Cabins near Covington, Virginia offer a mix of forested mountain settings and riverside locations at elevations ranging from 1,200 to 3,500 feet. The James River borders many camping areas, providing water recreation options during summer months when daytime temperatures typically reach 80-90°F. Most forest cabin locations close seasonally from late October through early April due to mountainous winter conditions.
What to do
Hiking trails: Douthat State Park provides numerous hiking options with varying difficulty levels. "There are many hiking trails nearby with a variety of difficulty. We chose a couple that provided nice views," notes a visitor to Douthat State Park. The nearby mountains offer trails suitable for different skill levels and interests.
Fishing spots: The Greenbrier River at Riverside Campground — Watoga State Park attracts anglers year-round. "The river is beautiful, the hiking excellent, and the fantastic rail trail is right there. The area has so much to offer - Bear Town, Cranberry, Falls - it's all wild wonderful West Virginia!!" according to one camper. Trout stocking schedules are available at camp offices.
Water activities: Campers at Natural Bridge-Lexington KOA appreciate the easy access to multiple water features. "Lots of pull thru sites, full hook up, even have dog park and laundry," reports one visitor. The nearby James River provides tubing and swimming opportunities during summer months.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Many cabin areas feature well-spaced accommodations. "The sites are well-appointed, well-maintained, wooded, and peaceful," notes a visitor to Greenbrier State Forest. Campers consistently mention the spacing between cabins as a positive feature.
Clean facilities: Bathroom cleanliness receives regular praise at cabin locations. "The bathroom was immaculate! Each campsite even has its own trashcan with daily trash pick up," reports one camper at Greenbrier State Forest. Most campgrounds feature daily cleaning schedules for shared bathroom facilities.
Natural setting: Wilderness Adventure at Eagle Landing receives praise for its natural environment. "We stayed at Wilderness Adventure for one night in 'The Meadow'. We stayed a Saturday night and got to enjoy live music, and tasty beers! The staff was incredibly hospitable, and the grounds were so fun to explore," shares one visitor. Many cabins feature outdoor gathering spaces with fire rings.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Advance booking is essential, especially for unique accommodations. "We were only going to stay 2 nights and the move on to Nashville. Tennessee was pretty much shut down from Covid. We were glad we stayed! The campground was very nice as well as the owners and staff!!" shares a visitor to Natural Bridge-Lexington KOA. Most cabins require minimum 7-day advance reservations.
Cell service limitations: Many forest cabin locations have limited connectivity. "Note: It's in a valley, so there's no cell service. The wash houses have wi-fi, but it's not great and you have to be either in the building or sitting at the bench outside to use it," reports a camper at Riverside Campground. Consider downloading offline maps before arrival.
Seasonal differences: Winter accessibility varies significantly by location. Peaks Of Otter Campground has limited winter operations. "We stayed in site #7, in the trailer loop. It was a pull-through site with an additional area containing a picnic table and fire ring, accessible via a small set of steps up the hill. The whole campground is kind of 'carved' out of the mountain," notes one visitor. Most cabins close during winter months due to access limitations.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park at Natural Bridge offers extensive children's activities. "This place has tons of activities for kids and teens. This place has a family feel to it," writes one visitor. The campground features scheduled events throughout summer months specifically designed for children.
Kid-friendly water features: Several locations offer supervised swimming areas. "The kids loved the water park! So much for them to do! There were craft nights, build an ice cream sundae night, dance parties! Giant inflatable trampolines were a blast," reports a Jellystone visitor. Most water features operate from Memorial Day through Labor Day weekend.
Nature exploration opportunities: Creeks and shallow water features provide natural play areas. "The creek was the big hit for our family of small boys. Grab some lawn chairs and a cooler and let them play and explore for hours," shares a camper at Wilderness Adventure at Eagle Landing. Most cabin locations maintain simple nature trails suitable for family exploration.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Many mountain cabin areas have uneven terrain. "A bit expensive for no more than it was. While the facility was typical of a KOA I was not entirely impressed by the overall price to amenity ratio," notes a camper at Natural Bridge KOA. Consider requesting specific site information before booking.
Access road limitations: Mountain roads can present challenges for larger rigs. "Accessing the campground involves driving 3 miles off I-64 on State 60/14, Harts Run Rd, a winding and narrow two-lane road, which might be a challenge for larger RV trailers and motorhomes," cautions a visitor to Greenbrier State Forest. Check specific road clearance and width restrictions before arrival.
Hookup variations: Electrical and water connections vary significantly between locations. "Greenbrier West Virginia State Forest campground - very nice, but limited amenities. Electric-only hookups, and no dump station on site," reports one RVer. Most cabin areas offer 30-amp service but limited sewer connections.
