Tent camping near White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia takes advantage of the area's varied terrain and significant elevation changes within the Monongahela National Forest. Located at approximately 1,900 feet elevation, the region experiences cooler temperatures than surrounding lowlands, with evening temperatures dropping significantly even in summer months. Rainfall patterns create lush vegetation throughout the camping season, particularly in creek and river valleys.
What to do
Hiking to Dragon's Tooth: Access this challenging section of the Appalachian Trail about an hour's drive from White Sulphur Springs. As one camper noted, "Dragons tooth is off a path that is part of the Appalachian Trail... to get to the top of dragons tooth becomes a strenuous hike once you get to the big rock." The trail includes painted white arrows to guide climbers through difficult sections.
River activities at Stone Cliff: Stone Cliff Campground in New River Gorge National Park provides direct river access for swimming and fishing. A camper reported, "Location was amazing. Sites are first come first served, no reservation needed. Plenty of parking with 6+ isolated camp sites, all with view of river." The nearby trail running along the river connects to other park attractions.
Stargazing at Meadow Creek: The Monongahela area offers exceptional dark sky viewing. According to one visitor at Meadow Creek Camping Area, "There are very few places in the Eastern United States that get dark enough to view the Milky Way. If you're in the Monongahela area and you've never seen it before, definitely head up to Spruce Knob on a clear night."
What campers like
Riverside tent pads: The primitive campsites along Greenbrier River Trail feature well-constructed tent areas. At Greenbrier River Trail Mile Post 28.5 Primitive Campsite, campers appreciate the "Raised Tent pads (2)" and "Adirondock Style Shelter" positioned along the river. The sites are "stretched out a good distance" providing separation between camping groups.
Sandy beaches for tent setup: Some tent sites feature natural sandy areas for comfortable setups. At Stone Cliff Campground, a camper mentioned, "Very quiet, sand bottom site areas right on the water." Another noted there are "4 nice spots down on the beach" with additional sites "up a small hill close to the parking lot and trailhead."
Private camping areas: McClintic Point offers secluded tent sites with water access. One camper shared their experience: "Nice, first come, first served campground. Toilets were very clean, but just covered a hole in the ground. Beautiful morning, but seems to stay chillier than the surrounding area. It's in a valley and two sites back up to the lake."
What you should know
Weather patterns require preparation: Evening temperature drops and sudden rain showers are common in this mountainous region. At Greenbrier River Trail Mile Post 9.5 Primitive Campsite, one camper noted, "In late June 2020, weather along The Greenbrier River Trail was cooler, with late afternoon/early evening rain showers." Proper tent staking and rain gear are essential.
Water sources vary widely: Many primitive tent sites lack reliable water sources. One camper at Greenbrier River Trail Mile Post 9.5 reported, "Hand pump well water was inoperable during our late June 2020 visit." Campers should carry water or bring filtration systems.
Trail conditions after rain: The forest trails and camp access points can become challenging after precipitation. A camper noted, "Trail conditions got soft and muddy after the previous night's deluge through the more heavily wooded areas, once the trail was exposed to constant sun, it dried quickly."
Tips for camping with families
Check access requirements: Some prime camping areas require significant hiking or special access. At Dragon's Tooth, a camper advised, "My fiancé and I have done lots of miles on the AT and this is a pretty rough spot to climb with a bigger backpack so pack light... with our big backpacks on it probably took us about two hours to make it to the tip of dragons tooth."
Consider campground terrain: Stone Cliff access requires navigating an incline. One visitor shared, "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."
Toilet facilities vary: Most primitive tent sites have basic facilities. At Pine Run Camping Area, facilities include vault toilets and some showers. For more remote sites, a camper at Dragon's Tooth noted, "There is no running water, but there are vault toilets stocked with toilet paper at the trailhead as well as bear proof trashcans."
Tips from RVers
Limited RV camping options: Most camping near White Sulphur Springs focuses on tent camping with few dedicated RV facilities. At CB Ranch, campers can find both tent and cabin options but limited RV amenities. A visitor noted, "The farm is 4 miles from a quaint small town with shops and great restaurants. Lots of local attractions from State parks, Greenbrier rails to tails (77 miles long), Greenbrier river (Kayaking) and a couple caves to explore."
No-hookup alternatives: Most tent-focused campgrounds lack RV hookups. Stone Cliff Campground has primarily tent sites but accessible parking that might accommodate small camper vans, though without hookups or amenities for larger RVs.
Road conditions to camping areas: Access roads to primitive camping areas may present challenges. As one Dragon's Tooth visitor noted about overnight parking, "It is a gravel lot, pretty level. There is a little road noise until about 1030 PM."
