Did you know that West Virginia is lousy with bears? I did not know this before visiting West…read moreVirginia. Did you know that I am incredibly afraid of bears? I am, and I agreed to stay in a cabin in the West Virginia woods without doing any bear research beforehand. I learned about the bears -- all 14,000 of them roaming the state -- a day before I was supposed to stay at Mountain Creek Cabins, which are located in the middle of the woods in Bruceton Mills. I was ... a little anxious about my stay, you could say. Never mind that a bear attack has never been recorded in the state of West Virginia. There's always a first, right? And it could be me! I'm writing this review unmauled, with all of my limbs intact, and with great memories of my stay at Mountain Creek Cabins. Staying at our cabin was one of the highlights of my visit to the area, and my kids agree: We all loved staying here. There are eight cabins on the property, so we weren't as isolated as I thought we'd be. We weren't isolated, but we were also far enough away from other people that we felt very much like we had lots of privacy. We stayed in the White Tail cabin, which can sleep five with one king bed, two twin beds and a rollaway bed. The twin beds are upstairs, but everything else is downstairs, including a living room with a big TV connected to Roku, a push-button fireplace, a full kitchen and dining table, and a restroom. The kitchen has everything you need to cook and eat at the cabin. The living room has a cabinet with board games. We played one of them (Rummikub) and loved it so much that we ended up buying it once we got home. There's also free and fast wifi, which is important to each person in my family. The decorations in the cabin are sparse, but what decor there is included Bible verses and deer paintings, which is definitely a choice. I was not blown away by the aesthetics of this cabin, but it was the garish lighting that really messed me up. There's one soft lamp in the living room, and everything else is bright, cool, alarming overhead lighting. If you're a person who notices lighting like I do, this place will have you all effed up. My advice: Turn on the lamp, turn on the little light above the stove, and just be OK with the place being a little dark. Your only choice is this or prison lighting. Every cabin comes with its own hot tub, which my children used multiple times during our stay. It was immaculate and steaming when we checked into our cabin, which was much appreciated after a long drive to get to the cabin. The hot tub overlooks the woods, so it was nice to sit in the hot tub and see nothing but trees and a small creek that runs through the property. Well, it was nice for my kids to do that -- I was standing outside on the deck, looking out for bears. I was not about to let the bears dine on Indiana-children soup. All of the cabins have access to a free laundry room, plus there are firewood bundles and eggs (?!?!) that you can purchase on the honor system. We had a great time at Mountain Creek Cabins. It was so relaxing to stay at a place that had everything we needed. I never did end up seeing a bear, so I would stay here again without hesitation.

Had a wonderful three-night stay in the Shawnee cabin. Used the cabin as a home base for my Wisp…read moresnowboarding trip with the girl I'm dating. The cabin has a fire pit out front, a front porch, and a back porch that's covered with a hot tub. There are two cabins close by on either side but it still feels private, especially the hot tub. It's a little weird that the door to the back porch and the kitchen window don't have curtains but I guess the trees probably blocked some or all of the view in. It's a cabin so don't expect a ton of room, but it's cozy and there is still plenty of space for two people. A family of four would be fine, but unless you're super close I wouldn't recommend two couples sharing the Shawnee cabin. There's a couch and TV but the TV doesn't really turn much (not a big deal). TV has Roku built in and there is dish satellite channels. There's plenty of heat, with two space heaters and an electric fireplace, which is basically another heater. The kitchen has basically everything you need. There's a small oven and an electric stove (that takes a while). There's also a tiny dishwasher which is nice. The fridge was turned on right before we arrived so it took like six hours to cool down. I wish they turned it on earlier but it wasn't a big deal. There's a coffee maker that can make kcups or regular coffee, and they provide a bunch of kcups. There's also salt and pepper, as well as aluminum foil. The bed was super comfy and we slept great all three nights. Bathroom was standard and worked fine. Hot tub was the true MVP of the trip. There's nothing better than ending a long day with a cold beer and a hot soak. Don't forget to hydrate too! The hot tub smelled a bit weird but we got used to it. Set that bad boy to 104° and you're good to go. It snowed a little and we don't have all wheel drive. All the driveways seems to be on an incline so we had to park strategically on the road that splits to the different cabins. They recommend AWD but if there's less than 4" of snow, you probably will be fine. The snow was beautiful! The owners/managers were hard to get a hold of. We called a couple times to get in touch but did not hear back at all. In the end, it was fine because the email we got after booking was very detailed and there's a binder on top of the fridge with more information. Note: wifi password was on the side of the fridge, not the front. As you're entering, follow the instructions on your email, and not your google maps/Waze/etc. Just remember to take exit 15 and take that route. As of early 2021, Verizon and TMobile had service until the last five minutes of the drive and no service at all around the cabins. There are no gas stations or grocery stores remotely close. I recommend getting food and gas in Frostburg or Cumberland (coming from DC) or Morgantown (if you come from West/North/South). Apparently one pizza place delivers to the cabins but we didn't order. I definitely recommend coming to stay at Mountain Creek Cabins and I think I'd love to come back in the future.

