Best Glamping near Marlinton, WV

Seneca State Forest and Watoga State Park offer distinctive glamping experiences in the Monongahela National Forest region. The Thorny Mountain Fire Tower in Seneca State Forest stands 65 feet above the forest floor, providing 360-degree mountain views through 11 windows. This unique accommodation includes spring cots with mattresses, folding wooden chairs, and a picnic area with fire pit at the base. One guest shared, "The 360 degree views are breathtaking. One night we had two different storm systems blow through the mountains and the lightning show was amazing to watch." Elk River Hotel and Café features four safari-style glamping tents along the riverbank, each equipped with king or queen beds with linens, private bathrooms, small refrigerators, and coffee makers. These climate-controlled canvas accommodations provide comfort while maintaining connection to the natural surroundings.

Mountain Lake Campground and Cabins houses luxury yurts among its diverse accommodation options, operating from April through October. The property features multiple amenities including swimming pools, an ice cream store, clean shower facilities, and laundry services. Visitors can enjoy water activities on Summersville Lake, known for its clear waters and scenic shoreline. According to a camper, "The lake is amazing, clear and has so many visual gems that I highly suggest a visit." Nearby attractions include the New River Gorge National Park, offering world-class whitewater rafting, rock climbing, and hiking trails. Watoga State Park provides access to numerous hiking paths and fishing opportunities at its lake, where visitors can rent boats during the warmer months. Reservations for the Thorny Mountain Fire Tower should be made well in advance due to its popularity, with rates around $75 per night for this distinctive glamping experience.

Best Glamping Sites Near Marlinton, West Virginia (19)

    1. Riverside Campground — Watoga State Park

    10 Reviews
    Hillsboro, WV
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (304) 799-4087

    $23 - $50 / night

    "A friend and I stayed here 3 nights while visiting Marlinton for the annual Roadkill Cook-off."

    "Each of them have a picnic table and a fire pit. Electric is available but no water spigots on each site. The bathhouse was old and mostly clean. Attached to it, is an awesome dishwasher station."

    2. Bolar Mountain Recreation Area

    24 Reviews
    Hot Springs, VA
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (540) 279-4144

    $16 - $85 / night

    "Our spot was right there on the water, there are bathrooms at the top of the hill. Campsites are drive up and can fit 2 vehicles. The spot also has a fire ring and picnic tables."

    "I stayed on campground 1 on a lake side site with access to the lake, the views from my tent were breathtaking! The campground is clean, it has shower and flushable toilets."

    3. Seneca State Forest

    12 Reviews
    Dunmore, WV
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (304) 799-6213

    "To get to the fire tower you will want to take the Loop Road, it is gravel and there are pot holes on the edges of the road so you will want to be careful of those."

    "There is no cell service within 30 miles, so for an outsider who doesn't know the area, it was difficult to find the campsite. You also better bring everything you need beforehand."

    4. Beaver Creek Campground — Watoga State Park

    4 Reviews
    Buckeye, WV
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (304) 799-4087

    $23 - $26 / night

    "Campsite 2 is across the path from the check in point and you are quite on display but on the other hand you have WiFi signal and are close to water and perfect distance from the campground."

    "Clear skies and a decent bathhouse."

    5. Williams River Sites

    1 Review
    Marlinton, WV
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (304) 636-1800

    "I love these sites and I am just putting this out there I am against camping in an RV or “glamping” I prefer a good ole tent and fire and not having electricity so if you also prefer these you’ll like"

    6. Snowshoe Valley Camping

    2 Reviews
    Snowshoe, WV
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (530) 433-9751

    $20 - $85 / night

    "Snowshoe Valley camping is close to Snowshoe resort, and also surrounded by protected forests, perfect for getting some hiking in!  Check them out and make sure to share some pictures of your stay!"

    7. Douthat State Park Campground

    27 Reviews
    Clifton Forge, VA
    28 miles
    Website
    +1 (540) 862-8100

    $20 - $40 / night

    "We use a teardrop camper so we appreciated the water and electric hookup (although we disconnected the water at night to prevent freezing)."

    "It’s a nice scenic drive getting to the park on a quiet and well maintained back road.

    The rangers at the park are very knowledgeable and kind and have no problem answering questions."

    8. Morris Hill Campground

    10 Reviews
    Hot Springs, VA
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (540) 279-4144

    $18 - $65 / night

    "This is a great camp located near lake Moomaw! Right off the road with easy access to the sites. First come first serve but this particular camp has a lot of sites!"

