Tent camping options near Thurmond, West Virginia include several primitive sites along the New River within New River Gorge National Park and Preserve. Stone Cliff Campground offers walk-in tent sites situated directly on the riverbank, while Meadow Creek Campground provides tent-only camping with more spacious, though less shaded sites. Both campgrounds are free, first-come, first-served locations managed by the National Park Service.
Most tent sites in the Thurmond area feature basic amenities with vault toilets but no running water. Stone Cliff Campground has approximately six walk-in sites, some requiring descending stairs from the parking area to reach the riverside camping area. Sites typically include fire rings but many lack picnic tables. Campers should bring their own water and be prepared for primitive conditions. The nearby Chestnut Creek Campground offers more developed tent camping with showers and drinking water available, though it charges per person rather than per site. One camper noted that "sites are flat, large and spaced out" at Meadow Creek, though they cautioned about the lack of shade and proximity to active railroad tracks.
The backcountry tent camping experience near Thurmond provides direct access to the New River and numerous hiking trails. Stone Cliff sites offer immediate river access for swimming and fishing, with the Stone Cliff Trail accessible from the campground. Several campers mentioned the presence of broken glass on the beach areas, so tent campers should inspect their sites carefully before setting up. "Even with the rainy weather the area wasn't too muddy and the campsite we stayed at was level," reported one visitor about Stone Cliff. Tent campers seeking more solitude might prefer the walk-in sites farther from the parking areas, which provide greater separation from other campers and road noise, though trains passing nearby can be heard at most campgrounds in the area.
"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."
from $10 - $11 / night
"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."
"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."
from $8 - $30 / 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."
from $10 / night
"South side junction trail is right there and leads to thurmond ; an almost abondoned coal mining town"
"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."
"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."
"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."
from $12 - $160 / night
"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."
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.
TravelerOn top of a mountain. Gorgeous afternoon and evening views but The fog is dense in the mornings, which comes with a lot of dew, but completely worth it for the afternoon view. No shade trees at our site, but they are large and offer fire rings and picnic tables. Direct access to the happy McCoy trails. We rented just down the street the side-by-side for a couple of days and had a fantastic time.
ScoutGreat campground, very nice, clean bath house. Park is easy to find
TravelerHuge campground. Well maintained. The lake is gorgeous, great for kayaking or paddle boarding
ScoutThe website is dead and so is the phone number. No reservations possible.
GuideBeautiful area but not really campervan friendly. Great location and climbing areas. But vehicle sites are very level.
RangerThis campground provides an off the main road and in the woods experience. Tents have grassy spots and elevated platforms overlooking the area. There are several camper/RV spots along with cabins of various sizes. A calm creek runs through the property and within minutes of the New River National Park visitor center, downtown Fayetteville, and other adventure businesses.
TravelerEasy to get to, parking and bathrooms nearby, kayak access, 3+ mile trail access, cell service is reliable
GuideNice place to camp very relaxing.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Thurmond, WV?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Thurmond, WV is Chestnut Creek Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 21 reviews.
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TheDyrt.com has all 24 tent camping locations near Thurmond, WV, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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