Hello, this house is wonderfully renovated and our stay was enjoyable. We stayed the labor day…read moreweekend of 2020. What made the stay memorable and interesting were the owners. Our first morning we had stimulating conversation. We learned about the house, about their lives and had engaging conversation. Upon asking a few questions, we also learned where to get good local food and where we also enjoyed local music. The hospitality continued to our astonishment. The owners had kayaks and took us up river in order for is to do a "Huck Finn" type of lazy day on the river. This is a wonderful Bed and Breakfast, and the owners exceed the definition of hospitality. John and Christine

The River House Inn in Rowlesburg is an old, historic house. Located steps from the Cheat River,…read morethe house has been fitted with modern amenities but retains it's 1900s charm. There are a lot of stairs and the family suite we rented was on the third floor. The rooms were clean and comfortable. The inn keepers were friendly and accommodating. The only thing I wished for were a couple of chairs in the room so we could put our shoes on, and more seating area on the upper deck would also be nice. The inn only offers continental breakfast and access to local places to eat were sparse, but we made do. The owners also have other properties in town, like the campground and the local boat livery for trips on the River. Nearby, you have access to trails, Cathedral State Park, and Blackwater Falls State Park, Canaan and Snowshoe ski. All are reasonably close by. The price was reasonable as well. It's not one of the big fancy chain hotels, so if you expect that, you will be disappointed, but if small-town peace and quiet and comfort in a historic location is for you, I recommend the River Lodge Inn. Steven Ford , Youngstown, Ohio

Excellent location to stay. Great owners…read more No issues with package deliveries. Water pressure and all hookups functioned well. On site bath house, washers and dryers. Quiet and out of the way. No concerns over theft or damage. Dumpsters emptied regularly, no garbage accumulation. Very happy with my stay. Stayed for 7 weeks while working in the area. Will stay here again if working in the area again. Would recommend.

Great for the price! Staff is present 24 hrs. Our room was spacious. Bed was comfortable. Shower…read morepressure a big plus!! Rooms and interiors are dated but that's the only small deduction. Free breakfast in morning if you're into that. Nancy in kitchen was amazing

Very Clean Good bed…read more Quiet Super Nice front desk staff who are there 24/7 even if you arrive late. Interestingly what we were looking for was not available on the hotel website. But was available on hotels.com for a good rate. So called the hotel very late at night to confirm. And they did indeed get the reservation! The lady I spoke with on the phone was the front deck staff at the hotel the next evening also-in person! it's cool that this is a small operation and there is continuity and the folks are super nice! (You're not talking to someone in another country booking your reservation who doesn't know what's going on.) Large room w lots of space-- including a sofa and sitting room area. There was carpet in this room. Small fridge w a small freezer compartment that actually works Microwave Lots of hot water. Great water pressure in the shower Very Nice little breakfast w waffles, eggs, bacon, huge muffins, etc. 0600-1000 Plenty of parking in the back of the hotel this visit. Dated Carpet which smells like carpet shampoo in the halls. Cigarette butts by the little smoking area up front. 4.5/5 for what it is. This is not a high end luxury hotel. But If they got rid of the cigarette butts and smoking area ---maybe move it to the back. and got rid of the elderly carpeting in the halls or replaced, it would be super nice. it's still amazing value for the money. And both the staff and other patrons are very nice.

