Cabin camping in the Monongahela National Forest region near Davis, West Virginia provides access to over 900,000 acres of protected woodland at elevations between 2,000 and 4,000 feet. The mountain climate typically features summer daytime temperatures around 75-80°F with cool evenings in the 50s, while winter brings significant snowfall averaging 150+ inches annually. Campers should prepare for microclimates that vary based on elevation and topography, as conditions can change rapidly.
What to do
Hiking trails: The area surrounding Davis offers numerous hiking opportunities for all skill levels. At Swallow Falls State Park Campground, trails lead to Maryland's highest waterfall. "The trail between Swallow Falls and Herrington Manor is nice, but the much shorter main trail within SFSP itself is awesome. Muddy Creek Falls - the main attraction of the state park and the highest waterfall in Maryland - is the main reason to do the hike," notes Danielle V.
Chair lift rides: Some resorts offer scenic lift rides during summer months. At Canaan Valley Resort State Park Campground, visitors can take a scenic lift to mountain peaks. "There is a scenic chair lift you can ride to the top of the ski mountain and hike back down to the bottom," explains Aimee L., who recommends combining this with other activities at the resort.
Fishing spots: Local rivers and streams provide excellent fishing opportunities. The South Branch of the Potomac offers prime access at Smoke Hole Caverns and Log Cabin/RV Resort. As Rob F. points out, "Great fishing. Very quiet. Full hookups for RVs including cable... Did I mention access to multiple areas for great trout fishing."
What campers like
Wildlife viewing: The forests around Davis are home to diverse wildlife. According to Tracy S. at Canaan Valley Resort State Park Campground, "The campground is absolutely beautiful. There are full hookups. Lots of trails and wildlife." Amanda H. adds, "There is a ton of wildlife in this state park! Deer galore! Someone saw a black bear on the trail (we did not)! Beautiful birds with tons of color!"
Stargazing opportunities: The remote location offers excellent night sky viewing. At Brooklyn Heights Riverfront Campground, Tiel M. notes the property is "clean and quiet other than the occasional diesel truck going down the road." Jean C. describes the area as having a "Dark sky and an open field for stargazing."
River access: Many cabin sites feature direct water access. "The property was clean and quiet... On the beach there are rafts, paddleboats, chairs, and across the river there is a ladder to climb up on the rocks," reports Tiel M. about Brooklyn Heights Riverfront Campground.
What you should know
Cabin diversity: Cabin options range from basic shelters to luxury accommodations. At Brooklyn Heights Riverfront Campground, you'll find "5 primitive shelter cabin sites (10x12 lofted barn cabins with hasp for your padlock)," according to Ashley F.
Weather preparation: Mountain weather can change rapidly regardless of season. Dave V. notes that at Canaan Valley, "We spent three days in June and experienced afternoon rain showers daily, but arranged our hikes and bikes around them." He adds, "It also still gets chilly in these mountains during the early summer months."
Reservation timing: Advance planning is essential, particularly for summer months. Canaan Valley Resort State Park Campground fills quickly, especially on weekends. Jean C. found limited availability, sharing: "When I made my reservations, I could only find a site for Friday night, so I went ahead and reserved it, but kept checking back. A few days prior to my arrival, a different site opened for the entire weekend."
Tips for camping with families
Playgrounds: Several campgrounds offer play areas for children. At Revelle's River Resort, family-friendly amenities are readily available. Chris S. mentions "Older playground, but good enough for kiddos. Mini golf course, rock wall, and civil war reenactments when we came."
Swimming options: Look for campgrounds with water recreation. Regina C. recommends Canaan Valley Resort State Park: "great price, full hook ups, paved roads, family bathroom. This state park offered a lot of nature adventures right in your backyard. Hiking, biking, playground, sight seeing... Our site was full hook up with a backyard and plenty of room to roam and play!"
Activity planning: Consider seasonal variations when scheduling family activities. At Stuart Recreation Area, Amanda B. notes: "This is a great campground with nice large sites. I can imagine if you go when the rhododendron are blooming it would be ever more beautiful. There's great swimming hole in the park you can pay 5 to enter and swim or fish."
Tips from RVers
Site dimensions: Check the size restrictions before booking cabin or RV sites. Jean C. cautions about Smoke Hole Caverns and Log Cabin/RV Resort: "There are a number of campgrounds in the Smoke Hole Canyon/Seneca Rocks area, but most of them are better suited to smaller rigs and tent campers. If you have a class A or are looking for something with full hookups, look no further."
Hookup availability: Verify what utilities are available at your site. Kevin C. was pleased with his experience at Revelle's River Resort: "My family and I liked this campground a lot. We had a camp site that was right against the river with full hookups. This seemed to be a well laid out campground with sites for weekenders in maybe the best location right along the river."
Cell service: Connectivity varies significantly throughout the region. Ron at Stuart Recreation Area reports, "As far as cell signals, we have either AT&T and Sprint/TMobile onboard. There is no Sprint connectivity but AT&T was a full 5G signal. AT&T Speedtest 42.3 Mbps down, 20.5 Mbps up." Jean C. mentions at Smoke Hole Caverns, there is "No cell phone coverage."
