PIPESTEM, W.Va. — Visitors to four West Virginia state parks can sleep in furnished tents with king-size beds, heating, air conditioning, and other hotel-style conveniences beginning next spring under a new partnership between the state and a private tourism company.
Gov. Patrick Morrisey announced Friday at Pipestem Resort State Park that reservations are open for 32 glamping units at Blackwater Falls, Lost River, Pipestem Resort, and Summersville Lake state parks. Each park will offer eight units for stays from April 1 through November 30, 2027.
Out & West, a Lewisburg-based company, is developing the accommodations and will finance, operate, and maintain the units. Published reservation listings advertise nightly rates starting at $115, depending on the accommodation and booking date.
The project is intended to appeal to visitors who enjoy outdoor recreation but prefer the comforts of conventional lodging, including families who want to camp without transporting tents, bedding, and other equipment.
Furnished tents designed for couples and families
The units will occupy sites within existing campgrounds, standing on wooden decks with outdoor seating. Beds will be made before guests arrive, with linens and towels provided.
Corinne Traub, whose family operates Out & West, said the accommodations will include heating and air conditioning, refrigerators, and coffee makers.
“So you basically kind of just show up and you’re there, you’re in it,” Traub said during an interview with West Virginia Explorer at Pipestem.
Three configurations will accommodate groups of different sizes. The Basecamp includes one king bed for two guests, while the Outpost provides two queen beds for four. The larger Expedition includes a king bed and two sets of twin bunk beds, accommodating up to six guests.
Published Out & West reservation listings advertise starting nightly rates of $115 for Basecamp, $125 for Outpost, and $135 for Expedition at Blackwater Falls. The listings specify a two-night minimum stay and identify designated pet-friendly accommodations.
The tents also include electrical outlets, outdoor fire pits, and picnic tables. Campground bathrooms and showers are available, although the accommodation descriptions do not establish that individual tents have private bathrooms.
Traub said the designs reflect the company’s experience operating a 14-site glamping resort near Berkeley Springs.
“Over time, it’s kind of evolved, and we’ve kind of picked the things that work the best and put them all into this type of unit,” she said.
The resulting accommodations are intended for couples, friends, and families, including experienced campers seeking a more comfortable overnight stay.
Four parks offer different outdoor experiences
The locations span several of West Virginia’s mountain tourism regions, with access to waterfalls, lakes, hiking trails, and other attractions.
- Blackwater Falls State Park near Davis in Tucker County is known for its amber-colored waterfall, Blackwater Canyon overlooks, and proximity to the Canaan Valley recreation area. You can book glamping at Blackwater Falls online.
- Lost River State Park near Mathias in Hardy County offers wooded mountain trails, horseback riding, and historic vacation cabins. Visitors can reserve glamping accommodations at Lost River.
- Pipestem Resort State Park, on the Summers-Mercer county line in southern West Virginia, features golf courses, hiking and biking trails, ziplining, and overlooks of the Bluestone River gorge. Pipestem glamping reservations are open.
- Summersville Lake State Park, in Nicholas County, provides access to the state’s largest lake, with opportunities for boating, paddling, rock climbing, and hiking. Visitors can book glamping accommodations at Summersville Lake.
Private investment will finance accommodations
Morrisey said Out & West is providing the investment needed to construct and operate the units without taxpayer funding.
“They’re providing the private investment to build, operate, and maintain these accommodations,” Morrisey said.
The state will retain ownership and oversight of the parks while receiving revenue through the agreement. Officials did not disclose the specific revenue-sharing terms during Friday’s announcement.
The partnership followed a public review process. The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources scheduled a June 2 public hearing at Blackwater Falls State Park on the proposed contract with Out & West to finance, construct, and operate lodging facilities.
Morrisey said visitors choosing higher-priced accommodations may also spend more at nearby restaurants and businesses, extending the economic benefits beyond the parks.
He placed the announcement within a broader effort to improve state park facilities, including less visible infrastructure work.
Division of Natural Resources Director Brett McMillion cited improvements to utilities, hospitality facilities, and cabin roofs at Pipestem among the projects receiving attention.
Tourism officials encourage private investment
West Virginia Tourism Secretary Kayla Kessinger praised Corinne and Peter Traub for investing in the state and said she hoped their example would encourage other entrepreneurs.
Kessinger recalled signing the agreement during her first days in office, after McMillion brought the proposed partnership to her attention.
Traub, a co-founder and managing partner of the Lewisburg-based Appalachian Heritage Group, said West Virginia’s landscapes and the hospitality of its residents influenced the company’s decision to expand its operations.
“The state park system here is like, it’s literally the, I think the most beautiful state parks I’ve ever been to,” she told West Virginia Explorer.
She particularly praised park employees, recalling friendly encounters at gift shops during visits when employees did not know who she was.
“It’s just a beautiful place inside and out,” she said.
New campground also opening at Lost River
State officials also announced that reservations are open for the 2027 camping season at a new campground at Lost River State Park in Hardy County.
The campground will include 35 sites with water and 50-amp electrical service, along with a bathhouse and check-in station.
The development adds modern campsites to a park already known for its vacation cabins, hiking trails, and horseback riding.
Morrisey said additional announcements concerning state park improvements are expected in the coming months.
Glamping reservations are available through West Virginia State Parks and WV Glamping.