I will never forget my experience at Tygart Lake State Park. What could have been a frightening and…read moredangerous situation instead became one of the safest and most welcoming places I have ever been in my life. Special, heartfelt thanks to Park Ranger Patrick Miller -- truly a power ranger in every sense of the word. Ranger Miller immediately understood that it would have been far more dangerous to turn me away from an RV site. I was a first-time RV driver, snow was coming in, and I am from Louisiana, with no experience driving in winter conditions. His judgment, compassion, and leadership quite literally kept me safe. He tried to help me reverse the camper himself, assessed the situation carefully, and made sure I was secure -- recognizing that I had a winterized vehicle with its own bathroom and that staying put was the safest option. Under his leadership, his team -- JR, John, JJ, and others -- checked on me repeatedly, helped me make a fire, and even jumped my car when it stalled, despite the fact that roadside assistance never showed up when it should have. When my car stalled again later at The Lodge, they were there for me again. People like Jason from Tygart Lake and everyone associated with this park showed up every single time I needed help -- calmly, professionally, and with genuine care. What stood out most was that they didn't just "do their jobs." They cared. Every person I encountered at Tygart Lake State Park made me feel protected, respected, and welcomed. Under the leadership of Park Ranger Patrick Miller, this team embodies what public service is supposed to be. I truly felt like I was meant to be here, and I have never felt safer anywhere. This park -- and the people who run it -- are a treasure. I am deeply grateful. Update: 12/18/25 Horrible Customer Service at GIFT SHOP I bought a one-of-a-kind, hand-blown glass ornament from the lodge gift shop that was supposed to light up. No one tested it at purchase, and when I got back to my room it didn't work. A staff member told me to bring it back for a battery replacement, but when I returned a different staff member was condescending and treated me like I was trying to get away with something over a $2 battery. I've spent close to $1,000 at the lodge in about a week, and this experience left me feeling accused instead of helped. By the time anyone tried to make it right, the tone had already done the damage, and I ended up canceling my New Year's Eve booking and taking my business elsewhere. This wasn't about the battery--it was about how I was treated.

Tygart Lake State Park, Grafton, WV. Mon-Tues, Sept 8-9, 2025. This state park, in the foothills…read moreof the Allegheny mountains in scenic north-central West Virginia, features a 10-mile long, 1,750 acre lake. The lake offers the usual water activities (swimming, boating, scuba diving, fishing (bass!), but also Adventure Lake with inflatables (closed when we visited). There are also trails for family-friendly hiking or biking, as well as options for staying overnight (a lodge and campground). There are also playgrounds for the kiddos. Our activities included: *Stopped at the PARK OFFICE to pick up a map. The ranger was friendly and helpful. The NATURE CENTER in the same building was closed. *Checked out the overlook near the DAM which regulates the waters of the Tygart Valley River. This is a tourist-friendly area with a visitors center/restrooms, informational signs, covered picnic tables, outdoor tables with phone charging stations, a WV photo-op at an "Almost Heaven" swing, free parking, and more. The U.S. Corps of Engineers also offers free tours of the dam every Friday in June, July, and August; pre-registration is required. *HIKED the easy Tygart Dam Trail (1.7 miles out-and-back, 160' elevation gain) that connects the Tygart Lake Dam to the Tygart Lodge. The trail was mostly flat, except for a steep paved section at the very beginning/ending on the dam side. There were limited views of the lake from the trail due to foliage, except near the lodge. Our turn around point was the lodge. We sat on a bench on the stairwell going up to the lodge to drink some water and eat a snack; a minor concern was that wasn't a bench in the shade. *Finally, we CAMPED overnight in our Class-B (van-sized) RV in the campground. There are 36 well-maintained sites, of which 26 are non-electric sites ($29.99/night) and 10 that offer 50-amp electric and water for $39.99. While the office on-site was closed when we arrived (Mon, 3:45 pm), there was a sign outlining ways to pay either by calling or online. Each site had a picnic table and fire ring. The restrooms/showers, about 50 yards from our site, were clean. We were one of only two campers on the night that we visited so it was very peaceful, and we enjoyed being able to see the dark night sky. We noted, however, that the sites are close together and campers wouldn't have much privacy at busier times. Also, wi-fi was unstable at our (but not all) sites. Overall, we had a very peaceful stay. While we encountered occasional people in the park office, on the trails, in the dam area, and in the campground, it was mostly a solitary experience on a Monday-Tuesday in early September. Also, some of the attractions (Adventure Lake, kayak rental, the Nature Center, campground office) were closed. We didn't have any security concerns. We hope to return one day.

