Cabin camping near Snowshoe, West Virginia typically operates between April and December, with Kumbrabow State Forest sitting at the highest elevation (3,000 feet) of any state forest in the region. Most forest cabins remain primitive with limited modern amenities, requiring visitors to navigate unpaved forest roads for access. The radio quiet zone surrounding many camping locations means no cell coverage within 30 miles of some sites.
What to do
Hiking to viewpoints: At Kumbrabow State Forest, the 2-mile Potato Hole Trail leads to Rich Mountain overlook with panoramic views. "You are minutes drive to lake Sutton. Easy site has a table, a grill and a fire ring," notes a Flatwoods KOA visitor.
Camping by water: Sites along creeks offer natural sounds and recreation opportunities. "We did dispersed camping while hiking. Of course, you come all the way to Pendleton and not go to the actual rocks while you're here," explains one Seneca State Forest visitor.
Unique overnight experiences: The Thorny Mountain Fire Tower at Seneca State Forest provides an unusual lodging option. "Renting and staying in the Thorny Mountain Fire Tower is a special opportunity... Nearly 70 steps up the structure brings you to 3507 ft (by my gps). From that height, you get to enjoy long mountain views in both West Virginia and Virginia."
What campers like
Natural water features: Riverside sites are consistently rated highly. "The Greenbrier River was right at the back of our site. People were floating and fishing and paddling. The Greenbrier River Trail, an 80 mile long rail trail is just across the river," reports a Riverside Campground visitor.
Rustic cabin experiences: Pioneer cabins provide authentic mountain experiences. "One of the pioneer cabins. Let me say it was awesome, wood stove, gas light, outhouse and had to get your own water. The cabin was well put together and the staff has you set up to enjoy your stay with everything from soap to cut wood."
Wildlife encounters: Forested sites offer opportunities to see animals. "Encountered 19 deer, 1 bear, and several other small creatures. Short drive or hike to Lake with boat rentals and fishing. Campground is only 10 sites with plenty of canopy for shade," describes a Seneca State Forest camper.
What you should know
Remote location challenges: Access to many forest campsites requires planning. "Hard to access, need 4 wheel drive and GPS, good sense of direction," warns a Kumbrabow State Forest visitor. Another notes the "Lengthy dirt road drive to get there, No cell coverage or Wi-Fi, 2 mile drive to bath house."
Communication limitations: The National Radio Quiet Zone affects connectivity. At Holly River State Park, there is "no phone signal at all for Verizon service, so a nice place to disconnect." Similarly, one camper mentioned "there is no cell service within 30 miles" of Seneca State Forest.
Weather conditions: Rain is common in mountain forests. "Every morning and every night it rained which made it difficult to swim and fish. The park workers said this is common year round," notes a Holly River State Park visitor.
Tips for camping with families
Creek-accessible sites: Children enjoy playing in the water at Mill Creek Campground. "This campground in the Kumbrabow State forest has 13 campsites that are pretty secluded and private. They are all surrounded by woods and a river and a few on the river. Very kid friendly, I mean I have four girls so...yeah."
Camp store necessities: Supplies are available at select locations. "This campground has a shop where you can buy necessities you may have forgotten, ice, snacks and fishing gear are also available," notes a Camp Holly visitor.
Recreation facilities: Some parks offer additional amenities. "This park has lots of hiking trails, waterfalls, biking, fishing, and horseback riding. The park has a total of 4 waterfalls to explore. They have basketball, tennis, and volleyball courts, and a pool for campers to enjoy."
Tips from RVers
Water quality concerns: RVers should filter water at certain campgrounds. "Make sure you run the water lines to clear them out before hooking up. The water quality is very poor. We filled up a jug of water for travel day without the filters when leaving and it was completely contaminated."
Site levelness: Advance research on site conditions helps with setup. "Very unlevel spot. Not sure if they are all like this, but it's a big ugh," reports one RVer about their Flatwoods KOA experience.
Hookup availability: Electric service varies across campgrounds. "50 AMP, sewer & water hookup" are available at some locations, while others are more primitive. Many cabin sites offer electric connections but require driving to central locations for water fill-up and dump stations.
