1 acre hosted by Ryan M.
1 lodging site
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Meadowcroft is a semi-primitive cabin on the bank of the beautiful Meadow River. Swim, fish, and hang out with the river otters. It's like camping, but with a roof over your head, WiFi, A/C in the summer, and a cozy wood stove in the winter. A large lawn with fire ring fronts a long section of lazy river (perfect for paddleboarding, tubing, canoeing, etc.), with worldclass whitewater beginning about a mile downstream. Premium bouldering is two miles away, Meadow sport climbing 10 min., Summersville Lake 15 min., and all other NRG-area climbing within a 25-min radius.
Like Camping, But a Cabin
The cabin is a lovingly souped-up Amish-built shed. Like camping, you bring your own sleeping gear and most of your cooking gear, and you pack everything out and tidy up after yourself. ***Please take all trash with you when you leave. THERE IS A $100 CHARGE FOR TRASH LEFT BEHIND***
This is a self-cleaning cabin, which means *you clean up after yourself to prepare for the next guest* (not that it cleans itself, unfortunately). This keeps the costs down for all the guests.
We provide:
-WiFi (slow, but good enough for Zoom meetings and Netflix)
-Ample electrical outlets
-A very clean portapotty
-An outdoor spigot with excellent treated river water
-A two-burner propane campstove on the porch
-A refrigerator and freezer
-An electric kettle
-Folding tables and eight folding chairs for indoor use
-A/C in hot weather
-Wood stove or space heaters in cold weather (your choice)
-Firewood (for purchase)
-Cleaning stuff
The cabin and property do *not* have:
-Beds/bedding (so bring your sleeping bags and pads)
-Plates/utensils/cups/bowls, etc., etc. (so bring what you need to cook and serve food)
-Indoor running water
-Sink
-Microwave
-Oven
-Shower
-Camp chairs
Learn more about this land:
The level, grassy lot is perfect for boaters, fishers, and climbers. The property is on a two-mile section of lazy river that is perfect for paddle boarding, tubing, swimming, and wading. Just a mile and a half upriver from the first Meadow River technical rapids. Put in here and take your whitewater boat all the way down to the Gauley. Just 10 minute drive from the lower and upper Meadow climbing areas, 15m from Summersville Lake, and 20m to Fayetteville. The property is right on Wilderness Highway, which is a 55 mph road. It doesn’t have a lot of traffic and it’s almost completely quiet after 10 PM. There are neighbors across the road but no neighbors within view on either side of the property. All of the neighbors are very friendly.
There is basically no cell service on the property. If you have Verizon, you might be able to do some texting intermittently. The closest reliable cell service is about 10 min. north on Rte 41 / Wilderness Hwy.
Closest amenities are also 10 minutes north on 41. A left on Riviera Road will take you to the Dollar General and U-Save truck stop, both sources of basic necessities and beer/wine. Stay on Rte 41 for The Tractor Bar, which has a beer/wine/liquor off-license store. Behind The Tractor Bar is The Brownstone Mill General Store, which has a deli. A minute further north, at the intersection with Rte 19, are the Appalachian Coffee House (good wifi) and Craft Kings (incredible sandwiches and other fare from local ingredients). There is also a Dollar General 10 min. south, via Rte 41 S to Rte 60 E. That direction will also get you to Rte 19 S (14 min.), and the famous Midland Trail Exxon at the intersection of 19 and 60--famous among climbers for its breakfast sandwiches and baked goods.
More Details
Cabin Orientation
• **Flood Awareness**
In 120 years of record-keeping, the river has risen far enough to endanger the cabin only once. But that was 2016, and conditions are changing. A July 2022 flood came up to the second porch step. Rampant recent clearcutting means flooding happens more quickly and more often than in the past. Fortunately, it's easy to know when to take action, using this tool: https://waterdata.usgs.gov/monitoring-location/03190000/#parameterCode=00065&period=P7D. You want to be on the lookout when there is >3 in. of rain in 12 hours and/or river reaches 12 ft. The flood of July 2022 reached 17.21 feet without endangering the cabin. We estimate it would have to reach 19 ft. to get the cabin wet. That said, the water rises *fast* in these scenarios (several ft./hr.), so if it gets to 12 ft. and it's still raining with more rain forecast, you probably want to evacuate. At 15ft, Rte 41 S will probably be closed, so N is the way to go.
