Carter Caves State Resort Park and surrounding areas offer glamping options at 1,000-1,500 feet above sea level in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. The area experiences four distinct seasons with hot, humid summers reaching 90°F and winters with occasional snow. Camping sites typically require water hoses and extension cords to reach hookups due to the hilly terrain and spacious site layouts.
What to Do
Explore cave systems: Visitors at Carter Caves State Resort Park Campground can take guided tours of the underground cave network. "Lots to do hiking, fishing, caves and caverns to explore. Campgrounds was clean," reports Ron & Bonnie D.
Paddle local waterways: Many campgrounds provide access to creeks and lakes for water activities. "Canoe the Tygart, take a trail ride, spelunk a Cave, eat a S'more, hike the red trail, see the natural bridge," suggests Becky H. about activities at Carter Caves.
Visit natural bridges: The geological formations in the area include unique natural bridges worth hiking to see. "Make sure to get a permit for Horn Hollow on a day of no rain or else you will not be able to enter it," advises Amanda S.
Take family-friendly hikes: Shawnee State Park Campground offers multiple trail options through forested areas. "Rest your head at one of the campsites offering a dump station and showers, or stay in a cabin. If neither of those are your thing there is a beautiful lodge that provides swimming pools, a game room, and breathtaking views of either the river or forest," notes Lisa S.
What Campers Like
Clean facilities: Many campgrounds maintain clean bathrooms and showers, which ranks high in visitor satisfaction. "The shower houses were clean and the small camp store convenient. All the Shawnee State Park staff I met were super friendly and helpful," reports Jay T.
Peaceful environment: Twin Knobs Recreation Area provides a quiet atmosphere for glamping near Grayson. "Beautiful, well maintained sites. The campground is in a wooded area and each campsite is separate by woods from the nearby sites. There are shower and toilet facilities close by," writes Stephen H.
Wildlife viewing: The forests around Grayson provide opportunities to spot local wildlife. "Watch out for skunks, hope you see a wildcat or two, tell a ghost story, play some corn hole, watch out for bears," mentions Becky H. about the Carter Caves area.
Well-maintained sites: Campsites at most locations are regularly maintained. "The site was very level and nicely maintained. The shower and bath house was clean, could use updating but overall acceptable," shares Karen P. about Carter Caves.
What You Should Know
Electrical hookup distance: At Iron Ridge - Lake Vesuvius, electrical hookups may require special equipment. "You will need extra water hose and extension cords to get hooked up in a lot of the sites," warns Ron & Bonnie D. Similarly, another camper notes, "Some sites are more difficult for parking a camper than others... but the water pressure was extremely high."
Seasonal timing: Most campgrounds have limited operating seasons. While some glamping options remain open year-round, full services at most locations operate primarily from April through October.
Site spacing: Campground layouts vary significantly in terms of privacy. "Don't expect privacy if it's booked. Reservations close 4 days prior, after that it's first come, first serve," advises MiKayla M. about camping at Oak Hill.
Cell service limitations: Many campgrounds have limited or no cellular service due to the hilly terrain. "There is absolutely no cell service in the Campground. The lodge at the top of the hill has a weak signal," reports carrie S.
Tips for Camping with Families
Kid-friendly activities: Ashland Huntington West KOA offers multiple entertainment options for children. "Loved the fenced in soft play area for the toddlers. Great field for flying kites. Camp store had lots of food options and coffee," shares Brooke V.
Halloween events: Many campgrounds host special seasonal events. "We went to the campground during the Halloween festivities in October 2017. There are a lot of activities to do while at the state park, caving, hiking, kayaking, mini golf, golf, etc," explains Karen P.
Swimming options: Most areas provide swimming opportunities for cooling off in summer. "The campground is right on a lake (so expect boat traffic) and there are several loops all along the lake. Those loops are connected by a trail that I enjoyed walking on," writes Bounding Around.
Playground access: Children need play areas, and many glamping locations near Grayson provide these. "KOA staff was very friendly and accommodating. We were able to stay extra days with out any problems. The campground has miniature golf, A playground, A fenced area for dogs a pond and A swimming pool," notes Joseph C.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling: Zilpo Campground provides level RV sites. "You camp on rock sites so it drains great if it rains. The sites are kinda secluded from one another by tree and bush lines," explains Kellie Dawn T. Another camper adds, "We stayed June 5th through June 9th and it rained every day, a lot. Our campsite (A-30) drained the rain off really well."
Hookup limitations: Many sites have partial hookups only. "Lovely site, totally private, on the lake, but really inconvenient if you want water hookup," notes Becky H.
Site selection for larger rigs: Not all sites accommodate larger RVs. "We were told that the site we'd been assigned was room enough for 52'. Our RV is only 34' so that would be more than enough. We got there and it was maybe 20-24" in length," warns carrie S.
Extension cord requirements: Due to electrical box placement, extensions are often needed. "The only issue was that some of the sites were around 50 ft from the electric hook up. Thankfully we were able to switch spots instead of renting an extension cord," explains autumn L.