    "The campground has 3 shower/bathroom location within the campground loops.

    1.)"

    9. Natural Bridge-Lexington KOA

    31 Reviews
    Natural Bridge, VA
    50 miles
    Website
    +1 (540) 291-2770

    $35 / night

    "We had a gravel pull through spot with a picnic table on a wooden deck, fire pit, and full hook up. There is a pool and a playground, however they were both closed due to Covid."

    "This campground is open year round and is right off the highway.  There is a gas station right next to it as well as a safari park. "

    10. Mountain Lake Campground and Cabins

    18 Reviews
    Summersville Lake, WV
    42 miles
    Website

    "Mountain Lake Campground is a massive system of varied campsites (hammock sites to large full-hookups). This was our first trip here and since arriving we’ve been impressed."

    "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."

Show More
Showing results 1-10 of 19 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win


Glamping Reviews near Marlinton, WV

210 Reviews of 19 Marlinton Campgrounds


  • Sarah C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 29, 2023

    Babcock State Park Campground

    Lovely State Park

    We picked this state park for a week long stay while we were in the area exploring the New River Gorge National Park. Since we were traveling in the summer and brought our dogs along, we needed a spot where we could leave our doggos in a safe and air conditioned space while we explored. We stayed in cabin 14 which is one of two Vacation Cabins. It had four bedrooms and two full baths along with a nice living/dining area and kitchen. There was also a lovely covered front porch as well as a simple charcoal standup campground grill and picnic table in the yard. The cabin was incredibly clean and well maintained. 

    The grounds are also quite large and lovely. The staff are also friendly and attentive. We enjoyed several of the hiking trails and other features like the historic Grist Mill. There were many other amenities that we did not utilize but were well kept. There was a playground, group picnic area, tennis courts and a-plethora of other lodging options. From tent sites to RV hookups and other types of cabins varying in luxury. The campground also has a coin operated laundry facility that we used during our stay. 

    For some reason I totally forgot to take pictures of the actual cabin! OOPS!

  • Lee D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 8, 2024

    Elk River Hotel and Caf__

    Elevate your "camping" experience!

    As part of the Elk River Hotel and Café, there are four glamping tents located on the Elk River. We have the Dyrt to thank for finding these as I’m quite certain I would not have found them otherwise! We tend to take months-long road trips and every once in a while, we like to find unique accommodations, and this fit the bill. Possible future expansion plans include Vermont and Florida but for now, this is the only location for GlampOut Resorts (not to be confused with Glamp Out Resort– singular). 

    Each glamping tent has a sink/small fridge, and coffee maker, a fully plumbed bathroom, and a king or queen-sized bed with linens. Bath towels are provided but no toiletries so make sure you bring them. The tents were spacious and clean, and the heater was appreciated during a cold, damp October stay. There is a sink and dorm-sized fridge but no microwave or way to cook a meal. Breakfast is optional, reasonably priced at $10 per person, and is served in the café at 8:30 am. The café is open for dinner Tuesday– Saturday from 4 pm– 9 pm and the food was good. I only saw one other breakfast/lunch eatery in town and no grocery store so plan accordingly, especially if you plan to be there on a Sunday or Monday! 

    About a half mile from the glamping tents is access to the Jeremiah Carpenter Trailhead but use caution. There was a barrier at the entrance, but a local police officer told me I should just walk around it. I hiked about a half mile up the steep hill; when the trail turned to the right, it was overgrown and narrow and since I was by myself, I just turned around and came back down the way I came. I later learned there had been bear sightings on this trail! Nearby is the Flatwoods Monster Chair Trail. I wasn’t sure if there was a put-in area for kayaks or canoes and no one I asked seemed to know. In June, there is a Big Foot festival and a seasonal farmers market. 

    When we were there, there was not much to do except relax. There is not much in the sleepy town of Sutton, however, it was a quiet respite for us during the last two weeks of our two-month trip. It is, however, a bit of a splurge at approximately $200 per night.

  • Dave V.
    Sep. 1, 2017

    Babcock State Park Campground

    Drop Dead Gorgeous!

    Babcock State Park, located in the thriving megapolis of Clifton, West Virginia is postcard perfect! https://wvstateparks.com/park/babcock-state-park/

    The road in off the highway isn't too long, but it seemed long, winding, and up and down...especially as night fell. Driving backcountry roads in West Virginia, at night, is not my idea of fun, as I had several near misses with Bambi and her roving gang of miscreants...having no regard for traffic laws...and one knock down, drag out with minimal vehicle damage.

