State Parks, Forests

North Bend State Park’s Nature Wonder Weekend—North America’s premier and longest-running wild foods event—will celebrate its 52nd year Sept. 20-22. “Participants this year will learn how to bring their favorite wild edibles into their own backyards,” said Emily Fleming, deputy director for the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources. “Also, as in past events, participants … Read more

The lodge at Tygart Lake State Park is not only a place to stay overnight near Grafton, West Virginia. It’s now the name of the new park restaurant, which opened this month along shimmering Tygart Lake. The restaurant operation had been contracted out, according to park superintendent Jim Browning, but it is now managed and … Read more

BERKELEY SPRINGS, W.Va.—Volunteers are being recruited to help monarch butterflies by participating in Cacapon Resort State Park‘s monarch research study Friday, July 26, beginning at 8:30 a.m. The search site is a pollinator field that has been created for a citizen science study in cooperation with the Monarch Joint Venture. The study will be part of … Read more

Historical figures from Mark Twain to Sacagawea will visit West Virginia state parks on weekends this summer as part of the West Virginia Humanities Council’s History Alive! program. These living-history portrayals by scholars will provide a passage through time for student and adult audiences, according to Paulita Cousin, a naturalist at Blackwater Falls State Park … Read more

Greenbrier Valley Brewing Co.’s new “35 Parks WV Pale Ale” will be available at Pipestem Resort State Park beginning June 20 in celebration of West Virginia Day. The park’s official brewery, Greenbrier Valley features several of its flagship beers at restaurants in the park, which also supports regional West Virginia craft beers from Weathered Ground … Read more

A wide range of Civil War-themed events and craft displays has been scheduled at Canaan Valley Resort to honor the anniversary of West Virginia’s statehood June 21-23. West Virginia Days festivities start Friday, June 21, with wagon rides and an encampment, according to Steve Drumheller, general manager of the resort. On Saturday, visitors can watch … Read more

Pipestem Resort State Park unveiled the state’s newest aerial adventure—a series of zip-lines that lets riders soar for more than a mile above the breathtaking Bluestone National Scenic River. Stephen McDaniel, director of the state Division of Natural Resources, heralded the zip-line network as among the world’s most fantastic canopy-tour venues and thanked the state’s … Read more

Stressing his commitment to a diversified state economy, West Virginia Governor Jim Justice on Wednesday announced the inclusion of a new state park—a trail that wanders a 72 mile stretch of the Elk River in Clay County. Introduced by West Virginia Tourism Commissioner Chelsea Ruby, the governor told a crowd of more than 100 dignitaries … Read more

At the heart of one of the most-photographed scenic regions in West Virginia, Canaan Valley Resort this week has unveiled a new program of 13 guided hikes that wander some of the park’s most beautiful landscapes. Some hikes may include lunch, and all are assured to reach fabulous photographic locales sure to light-up your social … Read more

Bald eagles—never before seen in southern West Virginia—have become inhabitants over the last decade, and naturalists at Pipestem Resort State Park are inviting the public to help survey these beautiful birds them during its twelfth annual spring survey March 1-3. Part of the park’s epic Winter Birding Weekend, activities will include a bird-watching instruction program … Read more