Camping cabins near Upper Tract, West Virginia sit at elevations between 1,200-2,700 feet, with seasonal temperatures ranging from below freezing in winter to mid-80s in summer. Most cabin areas experience significant rainfall between April and July, with water levels in the South Branch of the Potomac River fluctuating seasonally. Roads to certain cabin locations may require 4WD during winter months.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Access prime trout fishing directly from Smoke Hole Caverns and Log Cabin/RV Resort. "Great fishing. Very quiet. Full hookups for RVs including cable. A little pricey for the area. Would stay here again. Easy access to Dolly Sods, short drive to Seneca Rocks and Spruce Knob. Did I mention access to multiple areas for great trout fishing."
Cave exploration: Visit underground formations at caverns within 15 minutes of most cabin sites. Tours typically cost $18-25 for adults and run hourly from 9am-4pm during peak season. "Location is prime!! Loved the RV sites right on the water. Perfect if you are a trout fisherman or hiker. Trail head to Chimney Rock is 2 minutes from camp site and Seneca Rock is about 20 minutes away."
Seasonal chairlift rides: Travel to Canaan Valley Resort State Park Campground for mountain views without the hike. "There is a scenic chair lift you can ride to the top of the ski mountain and hike back down to the bottom. There are several activities at the resort, something for everyone."
Trail hiking: Access the Appalachian Trail system from multiple cabin locations for day hikes of varying difficulty. Most trailheads have limited parking (5-10 spaces) so arrive early. "There's no shopping in the area (except the grocery store, dollar general and a few boutiques) but there are several parks in the area and great, unique sites."
What campers like
Wildlife viewing: Many cabin properties feature natural deer trails and feeding areas. "Deer meander through the primitive tent sites with their fawns each morning and evening. A kid's playground is situated beside (separated by a field) primitive tent sites 1 & 2."
River access: Several cabins offer direct water access for swimming or wading. At Revelle's River Resort, "We were feet from the river and it was super peaceful. Beware though, their WiFi only works near the main office."
Star visibility: The region has minimal light pollution, making it ideal for night sky observation. "Dark sky and an open field for stargazing. There are cabins nearby, but no tents. No cell phone coverage."
Local food options: Multiple cabin campgrounds are within driving distance of local eateries. "Go into the town of Davis and there is a local brewery and some great food. Sirianni's has the best pizza, pasta and salads you will ever find. Highland market has local raised foods."
What you should know
Cell service limitations: Most cabin areas have restricted or no mobile reception. "Be forwarded this entire area has no cell service due to the Green radio telescopes."
Weather preparation: Mountain weather changes rapidly, requiring layers and rain gear even in summer. "We spent three days in June and experienced afternoon rain showers daily, but arranged our hikes and bikes around them."
Cabin variations: Amenities differ significantly between properties. At Riverside Cabins and RV Park, "Nice family campground with cabins, tent sights and RV slots. We tent camped and Steve (owner) took us down to the bank of the south branch of the Potomac. Perfect!"
Reservation timing: Book cabins 3-6 months in advance for fall foliage season (late September through October). Weekends in summer require 1-2 month advance booking in most locations. "We camped there for 3 nights. The campsite was full hookup & very inexpensive. Plenty of trees providing shade!"
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Look for cabins with dedicated recreational spaces for children. "There is a little park for the kids, it could use a little TLC! But we didn't spend much time there. There is a huge field that the kids enjoyed kite flying!"
Swimming options: Several properties feature natural swimming areas in the river. At Rivers Edge Campground, "This campground is awesome! It takes us back to a time when camping was camping without all the crazy commercialization that has overtaken so many campgrounds today. They have an honest to goodness swimming hole!"
Educational opportunities: Plan for ranger-led programs at nearby state parks. "The rangers and the host were super friendly and very helpful."
Kitchen planning: Most cabins require you bring cookware. Basic supplies like salt, pepper, cooking oil aren't provided at most locations. "The facility is amazingly well taken care of, and it is a true family owned campground."
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Request riverside sites when booking for easiest access. "My family and I liked this campground a lot. We had a camp site that was right against the river with full hookups. This seemed to be a well laid out campground with sites for weekenders in maybe the best location right along the river."
Supply planning: Stock up on groceries before arrival as on-site stores have limited selections. "They have a small convenient store that's well stocked with the basics."
Hookup verification: Confirm exact hookup types when booking as some sites advertise full hookups but have limited amp service. "The site we were at was pretty private behind our camper. Bushes and trees on all sides of our fire ring and picnic table."
Local services: The towns of Moorefield (25 minutes) and Petersburg (40 minutes) offer RV repair services and parts. "The campsite was full hookup & very inexpensive. Plenty of trees providing shade!"