    One of the beauties of West Virginia...it is a sparsely populated state with open, unchoked roads that lead to some of the most amazing sights. You must be willing to explore, but you will be richly rewarded.

    In the dark, I did pass the campground signs without seeing them and turned into the State Park entrance...wound around past rental cabins to the park office, so I had to backtrack to the campground, which is located in a different area altogether. Driven during daylight hours, the signs are very apparent...so I'm blaming it on the deer.

    We arrived midweek, the first of May, so we did not reserve a site. The campground has 52 sites, so I thought we would have a good shot as a walk-in. No worries...we shared the campground with two other campers. Our campsite (site 32) was on the inner loop of the main campground loop at sits around 2450 ft elevation. The temperature got down to 30 degrees and frost covered everything. Twenty eight sites have electric hook-ups ($28) and twenty four do not ($25). The inner loop has some mature trees but is wide open and close cut grass...every camper has a view of the other. Even the outside sites on the main loop are visible. The smaller loop to the right as you enter and a few sites to the left sit in slightly more wooded sites...but there is no foliage separating sites. There is also sites on the opposite side of the roadway when you enter the campground, but seem more like overflow sites...and a fair distance to trek for the showerhouse/restroom/laundry which is situated on the bottom of the main loop.

    There is plenty of gravel parking pad for large RV/Campers at all the sites and are angled for trailer back-in. Tent pads are not define and grassy (or a muddy mix depending on weather and usage). Each site has a picnic table and fire ring.

    The showerhouse/restroom is located at the front of the loop and was spotless and maintained at the time of our stay...but not climate controlled...as in, not heated. The ladies that keep the park facilities clean worked tirelessly. A very nice activity area for kids sat along the inner portion o the main loop.

    The main entrance to the park offers several cabin rental, from economy to 4 bedroom, the park office/visitor's center/gift shop sit along the river. The park office staff were very helpful, friendly and wear many hats...like most state parks.

    This building and surrounding stone structures, retaining walls, and staircases were built by the CCC and are magnificent and in great shape. The beautiful gift shop was once a former park restaurant of a bygone era.

    Ranger Cochrane was a wealth of information about the park, it's history and neighboring parks. He graciously spent time answering my barrage of questions. Ranger Cochrane was yet another tribute to the fine personnel that WV parks have in place.

    The park office is also the best location for postcard perfect pictures of the raging whitewater and gristmill. While not the original gristmill from this location, three remaining gristmills from around the state were dismantled and rebuilt into one at the present location over 30 years ago. The gristmill was very photogenic in the early Spring, but I can only imagine the splendor when the fall leaves change color.

    Whitewater kayakers were readying to put in on the rain swollen and boulder strewn river that feeds into the New River below.

    Boley Lake, a short drive up the mountain is picturesque and well-stoked with fish. You can paddle the 19 acre lake with personal paddle craft or rent paddleboats, canoes or rowboats from the Boley Lake Marina. Fishing is permitted, but you must have proper licensing...which can be purchased online.

    Trails are everywhere and of every terrain and level of difficulty...over 20 miles of trails total. Babcock State Park is 4,127 acres, so there is plenty to see and do. Bicycling can be done on all park paved and gravel roads (no off-road trails), as well as along the Narrow Gauge Trail. And of course, being not too far from The New River and Gauley River...whitewater rafting is close.

  • S
    Sep. 17, 2020

    Natural Bridge-Lexington KOA

    It’s ok

    Clean and right beside the safari park in Natural Bridge, cave mountain is few extra miles but is nicer in my opinion if you want nature and peace. This place does have hookups and sites are on top of one another not spaced out. It does have WiFi available and your phone will work here. Has a gas station right in front of it’s entrance and is directly off interstate

  • Brian F.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jan. 2, 2020

    Riverside Campground — Watoga State Park

    Nice campground

    A friend and I stayed here 3 nights while visiting Marlinton for the annual Roadkill Cook-off. Facilities are decent however Wi-Fi is extremely weak if you are more than a couple hundred feet from the restrooms. Because this entire area of WV is in the National Radio Quiet Zone, there is zero cellular service with 1-2 hours drive in any direction. If you can't get the weak WiFi service, you won't be using any data services. (Not necessarily a bad thing, but don't expect to notify family that you have arrived or are ok. Also, make sure any electronic devices you will be using for navigation have offline maps loaded before visiting.) One huge gripe is that technically you are limited to 1 sleeping unit per site, even if you only have 2 or 3 people sleeping in individual 1-person tents or a hammock. This either is not listed in the reservations information or is buried in the small print. The person checking us in told us about this, but allowed the 2 of us to camp in the same site. Being strictly a motorcycle camping person, neither I nor any traveling companions would be packing s large tent that could house all of us. The same thing could be said of 2 or 3 backpackers traveling together. For the nearly $30/night charge, this would become FAR too expensive and I'm not likely to stay here again simply because of the fear that the campground's silly rule might be enforced the next time.

