Camping cabins near St. Marys, West Virginia sit within the rolling Appalachian foothills, typically at elevations between 600-1,200 feet. The region experiences four distinct seasons with summer daytime temperatures averaging 80-85°F and winters bringing occasional snowfall. Seasonal cabin availability varies significantly across properties, with many facilities offering extended operating periods from April through October while select locations maintain year-round cabin rental options.
What to do
Hiking rail trails: The North Bend Rail Trail connects directly to River Run Campground, providing 72 miles of scenic paths. "The trails link into the city trails so it is possible to hike from town to the camp, but it is complex and quite a haul," notes one visitor about regional trail connectivity.
Paddle the waterways: Local lakes and rivers offer paddling opportunities with boat rentals at several locations. "I paddled on the North Bend Lake which was extremely peaceful and beautiful, with the colors of fall surrounding me on all sides. I brought my own kayak, but they had boats for rent," states a camper about water recreation options.
Mountain biking: Mountwood Park Family Campground features dedicated mountain bike trails across the highway from the campsite area. "Right off the back of Mountwood are plenty of ATV trails to keep you busy during your stay. If bombing mountain bike trails is your thing, then across the highway from the campground is your dream," explains a visitor.
Fishing opportunities: Lakes throughout the region contain various fish species. "They told me they catch bass and catfish at this 300-acre lake. The trail around the lake would be good for birders because I spotted ducks, hawks and wood-peckers," reports a visitor describing fishing and wildlife viewing options.
What campers like
Riverside cabin sites: Many campers appreciate waterfront cabin locations. "We stayed at site 13, right on the water. Check-in was easy and the staff was very friendly! Plenty of ice and firewood at the store and a cute little gift shop," notes a camper about their riverside accommodations.
Theme-based accommodations: Bigfoot Ridge offers unique themed cabin experiences. "This yurt is 100% Bigfoot themed and has all the essentials including a shower house with laundry, a creek, and an amazing bed," explains a visitor describing specialized cabin options.
Firewood service: Some cabin areas provide convenient firewood delivery. "Had a $6 bundle of firewood delivered to my campsite," mentions a motorcycle traveler about the campground service that saves guests from hauling their own wood.
Proximity to water recreation: Multiple cabin areas feature easy lake or river access. "Tent sites are right next to the water and there is a beach and dock nearby also. The shower house was clean and freshly painted. If you decide to rent a kayak they will even drop you off upstream to start your trip," describes a guest at a riverside property.
What you should know
Cell service varies: Connection quality changes throughout the region. "Wifi and Verizon cell were both strong," reports one visitor, while others note that "cell service is dicey but if that is what you are going for, you will be pleased."
Water conditions change seasonally: Lake and river water clarity fluctuates. "The lake was nice but I am not sure if they recently had some weather that caused it to be pretty brown/muddy, or if that's normal," notes a camper about local water conditions.
Cabin size limitations: Some cabin structures have space constraints. "Be advised, the cabins are tiny wood shacks," warns a visitor about one property's small cabins, contrasting with other locations that offer more spacious accommodations.
Reservation requirements: Seneca Lake Park Campground and similar properties have specific booking policies. "Great campground! Level sites with full hookups. 50amp. Plenty of space between spots," reports a visitor about the well-maintained facility that requires advance reservations.
Tips for camping with families
Playgrounds and recreation: Many cabin areas offer dedicated children's activities. "North Bend State Park would be good for kids because they have playgrounds, mini-golf and an outdoor swimming pool," shares a visitor about family-friendly amenities.
Swimming options: Strouds Run State Park Campground and other locations feature swimming areas. "The lake and the beach are very nice! Sometimes the water isn't very clean. Often times the beach is littered with goose droppings," notes a camper about variable beach conditions.
Movie nights: Some campgrounds organize evening entertainment. "Saturday evening the campground provided a movie for kids. It was a very family oriented campground we are likely to return to," shares a visitor about organized family activities.
Food planning: Limited grocery options near cabin areas require preparation. "There is little in the way of maintenance or upkeep going on other than what the volunteer groups are doing," explains a visitor about one park's minimal services, suggesting families bring necessary supplies.
Tips from RVers
Site selection for cabins and RVs: Stonewall Resort State Park Campground offers specific site recommendations. "I'd recommend sites 1-5, 20, and 39," suggests a camper who identified prime locations after staying at the property.
Electrical considerations: Some cabin and RV sites experience power fluctuations. "My surgeguard shut off the power in the evening due to high voltage. It was showing 137 volts at one time," reports an RVer about electrical issues at one campground.
Site space and positioning: Cabin areas have varying site dimensions. "All the sites seemed relatively level. Some of the electric hookups had damage but being able to choose your spot upon arrival helped," notes a camper about flexible site selection options.
Seasonal guest patterns: Different types of visitors frequent cabin areas throughout the year. "We stayed during historic heat wave but kept cool in the river, the pool, and with the ice cream store nearby," shares a family describing how they managed summer conditions during their cabin stay.
