State parks and forests in West Virginia offer visitors a perfect blend of outdoor adventure, natural beauty, and family-friendly recreation in the heart of the Appalachian Mountains. From the stunning waterfalls and rugged canyons of Blackwater Falls State Park to the tranquil trails and scenic overlooks of Coopers Rock State Forest, these protected areas showcase the best of the Mountain State’s diverse landscapes. West Virginia’s state parks and forests provide opportunities for hiking, camping, fishing, boating, and wildlife watching, making them ideal destinations for weekend getaways and memorable vacations. With well-maintained facilities, charming cabins, and a range of year-round activities, West Virginia’s state parks and forests invite everyone to explore, relax, and connect with nature. For more information on West Virginia state parks and forests, visit our directory.
May is a magical month in the Canaan Valley, where visitors may stroll fields of Allegheny wildflowers while being serenaded by songbirds. Officials at its premier state park, Canaan Valley Resort, have scheduled a line-up of programs designed to enhance the appeal of spring in the highland valley. “I’ve lived and worked in Canaan Valley for more than … Read more
West Virginia Governor Jim Justice announced late Tuesday that he is ending a plan proposed by the the Division of Natural Resources to charge visitors an entrance fee at several state parks and a state forest. The Governor called the division’s announcement an error and ordered the pilot program canceled. The initiative was put in motion without the … Read more
Visitors to six West Virginia state parks and a state forest will be charged entrance fees this year, according to Stephen McDaniel, director of the W.Va. Division of Natural Resources. The new fees are part of a pilot project designed to support the state parks system’s maintenance costs, which McDaniel said could generate an additional $1 million … Read more
High in the Alleghenies of northeastern West Virginia, Canaan Valley Resort State Park is welcoming the arrival of warm weather by releasing its calendar of events for spring, summer, and autumn 2017. Though perhaps best known for its ski area in winter, this centerpiece of the high-elevation Canaan Valley grows busy in the warm months … Read more
Stonewall Jackson Lake State Park will begin accommodating growing number of guests who drive electric vehicles this month, opening a series of charging stations at its resort lodge near Weston in north-central West Virginia. Three stations will be installed at parking spaces in the resort’s circle drive — two dedicated to Tesla vehicles and a … Read more
Amateur and professional photographers are invited to attend West Virginia’s annual spring photography workshop April 7-9 at Twin Falls State Park, which offers some of the best opportunities for nature photography in the state park system. Led by instructors Steve Shaluta and Steven Wayne Rotsch, the 2017 workshop will cover an array of subjects, including … Read more
Few parks in West Virginia enjoy the status North Bend has attained for hiking and biking, so it’s little surprise that 500 guests are expected to visit this weekend for National Trails Day, celebrated June 7. The park has added two additional programs to its schedule this yeat to expand its promotion of outdoor recreation, according … Read more
DUNBAR, W.Va. — More than 40 Frisbee enthusiasts helped inaugurate the new disc-golf course at Wine Cellar Park today on the first leg of a three-course tournament in Kanawha County. The nine-hole course, which begins and ends near the historic Dutch Hollow Wine Cellars, opened today with a ceremony over which Dunbar mayor Terry Greenlee … Read more
The Southeast Tourism Society has named the annual “Mansion by Candlelight” tour hosted at Blennerhassett Island Historical State Park near Parkersburg, West Virginia, as a Top 20 event to attend in October. The two-evening fete held in the island’s replica mansion welcomes more than 1,400 guests to witness an evening as it might have been in … Read more
Fans of Pipestem Resort State Park and outdoor entertainment may wish to invest in a season-long amphitheater pass being provided for the first time. Sixteen varied engagements are scheduled on the stage in the Summers County highlands from May 24 until August 23, and officials expect the package to appeal to frequent guests, according to Kim Hawkins, … Read more
