Cabin camping around Duck, West Virginia offers rustic to modern accommodations across varying elevations of 1,500 to 2,450 feet throughout Webster and nearby counties. The Appalachian terrain features dense forest cover with numerous streams and waterways, creating natural borders between many camping areas. Winter temperatures can drop below freezing from November through early April, so seasonal availability varies significantly by location.
What to do
Waterfall exploration: 4 miles from Holly River State Park, visitors can access multiple cascades. "The Upper Falls are reached by walking a newer wooden boardwalk and stairway. Masterfully done (much like Blackwater Falls)...but they are super slick...so be careful," notes Dave V. at Holly River State Park Campground.
Lake activities: 19-acre Boley Lake offers fishing and paddling options. "Boley Lake, a short drive up the mountain is picturesque and well-stocked with fish. You can paddle the lake with personal paddle craft or rent paddleboats, canoes or rowboats from the Boley Lake Marina," according to a review at Babcock State Park Campground.
Trail hiking: Potato Knob Trail provides challenging terrain for experienced hikers. "The Potato Knob trail is awesome...plan it for a day...bring a full hydration pack and trekking poles...it is strenuous but rewarding," explains a Holly River visitor. For less strenuous options, several campgrounds maintain shorter, family-friendly paths with minimal elevation gain.
What campers like
Natural water features: Rivers and streams add ambiance to many cabin sites. "The Holly River runs clear through the Park, right beside a good many of the sites and hanging a hammock and listening to the water, can't be beat!" shares Suzy J. at Camp Holly.
Playground access: Multiple campgrounds maintain play areas for younger visitors. "Our camp site was right next to one of the playgrounds and that was definitely a plus! Our little boy could play while we watched from our site," explains Katie J. at Mountain Lake Campground and Cabins.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: "We enjoyed the beautiful drive in with the fall colors and the little stream next to the road that goes through the campground... There was a lot of wildlife to enjoy as you go through the park: deer, Turkey," shares Cassia M. about her Holly River State Park experience. Bring binoculars for early morning animal spotting.
What you should know
Cell service limitations: Coverage varies significantly between locations. "There was no phone signal at all for Verizon service, so a nice place to disconnect," mentions a Holly River camper. Prepare offline maps or directions if relying on GPS.
Seasonal closures: Many facilities operate on limited schedules. "Holly River State Park cabins operate from April through November," with different facilities maintaining varying seasonal calendars.
Water quality concerns: Some areas require filtration. "Make sure you run the water lines to clear them out before hooking up. The water quality is very poor," warns Laura H. at Flatwoods KOA. Consider bringing bottled water for drinking.
Bathroom maintenance schedules: "Bathrooms also are cleaned only once per day per a post telling the cleaning times," notes Tamara W., so timing your showers accordingly can improve your experience.
Tips for camping with families
Multiple playground options: Larger campgrounds feature multiple play areas. "This campground has a massive system of varied campsites... the property has so many amenities (shower houses, laundromats, pools, ice cream store, and playgrounds)," explains Christopher S. at Rays Campground.
Kid-friendly water activities: Shallow areas for children exist at several locations. "The lake swimming was fun (something I am not used to since I am from Florida). Lots of deer, we even saw a mother with 2 fawn!" shares a Mountain Lake visitor.
Weather preparation: Temperature fluctuations require planning. "The heater was appreciated during a cold, damp October stay," notes a cabin guest, highlighting the importance of packing layers even during warmer seasons.
Educational opportunities: "In speaking with the park ranger, she has worked there 18 years and never visited the lower falls...I found that remarkable," shares a visitor, suggesting families ask staff about lesser-known features for unique experiences.
Tips from RVers
Access road challenges: Some locations have difficult approaches. "The road to 4 was horrendous to be pulling a camper. Had to use 4Low to creep out. It should be paved, no exceptions for that hill," warns Fred R. about Mountain Lake Campground. Plan routes carefully, especially with larger rigs.
Power considerations: "A/C power was an issue. 1 camper had 30 amp breaker blow 2 days in a row and my 50 amp ran A.C. units fan but didn't cool all day," notes a Mountain Lake visitor. Bring surge protectors and consider alternative cooling methods during peak summer.
Site selection for privacy: "We chose what we thought was a flat site along the Left Fork River. No sooner did we loosely set up camp, a monsoon beset us...giving new meaning to 'a river runs through it,'" cautions a Holly River camper. Research site drainage patterns before selecting locations during rainy seasons.
Leveling requirements: "Our site was flat but pretty unlevel," notes a Flatwoods KOA visitor. Pack additional leveling blocks, especially for larger RVs or travel trailers.