Tent camping options around Hernshaw, West Virginia range from primitive riverside sites to more developed campgrounds with amenities. Located in the mountainous terrain near the New River Gorge, most campgrounds sit at elevations between 1,500-2,500 feet, creating cool evening temperatures even in summer months. The region experiences approximately 45 inches of rainfall annually, making waterproof gear essential during the typical April-October camping season.
What to do
Disc golf between climbs: Chestnut Creek Campground offers a complete disc golf course for campers seeking alternative recreation. A reviewer noted, "Has a Frisbee/Disc Golf Course" and mentioned it's "close to rivers, climbing and hiking activities."
Fishing in stocked waters: Plum Orchard Lake WMA provides excellent fishing opportunities in a 202-acre lake. According to one visitor, "Plum Orchard Lake is a wildlife management area with rustic tent and camper sites... with plenty of fishing and hiking areas within a 20 mile radius or so."
Train watching: At Brooklyn Campground, campers can observe active freight trains across the river. A camper mentioned, "The view of the river is beautiful and you can watch trains pass on the opposite side of the river."
What campers like
Strong cell service: Unlike many remote camping areas, several campgrounds maintain reliable connectivity. At Chestnut Creek Campground, "Cell reception was great all throughout this area. That's not a camping necessity for us, but we all noticed that everyone's phone had great reception with a variety of network providers."
Community facilities: The American Alpine Club campground provides shared spaces that encourage interaction. A camper reported, "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."
Proximity to local dining: Several campgrounds are near local food establishments. One camper at New River Gorge Campground recommended, "Definitely check out the Burrito Bar tucked into the woods on the other side of 19. Great beer, good food, and chill atmosphere."
What you should know
Weather preparedness: Strong winds can affect tent stability in valley locations. A camper at Meadow Creek Campground noted, "The wind here is also very strong and without strong anchors could easily pull up your tent. We were having to restake the corners throughout our stay and thought we might loose our rain fly a few times."
Train noise levels: Several campgrounds experience frequent train activity. One camper at Meadow Creek Campground warned that trains "go by pretty frequently at all hours of day and night and are so loud you can feel the vibrations."
Access challenges: Some sites require physical effort to reach. A reviewer at Stone Cliff Campground warned, "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."
Tips for camping with families
Site selection strategy: Choose sites with natural features for children to explore. At Stone Cliff, a camper shared, "My dog absolutely loved it-the swimming was A+ and the stick selection was up to her standards."
Bathroom proximity: For camps with limited facilities, select sites strategically. A camper at New River Gorge Campground noted, "There is only one bath house and it can be a short hike depending on the location of your site, but it was clean, had several stalls, showers, sinks and electricity."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Plum Orchard Lake WMA offers diverse wildlife sightings. A visitor reported, "We were able to see deer, raccoons and some nice looking birds."
Tips for RVers
Limited RV options: Most tent camping sites near Hernshaw restrict or prohibit RVs. Meadow Creek recently changed their policy: "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."
Access road conditions: Unpaved roads can challenge RV access at some locations. A camper at Plum Orchard described, "Long, bumpy dirt road to reach the campsite—it could be fun in the right vehicle."
Site limitations: Even at camps allowing RVs, sites may not accommodate larger vehicles. A reviewer at Chestnut Creek Campground stated, "This is a very nice little campground set up for tents, hammock campers and some car campers. No hook-ups. Definitely not for RVs or Camper trailers."
