Is Meadow Creek Campground first-come first-served or reservation?

Meadow Creek Campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis. Arrive early, especially on weekends and holidays, to secure a spot.

Can I see photos of campsites at Meadow Creek Campground before I book?

Yes! Meadow Creek Campground has 2 campsite photos on Outdoorithm, contributed by campers who've stayed there. Browse real photos of individual sites to see what to expect before you reserve. You can also add your own photos after your trip to help the next family plan theirs.

Are there showers at Meadow Creek Campground?

Meadow Creek Campground does not have shower facilities. Plan accordingly—nearby alternatives may include day-use areas or towns.

Is there cell service at Meadow Creek Campground?

Cell phone service at Meadow Creek Campground is generally available. Cell service is available. Coverage may vary by carrier and exact location within the campground.

How many campsites does Meadow Creek Campground have?

Meadow Creek Campground has 17 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Arrive early for the best site selection.

Are dogs allowed at Meadow Creek Campground?

Yes, pets are allowed at Meadow Creek Campground. Dogs must typically be kept on a leash (usually 6 feet or shorter) and under control at all times. Be sure to clean up after your pet and check for any breed or size restrictions.

What amenities are available at Meadow Creek Campground?

Meadow Creek Campground offers: Restrooms, Pets Allowed. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

Meadow Creek Campground

4.13

71 reviews

774 South Riverside Road, Sandstone, WV, 25977, USA

Top 17% in WVFall

Scenic ViewsStargazing

Featured in:Camping Near New River Gorge National Park

First-come, first-served

This campground doesn't take reservations — sites are claimed in person on arrival, so there's no availability to check online. Plan to arrive early, especially on weekends and holidays.

Quick Facts

1,280 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

17 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Has Service

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

Book on New River Gorge National Park & Preserve Official Website

Get Directions

First-come, first-served

This campground doesn't take reservations — sites are claimed in person on arrival, so there's no availability to check online. Plan to arrive early, especially on weekends and holidays.

Quick Facts

1,280 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

17 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Has Service

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

Book on New River Gorge National Park & Preserve Official Website

Get Directions

Meadow Creek Campground

No fees available

Campsite Fees

No paid fee categories listed.

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Recreation Dot Gov

Provider

(304) 465-0508NERI_Interpretation@nps.gov

I manage this campground

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Campground Map

774 South Riverside Road, Sandstone, WV, 25977, USA

Meadow Creek Campground

774 South Riverside Road, Sandstone, WV, 25977, USA

Nearby places

Sandstone - 1.5 miles

Weather at Meadow Creek Campground

Best Time to Camp at Meadow Creek Campground

Best season: fall. Fall offers the clearest payoff at Meadow Creek — the surrounding hills turn vivid golds and crimsons and daytime temperatures are comfortably cool, typically 50–70°F with nights in the 30s–50s. Leaf-peeping, hiking the nearby valley rims, and wildlife viewing are at their peak while insect pressure drops, though weekend and mid-October crowds increase as visitors chase foliage. Expect the campground’s 17 primitive tent sites to fill faster in October, so plan weekdays or reserve early where a ( Peak months: October, September, November Avoid: January, February

Best

Fall(Sep-Nov)

5.0 / 5

Top 17% in WV

Fall highlighted as the best season: foliage, mild temps (50–70°F), lower insects and good wildlife viewing.

Planning Tips

About Meadow Creek Campground

Meadow Creek Campground sits in New River Gorge National Park & Preserve near Sandstone, WV, offering 17 free primitive tent sites with vault toilets, fire rings, and picnic tables. The open-field layout delivers spacious, flat pitches and scenic views of the New River and surrounding hills, but trains pass nearby up to a dozen times a night.

Meadow Creek Campground is strictly tent-only. "No RVs, or Campers. It's free," Amanda Hall emphasized.

Weather and SeasonsBest season: fall. Fall offers the clearest payoff at Meadow Creek — the surrounding hills turn vivid golds and crimsons and daytime temperatures are comfortably cool, typically 50–70°F with nights in the 30s–50s. Leaf-peeping, hiking the nearby valley rims, and wildlife viewing are at their peak while insect pressure drops, though weekend and mid-October crowds increase as visitors chase foliage. Expect the campground’s 17 primitive tent sites to fill faster in October, so plan weekdays or reserve early where a ( Peak months: October, September, November Avoid: January, February

Elevation1280 ft above sea level

Natural Features and SceneryThe campground spreads across a large, open meadow with 360-degree views of West Virginia's rolling hills. Very little shade or screening vegetation. The New River runs nearby, carving through one of Earth's oldest river valleys. Over 300 million years of geological history visible in the surrounding Appalachian plateau. The openness makes for big skies and excellent stargazing, but you're exposed to sun and wind.

Lodging & AccommodationsNo hotel-style or structured lodging is available within Meadow Creek Campground.

Programs & ActivitiesNo cultural or educational programs are explicitly mentioned as available at Meadow Creek Campground.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Stay Limit

Camping is available for up to 12 days.

Guests Allowed Per Site

The campground does not specify the maximum number of guests per site.

Groups

No group camping sites are specified as available.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are not allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is allowed

Reservable

Reservations are not allowed

Reservation PlatformsNot applicable as reservations are not required.

AccessibilityAccessibility features are limited, with no explicit mention of accommodations for campers with disabilities.

Site SizeSites are described as large and flat, providing ample space for tents, but lacking in foliage for privacy, as noted by Sister Daniel and Amanda Hall.

PrivacyMinimal privacy due to lack of foliage between campsites.

