Cabin camping near Jacksonburg, West Virginia offers options in a region characterized by the rolling Appalachian foothills and elevations ranging from 800-1,200 feet. The area experiences distinct seasonal changes with summer highs averaging 85°F and winter lows frequently dropping below freezing. Most cabins in the region require advance booking up to six months ahead during peak summer and fall foliage seasons.
What to do
Trail exploration: Hike the North Bend Rail Trail at River Run Campground, which features 72 miles of converted railroad corridor. "This humble campground is located on the 'Haunted' North Bend Rail to Trail. It was easy check in with a friendly staff. Great place to stay with plenty of room to enjoy yourself," notes William B. The trail passes through 35 bridges and 11 tunnels from the former B&O Railroad.
Mushroom foraging: Search for seasonal edibles in the woodlands at Ryerson Station State Park. "If you have never been here before, then it is worth the trip especially if you're from the area. I have spent most of my time there fishing prior to the dam being destroyed. Now, I mainly take advantage of the mushrooming and hiking!" says Nick P. Spring is optimal for morels while summer brings chanterelles, with many varieties visible from established paths.
Water activities: Kayak or canoe at Tygart Lake State Park Campground on the 10-mile long lake. "The lake offers great relaxation and the trails around the lake offer pretty views. Only wish that there were more trails available because it's so beautiful in that area!!!" writes Desireé. Boat rentals are available for those without their own equipment, and the park maintains dedicated fishing docks.
What campers like
Privacy levels: Secluded tent sites at River Run Campground provide separation from other campers. "We had a wonderful time. The Park is great and we have stayed at lodge 4 times before but this was first camping trip... Nice spacing at our site in particular. I would also recommend sites 10, 11, 17, 19, 13, and 14," shares Jeremiah S. Tent areas are positioned along a stream on one side with the campsite access road on the other.
Cabin accessibility: ADA-compliant facilities at North Bend State Park. "The year-round cabins have been updated with ADA wheelchair ramps and wraparound decks. I may return and rent one after the campground closes so I can do some cross-country skiing on the North Bend Rail Trail this winter," Jennifer B. observes. These accessible cabins remain available throughout winter when standard campgrounds close.
Wildlife viewing: Regular deer sightings around camp areas. "We see deer almost every evening," reports Darla from Shadow Lake RV Resort. The 100-acre property features several ponds and meandering trails that increase opportunities for wildlife observation, particularly during dawn and dusk hours.
What you should know
Cell service limitations: Plan for connectivity gaps across the region. At Ryerson Station State Park, "there is no cell service for Verizon. I don't take these trips to remain connected, but this spot is quite isolated and if there was ever an emergency, help would be difficult to obtain," warns Nancy C. AT&T users typically have better coverage but still report weak signals throughout many campgrounds.
Raccoon management: Take precautions with food storage, especially at Tygart Lake. "There is a HUGE raccoon problem here, even during the day. I wish we were warned ahead of time. Many people bring an extra tent to keep their food in," advises Sheila P. Secure food in vehicles when possible or use raccoon-resistant containers, particularly at night.
Site selection importance: Research specific site numbers before booking. At Tygart Lake, "almost all sites are on a hill. The pictures do not accurately show this. We had site 33 (probably the worst site). The entire site was on a slant and covered in rocks," notes Sheila P. Request site maps during reservation to avoid problematic locations.
Tips for camping with families
Playground proximity: Select sites near play areas for convenience with children. At Coopers Rock State Forest, "there is a playground for the kids and plenty of room for them to play," says Kevin H. Sites closest to playgrounds fill quickly during summer weekends, often requiring booking 3-4 months in advance.
Swimming options: Check pool availability seasonally. "At North Bend State Park they have playgrounds, mini-golf and an outdoor swimming pool (closed when I visited in October, but looked really nice)," Jennifer B. mentions. Most park pools operate from Memorial Day through Labor Day, with daily admission fees around $5-8 per person in addition to camping fees.
Educational opportunities: Visit historical features in the surrounding area. Ryerson Station State Park offers unique hiking experiences where "the trails are pleasant, especially the one leading to the old Chess Cemetery," according to Brian S. These short walks provide learning moments about local history without overwhelming younger hikers.
Tips from RVers
Site spacing: Choose newer campground sections for additional room. At Coopers Rock State Forest, "the new section is open and ready. Water and Electric Only. Dump station on the way out. We had empty space on either side of us. New section is spaced out with a berm of earth in between a lot of the sites," reports Josh W. These berms provide additional privacy between neighboring vehicles.
Campground elevation: Prepare for mountain driving when accessing sites. Nancy C. cautions about Ryerson Station: "We have a 26 foot motor home. To get to the campground, you have to drive several miles on a two lane winding road. Hard to navigate a vehicle in those road conditions. You're in a mountainous area so don't depend on your GPS to get you there." Printing directions from official park websites proves more reliable than GPS navigation.
Hookup verification: Confirm electric service quality before settling in. At Stonewall Resort, "my surgeguard shut off the power in the evening due to high voltage. It was showing 137 volts at one time," reports Tadd and Justin. Surge protectors are essential equipment when connecting to older electrical systems at established campgrounds.