• Lofts: The loft over the porch is for the hosts’ stuff. Please do not use that area or its contents. The other loft is for you to sleep in or store stuff.
• Shelves: A section of the back shelves, clearly labeled, is for guests’ storage. Another section, clearly labeled, has some accessories you might want to use. A third section, also clearly labeled, is for the hosts’ stuff; please don’t use this area or its contents.
• Refrigerator/freezer: You are welcome to use it. There’s a “hosts’” shelf in the fridge where we keep a few condiments that we ask you don’t use. And there might be some items in the freezer in a bin labeled “Hosts.’” Please don’t leave anything that wasn’t already there.
• Water: There’s a pump-like spigot across the yard. It’s “city water,” pumped from the Meadow River and purified at the treatment plant just down the road. We think it’s pretty good. The tire/odd panels around the spigot are to keep it from freezing in the winter. Please try to leave them in place.
• Doing Dishes: Please use backcountry camping methods to do your dishes, since there is no plumbing, we have a beautiful, river nearby, and we don’t want to attract critters.
o Wipe off all dishes with a paper towel (not provided) before washing so that nearly all food waste goes in the trash (which you pack out).
o Use small quantities of biodegradable soap (provided) to wash dishes in the rubber collapsible washbasins (provided).
o Dump wastewater (which has no food in it) in the sunken area below the road to the right of the driveway (if you are facing the cabin from the road). This is a natural leachfield.
• Stove: The propane camp stove on the porch is there for you to use. You will need to turn on the canister by turning the knob counter-clockwise until it stops. Please clean after each use:
o Grease tray must be wiped clean after each use (the local critters love grease and although we love them, too, we don’t want them making the porch their own).
o Skillet can be cleaned with soapy water, but should be immediately dried over the flame and treated with a thin layer of oil.
o Stove must be covered when not in use.
o There are two propane canisters. If the connected canister runs out, please flip the sign on it from “Full” to “Empty” and let us know in the app that it needs to be replaced.
o Before you leave, turn off the gas on the canister (knob clockwise).
• PortaPotty is emptied, thoroughly cleaned, and restocked with TP once a week by Triple T Septic Service in Summersville (304-880-8993). They are not on a regular schedule, so it’s possible they will not have serviced the toilet between the last guests’ departure and your arrival. For this reason, we ask that you wipe down the toilet surfaces with provided disinfecting wipes before you leave, and restock with provided TP, if necessary.
• Firewood: We have well-seasoned hardwood in the wood rack on the far side of the property. Feel free to use the hatchet and splitting maul as needed. Firestarters are highly recommended: even though we have excellent wood, it’s still ridiculously difficult to start a fire most of the year in the rainforest of WV. Firewood is $0.75/piece, or $7.50/dozen, on the honor system (this typically works out to about half the price of Lowe’s or a gas station, by mass). Firestarters (on the guest shelf) are $1/piece. If there’s a supply of newspaper, feel free to use it. Please keep track of how much firewood/firestarters you use, and when you leave, send that amount through your booking app, or Venmo, etc.
Retreat-Maker Box: If you really want to get away, we provide a lockbox that you can put your phone in. Obviously, you have the key, but it’s a surprisingly helpful ritual way to break free for a while. Leave the laptops locked in the car.
Rules
• No smoking inside the cabin.
• No use of illegal drugs on the property. This includes marijuana, which is illegal in the state of WV. We have great relationships with our neighbors, and they don’t appreciate pot smoke in the area. WV cops *will* bust you, especially if you are not local.
• No use of firearms on the property.
• Use the provided fire pit for fires.
