Summersville Lake, situated in the Appalachian Mountains of central West Virginia at an elevation of approximately 1,650 feet, offers cabin camping options throughout its surrounding forested areas. The lake itself covers 2,700 acres with 60 miles of shoreline, creating numerous secluded spots for overnight stays. Cabin accommodations near the lake range from rustic bunkhouses without running water to fully equipped luxury cabins with private hot tubs.
What to do
Waterpark adventures: 5-10 minute drive from several cabin rentals, the lake's waterpark features giant inflatables anchored offshore. At Ace Adventure Resort, "the Lake with multiple giant anchored inflatables to play on for all ages" provides a unique water experience where "everyone has to wear a life jacket which is kind of a pain" but enhances safety for families.
Rock climbing: Half-day or full-day options available through guided services. The New River Gorge area surrounding Summersville Lake offers over 1,400 established climbing routes. A visitor at River Expeditions Campsites mentioned booking "an evening of rock climbing with David Wolff, Director of the New River Climbing School and he was amazing!" describing him as "an expert instructor, combined with psychological counselor."
Trail hiking: 2-4 hour excursions on nearby paths that connect to cabin areas. Many visitors recommend the Endless Wall Trail and Long Point Trail for cabin campers seeking day activities. A camper noted that at Babcock State Park Campground, "hiking was great and my young children hiked all of it with us. Overall, highly recommended."
What campers like
Clean, modern bathroom facilities: Most cabin sites provide access to recently updated shower houses. At The Outpost at New River Gorge, "bathrooms are nicer than our bathrooms at home" and "the shower was so good that it was almost annoying (I'm jealous and want it at home now too)."
Evening entertainment: Several cabin rental areas feature on-site music and activities. A reviewer mentioned that The Outpost "has live music on weekends throughout the summer included with your stay. Also, they have some ticketed events for live music."
Proximity to water recreation: Most cabin rentals are situated within 5-15 minutes of boat launches and swimming areas. At Mountain Lake Campground and Cabins, a visitor appreciated that a "nice little trail near bath house gets you down to the beach" making water access convenient even with cabin amenities.
What you should know
Seasonal operating limitations: Many cabin facilities close completely during winter months. According to Mountain Lake Campground's information, they operate "April 15 to October 31," while Babcock State Park cabins are available "mid April to October 31," requiring advance planning for spring through fall visits.
Variable amenity levels: Cabin rentals range dramatically in facilities provided. At Rays Campground, they offer "rustic cabin bunkhouses that are also reasonably priced," which are popular with kayakers and climbers wanting basic shelter without luxury costs.
Limited grocery access: Most cabin areas stock only basic provisions. A camper at Mountain Lake noted the "cute little store with ice cream, firewood, ice, knick knacks, and a few grocery items," indicating the need to bring most food supplies with you rather than planning to shop locally.
Challenging road conditions: Some cabin areas require navigating steep, gravel roads. One visitor reported that at Mountain Lake, "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."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Select specific cabins near children's play areas for convenience. At Adventures on the Gorge - Mill Creek, families appreciate that "the kids absolutely loved it all. The pool, views, food were all amazing."
Multiple bathroom options: Consider cabins with private facilities when traveling with small children. One Mountain Lake Campground visitor noted, "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."
Wildlife encounters: Prepare children for potential animal sightings around cabins. A family visiting Mountain Lake mentioned, "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. Very quiet at night."
Activity scheduling: Plan for 1-2 structured activities daily with downtime at the cabin. A parent shared that at Babcock State Park, "Our cabin was pet friendly, clean, well stocked kitchen, COMFORTABLE DOUBLE BEDS, firewood, it was excellent. We had the best experience!"
Tips from RVers
Electrical capacity challenges: Many cabin and RV sites experience power limitations during peak summer. A visitor at Mountain Lake reported that "A/C power was an issue. 1 camper had 30 amp breaker blow 2 days in a row and my 50 amp ran A.C. units fan but didn't cool all day."
Level site selection: Choose cabin rentals with clearly designated parking areas. One RVer at Rifrafters Campground appreciated that "our site was plenty large and the concrete pad was perfectly level," making setup easier for those bringing additional vehicles.
Campground layout considerations: Research the layout before booking cabin accommodations. An RVer noted that at Rifrafters, "it is very much built into a big hill- I was a little worried our Avion (similar to airstream) that had low clearance would bottom out as we came in and out of entrance hill to road but we had no issue."
