State Parks, Forests

PIPESTEM, W.Va. — Long before the first plate of crawdad fritters reaches the table, dinner at Mountain Creek begins with a remarkable descent. Visitors board an aerial tram at Pipestem Resort State Park in the mountains of southern West Virginia and glide 1,200 feet into the forested depths of the Bluestone Gorge, where a secluded … Read more

PARKERSBURG, W.Va. — The duel between Aaron Burr and Alexander Hamilton remains a defining episode in early American history. Even those with only a passing knowledge of the nation’s founding may remember how the sitting vice president fatally shot Hamilton in 1804, ending the life of one of America’s foremost statesmen and bringing Burr’s own … Read more

NEW MANCHESTER, W.Va. — Many visitors know Tomlinson Run State Park as West Virginia’s northernmost state park, but park officials and naturalists say its ecological significance may be even more important than its location. The 1,398-acre park in Hancock County protects the Tomlinson Run watershed, a tributary of the Ohio River, and preserves plant and … Read more

Massive sandstone formations, hidden passageways, and a natural stone labyrinth make Beartown State Park unlike anywhere else in the Mountain State. HILLSBORO, W.Va. — Hidden among the high ridges of eastern West Virginia lies a landscape so unusual that many visitors struggle to believe it was shaped by nature. At first glance, Beartown State Park … Read more

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — In celebration of National Trails Day, officials at West Virginia State Parks announced a lineup of guided hikes and trail cleanup events across several state parks and forests, scheduled for Saturday, June 6, 2026. Organized nationwide by the American Hiking Society, National Trails Day encourages people of all ages to get outdoors, … Read more

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 … Read more

CLAY, W.Va. — A visitor center and more than four miles of trail have been added to the 73-mile Elk River Trail in central West Virginia, a hiking and biking route that shares its path with the Elk River Water Trail, a popular kayak destination. The new center will open at a public open house … Read more

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The “Rocket Boys” of Coalwood—the small-town students whose homemade rocket experiments inspired a bestselling memoir and Hollywood film—will be honored at Pipestem Resort State Park during the inaugural West Virginia Hall of Fame induction ceremony during National Kids-to-Parks Day on May 16. The event is scheduled to take place from 4-6 p.m. … Read more