MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — West Virginia officials today announced the opening of the first five stargazing cabins at Coopers Rock State Forest, adding a new way for visitors to stay overnight and experience one of the state’s most popular outdoor destinations.
Dillard Price, acting chief of West Virginia State Parks, said the new A-frame cabins are designed specifically for stargazing in the dark sky destination area near Morgantown, West Virginia, an hour's drive from Pittsburgh.
“Coopers Rock has always been a favorite place for hiking, climbing, and camping, and these new cabins give our guests another way to enjoy it by providing unparalleled stargazing opportunities,” Price said.
“With modern amenities and a setting that’s truly Almost Heaven, these cabins will make one of our most iconic forests an even more unforgettable destination.”
Once completed, these stargazing cabins will add a total of 12 cabins and supporting facilities to the forest. Construction on the first five cabins began in March 2023 and was completed in mid-August 2025.
Construction on the remaining seven cabins and additional facilities is ongoing and expected to be completed in time for the 2026 summer travel season.
West Virginia Tourism Secretary Chelsea Ruby pointed to statistics that show West Virginia is one of the state's leading destinations for dark-sky vacationing.
“Recent research shows that travelers are escaping overpopulated, light-filled areas in search of stargazing opportunities,” Ruby said.
“West Virginia is one of the best places for stargazing on the East Coast. With three International Dark Sky Parks and plenty of places in the state where clear, starry skies are easily visible, we want to create as many opportunities as possible for travelers to take in the nighttime views from the comfort of their accommodations.”
The design of the A-frame stargazing cabins received a 2025 Honor Award from the American Institute of Architects prior to reservations opening. Each cabin features two bedrooms, full furnishings, modern amenities, Wi-Fi, and a telescope.
Two of the current five cabins are ADA accessible, and sleeping accommodations vary to suit different group needs, including options with king, queen, and twin beds.
West Virginia’s state parks and forests are the vacation destination of choice for more than seven million people each year. Made up of 36 parks, nine forests, and three rail trails, the West Virginia State Parks system provides endless opportunities for family fun and adventure. Make memories that last forever.
West Virginia State Parks is managed by the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources, a division of the West Virginia Department of Commerce.
To find out more about the cabins, visit WVStateParks.com.
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In August, my 13-year-old granddaughter completed visiting all WV State Parks, Forests, and Rail Trails (an adventure we began with her at age 10). We follow you on fb and find lots of extra info that inspires us to dig deeper into the areas we visit.
Our travels are not over. We are continuing on the Waterfall and Paranormal Trails, along with the swings and covered bridges.
When I map out our trips, I look for the odd, unusual, hidden side-stops to include that I read about in your articles. Thank you and, please, continue writing about WV. I ❤️ my home state.
I spent a lot of time looking for link to real info about cabins to star gaze. Did not find. Please put direct link to cabin rental. Rates, availability, address and phone number.