Best Tent Camping near Summersville Lake
Tent camping options near Summersville Lake in West Virginia include several established campgrounds within proximity to the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve. Chestnut Creek Campground offers wooded tent sites with picnic tables and fire pits, while New River Gorge Campground operated by the American Alpine Club provides wooden tent platforms that work well on the uneven terrain. These tent-focused campgrounds are situated within a short drive of hiking trails, climbing areas, and water recreation opportunities.
Most tent campgrounds in this region feature rustic amenities with varying levels of facilities. Chestnut Creek provides clean bathrooms with flush toilets and hot showers, plus an outside double sink for washing dishes. Sites typically include fire rings and picnic tables on natural, wooded terrain. The New River Gorge Campground features a communal fire pit rather than individual site fire pits, and offers coin-operated showers. According to one visitor, "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."
The tent camping experience near Summersville Lake offers good privacy at select locations. Sites at Chestnut Creek are set among trees providing natural separation between campers. A camper noted that "There are lots of trees in between many of the sites for great privacy." Some primitive tent sites like Stone Cliff Campground in the New River Gorge National Park offer free camping with basic toilet facilities but no drinking water or showers. For those seeking a more secluded experience, the lower loop sites at New River Gorge Campground are described as "lovely, tucked among boulders and rhododendrons." Cell phone reception is generally available throughout the area, making it convenient for researching nearby activities while maintaining a connection to nature.
