State Parks, Forests

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia officials have launched the West “FURginia” State Park Ranger program, a pet-friendly initiative designed to help park guests and their dogs explore the Mountain State’s natural beauty together. Visitors to state parks who bring their furry friends will receive a certificate and their pooches a commemorative dog tag after completing … Read more

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia State Parks officials today announced that tickets for the sled run at Blackwater Falls State Park are now available to purchase online. The quarter-mile sled run, the longest on the East Coast, will open for the winter season on Dec. 18 and will be open, weather permitting, Thursdays through Sundays … Read more

HURRICANE, W.Va. — The West Virginia State Parks Foundation has received a $17,500 grant from the “Hearts of STIHL” program to support critical forestry work at Bluestone and North Bend state parks. The funding will be used to remove dead and potentially hazardous trees in public recreation areas, an effort to improve safety for visitors … Read more

PIPESTEM, W.Va. — Tickets are now available for a special dinner series at Pipestem Resort State Park that offers guests a first look at the new upscale menu from the Mountain Creek Dining Room, which is set to reopen in spring 2026. Fine dining at Pipestem Resort State Park The “Taste of Mountain Creek” dinner … Read more

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — West Virginia officials today announced the opening of the first five stargazing cabins at Coopers Rock State Forest, adding a new way for visitors to stay overnight and experience one of the state’s most popular outdoor destinations. Dillard Price, acting chief of West Virginia State Parks, said the new A-frame cabins are … Read more

LOGAN, W.Va. — Chief Logan State Park has unveiled a new, fully ADA-accessible playground, offering children of all abilities a welcoming space for play and recreation. Designed for children ages 2 to 12, the playground features a rock-and-rope climbing unit, a multi-slide play structure, swings with ADA- and infant-accessible options, and a wheelchair-accessible merry-go-round. Dillard … Read more

PIPESTEM, W.Va. — After two years of construction, a new aerial tram at Pipestem Resort State Park has reopened. At a ribbon-cutting at the top of the tram at Pipestem, Brett McMillion, director of the W.Va. Division of Natural Resources, said the project marked a major milestone in the park’s history and will highlight the … Read more

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The highly anticipated Farm-to-Table Dinner Series to be hosted at 10 West Virginia state parks in 2025 will celebrate local flavors, scenic settings, and unforgettable dining experiences. Guests are invited to enjoy curated menus crafted with locally sourced ingredients, highlighting the best of Appalachian cuisine in serene and stunning park environments. Each … Read more

BRUCETON MILLS, W.Va. — Twenty-five new campsites have been opened at Coopers Rock State Forest near Morgantown, West Virginia, doubling the number of sites on the 12,747-acre park renowned for its views of the Cheat River canyon. According to Brett McMillion, director of the W.Va. Division of Natural Resources, each new site is equipped with … Read more

BEAVER, W.Va. — To encourage West Virginians to walk at least one mile daily, state officials are designating one-mile hiking trails in 32 parks as “Mountaineer Mile” challenge trails. Governor Patrick Morrisey gathered with other state officials to announce the initiative at Little Beaver State Park, which boasts a mile-long walking trail encircling Little Beaver Lake. … Read more