Before You Leave: Checklist
Remove any food you brought from the refrigerator/freezer, or in the cabin.
Clean the inside and outside of the refrigerator.
Clean the counter.
Sweep and Swiffer the floor and loft floor, if you used it. Cleaning supplies located on back righthand shelves.
Pack out all trash.
Make sure all windows are closed, lights and AC/heaters turned off.
Make sure the porch stove is clean and covered, and the propane tank turned off. Clean area around stove if needed.
Sweep off porch if needed.
Check that you didn’t leave any of your own stuff on the shelves or in the loft.
Text a photo of the clean cabin to Ryan when you depart, along with any other relevant details (repairs needed, supplies depleted, etc.). 412-326-7649. Or via the booking app.
Settle up on firewood, if you used any (instructions above).
Leave doorknob unlocked and use your code to lock the smart deadbolt.Meadowcroft is a semi-primitive cabin on the bank of the beautiful Meadow River. Swim, fish, and hang out with the river otters. It's like camping, but with a roof over your head, WiFi, A/C in the summer, and a cozy wood stove in the winter. 20m from New River Gorge National Park and direct access to one of the nation's best and most challenging whitewater rivers.
A large lawn with fire ring fronts a long section of lazy river (perfect for paddleboarding, tubing, canoeing, etc.), with worldclass whitewater beginning about a mile downstream. See below for more details on area attractions.
Like Camping, But a Cabin
The cabin is a lovingly souped-up Amish-built shed. Like camping, you bring your own sleeping gear and most of your cooking gear, and you pack everything out and tidy up after yourself.
This is a self-cleaning cabin, which means *you clean up after yourself to prepare for the next guest* (not that it cleans itself, unfortunately). This keeps the costs down for all the guests.
There is a sleeping loft that comfortably sleeps two adults (bring your sleeping bags and pads). The main cabin area has floor space to comfortably sleep another two adults under the loft, and you could definitely fit two more around the floor (hence the option to add guests five and six for $10 each).
We provide:
-WiFi (slow, but good enough for Zoom meetings and Netflix)
-Ample electrical outlets
-A very clean portapotty
-An outdoor spigot with excellent treated river water
-A two-burner propane campstove on the porch
-A refrigerator and freezer
-An electric kettle
-Folding tables and eight folding chairs for indoor use
-A/C in hot weather
-Wood stove or space heaters in cold weather (your choice)
-Firewood (for purchase)
-Cleaning stuff
The cabin and property do *not* have:
-Beds/bedding (so bring your sleeping bags and pads)
-Plates/utensils/cups/bowls, etc., etc. (so bring what you need to cook and serve food)
-Indoor running water
-Sink
-Microwave
-Oven
-Shower
-Camp chairs
Learn more about this land:
The level, grassy lot is perfect for boaters, fishers, and climbers. The property is on a two-mile section of lazy river that is perfect for paddle boarding, tubing, swimming, and wading.
*Paddlers:* Just a mile and a half upriver from the first Meadow River technical rapids. Put in here and take your whitewater boat all the way down to the Gauley.
*Climbers:* Premium bouldering is two miles away; Lower and Upper Meadow sport climbing and Meadow Top bouldering 10-minute drive; Summersville Lake 15m (premiere Deep-Water Soloing destination!); and all other NRG-area climbing within a 25m radius.
*ATVers* can be on trails within 0.5 miles that can take you all the way to Charleston without touching a paved road. Many local loops also, with options for whatever distance you desire.
*Cyclists:* Graded rail-trails extend in both directions along the river for cyclists, and they will soon officially be deemed The Meadow River Trail, "a planned 23.1-mile pathway that traces its scenic namesake river in Southern West Virginia’s Fayette and Greenbrier counties. It will run from Rainelle to Nallen [Meadowcroft] and may one day connect to the Gauley River National Recreation Area at its northern end. The compacted stone trail will be suitable for walking, biking, fishing, and possibly horseback riding."
