SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. - Birding programs, wildflower walks, and discounted cabin rates are among the spring tonics being proffered in West Virginia state parks and forests in 2014. Fifteen state parks are offering discounts of 20-percent off of mid-week rates at cabins through May 2, according to Sissie Summers, programming coordinator for the state park system, which also manages programming for state forests.
Summers said of the incentive to offer discounted rates that birding and wildflower events are greatly anticipated and ideally suited to coordinate with multi-night park stays. "The treetops burst with song as migrants return," she said. "Songbirds and warblers returning from their winter locations create excellent bird watching opportunities statewide.”
A banding program on May 2-4 at Tygart Lake State Park and spring bird walks at Pricketts Fort State Park on three separate Saturdays are some of the nature-based activities scheduled, Summers said. Spring wildflower walks showcase the vast numbers of species at Kanawha State Forest and Chief Logan State Park.
Park and forest campgrounds typically in open mid-April. Reservations are available online at Beech Fork State Park and Pipestem Resort State Park while other state campgrounds may be reserved after Memorial Day.
Spring Cabin Mid-Week Specials
Mid-week dates are 20-percent off. Starting and ending dates vary, according to Summers.
April 14 – May 15
- Pipestem Resort State Park
- Bluestone State Park
- Twin Falls Resort State Park
- North Bend State Park
- Watoga State Park
- Cacapon Resort State Park
- Holly River State Park
- Seneca State Forest
- Stonewall Resort State Park
- Greenbrier State Forest
April 1 – May 22
April 11 – May 15
March 2 – May 22
April 20 – May 22
Special events and nature-based activities are posted on the State Park calendar of events at www.wvstateparks.com.
