By Olivia Miller
Camping means different things to different people, and West Virginia’s accommodations do not discriminate. Whether you’re looking for a secluded tent site, a hookup for your RV or a comfortable cabin with all the amenities, there’s an ideal camping accommodation waiting for you in the Mountain State. Whether you’re camping or glamping, these five accommodation options will inspire you to get outside and explore wild, wonderful West Virginia like never before.
Bear Heaven Campground’s One-of-a-Kind Tent Sites
Experience true seclusion at one of Bear Heaven Campground’s primitive tent campsites. Located near the Otter Creek Wilderness Area approximately 14 miles northeast of Elkins on Forest Road 91 in Monongahela National Forest, this campground offers eight sites nestled along rock outcroppings that offer truly unique landscapes.
Use Bear Heaven Campground as home base while exploring Otter Creek Wilderness Area, one of West Virginia’s hidden hiking and backpacking gems. You’ll also find that just next door lies 20,698 acres of rugged terrain with 45 miles of hiking trails to explore. If you prefer to stay closer to home, a short walk will lead you to the old Bear Heaven picnic area, an open area where you can play games or try bouldering on large rock formations scattered among the picnic tables. Canine companions are welcome as long as they are kept on a leash.
The campground is open mid-April to early December, and no reservations are necessary. For more information, contact the Cheat Ranger District in Parsons at (304) 478-2000.
Beech Fork State Park’s Cozy, Comfortable Cabins
Six luxurious cabins sit on a ridgeline above Beech Fork Lake in Beech Fork State Park near Barboursville, WV. The cozy, fully furnished cabins feature open-trussed wood ceilings and have large decks for gathering and enjoying the sweet mountain air. A stone fire pit offers the chance to sit down with loved ones while watching the sun set across the mountains. Open year round by reservation, the relaxing cabins feature central heat and air conditioning, Wi-Fi, microwaves, big-screen televisions, outdoor grills, gas fireplaces, cookware and linens. Two cabins are pet friendly.
Perfect for a long weekend, this state park is home to an Olympic-size swimming pool, kayak water trail, modern campsites, miles of hiking and biking trails and a 720-acre lake with 31 miles of shoreline offering a boat rental facility and various lake activities.
Located only 12 miles from the city of Huntington and surrounded by the Beechfork Lake Wildlife Management Area, the park has something for everyone to enjoy. Make lasting memories with your family and book your stay online at www.wvstateparks.com.
Summersville Lake Retreat’s Year-Round RV Paradise
At Summersville Lake Retreat, RV guests are greeted with unmatched hospitality and endless opportunities to experience almost every outdoor adventure sport West Virginia has to offer.
Sitting on 60 acres spread out across cliffs overlooking Summersville Lake, this retreat offers 65 RV sites, 32 of which are equipped with water and electric. Twelve available deluxe sites are designed with large RVs in mind. Wi-Fi service extends throughout the deluxe sites to the picnic shelters in the commons area. Sites are only a short walk to the modern shower house. To add to the uniqueness of the Summersville Lake Retreat, sitting on the property is the only lighthouse in the state. Guests can climb the 122 steps to reach a 360-degree view from the deck.
Summersville Lake has 52 miles of shoreline and is known not only for its fishing but also its adventure rock climbing along the steep cliff lines that border the lake’s shore. For the adventure seeker, the nearby Gauley and New rivers provide some of the most intense whitewater rafting available on the East Coast. Regardless of which activities you choose, prepare for an unforgettable trip by visiting www.summersvillelakeretreat.com or calling (304) 872-5975 to make a reservation.
Three Otters Eco Retreat’s Glamping Accommodations
Designed with its guests’ well-being in mind, this family-owned retreat in Great Cacapon, WV, provides a camping experience like no other. Sitting on the banks of the Potomac River, the retreat offers a chance to disconnect from phones and reconnect with friends and family.
Three Otters offers a variety of unique camping options to choose from, from fully furnished yurts, cottages and flying tree tents to remodeled vintage and pop-up campers. Accommodations include access to a full kitchen and private bathrooms with private showers.
If you’re in need of a digital detox and a reconnection to nature, you’ll find it here, thanks to the activities available on-site. Find peace on the Potomac River with a 10-mile kayak trip or three-mile tube ride or burn off stress with a hiking or biking adventure on the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal. Guests also enjoy fishing, swimming, canoeing and playing games in the two-acre field on the property. Make reservations by visiting www.threeotters.com.
Grand Vue Park’s Luxury Treetop Villas
Escape from reality in one of the luxury treetop villas in Moundsville’s Grand Vue Park. The one-floor villas built on stilts provide a view of West Virginia and the Ohio Valley from the trees. A peaceful getaway, each treetop villa comes with an electric-start wood burner stove and a hot tub on the covered deck. All linens, plates, silverware and glassware are provided.
Grand Vue Park is a 600-acre outdoor adventure park in the Ohio Valley, featuring winding walking trails through the forest and a nine-mile biking trail. Additionally, guests have access to three disc golf courses; an aerial adventure park that includes an eight-line zip line canopy tour with courses that give guests the chance to soar for up to 2,100 feet through the treetops; a high ropes obstacle course that allows guests to climb over 40 feet; a 28 foot climbing tower; a repelling wall; a free fall drop; a giant swing that seats up to three people; and a Euro Trampoline. After a day full of adventure, guests can dine at the Vue Bar and Grill and catch a show at one of the park’s two amphitheaters.
Reserve your stay at www.grandvuepark.com.
