CHARLESTON, W.Va. — I can't think of a West Virginia state park that wouldn't be ideal for a summer getaway. Many boast swimming pools and streams ideal for wading, and almost all are shady with forest trees. But when our staff asked me to provide a list of our favorite summer parks, coming up with a top five wasn't difficult.
Audra State Park
I can't recommend a better state park for water lovers. If you enjoy wading and swimming, the Middle Fork River at Audra was made for you. The river has scoured its bed into chutes and pools that provide splashy fun in summer when the flow is gentle. Many campsites in the park's campground provide direct river access.
Babcock State Park
The world-renowned Glade Creek Gristmill is the centerpiece of this large state park in the mountains east of the New River Gorge. Babcock is so large that it also contains its own gorge, Mann's Creek. In addition to the cool, cascading waters of Mann's Creek and Glade Creek, the park boasts thick foliage and a small lake.
This little day-use park boasts a big surprise — a bear's town. Though bears don't live among these house-sized boulders, one can easily imagine that they did. A system of boardwalks leads visitors through this shady village of rock and fern. Beartown is also convenient to Watoga and Droop Mountain state parks.
Blennerhassett Island State Park
Spray from the sternwheeler that carries passengers to this island in the Ohio River may be very welcome on a hot day. Accessible only by boat, Blennerhassett preserves the history of the island and the Blennerhassett family, which settled it in 1798. A tour of island trails and the replica Blennerhassett mansion are must-do's.
North Bend State Park
No matter how warm the weather, the tunnels through which the North Bend Trail passes are exciting and cooling. Built for the Baltimore & Ohio Railway in the late 1800s, they now provide passage for hikers, bikers, and horse riders. The trail follows the North Fork of the Hughes River alongside North Bend, including a swimming pool.
Do you think we've missed out on an exceptional summer park in West Virginia? Fill out the comment form below to let us know. Not sure? Then plan your own excursion through our state park system and decide for yourself:
- Audra State Park
- Babcock State Park
- Beartown State Park
- Beech Fork State Park
- Berkeley Springs State Park
- Blackwater Falls State Park
- Blennerhassett Island Historical State Park
- Bluestone State Park
- Cacapon Resort State Park
- Camp Creek State Park
- Canaan Valley Resort State Park
- Carnifex Ferry Battlefield State Park
- Cass Scenic Railroad State Park
- Cathedral State Park
- Cedar Creek State Park
- Chief Logan State Park
- Droop Mountain Battlefield State Park
- Fairfax Stone State Park
- Hawks Nest State Park
- Holly River State Park
- Little Beaver State Park
- Lost River State Park
- Moncove Lake State Park
- North Bend State Park
- Pinnacle Rock State Park
- Pipestem Resort State Park
- Pricketts Fort State Park
- Stonewall Jackson Lake State Park
- Tomlinson Run State Park
- Tu-Endie-Wei State Park
- Twin Falls Resort State Park
- Tygart Lake State Park
- Valley Falls State Park
- Watoga State Park
- Watters Smith Memorial State Park
- West Virginia Wildlife Center
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