within 30 minutes of Shady Spring, West Virginia. Stone Cliff Campground in Thurmond features walk-in tent sites along the New River with first-come, first-served availability. Meadow Creek Campground near Sandstone provides 17 free tent-only sites, while Chestnut Creek Campground in Lansing caters specifically to tent campers with wooded sites. These primitive tent camping options provide direct access to hiking trails, river activities, and the natural beauty of the Appalachian Mountains.

Most tent campsites in the region have basic amenities with varying levels of accessibility. Stone Cliff requires campers to walk down flights of stairs to reach riverfront sites, with vault toilets located in the parking area. Campers should bring their own water as potable sources are limited at most locations. Meadow Creek Campground features flat, spacious sites but minimal shade from newly planted trees. The ground at many sites can be rocky or uneven, requiring careful tent placement and sturdy stakes. Vault toilets are standard at most locations, with Chestnut Creek offering the additional luxury of shower facilities.

In early fall, tent campgrounds throughout the area remain relatively uncrowded, offering peaceful backcountry tent camping experiences. One camper noted that Stone Cliff "still felt secluded with the sites distance from each other and the wooded area" despite having multiple groups present. At Meadow Creek, a visitor reported that even on summer weekends, the campground remained "less than half full," though they cautioned about frequent train noise from nearby tracks. Chestnut Creek receives consistent praise for being "set up for tents, hammock campers and some car campers" with "no hook-ups" and sites that are "definitely not for RVs." Most primitive tent sites in the region provide good access to hiking trails, swimming spots, and climbing areas, making them ideal basecamps for exploring the New River Gorge.

Best Tent Sites Near Shady Spring, West Virginia (28)

    1. Stone Cliff Campground — New River Gorge National Park and Preserve

    17 Reviews
    Thurmond, WV
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (304) 465-0508

    "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."

    2. Old Mill Campground — Bluestone Lake State Park

    5 Reviews
    Nimitz, WV
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (304) 466-2805

    "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."

    3. Meadow Creek Campground — New River Gorge National Park and Preserve

    4 Reviews
    Meadow Creek, WV
    12 miles
    +1 (304) 465-0508

    "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."

    4. East Shore Campground — Bluestone Lake State Park

    2 Reviews
    Nimitz, WV
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (304) 466-2805

    "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."

    5. Chestnut Creek Campground

    20 Reviews
    Lansing, WV
    26 miles
    Website

    $10 - $11 / night

    "Small primitive, family run campground in the heart of the gorgeous new river gorge area. Owner was super nice,helpful, and welcoming."

    "No electric or water at site but bathhouse with showers. Mostly tent sites in wooded area Our visit was the first full weekend I. November and many other campgrounds were closed for the winter."

    6. Meadow Creek Campground

    1 Review
    Meadow Creek, WV
    12 miles

    "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."

    7. Bull Falls Campground — Bluestone Lake Wildlife Management Area

    3 Reviews
    Pipestem, WV
    15 miles
    +1 (304) 466-3398

    "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."

    8. Plum Orchard Lake WMA

    4 Reviews
    Scarbro, WV
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (304) 469-9905

    $10 / night

    "Ok vault toilets. Luckily we had an axe, we had to chop a tree that fell overnight blocking the road out of the campsite."

    "Plum Orchard Lake is a wildlife management area with rustic tent and camper sites. You do need to obtain a permit from the manager."

    9. Brooklyn Campground — New River Gorge National Park and Preserve

    3 Reviews
    Thurmond, WV
    20 miles
    Website

    "We came out of regular camping season so we couldn’t find anywhere near by that sold firewood. There is 1 handicap site and 4 sites by the river."

    "South side junction trail is right there and leads to thurmond ; an almost abondoned coal mining town"

    10. New River Gorge Campground - American Alpine Club

    9 Reviews
    Lansing, WV
    26 miles
    Website
    +1 (304) 693-2667

    $8 - $30 / night

    "This is a very well thought out campground and is a great option for climbers visiting the area. each site has a wooden tent platform (10'x10') to set up on, which is a huge plus since the ground is so"

    "Super clean bathrooms and flat platforms for tent camping. It’s a little pricey in my opinion but it’s easy to get to and close to lots of climbing."

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Showing results 1-10 of 28 campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Shady Spring, WV

516 Reviews of 28 Shady Spring Campgrounds



Guide to Shady Spring

Tent camping near Shady Spring, West Virginia, offers a blend of natural beauty and outdoor activities, making it a perfect getaway for nature enthusiasts.

Some prices for tent camping range from $10 to $20

  • At Plum Orchard Lake WMA, the nightly fee is $10, providing access to a serene environment ideal for fishing and hiking.
  • Meadow Creek Campground offers free tent camping, making it a budget-friendly option for those looking to explore the New River Gorge.
  • For a unique experience, Brooklyn Campground is free and located right on the river, perfect for those who enjoy water activities.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Shady Spring, WV?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Shady Spring, WV is Stone Cliff Campground — New River Gorge National Park and Preserve with a 4.2-star rating from 17 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Shady Spring, WV?

TheDyrt.com has all 28 tent camping locations near Shady Spring, WV, with real photos and reviews from campers.