Summersville Lake provides a backdrop for glamping near Dunbar, West Virginia, with the New River Gorge National Park located approximately 60 miles southeast of the city. The region experiences four distinct seasons with summer temperatures typically reaching the mid-80s while winter lows can drop to the 20s. Water-based recreation opportunities expand during late spring through early fall when water levels in the rivers and lakes are most favorable for kayaking and swimming.
What to do
Whitewater adventures: 30-minute drive from most camping areas to New River access points for various skill levels. "The park has so much to do with fishing and hiking trails, mountain biking trails, and organized adventure excursions while returning to comfortable glamping accommodations each evening," notes a visitor at Ace Adventure Resort.
Disc golf courses: Free play at several locations including Forked Run State Park. "There is a frisbee golf course. Overall, this part of the park is beautiful," says a Forked Run camper who appreciated the varied recreational options beyond water activities.
Historic exploration: Self-guided tours of the gristmill at Babcock State Park offer glimpses into the region's past. "The gristmill was very photogenic in the early Spring, but I can only imagine the splendor when the fall leaves change color," one visitor remarked about this popular photography spot.
Military history: Walking tour of Army Camp's former training grounds where soldiers learned river-crossing techniques. "Military history buffs will appreciate the remains of an Army training encampment along the gravel road driving in. Known for equipping soldiers to build floating bridges across rivers to move troops and heavy artillery," explains a camper from Army Camp.
What campers like
Privacy options: Secluded sites available at select campgrounds despite the popularity of the area. "Up front is a regular campground but we are in the back, secluded and peaceful. Site 34. There are about 8 nice sites out back with water and electricity," shared a visitor at Rifrafters Campground.
Swimming opportunities: Natural swimming holes throughout the region offer alternatives to crowded beaches. "About a quarter of a mile you come to the creek with a great swimming hole. We didn't make it past the swimming hole but I'm looking forward to finishing the trail in the future," mentioned a Babcock State Park camper describing Mann's Creek Gorge Trail.
Luxury camping options: Heated units available during colder months at several glamping sites. "We stayed in one of the cabins for Christmas. We were one of a handful of visitors staying at that time of year. The staff were accommodating of our late-night arrival. The cabins are heated, which kept us plenty warm in the middle of winter," reported a guest at Adventures on the Gorge.
Wildlife viewing: Deer sightings common throughout the camping areas, especially at dusk and dawn. "Lots of deer, we even saw a mother with 2 fawn! They had a mini golf course, a small pool, a jumping pad, and an ice cream shop in the general store," a family noted about their stay at Mountain Lake Campground.
What you should know
Site limitations: Level spots can be scarce at certain campgrounds. "Some of the RV sites looked pretty close with little privacy (but we're tent campers so my opinion doesn't really count). All that being said, there's a back section of the campground that looked very new and sites had more space and scenery," observed a visitor at Rifrafters.
Highway noise: Traffic sounds can affect sleep quality at locations near Interstate 64. "The only downside was that it was close to the interstate and you could hear the traffic all night. Otherwise, it was a great camping experience!" noted a camper at Huntington/Fox Fire KOA.
Weather considerations: Flash flooding possible in river areas after heavy rain. "At this visit, after a night of rainfall, the New River has swollen beyond its boundaries by 50 feet or more on either shoreline," warned a camper at Army Camp, highlighting the need to monitor weather conditions.
Reservation requirements: Peak season booking essential from June through October. "Advance reservations are strongly recommended for all glamping accommodations, especially during summer weekends and fall foliage season when the region's natural beauty attracts the most visitors," advise local camping experts.
Tips for camping with families
Playground accessibility: Request sites near play areas for convenient supervision. "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," recommended a family who stayed at Mountain Lake Campground.
Kid-friendly attractions: Water features specifically designed for younger visitors. "The playground are has a nice swing set and a couple big wooden play structures. There is plain 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," described a visitor to Ole Henry's Camping Retreat.
Seasonal activities: Halloween events offered at select campgrounds in October. "During October, they do really fun Halloween stuff for the kids, too!" shared a repeat visitor to Mountain Lake Campground, making it an appealing option for families with children during the fall season.
Trail difficulty ratings: Check elevation changes before attempting hikes with young children. "Island-In-the-Sky is a great climb through a tunnel of rhododendron that eventually winds up and around a rock shelf. To get to the top you have to climb up a couple ladders and over rocks," noted a Babcock State Park visitor, describing terrain that might challenge some younger hikers.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Request specific sites based on your RV size and hookup needs. "Some of the back in sites are REALLY short so we changed our originally reserved spot once we got there," advised an RV camper at Forked Run State Park, highlighting the importance of confirming site dimensions.
Electrical considerations: Power limitations can affect comfort during peak temperature periods. "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," reported an RV camper at Mountain Lake during a July stay.
Access challenges: Road conditions may require careful navigation for larger rigs. "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," warned another Mountain Lake camper about specific access routes within the campground.
Utility availability: Limited hookups at many glamping sites near Dunbar require advance planning. "No sewer hook up in the rv/trailer sides just water and electric. I felt as though if you stayed for more than a week they should offer a free one time honey wagon service," suggested a camper who stayed at Mountain Lake for an extended period.