  • Mike C.
    Sep. 24, 2020

    Morris Hill Campground

    Tucked Away

    Site 034 Loop Morr Dates of Stay: August 30-Sept 1 Average Daily Temp: 78 Average Nighlty Tem: 64 Pet friendly spot with access to firewood on site for small fee. Tent pad, fire pit, one picnic table, and lamp post on site. Close access to Lake area with a 100 yard walk through pathway off the site. Great shade for those hot sunny days. Plenty of room on the site for tents and vehicle parking. Neighboring sites offer fair amount of privacy. Site had some trash scattered around by previous visitors. Needed to do some checking for broken flashlight pieces and glass before I allowed my dog free roam.

  • Hannah V.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 30, 2017

    Seneca State Forest

    65ft Up in the Sky

    We booked the Thorny Mountain Fire Tower two months in advance, it is pretty popular, so if you want to stay there you will have to book it in advance. It is $75 a night, which is pricey, but is well worth it.

    To get to the fire tower you will want to take the Loop Road, it is gravel and there are pot holes on the edges of the road so you will want to be careful of those. The fire tower is secluded, so you will not have to worry about neighbors or noise while staying there. At the base of the tower there is a fire pit, picnic table, and a pit toilet. The toilet is part of a small shed that has already split wood on the other side for you to use. But no electrical hookups at the base or in the tower. They do have a shower house behind the rangers station, it is very nice and clean. The website says the tower can house up to four people, however, there are only two cots, so you will want to bring sleeping mats if you plan on having more than two people. The 360 degree views are breathtaking. One night we had two different storm systems blow through the mountains and the lightning show was amazing to watch. You will definitely want to watch a sunrise as well, absolutely stunning.

    Seneca State Forest is one of the oldest forest in West Virginia, it has a small pond/lake you can fish at and even take small boats onto. They have plenty of hiking trails, which also allow mountain biking on most. They have cabins on the lake for rent as well and have plenty of tent camping spots.

  • Hannah V.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 1, 2018

    Spruce Knob and Spruce Knob Observation Tower

    Perfect in All Seasons

    Spruce Knob is the highest point in West Virginia and offers great views. You can drive all the way up to the summit and hike around the small loop trail that leads to the observation tower and then to a small wooden look-out on the far side of the loop. The trail is only a ½ mile and well worth the drive. There is a picnic shelter that has picnic tables, no running water, but there is a pit toilet.

    We camped off the Huckleberry Trail, which has lots of camping spots off the trail. The forest is silent and beautiful, looks like it belongs out west in the PNW. The moss-covered ground and rocks make it the perfect oasis for a weekend trip. You can even backpack the trail as it leads down the mountain. This is a must see any time of the year!

  • Carissa V.
    Jul. 30, 2020

    Mountain Lake Campground and Cabins

    Wonderful lake, bad smells

    We love summersville lake after stopping randomly on a trip down south last year. We stayed in an upper lot during the week for a night and liked it better. This year we booked a week with friends and stayed on lot four. The lake is amazing, clear and has so many visual gems that I highly suggest a visit. While I will list some negatives here , I will say we plan to go back for the lake. The campground is around 50 a night depending on some spots and we watched many RVstrailers come and go. For the business the campground is doing I would expect better bath houses. They were ok but state parks in west Virginia have had better. Gross as in they didn't look cleaned regularly, the shower heads were terrible, never looked cleaned, rusty. My stall had a used tampon in it one night. I prefer my camper shower but here is the other issue, 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. Let's talk garbage. We stayed up near the bathhouse and playground bc we have little ones. The garage trailer sat for more than 6 days just baking in the sun. By our 5th day we could barely stand to stay outside around our campfire the odor was so bad. As campers we are used to our fair share of smells but garbage dump isn't what we are looking for....be careful where you pick to set up.


Guide to Marlinton

Dispersed camping in the Monongahela National Forest offers primitive sites for self-sufficient campers near Marlinton, West Virginia. Located in Pocahontas County at elevations ranging from 2,000 to 4,000 feet, the region experiences mild summers with nighttime temperatures that can drop into the 50s even in July. Most dispersed sites don't have water, toilets, or trash collection, requiring visitors to pack out all waste.

