Cabin accommodations near Dunbar, West Virginia range from rustic structures to full-service units across multiple campgrounds. The area sits within the Appalachian region with elevations between 600-1000 feet, creating distinct seasonal camping conditions. Fall brings temperatures between 40-70°F while summer months average 70-85°F with frequent afternoon thunderstorms.
What to do
Swimming and wading areas: At Beech Fork State Park, visitors find natural water spots beyond the pool. "There is a creek that runs along the nature trail, which is a super shot walk, that was perfect for walking through or wading in the water. Although the further you get up steam from the lake the cleaner it gets, and bring water shoes there was a decent amount of glass," notes one camper at Moxley Branch Campground.
Fishing opportunities: Many cabin camping locations offer fishing access. At Rippling Waters Church of God Campgrounds, one visitor shared, "My husband enjoyed the catch and release lake for some catfishing." The campground maintains stocked fishing areas with specific regulations posted at the camp office.
Wildlife observation: Cabin stays provide chances to see local animals. A camper at Beech Fork State Park noted, "Saw many deer through out our stay, even some beaters. Bathhouse is nice and laundry one spot. Oh and it was butterfly maiting season." Many cabins include porches that serve as wildlife viewing platforms.
What campers like
Spacious camping areas: Some campgrounds offer extra room between sites. At Rippling Waters, one camper described, "Our site is the longest I've ever seen, it's basically a long driveway that leads back out to the road, that's pretty awesome." Another visitor mentioned their pull-through site was "about 100 yards long and nicely graveled."
Recreational amenities: Kid-friendly features get high marks from visitors. A camper at Ole Henry's Camping retreat detailed the amenities: "The playground are has a nice swing set and a couple big wooden play structures. There is blain drain pipe slides coming off one of the hillsides that is a kid favorite. They also have a little 55 gallon barrel train ride for little kids."
Water activities: Lakes and ponds provide recreation options. At Huntington/Fox Fire KOA, one visitor appreciated "their swimming lake is pretty fun and provided hours of entertainment for the youngins in our group. Super cool programs too! Can't complain about a movie out by the lake. Ooh and make sure you rent a banana bike! Super fun."
What you should know
Bathroom conditions: Facilities vary widely between campgrounds. At Babcock State Park Campground, a visitor noted, "The bathhouse was fairly clean but well-used and includes flush toilets, showers, and hot water." Some campgrounds have unusual bathroom setups, as one visitor to Rippling Waters pointed out: "There are three small bathrooms around the grounds, that are single use rooms (sink, toilet and shower) one for women and one for men. If someone was using shower, no one else could use bathroom."
Site selection: Not all cabin sites are created equal. One camper at Babcock State Park advised, "Like all campgrounds, some sites are better than others. We tent camp and for us, site 19, was one of the better sites. I would not camp on this site with a RV of any type but for tent campers its heaven."
Water quality concerns: Some campgrounds have water issues worth noting. A visitor to Rippling Waters mentioned, "Water also had a strong odor of chlorine. After showers I felt like I was just getting out of a pool. So keep that in mind, might want a filter besides the typical blue filters (which I had on)."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: When booking cabins with kids, consider proximity to play areas. A camper at Babcock State Park Campground shared, "A fairly new playground sits right next to the bathhouse. All the equipment was well-maintained and freshly mulched. Our site was close enough to the playground that we let our seven-year-old go by herself, since we could still hear her."
Swimming options for children: Look for cabins near safe swimming spots. At Ole Henry's Camping retreat, "The creek nearby offers up a good, safe swimming hole for all the kids and adults." These natural swimming areas often have more appeal for kids than formal pools.
Trail difficulty levels: Some trails work better for families than others. At Rifrafters Campground, campers appreciate the location: "We chose this campground because it's proximity to the main hub of New River Gorge. It was definitely quick and easy to get to from the main headquarters of the park." Families should check with camp offices for trail ratings suitable for younger hikers.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling requirements: RV cabin campers should check site conditions. One visitor to Huntington/Fox Fire KOA noted their site was "Gravel pad" and had "Sites close together," factors that affect RV setup and stabilization.
Hook-up configurations: Electrical service varies between campgrounds. A camper at Rippling Waters mentioned, "The site was fairly level, had to use a few blocks on the driver side. The water is pretty strong so you may want to use a regulator." Most cabins with RV sites offer 30-amp service while fewer provide 50-amp connections.
Road conditions: Some campgrounds have challenging access roads. A visitor to Babcock State Park warned, "The last couple miles of road getting here are rough…if you have an SUV you should be fine but i have a sportier suspension and it was not fun. Also, if you are pulling a trailer, some turns are tight so be prepared."
