Tent camping in Victor, West Virginia offers access to the mountainous terrain surrounding New River Gorge National Park and Preserve. The area sits at approximately 1,800 feet elevation and features a humid continental climate with distinct seasons. Summer temperatures typically range from 60-85°F, while spring and fall bring cooler nights that can drop into the 40s, requiring campers to pack accordingly.
What to do
Disc golf at campgrounds: Chestnut Creek Campground features a complete disc golf course on-site. One camper noted the facility "has a Frisbee/Disc Golf Course" which provides an alternative activity when you're not exploring the surrounding wilderness areas.
Visit nearby ghost towns: The Stone Cliff Campground provides easy access to Thurmond, an abandoned mining town. A visitor mentioned that "the campground is very close to the abandoned town of Thurmond (very cool site to see)" making it a fascinating side trip while staying in the area.
Train watching: Brooklyn Campground sits directly along the New River with an active railroad on the opposite bank. A camper shared that "you can watch trains pass on the opposite side of the river" which adds a unique element to the riverside experience.
Climbing preparation: The American Alpine Club's New River Gorge Campground offers specialized amenities for rock climbers. A visitor noted it has "a campus board in season" for training and is "a quick walk to the Junkyard Wall or a short drive to many other classic crags."
What campers like
Riverside tent sites: Stone Cliff Campground features sand-bottom tent areas right along the water. A camper reported "there was plenty of room for 4 tents right along the river" in the walk-in sites, making it ideal for small groups who want to be near the water.
Unique tent platforms: American Alpine Club campground offers specialized platforms for pitching tents. One camper was "lucky to get campsite 23, which had a tent platform high up on a boulder," providing an unusual camping experience not found at standard facilities.
Privacy between sites: Chestnut Creek Campground offers well-separated tent sites. A reviewer observed "there are lots of trees in between many of the sites for great privacy," which creates a more secluded tent camping experience despite being at an established campground.
Per-person pricing: Several campgrounds in the Victor area charge per camper rather than per site. At Chestnut Creek, a visitor noted it was "reasonable at $15 per person per night," which can be economical for solo travelers or couples camping in the region.
What you should know
Seasonal considerations: Some campgrounds in the area have limited operating seasons. The American Alpine Club campground is "usually open from around the second week of March to around the first of December, although this all depends on weather conditions."
Limited cell service: Cell reception varies significantly throughout the area. At Plum Orchard Lake WMA, a visitor warned there was "no cell phone coverage to locate a more detailed map," so downloading offline maps before arrival is recommended.
Train noise: Several campgrounds experience periodic train noise. Brooklyn Campground has "an active railroad across the river and there were probably 5-10 trains the Wednesday night that we stayed," which light sleepers should consider when selecting a site.
Access challenges: Some campgrounds have difficult approach roads. At Plum Orchard Lake WMA, a camper experienced a "long, bumpy dirt road to reach the campsite—it could be fun in the right vehicle," suggesting high-clearance vehicles may be preferable.
Tips for camping with families
Check bathroom facilities: Bathroom quality varies widely between tent campgrounds. At Chestnut Creek, a family noted "the bathrooms are clean and spacious to accommodate the number of campers," making it more comfortable for families with young children.
Consider site layout: Some campgrounds have unusual configurations that impact privacy. At Brooklyn Campground, "setup is four sites in one line, so to get to the pot-o-potty or parking lot, you walk through other sites," which might be challenging with children.
Look for communal spaces: Shared areas can enhance the family camping experience. The American Alpine Club campground features a "big covered communal porch on the shower house with lights and big kitchen sinks for cleaning up," which is particularly useful during inclement weather.
Water access options: For families who enjoy water activities, some campgrounds offer direct river access. Stone Cliff has sites where "you walk down a set of stairs to the sites" with sandy beach areas, creating natural play spaces for children.
Tips from RVers
Site limitations for larger vehicles: Most tent-focused campgrounds near Victor have restrictions on RV sizes. At Chestnut Creek, a camper clarified it's "definitely not for RVs or Camper trailers" as the sites are designed primarily for tents and small vehicles.
Self-contained camping required: Many campgrounds lack RV hookups. One visitor to Plum Orchard noted "the water at the site is not potable, so plan accordingly," reminding RVers to arrive with full water tanks and empty waste tanks.
Limited turning radius: The mountain roads and campground layouts can be challenging for larger vehicles. A camper at Stone Cliff was "disappointed" when they "had no idea there was a steep gravel decline to get to the camp site" that prevented them from accessing the area in a low-clearance vehicle.
