State Parks, Forests

DROOP, W.Va. — Among the smallest state parks in West Virginia, 110-acre Beartown State Park is nevertheless among its most fascinating. For decades, it’s inspired visitors as a natural wonder—a densely shaded landscape of ferns and mossy rocks. On the summit of Droop Mountain—very near Droop Mountain Battlefield State Park—a thick sandstone has weathered into … Read more

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Guided hikes in nine state parks and natural areas in West Virginia are being hosted on January 1, 2024, as part of a nationwide outdoor recreation initiative instituted by America’s State Parks. Hailing the opportunity to start the new year with an outdoor adventure, Brett McMillion, director of the W.Va. Division of … Read more

DAVIS, W.Va. — Nothing beats an old-fashioned ride on a sled, and one of the nation’s longest sled runs, at Blackwater Falls State Park in West Virginia, is confirmed to be the largest on the East Coast. As old-school as sledding may be, the park is attracting guests in record numbers, and officials are employing … Read more

LOGAN, W.Va. — Tickets for guided tours of southern West Virginia’s elk management area are available and expected to sell out quickly, according to state officials. The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources and West Virginia State Parks announce the much-anticipated return of Elk Management Tours, which allow nature enthusiasts and wildlife lovers to witness … Read more

SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Restaurants at state parks across West Virginia will begin sourcing local ingredients and refreshing their menus with native flair, thanks to the enlistment of a groundbreaking chef known for his exploration of native cuisine. Known widely as the “Vagabond Chef” and frequently seen on a motorcycle as he travels the state … Read more

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — On the north shore of Summersville Lake, West Virginia will soon open its 36th state park. Boaters explore Pirate’s Cove at Summersville Lake State Park. (Photo courtesy W.Va. Dept. of Commerce)[/caption] A bill that will officially designate the land as a state park was sent to the West Virginia Legislature on August … Read more

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia and the Buckskin Council of the Boy Scouts of America have signed a memorandum that will allow scouts to use state parks for activities while encouraging them to contribute to park conservation and preservation through service projects. Under the terms of the agreement, scouts from the Buckskin Council in West  … Read more

BRUCETON MILLS, W.Va. — West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice has announced several new construction projects at one of the state’s most visited forests—Coopers Rock State Forest. The construction projects begin as system-wide state park visitation continues to soar, with first-quarter revenues outpacing pre-pandemic levels by more than 200 percent, Justice said. The over $10 million … Read more

TWIN FALLS STATE PARK, W.Va. — Superintendents at 12 West Virginia state parks completed training in February to become certified special natural resources police officers. The special paramilitary training, led by the W.Va. Division of Natural Resources Police, was completed at Twin Falls Resort State Park. It included classroom time and physical, defensive tactics, and … Read more

CAIRO, W.Va. — With thorns the size of knives, this bizarre cousin of the black locust tree that’s common throughout West Virginia might have arrived in what’s now the Mountain State by prehistoric mastodon. Master naturalist Doug Wood has observed the species— known as the honey locust or thorny locust—in northern West Virginia along the … Read more