Tent campsites near Winona, West Virginia sit at elevations between 1,500-2,500 feet in the Appalachian Mountains, creating cooler summer temperatures than surrounding lowlands. The region receives approximately 40 inches of annual rainfall, with summer highs averaging 80°F and winter lows frequently dropping below freezing. Most tent sites maintain natural ground surfaces with minimal improvements beyond fire rings.
What to do
Hiking accessible trails: Stone Cliff Campground connects directly to multiple trails including a riverside path. "There is a great trail nearby that runs along the river. Trash bins and restroom located nearby," notes James A. from Stone Cliff.
Disc golf on site: Chestnut Creek Campground features a complete disc golf course for campers. "The campground charges per person which was different from what I'm used to, but it was very reasonable and comparable to other campgrounds in the area. Has a Frisbee/Disc Golf Course," according to Debra W.
Fishing access points: Plum Orchard Lake WMA provides multiple fishing spots around a 202-acre lake. "Great place for kayaking on a beautiful lake nestled in the mountains of Fayette county," says Zondra V. The campground features boat launches with small docks for easy water access.
What campers like
Train watching: Multiple campgrounds sit near active rail lines, providing unique entertainment. At Meadow Creek Campground, "The trains are fun to watch but very loud and frequent. The wind here is also very strong and without strong anchors could easily pull up your tent," says David.
Wildlife viewing: The forested settings create opportunities for animal sightings. At Plum Orchard Lake WMA, campers report diverse wildlife encounters. "We were able to see deer, raccoons and some nice looking birds," writes Elaine L.
Firefly displays: Summer evenings feature impressive natural light shows at several campgrounds. At Meadow Creek, a camper described "watching a cluster of fireflies that looked like a lightning storm," creating memorable natural experiences in these rustic settings.
What you should know
Per-person fee structure: Unlike standard per-site pricing, several campgrounds charge by headcount. At Chestnut Creek Campground, "It was 15 dollars per person per night. They have showers and clean bathrooms just a short walk from any site," mentions Sienna L.
Train noise considerations: Railroad tracks run along the New River, affecting multiple campgrounds. At Stone Cliff, "trains would go by every few hours, it didn't bother us much but it could be annoying to some people," notes Gracey L.
Reservation systems vary: Many campgrounds operate without formal reservation systems. Brooklyn Campground operates on a simple first-come basis. "There is no check in. You just arrive and pick a site," reports Cody T.
Tips for camping with families
Elevated tent platforms: Some sites offer raised wooden platforms that keep tents dry during rain. At American Alpine Club Campground, "each site has a wooden tent platform (10'x10') to set up on, which is a huge plus since the ground is so uneven throughout," writes Mollie R.
Communal cooking spaces: Several campgrounds feature covered areas for meal preparation. American Alpine Club Campground provides "the big covered communal porch on the shower house with lights and big kitchen sinks for cleaning up," which proves especially valuable during rainy periods.
Site selection guidance: Campground layouts impact privacy and noise exposure. "We stayed at site 7 which was definitely the most private, the only downside being people walking on the trail walk right by your camp, but it wasn't a very big deal. The second most private campsite was 6," recommends Gracey L. from Stone Cliff Campground.
Tips from RVers
Access challenges: Many campgrounds have terrain limitations for larger vehicles. At Chestnut Creek Campground, a reviewer noted it's "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."
Parking distance from sites: Many tent sites require gear transport from parking areas. At Stone Cliff, "There are 4 nice spots down on the beach (we opted against these since we didn't want to clean sand out of everything when we packed up) and two up a small hill close to the parking lot and trailhead," explains Kaylee F.
Road conditions: Access routes to several campgrounds involve unpaved roads. For Plum Orchard Lake WMA, a camper warns of a "Long, bumpy dirt road to reach the campsite—it could be fun in the right vehicle."
