Stone Cliff
The Quick Take
Stone Cliff is the kind of campground that rewards you for traveling light. Tucked along the New River near the ghost town of Thurmond, this tiny walk-in spot offers just a handful of sites — five of them right on a sandy river beach, with two more nestled in the forest for shade lovers. There are no hookups, no showers, no potable water, and absolutely no driving to your site. What you get instead is a free riverside camp that most visitors never find, plus direct access to the Stone Cliff Trail right from your tent flap. The trade-off is real: you're hauling everything in on foot and roughing it without modern comforts. But for backpackers, paddlers pulling over for the night, or anyone who thinks the best campsite is one most people skip, Stone Cliff delivers an experience that the drive-in campgrounds in New River Gorge simply cannot match.
Booking
Reserve Your Campsite
All 7 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. Composting restroom facilities are wheelchair accessible. Paved Roads - All vehicles OK
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
Grab one of the five beach sites if you can — they put you directly on the river sand with water access steps away. Sites further from the parking area tend to feel more private, so haul your gear the extra distance.
Thurmond is one of America's great ghost towns and it's practically next door. Walk or drive over to explore the restored depot and imagine the days when this was a booming coal town with more saloons than churches.
Pack in every drop of water you'll need — there's no potable source at the campground. A collapsible water jug and a reliable filter for river water are non-negotiable. Also bring a headlamp for the walk back from the parking area after dark; the trail isn't lit.
Photos
NPS
NPS
NPSGetting There
Directions
From U.S. Route 19 north of Beckley, take the Glen-Jean-Thurmond exit. Take an immediate left and go 0.5 miles to Glen Jean. Turn right and follow the signs for Thurmond (WV Route 25). Continue for 6 miles to a three-way intersection. Bear right and go 1.5 miles on this road. Take a right on the gravel road, just before the bridge crossing the New River. Continue past the boat launch to the parking area.
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