Meadow Creek Campground
The Quick Take
Meadow Creek is the kind of campground that filters out the casual crowd and rewards the committed. Free, tent-only, and stripped down to the essentials -- no running water, no flush toilets, no camp store -- this open-field site along the New River trades comfort for location and price. You are a mile from the Sandstone Visitor Center and right on the river, which means easy access to some of the gorge's best paddling and fishing without fighting for a spot at the more popular campgrounds upstream. The trade-off is real: trains will remind you civilization exists, and you need to pack in every drop of water. But if your idea of camping involves a tent, a headlamp, and not much else, Meadow Creek delivers an honest riverside experience at the unbeatable price of zero dollars. Best suited for self-sufficient tent campers who value access to the river over amenities.
Booking
Reserve Your Campsite
All 26 sites are reservable.
What You Get
Sites & Setup
RV Information
No RVs. No electrical hookups. Generators permitted during designated hours.
Accessibility
There are no wheelchair accessible campsites at this location. Unpaved Roads - All vehicles OK in good weather
Rules to Know
- Fires:•Use existing fire rings for campfires.
- Generators:•Quiet hours are from 10:00 PM to 6:00 AM.
- Bear Safety:Dispose of trash in a bear-proof trash receptacle.
- Stay Limit:•Camping limit of no more than a total of 14 days per 28-day period in any park campground.
Pro Tips
Bring more water than you think you need -- there is no potable water anywhere in the campground, and the nearest reliable fill-up is back at the Sandstone Visitor Center. Budget at least a gallon per person per day, plus extra for cooking.
The railroad crossing at the entrance is not just an inconvenience -- it is a hard boundary that keeps RVs and trailers out entirely. If you are towing anything, do not even attempt it. The upside is that this restriction keeps the campground quieter and less crowded than it would otherwise be.
Grab a site early on summer weekends. Despite being first-come-first-serve with only a couple dozen sites, the zero-dollar price tag and river proximity draw a loyal crowd. Arriving by Friday mid-morning gives you the best selection. Sites closer to the river offer better breezes and fewer neighbors.
Photos
NPS / Dave Bieri
NPS / Dave BieriGetting There
Directions
Exit Interstate 64 at exit 139 and drive north past Sandstone Visitor Center towards Meadow Creek. In about 1.5 miles turn left and cross the railroad tracks. Bear right and follow the road into the campground.
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