The property is right on Wilderness Highway, which is a 55 mph road. It doesn’t have a lot of traffic and it’s almost completely quiet after 10 PM. There are neighbors across the road but no neighbors within view on either side of the property. All of the neighbors are very friendly.
There is basically no cell service on the property. If you have Verizon, you might be able to do some texting intermittently. The closest reliable cell service is about 10 min. north on Rte 41 / Wilderness Hwy.
More Details
Cabin Orientation
**Flood Awareness**In 120 years of record-keeping, the river has risen far enough to endanger the cabin only once. But that was 2016, and conditions are changing. A July 2022 flood came up to the second porch step. Rampant recent clearcutting means flooding happens more quickly and more often than in the past. Fortunately, it's easy to know when to take action, using the USGS water data tool online (search for the Nallen gauge). You want to be on the lookout when there is >3 in. of rain in 12 hours and/or river reaches 12 ft. The flood of July 2022 reached 17.21 feet without endangering the cabin. We estimate it would have to reach 19 ft. to get the cabin wet. That said, the water rises *fast* in these scenarios (several ft./hr.), so if it gets to 12 ft. and it's still raining with more rain forecast, you probably want to evacuate. At 15ft, Rte 41 S will probably be closed, so N is the way to go.
Touch-screen lock: touch with the back of your knuckles to illuminate the screen, then punch in your code. If lock is not working correctly, remove the black cover on the inside (by pushing straight up from the bottom) and then lift out the battery pack from the top with thumb and forefinger. Allow a few seconds and then replace the battery pack. This usually fixes any issues. You can also try replacing the battery pack. If the lock is not working on your arrival and you are locked out, call or text or message us and we can give you an alternative solution.
• Water: There’s a pump-like spigot across the yard. It’s “city water,” pumped from the Meadow River and purified at the treatment plant just down the road. We think it’s pretty good. The tire/odd panels around the spigot are to keep it from freezing in the winter. Please try to leave them in place.
• Refrigerator/freezer: You are welcome to use it. There’s a “hosts’” shelf in the fridge where we keep a few condiments that we ask you don’t use. And there might be some items in the freezer in a bin labeled “Hosts.’” Please don’t leave anything that wasn’t already there.
•Heat: There are two electric radiators that will keep the place from freezing even in very cold outdoor temps. You may use the woodstove, but please pay for your firewood (see details below). Please watch the instructional video before using: search YouTube for "How to Use Woodstove at Meadowcroft Cabin".
• Lofts: The loft over the porch is for the hosts’ stuff. Please do not use that area or its contents. The other loft is for you to sleep in or store stuff.
• Shelves: A section of the back shelves, clearly labeled, is for guests’ storage. Another section, clearly labeled, has some accessories you might want to use. A third section, also clearly labeled, is for the hosts’ stuff; please don’t use this area or its contents.
**Doing Dishes** Please use backcountry camping methods to do your dishes, since there is no plumbing, we have a beautiful river nearby, and we don’t want to attract critters. Nearly all food waste goes in the trash (which you pack out).
o Wipe off all dishes with a paper towel before washing so that nearly all food waste goes in the trash (which you pack out).Use small quantities of biodegradable soap (provided) to wash dishes in the rubber collapsible washbasins (provided). Dump wastewater (which has no food in it) in the sunken area below the road to the right of the driveway (if you are facing the cabin from the road). This is a natural leachfield.
Stove: The propane camp stove on the porch is there for you to use. You will need to turn on the canister by turning the knob counter-clockwise until it stops. Please clean after each use:Grease tray must be wiped clean after each use (the local critters love grease and although we love them, too, we don’t want them making the porch their own). Skillet can be cleaned with soapy water, but should be immediately dried over the flame and treated with a thin layer of oil. Stove must be covered when not in use.There are two propane canisters. If the connected canister runs out, please flip the sign on it from “Full” to “Empty” and let us know in the app that it needs to be replaced. Before you leave, turn off the gas on the canister (knob clockwise).
