Thurmond, West Virginia sits within New River Gorge National Park and Preserve at an elevation of 1,066 feet, where the New River cuts through the Appalachian Plateau. The area receives approximately 37 inches of rainfall annually, with summer temperatures averaging in the mid-80s. Camping sites throughout the region feature varied terrain from riverside beaches to elevated woodland platforms, requiring different preparation depending on location.
What to do
Climbing access: New River Gorge Campground provides direct access to popular climbing areas. "This campground is well maintained and located in the heart of the New. It's a quick walk to the Junkyard Wall or a short drive to many other classic crags," notes one climber at New River Gorge Campground - American Alpine Club.
Disc golf: Chestnut Creek Campground offers an on-site disc golf course among its amenities. "Has a Frisbee/Disc Golf Course. Close to rivers, climbing and hiking activities," mentions a camper who appreciated the recreational options.
Fishing opportunities: Plum Orchard Lake WMA provides multiple fishing spots for anglers. "Plum Orchard Lake is a wildlife management area with rustic tent and camper sites. This is a beautiful area with plenty of fishing and hiking areas within a 20 mile radius or so," according to a visitor to Plum Orchard Lake WMA.
Train watching: Many campgrounds in the area feature views of active railway lines. "You can watch trains pass on the opposite side of the river," notes a Brooklyn Campground visitor, making this a unique activity for train enthusiasts camping near Thurmond.
What campers like
Direct river access: Stone Cliff Campground offers immediate proximity to the New River. "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," reports one camper at Stone Cliff Campground.
Clean facilities: Despite primitive conditions, campers appreciate maintained bathrooms at several sites. "The bathhouse was clean at the time I visited. You can easily walk to the river from the campground," notes a camper at Meadow Creek Campground.
Wooded privacy: Several campgrounds provide natural separation between sites. At Chestnut Creek Campground, "most sites are simple with just a picnic table and fire pit. There are lots of trees in between many of the sites for great privacy."
Communal areas: Some campgrounds feature shared spaces for cooking and socializing. "We ended up doing all of our cooking and eating in the big covered communal porch on the shower house with lights and big kitchen sinks for cleaning up as it was a very rainy weekend," explains a New River Gorge Campground visitor.
What you should know
Trains operate 24/7: Multiple campgrounds experience regular train noise. "The biggest con to this is 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 camper at Meadow Creek Campground.
Per-person fee structure: Some campgrounds charge by person rather than site. Chestnut Creek Campground charges "$15 per person per night" according to a recent visitor.
Limited water access: Many sites lack potable water. "The water at the site is not potable, so plan accordingly," notes a Plum Orchard Lake WMA visitor.
Uneven terrain: Many tent sites require careful placement. "It's a little rocky, but nothing a sleeping pad wouldn't take care of," mentions a Stone Cliff Campground visitor who used one of the walk-in sites.
Tips for camping with families
Choose sites away from steep access points: Some areas require difficult approaches. "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," cautions a visitor to Stone Cliff.
Consider wildlife encounters: Local wildlife can provide educational opportunities but require awareness. At Brooklyn Campground, one camper noted the unique atmosphere: "Cool spot. I feel like it's haunted. South side junction trail is right there and leads to thurmond; an almost abandoned coal mining town."
Check for bug activity: Insects can affect comfort levels even in cooler months. "The gnats were out even in early April, so be sure you have bug protection," advises a Meadow Creek Campground visitor.
Look for spacious sites: Some campgrounds offer ample room for families to spread out. "Sites are flat, large and spaced out," notes a visitor describing the best tent camping near Thurmond, West Virginia at Meadow Creek Campground.
Tips from RVers
Access constraints: Many of the best camping areas near Thurmond have limitations for larger vehicles. 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. Which is very unfortunate since this place is beautiful and the sites were big enough for rv and tent use."
Road conditions: Approach roads can present challenges for RVs. "Long, bumpy dirt road to reach the campsite—it could be fun in the right vehicle," notes a visitor to Plum Orchard Lake WMA.
Limited hookup options: Most Thurmond-area campgrounds lack RV amenities. At New River Gorge Campground, a camper notes it's "great for climbers and others alike" but specifies there are no hookups, making it primarily a tent camping destination.
