GLENVILLE, W.Va. — An “Almost Heaven” swing has been installed at Cedar Creek State Park in central West Virginia, the latest of more than 60 such iconic swings that are attracting tourists who are fascinated by the idea of visiting as many as possible.
Chelsea Ruby, secretary of the W.Va. Department of Tourism, said the park, best known for its campground and fishing ponds, was an ideal location for a swing.
“We’re excited to add Cedar Creek State Park to the growing list of swing locations and invite travelers to share their photos on social media using ‘#AlmostHeaven.’”
Rising into the hills along Cedar Creek in Gilmer County, the park offers miles of hiking trails, fishing sites, a miniature golf course, an outdoor pool, a reconstructed one-room schoolhouse, and a restored log cabin. The new Almost Heaven offers scenic views of the park’s three fishing ponds.
The quest to visit as many “Almost Heaven” swings as possible in West Virginia has sparked a tourism contest that gives winners the opportunity to help select the site of a future swing.
The challenge invites travelers to visit some of the more than 50 scenic swing locations in the state and check in on their mobile devices to earn prizes. Playing on the game of “bingo,” the “Swingo” digital board is available for a limited time in the spring and summer of 2026.
Ruby said the increasing obsession with visiting the swings sparked the idea.
“Swingo, as we’re referring to it, was designed to inspire exploration across the Mountain State by giving travelers a fun and shareable way to experience some of our most scenic spots,” Ruby said.
“We’re excited to see visitors discover new destinations and create lasting memories along the way. This mobile bingo board is available for a limited time—so be sure to earn prizes while you can!”
Participants can register for a digital board delivered to their smartphones. As they explore swing locations that match seasonal categories, they can check in and mark off spots on their board.
Along the way, they can earn exclusive prizes by completing board milestones, just like traditional bingo, Ruby says.
Those who check off five spots in a row will receive a custom “Almost Heaven” swing sticker. Those who complete a full board blackout receive a wooden Almost Heaven swing picture frame and a chance to help choose the next Almost Heaven swing location.
What began with one swing in each of the state’s nine travel regions has grown into more than 50 life-size photo-ops placed in West Virginia’s most scenic locations, all hand-crafted by students at the Nicholas County Career and Technical Center.
The swings continue to attract visitors from near and far, inviting travelers to capture the moment and share their swing photos on social media using #AlmostHeaven. Find out more and request a digital bingo board.
About Cedar Creek State Park
Cedar Creek State Park is a 2,588-acre park in central West Virginia known for family camping, fishing, and quiet forest recreation. Near Glenville in Gilmer County, the park offers wooded campgrounds, picnic areas, hiking trails, and three stocked fishing ponds that draw anglers seeking bass, bluegill, catfish, and crappie. The park also features a seasonal swimming pool, miniature golf course, and more than 14 miles of trails that wind through the surrounding hills and hardwood forest.
The park is also recognized for preserving elements of West Virginia’s rural history. A restored one-room schoolhouse and a reconstructed pioneer log cabin help interpret the region’s early settlement era and traditional Appalachian life. Because of its combination of outdoor recreation and historic interpretation, Cedar Creek has long been regarded as one of the state park system’s traditional family-oriented destinations.
About Almost Heaven Swings
“Almost Heaven” swings were introduced to promote outdoor tourism and showcase the state’s mountain landscapes, adding an extra layer of engagement for social-media-savvy visitors, according to Ruby.
Positioned at overlooks, trailheads, and high-elevation viewpoints, these oversized wooden swings invite visitors to engage physically and visually with the terrain and reinforce the state’s “Almost Heaven” brand.
Introduced in the early 2020s through collaboration with parks, local tourism authorities, and community organizations, the swings are built from heavy timber and suspended from durable frames engineered to withstand year-round weather.
Each site is chosen for its panoramic views, ranging from sweeping valley vistas and river gorges to forested ridgelines in the Appalachian Mountains. Many are located on public lands, including state parks and sections of the Monongahela National Forest.
Beyond their recreational function, they serve as informal landmarks and social media attractions, contributing to increased visitation in rural areas. Visitors often document their experiences through photography and video, helping circulate imagery of West Virginia’s landscapes to a broader audience. User-generated promotion has been a key factor in their rapid rise in popularity.
The program also reflects broader trends in experiential tourism, emphasizing immersive, low-cost attractions that require minimal infrastructure yet deliver high visual impact. In some cases, communities have organized events, challenges, or “swing trails” that encourage participants to visit multiple locations across the state.
While they’re generally accessible via short hikes, conditions vary by site, and visitors are encouraged to follow safety guidelines and seasonal considerations. Some are only a short walk from the car, while others may take more than a few minutes to reach.
Visiting Cedar Creek State Park
Cedar Creek State Park is located near Glenville in Gilmer County, central West Virginia, along West Virginia Route 5. From Interstate 79, travelers can take Exit 79 at Flatwoods and follow U.S. Route 19 south to Glenville before connecting to Route 5 west toward the park entrance. Visitors traveling from Parkersburg can follow U.S. Route 50 east to Interstate 79 south, then continue toward Glenville. The park lies in a wooded valley along Cedar Creek and is accessible by paved roads suitable for passenger vehicles, campers, and RVs. Find out more about Cedar Creek State Park.