Total Campsites17 campsites

Recommended SitesEarplugs are recommended for mitigating train noise. Choose sites further away from the railroad tracks for less disturbance.

Best CampsitesReviews mention good spacing and fire grills, but no specific site numbers stand out. The meadow layout means most sites are similar. Large, flat, minimal privacy.

Amenities available

Meadow Creek Campground is a tent-only primitive campsite with minimal amenities. Located one mile from the Sandstone Visitor Center, it offers 17 tent sites in an open field without drive-in options for RVs or trailers due to safety concerns with the railroad crossing. "Each site has a fire grill and a picnic table," as noted by Sister Daniel. Vault toilets are available, but no running water, electricity, or dump station is provided. Shannon Bishop highlighted that "there is also an early warning sign posted near the visitors center you pass on the way in" about RV restrictions due to tight turns near the railroad crossing.

Fire rings

Picnic tables

Vault toilets

I manage this campground

Activities you can enjoy

Activities at Meadow Creek Campground are limited, emphasizing its proximity to the New River Gorge National Park for outdoor recreation. Wildlife viewing and observing coal trains passing by are notable features. "You can watch the coal trains go by," Chelsea Adams-Perez shared, adding it creates a unique experience.

Winter Activities

Water Sports

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

No Potable WaterThis campground does not have potable water on-site. Bring all the water you need for drinking, cooking, and cleaning.

No Electric HookupsElectric hookups are not available at this campground. RV campers should arrive with a full battery and plan for off-grid power (generator hours/quiet rules permitting).

No Water HookupsSite-level water hookups are not available. RV campers should fill freshwater tanks before arrival; check the No Potable Water note above if applicable for drinking water.

No Dump StationThere is no dump station at this campground. Plan to use a dump station along your route or at a nearby facility before or after your stay.

Trip Planning Tools

Set an AlertGet notified when sites open up Check WeatherHistorical weather data Gear for This TripMatched gear recommendations Packing ListCustomizable checklist

Questions & answers

Researching this campground? Ask anything — other campers and our team will weigh in. No visit required.

Tips from campers

Short heads-ups about the road in, gear quirks, timing, and more. You don't have to have been here to share what you know.

Reviews

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From Booking Sources

4.1

71 reviews

Satisfactory

Meadow Creek Campground is satisfactory, placing it in the bottom 60% of campgrounds based on reviews

User reviews generally praise the campground's scenic beauty, spacious sites, and affordability (free camping). However, the proximity to active railroad tracks and the lack of water and electricity are frequently cited as drawbacks. Sentiment trends show mixed experiences depending on individual tolerance for train noise.

Review Summaries

Based on 71 reviews

What Campers Love

Positive mentions include free camping, clean vault toilets, spacious and flat tent sites, pet-friendly policies, decent Verizon cell service, and scenic views of the New River and surrounding hills.

Based on 71 reviews

Common Concerns

Common complaints include frequent and loud train noise, especially at night, lack of privacy between sites, absence of water and electrical hookups, occasional litter at campsites, and primitive...

Based on 71 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Campsite #1 was noted by Nicole Adams to have litter issues left by previous visitors. Specific sites closer to the railroad were highlighted as noisier.

Based on 71 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Users recommend bringing earplugs to mitigate train noise, bringing sufficient water, and arriving early to secure preferred campsites. "Be prepared to be woken up 12 times," Daniel Berry advised...

Based on 71 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Fall and spring appear less crowded, with reviews indicating peaceful experiences during these seasons. Winter reviews suggest poor usability due to cold temperatures, while summer may bring...

Based on 71 reviews

Camper Quotes

"Wonderful campground. So green and peaceful except for the train activity," Shannon Bishop shared. "Great camping option near the river," J S added, while Nicholas Travis emphasized, "Bring...

Based on 71 reviews

Accessibility Features

No explicit reviews from individuals with accessibility needs. Limited accessibility features are mentioned.

Based on 71 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

Pet-friendly policies are appreciated by users. "Pet friendly," Sister Daniel remarked positively.

Based on 71 reviews

Outdoorithm Community

Be the first to review this campground

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Go if

You want no-cost camping in the New River Gorge, can sleep through train horns, and don't need hookups or privacy screens.

Skip if

You're a light sleeper or need water, electric, or secluded wooded sites instead of an open field.

Nearby Campgrounds

2.9

(11)

Brooklyn Campground

PO Box 246, 104 Main Street, Glen Jean, WV 25846, USA

Brooklyn Campground sits along the New River in New River Gorge National Park & Preserve, a primitive National Park Service site with just five riverside spots. This foothill campground offers vault toilets and fire rings in a quiet setting where passing trains add character to the experience. Visitors come for fall foliage, stargazing, and unhurried time by the water.

Campgrounds

New River Gorge National Park & Preserve

Meadow Creek Campground

About New River Gorge National Park & Preserve

Context for the broader area surrounding Meadow Creek Campground, sourced from the federal Recreation.gov rec-area record.

A rugged, whitewater river flowing northward through deep canyons, the New River is among the oldest rivers on the continent. The park encompasses over 70,000 acres of land along the New River, is rich in cultural and natural history, and offers an abundance of scenic and recreational opportunities.

Directions

To reach Park Headquarters take Route 19 North from Beckley to the Glen Jean exit. Upon exiting Rt 19, make an immediate left turn. At the next intersection, turn right. Park Headquarters will be straight ahead on the right. GPS Coordinates for Headquarters: 81.15587W, 37.92775N PLEASE NOTE: Third party search and map apps may direct you to an potentially inaccessible area of the park with no amenities or rangers stations. Please refer to the Visitor Center or Park Headquarters addresses for directions.