I've only ever camped here my whole life, i am now 18 and have spent almost every summer here with…read moremy grandparents and extended family, lots of fond memories. It is very redneck but that's what's so fun about it, i myself am not redneck at all, but i must say it's entertaining watching everyone they're all very friendly and welcoming. We've made a lot of family friends at this camp site great people we never would have known if we never went. I highly recommend this place it has an amazing water park, the lakes are so much fun, (especially the big rock everyone jumps off of into big bear lake) it's great for late night drives when all the camp lights and decorations are lit, and most of all just a great place to make fun memories with your loved ones to look back on. (Side note the fireworks here on the 4th of july are stellar, we come every year to watch) :)

Let it b known there r (2) camp areas... Bear creek village and big bear camplands. The Villiage is…read morefor transient RV/tent campers with the later being the year round lots with permanent RVs. Lots of trails suitable for biking and hiking, wildlife, and swimming at lakes or waterpark. Not your avg Convenience store - has an abundant stock. Now, this is WV... if you dont know what WV is like this place may come as a hard reality. Bear creek village is beautiful until you dig alittle deeper. Sites are level, camp pads for tents, the trees and boulder fields are quiet pretty. The bath house could use a massive update, prox to well traveled camplands road gets noisy, drivebys by camplands golf carts is obnoxious. IDK, its WV. Its either a gem or wasted vacation depending on your priorities.

First class experience! Lots of fun, happy to say the teens (daughter & her cousin) had a blast…read moretoo. Cloudy with scattered rain turned out to be perfect weather- we had the river to ourselves! Water & air temps in the 70's, comfortable for the teens to take a nice swim during a calm stretch between rapids. Our guide Meghan was awesome and calm; and her love of the river really showed. (She's rafted our western rivers, and rivers all over the U.S.) Rapids were fun, Class 3's on the Cheat Narrows were nicely run, we would definitely do the higher classes or the single rafts for more adrenaline... this was a fun afternoon and with our capable guide a good experience for the kids! If you already enjoy rafting consider the longer course and bigger Rapids :) Because of the weather, folks must have stayed home, but that allowed us a personal experience with the whole crew focused on us: The Saftey Boater was JC. The Photographer was Bootsie with Kevin. Great photos. Kudos to the bus driver to the site, and the office staff on the logistics. Office dogs were a hit too! Helmets and gear all looked new & well maintained. A few helmets have GoPro mount bases on them already, bring your connectors. (I just tied mine to my vest)

The owners and staff are incredible. They all made this experience a trip of a lifetime. Everyone…read morewas very knowledgeable about their craft, the area and eager to show off their river. Safety was top notch. I've told my friends about this gem and now I can't wait to come back and bring them along!

This place is a gem in Aurora! We locals love it for the upscale (yet very affordable) food and…read moredrink. Michele, your host, is an amazing cook. Most of the food is organic, locally sourced, and deliciously prepared in a gourmet style. You won't find better in DC or Pittsburgh (and I am originally from DC, so I should know)! I have always been very impressed with the Inn, and have even had family and friends stay there several times when they come to visit (if I needed an "overflow" hotel). I highly recommend the food in the restaurant (open only Thursday-Sunday) and the bed and breakfast. It is to die for!