What to do

Water activities at Lake Moomaw: Located near Bolar Mountain Recreation Area, the lake offers swimming, fishing, and boating opportunities. "We rented kayaks at the marina/camp store down the road and explored a little cove that was really cool. We blocked out 4 hours, but only lasted 2 hours before we got tired and returned the kayaks," reports one camper.

Mountain biking trails: The area features extensive trail systems for cyclists of all skill levels. "I decided to stay here because it is close to Greenbrier River Trail and I wanted to bike that trail. The biking is tremendous," explains a visitor at Beaver Creek Campground.

Wildlife viewing: Dawn and dusk offer prime opportunities to spot local wildlife. "Encountered 19 deer, 1 bear, and several other small creatures," notes a camper at Seneca State Forest.

Primitive camping along rivers: Find secluded spots away from developed campgrounds. "I love these sites and I am just putting this out there I am against camping in an RV or 'glamping' I prefer a good ole tent and fire and not having electricity," shares a visitor to Williams River Sites.

What campers like

Swimming access: Many campsites offer direct water access for cooling off. "The Greenbrier River was right at the back of our site. People were floating and fishing and paddling," notes a camper at Riverside Campground.

Night sky viewing: The minimal light pollution creates exceptional stargazing conditions. "We asked to stay on the north side of the property and it's right beside the marsh. It's amazing for bird watching and sleeping to the sounds amid nature," shares a guest at Snowshoe Valley Camping.

Campsite privacy: Several campgrounds feature well-spaced sites. "This campground is one of the best when it comes to size of site, privacy, and remote feel," explains a visitor to Seneca State Forest.

Proximity to rail trails: The Greenbrier River Trail provides 78 miles of recreational opportunities. "The Greenbrier River Trail, an 80 mile long rail trail is just across the river, accessible two mile from the park, we rode our bikes to the trail," reports a camper.

What you should know

Limited cell service: The region has minimal connectivity. "It's in a valley, so there's no cell service. The wash houses have wi-fi, but it's not great and you have to be either in the building or sitting at the bench outside to use it," explains a visitor to Riverside Campground.

Water availability: Most sites require bringing or accessing water elsewhere. "No water spigots on each site. The bathhouse was old and mostly clean. Attached to it, is an awesome dishwasher station," notes a camper at Riverside Campground.

Weather variability: Mountain weather can change rapidly. "Cool foggy mornings and nice dark nights out here," shares a visitor to Morris Hill Campground.

National Radio Quiet Zone: This designation affects electronic devices. "Because this entire area of WV is in the National Radio Quiet Zone, there is zero cellular service with 1-2 hours drive in any direction. If you can't get the weak WiFi service, you won't be using any data services... make sure any electronic devices you will be using for navigation have offline maps loaded before visiting," advises a camper.

Tips for camping with families

Playground proximity: Choose sites near play areas for convenience. "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," recommends a visitor to Mountain Lake Campground and Cabins.

Swimming options: Look for campgrounds with beach areas for children. "The lake swimming was fun. 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," shares a family camper.

Seasonal activities: Some campgrounds offer special events for children. "During October, they do really fun Halloween stuff for the kids, too!" notes a regular visitor to Mountain Lake Campground.

Insect preparation: Pack appropriate protection for summertime camping. "My only advise would be to bring bug spray- especially in the summer. Those black flies were relentless!" warns a camper at Douthat State Park.

Tips from RVers

Limited hookup availability: Most sites offer basic amenities only. "Sites weren't too close together, and they were clean and well kept. Staff was also quite friendly and available," reports an RVer at Riverside Campground.

Dump station access: Plan your stay around waste management needs. "$52/night with tax. 110/30 amp electric at site. No sewer, no water at site. Water available, sewer dump station available," notes an RV camper.

Road conditions: Some access roads require caution. "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 a visitor to Mountain Lake Campground.

RV site selection: Choose sites based on your specific needs. "Call ahead about RV lengths to make sure you are booking the correct site for your size. I noticed more than a few people struggling with their units and some of this could have been avoided with proper booking," advises a camper at Natural Bridge-Lexington KOA.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Marlinton, WV?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Marlinton, WV is Riverside Campground — Watoga State Park with a 4.7-star rating from 10 reviews.

What is the best site to find glamping camping near Marlinton, WV?

TheDyrt.com has all 19 glamping camping locations near Marlinton, WV, with real photos and reviews from campers.