Cabin camping options near Fayetteville, West Virginia range from basic forest accommodations to fully equipped lodges across the 70,000-acre New River Gorge National Park. The region sits at elevations between 1,400-2,500 feet, creating distinct seasonal camping experiences with temperature variations of up to 15°F between ridgetops and river valleys. Winter cabin rentals often require advance booking as fewer properties remain open during the November to March off-season.
What to do
Hiking from camp to swimming holes: At Babcock State Park Campground, trails connect directly to natural water features. "Mann's Creek Gorge Trail is a two-mile walk from the campground to Camp Washington Carver. About a quarter of a mile you come to the creek with a great swimming hole," notes a visitor.
Rock climbing access: Several cabin properties offer proximity to climbing areas. Little Beaver State Park Campground serves as a convenient base for New River Gorge climbing. "This place is fabulous. Sites with water and electric hookup 1-20. Spacious, private... Beautiful trails. Scenic lake," reports one camper.
Mountain biking trails: Cabin areas include access points to local trail systems. One camper at Babcock State Park Campground shared, "The campground is split by Old Clifftop Rd, with the majority of the campground south of the road... It has its own hiking/biking trails."
What campers like
Private cabin clusters: Adventures on the Gorge - Mill Creek offers secluded cabin groupings. "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," reports one winter visitor.
Multi-cabin bookings for groups: Ace Adventure Resort accommodates larger parties. "We took site 269 for the proximity to one of the little playgrounds and easy walk to bathrooms. We had a great time and it was easy to let our 3 year old play while we setup," mentions one family visitor.
Clean, modern bathroom facilities: Many cabin areas feature updated shower facilities. A visitor to The Outpost at New River Gourge stated, "The bathrooms were incredible, and the shower was so good that it was almost annoying (I'm jealous and want it at home now too)."
What you should know
Cabin size limitations: Most basic cabins accommodate 2-4 people comfortably. One visitor to Ace Adventure Resort noted, "The small cabins are very nice, with more room than it appears from the outside. The hot tub was a great addition for those cold nights after rafting."
Winter electricity reliability: Mountain weather can affect power. A visitor to Adventures on the Gorge mentioned, "Power had been knocked out the few days prior to our visit but luckily came back on soon after we checked in. They have a large community center w/ clean bathrooms, a large green area w/ fire pits."
Terrain challenges: Some cabin areas have significant elevation changes. "We stayed in the tent area. Site was good. Bathhouse was great and newly remodeled. Had a band and food trucks," notes a visitor to The Outpost who appreciated the upgraded facilities despite steep terrain.
Reservation requirements: Rays Campground uses a different system than most parks. "Just pull in, stop, pay the lady and pick a spot," explained one camper about their simpler process, adding their site was "large and secluded."
Tips for camping with families
Look for playgrounds near cabins: Some properties strategically place play areas. "The campground was quiet, family-friendly, and clean. A fairly new playground sits right next to the bathhouse. All the equipment was well-maintained and freshly mulched," notes a Babcock State Park visitor.
Cabin Wi-Fi access for teens: Limited connectivity is available at select properties. A camper at The Outpost shared, "The big kicker for me was the lodge/Wi-Fi situation. As someone camping in a Prius, it can get pretty tight at times, so having a nice big space with great internet to get some work done was a huge bonus."
Day pass options for water features: Some resorts offer pool access without overnight stays. "On the campground there is disc golf and then a lake for swimming that has the huge inflatable courses on it (think like the game show wipeout) you can buy a day pass for a reasonable price to play on them all day," reports an Ace Adventure Resort visitor.
Tips from RVers
Cabin alternatives during rain: Several properties offer cabin upgrades when weather turns. A visitor to Mountain Lake Campground commented, "With impending storms, we chose to rent a cabin midweek at Riftrafters Campground in Fayetteville rather than set up the tent in the rain."
Level site selection: RV sites near cabins vary in grade. "Most sites looked like it may take some work to get level. We were in site 20 with a 23 ft TT and got level fairly easily but a longer rig may have difficulty in that site," warns a Little Beaver camper.
Off-season accessibility: Winter access varies by property. "We stayed for 2 nights as part of a big cross country trip. The campground is clean and well maintained. It is very much built into a big hill," notes a visitor describing winter accommodations at a Fayetteville cabin property.