PortaPotty is emptied, thoroughly cleaned, and restocked with TP once a week by Triple T Septic Service in Summersville. They are not on a regular schedule, so it’s possible they will not have serviced the toilet between the last guests’ departure and your arrival. For this reason, we ask that you wipe down the toilet surfaces with provided disinfecting wipes before you leave, and restock with provided TP, if necessary.
Firewood: Firewood is $0.75/piece, or $7.50/dozen, on the honor system (this typically works out to about half the price of Lowe’s or a gas station, by mass). Firestarters (on the guest shelf) are $1/piece. We have well-seasoned hardwood in the wood rack on the far side of the property. Feel free to use the hatchet and splitting maul as needed. Firestarters are highly recommended: even though we have excellent wood, it’s still ridiculously difficult to start a fire most of the year in the rainforest of WV. (Tips here: and ).If there’s a supply of newspaper, feel free to use it. Please keep track of how much firewood/firestarters you use, and when you leave, send that amount through your booking app, or Venmo (@Ryan-McDermott-18), or PayPal “friends-and-family” (@rmcderm).
Before You Leave: Checklist
Remove any food you brought from the refrigerator/freezer, or in the cabin.
Clean the inside and outside of the refrigerator.
Clean the counter.
Sweep and Swiffer the floor and loft floor, if you used it. Cleaning supplies located on back righthand shelves.
Pack out all trash.
Make sure all windows are closed, lights and AC/heaters turned off.
Make sure the porch stove is clean and covered, and the propane tank turned off. Clean area around stove if needed.
Sweep off porch if needed.
Check that you didn’t leave any of your own stuff on the shelves or in the loft.
Text a photo of the clean cabin to Ryan when you depart, along with any other relevant details (repairs needed, supplies depleted, etc.).
Settle up on firewood, if you used any (instructions above).
Leave doorknob unlocked and use your code to lock the smart deadbolt.
Activities
Biking
Boating
Fishing
Hiking
Natural features
River, stream, or creek
Swimming hole
100% 
26 Ratings · 17 reviews
Morgan H.recommends
October 29, 2024
Meadow Riverfront Cabin
Peaceful stay
The cabin was great! Affordable and had all the basics. Our dogs loved it. Great area. 20 minutes from Fayetteville and New River Gorge Canyon River Visitor Center. Would stay again!
Jeffrey L.recommends
September 29, 2024
Meadow Riverfront Cabin
Super cute spot, perfect for any outdoor activities in the area, helpful guidebooks on the shelves, board games, good internet. Abundant cleaning supplies. It’s really nice to have a clean place to go after wearing yourself out in the wilderness.
Yasmin S.recommends
August 27, 2024
Meadow Riverfront Cabin
Great place to stay!
This place would be great for an extended stay - we wished we had more time there. The property is a great location on a scenic river. Waking up to a dip in the water was a highlight! The cabin itself is extremely tidy, cozy and cute, and included more amenities than expected. We saw a kingfisher, a deer, ducks, and fish jumping. Heard coyote in the night. Only wish we'd seen a river otter... maybe next time a I'm sure we'll return!
Hannah S.recommends
August 11, 2024
Meadow Riverfront Cabin
Easy and peaceful cabin
Lovely and chill cabin. Perfectly situated on the river. Primeval swimming holes just up the road. Whipporwhil climbing area 14 minutes away. Had a great time for the second time!
Chad P.recommends
August 10, 2024
Meadow Riverfront Cabin
My partner and I stayed at Ryan’s cabin with our friend who was visiting and it worked out great! Super easy access to the national park and Summerville Lake. It was very quiet, peaceful and clean. We recommend staying here if you’re looking for an affordable place to camp near the park but want peace of mind about the unpredictable weather!
Maryanne B.recommends
June 16, 2024
Meadow Riverfront Cabin
Great place
A really great location , and just the right amount of amenities inside. I also felt really safe being able to lock the door behind me . I would defiantly go back but be sure to reserve a few days ahead to give the host more time to send instructions for getting in. Service isn’t great out there either so be prepared!
Hosted by Ryan M.
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