Cabin camping near West Milford, West Virginia offers both seasonal and year-round accommodations within the Appalachian Plateau. The region sits at elevations around 1,000-1,500 feet with heavily forested terrain characterized by steep hills and stream valleys. Winter temperatures typically drop below freezing, while summer months maintain moderate 70-85°F daytime temperatures with cooler evenings around 55-65°F.
What to do
Water activities: fishing and paddling: At Tygart Lake State Park, visitors can enjoy multiple water activities. "The lake offers great relaxation and the trails around the lake offer pretty views. Only wish that there were more trails available because it's so beautiful in that area," notes one visitor.
Trail hiking and exploring: North Bend State Park's River Run Campground connects directly to the North Bend Rail Trail. "This humble campground is located on the 'Haunted' North Bend Rail to Trail. It was easy check in with a friendly staff," explains a camper. The trail spans 72 miles and features 35 bridges and 11 tunnels.
Mountain biking on dedicated paths: Stuart Recreation Area offers accessible trails for biking enthusiasts. "The 1.5 mile loop trail was great and just challenging enough to be fun. The campground and trail are filled with beautiful mountain laurel," reports a visitor. Several other parks in the region maintain seasonal mountain biking events.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Holly River State Park Campground offers secluded sites for a more private experience. "We stayed in a site that backed up to the mountain which added some privacy when other campers came in towards the end of our stay," mentions a recent visitor. The campground features 88 sites with electric hookups.
Clean facilities: Campers consistently praise the maintenance at Coopers Rock State Forest. "The camp staff is helpful, and the showers are very clean. The camp Wi-Fi isn't the best but we did have cell service with Consumer Cellular (AT&T Towers) and were able to work while we camped," shares one visitor.
Waterfront access: Many guests appreciate river and lake proximity at River Run Campground. "We were 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," comments a camper who enjoyed direct water access.
What you should know
Wildlife management: Several campgrounds report wildlife encounters that require proper food storage. At Tygart Lake State Park, raccoons can be persistent: "Many people bring an extra tent to keep their food in. Our dog barked the entire night as the racoons kept coming up to our site and even our tent," warns one camper.
Seasonal limitations: Most cabin facilities close during specific months. Coopers Rock State Forest operates from "April 1 to October 31," while Holly River State Park runs "1st Friday April to last Monday November." Conversely, Family Fishing N' Camping notes they're "Open year round for fishing!"
Limited availability: Some specialized accommodations require advance booking. Bigfoot Ridge offers unique cabin experiences but maintains only two sites with "shower house with laundry, a creek, and an amazing bed."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds maintain dedicated play areas. North Bend State Park's River Run Campground features "a nice playground" along with "biking the rail trails, hiking, fishing, basketball" according to visitors.
Swimming options: Stonewall Resort State Park Campground provides pool access. "The lodge amenities are top notch with a heated pool that only costs a daily charge to use on top of camping," notes a visitor. Multiple natural swimming areas exist at other parks, though they may have restrictions.
Educational opportunities: Camp Ara offers family-friendly learning experiences. "You can rent a cabin, camp in the woods, or rent a bunkroom for your group. Beautiful lake for canoeing and fishing and the hiking and mountain bike trails are amazing!" states a visitor. Rangers at several parks conduct seasonal interpretive programs.
Tips from RVers
Site selection for leveling: RVers recommend checking site grades before booking. At Stonewall Resort State Park Campground, "I'd recommend sites 1-5, 20, and 39," suggests one RVer based on personal experience with level conditions.
Hookup availability: Flatwoods KOA provides full service connections. "Great grounds, lots of shade down in a valley. Great cell phone service for Verizon. Wide RV spots. Full hookup with e/w/s," reports a camper. Several other campgrounds offer electric-only sites with central water access.
Navigation challenges: Some cabin areas have difficult access. "Be ready to tow up steep hills throughout this park," warns a visitor about Flatwoods KOA. Similar terrain challenges exist throughout the region's mountainous campgrounds.
