Cabin accommodations near Ethel, West Virginia typically sit at elevations between 800-1200 feet within the Appalachian foothills. The region experiences four distinct seasons with moderate rainfall throughout the year, averaging 45 inches annually. Most cabin sites in this area maintain forested settings with creek access or mountain views, creating natural privacy barriers between accommodations.
What to do
Wildlife viewing: Chief Logan State Park maintains a wildlife center housing bears, bobcats and raptors for a $2.00 donation. "The caretaker helped me get some nice photos of the bears by putting some honey and peanut butter on the fence around their enclosure. You won't have to pay a dime to see deer. I spotted dozens of does, bucks and fawns during my stay," notes one visitor to Chief Logan State Park Campground.
Elk tours: Nearly 100 elk have been reintroduced around Chief Logan State Park. While sightings aren't guaranteed during casual visits, the park offers guided tours during fall mating season. One reviewer mentioned, "I didn't see any elk during my visit, but I plan a return trip in the fall when naturalist Lauren Cole offers tours during the mating season."
Outdoor theater: Regional history and culture come alive at Chief Logan's outdoor theater. Productions rotate seasonally, with historical plays and musical performances. "Actors had just wrapped a sold-out run of 'Deadly Divide' about the bloody history of the Hatfields and McCoys and were practicing for the 'Lion King, Jr.' Chief Logan also has an entertainment venue called 'Pickin' In The Park,' where you can hear some local bluegrass music on the weekends."
Hiking trails: Twin Falls Resort State Park Campground maintains multiple trail systems with varying difficulty levels. "They have an abundance of trails with varying difficultly levels. We were here for almost a week and had the time only to get in about half of them. The Cliffside Trail is an absolute must!" One camper notes the importance of selecting appropriate routes: "The road most map apps will send you to closes for part of the year. Even if you happen to come when it's open, trust me when I say take the longer route."
What campers like
Full-service cabins: Twin Falls Resort State Park offers cabins with complete amenities that make extended stays comfortable. "I stayed in a 2 bedroom cabin and it was super affordable at 120 per night and it comes with your own personal wifi and full kitchen. One of the best spots in WV and a must see!" This makes cabin camping near Ethel particularly attractive for those wanting wilderness setting without sacrificing comforts.
Flexible tent camping: Backwoods Camping & RV Park accommodates tent campers with relaxed site selection policies. "The staff are very easy to work with - they will sell and chop the wood you need, let you put your tent in any of the open grass areas around the lot and they are flexible on arrival." The campground maintains quiet hours that are consistently enforced, with one camper noting, "quiet nights (other than woodland animals)."
Historic structures: Cabwaylingo State Forest preserves historic CCC-era stonework throughout the property. "The stonework in this park is amazing, especially the superintendent's residence which was built by Italian stone masons. It's located across the street from the park headquarters, so be sure and check it out." The forest also maintains historic fire towers and other Depression-era structures.
Recreational facilities: Multiple parks offer comprehensive recreational facilities beyond standard camping amenities. At Twin Falls Resort State Park, visitors appreciate "very well documented and marked hiking trails... Great golf course, decent restaurant and resort rooms, outdoor and indoor pool, tennis/basketball courts, and so many more things."
What you should know
Limited supplies: Remote cabin locations require advance planning for food and supplies. According to one Cabwaylingo State Forest visitor, "There are no good gas stations or markets in the immediate vicinity so definitely plan accordingly!" The nearest substantial grocery stores are typically 30+ minutes from most cabin locations.
Road conditions: Access roads to many cabin sites involve challenging driving conditions. Regarding Twin Falls Resort State Park, one camper advises, "Make sure your truck/vehicle towing is not underrated for what you're pulling as it is a lot of big uphill elevation and tons of windy roads and tight turns."
Seasonal facility changes: Bathhouses at some locations close during off-seasons or due to maintenance issues. At Cabwaylingo, "The bathhouse here is permanently closed due to a dried up well, so the only facilities are the ancient pit toilets." Always confirm current facility status when booking.
Cell service variability: Mobile coverage is unpredictable throughout the region. A visitor to Ole Henry's Camping Retreat notes: "This campground is located out in God's country. Its very beautiful and is near several attractions." Some higher-elevation sites maintain better connectivity: "I was surprised that I had phone service high on the hill, thanks to an AT&T tower on a nearby ridge."
Tips for camping with families
Animal exhibits: Ole Henry's Camping Retreat offers child-friendly animal interactions on-site. "There is a pony that lives on the site and is very friendly. It scavenges for free food and the children love it. There is also a few cats or so that live on site and is very friendly to children."
Kid-friendly water features: Several campgrounds maintain swimming areas specifically designed for children. Ole Henry's provides "a creek nearby offers up a good, safe swimming hole for all the kids and adults." These natural swimming areas offer alternatives to traditional pools, especially during off-season periods when developed facilities might be closed.
Playground options: Multiple cabin camping destinations maintain playgrounds with diverse equipment. At Ole Henry's, "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."
Wildlife sightings: Deer are abundant throughout the region and typically acclimated to humans. A Chief Logan visitor reports, "I spotted dozens of does, bucks and fawns during my stay, so keep your eyes peeled because they don't seem terribly cautious around people or cars."
Tips from RVers
Leveling challenges: Many cabin and RV sites require substantial leveling. At Twin Falls Resort State Park, one visitor cautions: "The only campsite we could get was 21.. nothing else available. We stayed 3 days and 2 other campsites were empty the whole time.. 21 is not level." Always bring leveling blocks if visiting with an RV.
Creek flooding risk: Seasonal rains can affect lower-lying cabin and camping areas. At Cabwaylingo State Forest, "Be advised: heavy rains can cause the creek to partially flood the campground and the moderate rains we experienced turned some of the sites into a soggy mess." Request higher-ground sites when booking during rainy seasons.
Hookup arrangements: Cabins with full hookups are limited, so reserve well in advance. For RV sites at Twin Falls, "We had electric only hook ups. There was supposed to be community water at the campsite, but unfortunately it was turned off as we were there at the end of their camping season. There is a dump site available."
Off-season considerations: Services may be limited during shoulder seasons. One Twin Falls visitor in late season notes, "Bathrooms were dirty, I hoped better conditions with it being a resort as well." Always confirm which amenities remain operational when booking cabins outside peak season.
