Cabin camping near Summersville, West Virginia offers varied accommodation options at elevations between 1,500-2,500 feet in the Appalachian foothills. The region experiences distinct seasonal changes with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F during peak cabin rental season from May through October. Winter cabin rentals require additional planning as many properties close or operate with limited services during the colder months.
What to do
Waterfall hiking: 1-2 miles from Mason Branch. Near Tawney Farm, visitors can access the unmarked trail at Mason Branch leading to multiple waterfalls. "Mason Branch has an unmarked, unmaintained trail near the parking lot where you can see a couple of nice waterfalls. There's a trail to the left of the lower falls that takes you to a higher waterfall the locals call 'Janie's Hole,'" notes a visitor who explored the area.
Water park activities: Day passes available. The water attractions at Ace Adventure Resort include large inflatable water obstacles on their lake. According to one visitor, "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."
Live music: Friday and Saturday evenings. The The Outpost at New River Gourge offers regular entertainment for cabin guests. "Live music on weekends throughout the summer included with your stay. Also, they have some ticketed events for live music," explains one reviewer who enjoyed the performances.
What campers like
Spacious cabin interiors: More room than appears. The cabins at Ace Adventure Resort surprise many first-time visitors with their functional layouts. As one camper described, "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."
Unique cabin construction: Local materials. The "Nut House" cabin at Tawney Farm stands out for its distinctive building materials. "James crafted it from recycled wood, including cherry, beechnut and black walnut. The primitive cabin has electricity, a full-sized roll-away bed and a futon," explains a visitor who stayed there.
Clean facilities: Daily maintenance. Campers consistently mention the cleanliness of bathrooms and cabins at Rifrafters Campground. "The bathrooms were clean and well maintained. Nothing much going on here but the bathrooms were clean and well kept. No views to be had at this campground but a solid stay in a great location run by people who care about it," notes a recent guest.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Book early for summer. Securing cabin accommodations requires advance planning, especially at popular locations like Mountain Lake Campground and Cabins. "While sitting at our fire pit tonight, we booked a return trip in September," mentioned one guest who didn't want to miss out on future availability.
Off-season limitations: Reduced services. Many cabin rental facilities have restricted operations outside summer months. At The Outpost, one winter visitor noted, "We stayed in a full service RV spot, but the camp offered a variety of accommodations. Power had been knocked out the few days prior to our visit but luckily came back on soon after we checked in."
Noise considerations: Sound travels. Some cabin areas experience noise challenges that affect the camping experience. At Mountain Lake Campground, one reviewer warned, "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."
Tips for camping with families
Playground proximity: Request specific sites. Families with young children benefit from strategic cabin selection at Mountain Lake Campground. "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," shares a parent who appreciated the convenient layout.
Wildlife viewing: Dawn and dusk best times. Cabin stays offer opportunities to observe local animals. "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," reported a family during their first camping trip with their four-year-old.
Seasonal activities: Halloween events in October. Babcock State Park Campground offers special programming during fall. "During October, they do really fun Halloween stuff for the kids, too!" mentions a regular visitor who enjoys the seasonal events at the park.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: Request higher ground. RV sites with cabins nearby can have drainage issues in certain areas. At Mountain Lake Campground, an RVer advised, "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."
Access road challenges: Use caution on arrival. Some cabin areas have difficult entry roads that require careful navigation. An RVer at Flatwoods KOA cautioned, "Be ready to tow up steep hills throughout this park. You enter the park through a Chevrolet dealership lot and then check in at the Days Inn Hotel."
Utility limitations: Plan for restrictions. Several cabin campgrounds have partial hookups that require advance planning. One RVer at Rifrafters noted, "Water, electric and cable service and a few sites had sewer. Campground WiFi was weak at our site (#27). While this was a positive stay, we prefer State Parks versus RV campgrounds."
