State Parks, Forests

Governor Jim Justice today announced an $11-million investment package for Pipestem Resort State Park that will include new outdoor-adventure infrastructure and updated park accommodations. Beginning this spring, visitors to Pipestem, in southern West Virginia, will be able to enjoy a new splash park, lake adventures, guided trout-fishing trips, stand-up paddleboard tours, rock climbing and rappelling … Read more

The habits of West Virginia’s butterfly population, including the state butterfly, the monarch, will be the theme of North Bend State Park’s annual Winter Wonder Weekend scheduled for Jan. 18-20. The winter weekend also will feature other favorite park activities, including hiking, sleigh riding, crafts demonstrations, and performances by local musicians. “During Winter Wonder Weekend, … Read more

It’s time to make New Year’s resolutions, and seven West Virginia state parks and forests are inviting people to join a First Day Hike on Tuesday, Jan. 1, and adopt healthier lifestyles by spending more time outside in 2019. “Hiking is a year-round activity and the experience is different each time, depending upon the season … Read more

The ultimate gift for a West Virginia state park fanatic, park system gift-cards for 2019 include eight bonus coupons for park amenities if purchased before Dec. 14, according to system spokeswoman Miranda Cope. Extras include — A buy-one, get-one-free admission to the fort at Pricketts Fort State Park. Free admission to the wildlife exhibit at Chief Logan … Read more

The expansion of facilities at Cacapon Resort State Park is expected to have a promising impact on tourism at nearby Berkeley Springs, a resort town in West Virginia’s eastern panhandle best known as the site of the nation’s first public spa. Laura Smith, of the Berkeley Springs Visitor Center, says shop owners and restaurateurs are … Read more

Few better places from which to enjoy the approach of autumn exist than the Canaan Valley, perched high in the Alleghenies of eastern West Virginia. Here, where the lowest elevations exceed 3,000 feet above sea level, the leaf change is vivid and comes early — as early as mid-August, says Steve Drumheller, superintendent of Cannan … Read more

The West Virginia State Parks system on July 16 will dedicate three new cabins at Chief Logan State Park in Logan County during a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Chief Logan Lodge and Conference Center. The ceremony is open to the public and starts at 11 a.m. Guests may arrive at 10:30 a.m. for complimentary refreshments. … Read more

Rangers at North Bend State Park on July 21 will helps guests learn new outdoors skills, offering introductory courses in backpacking, geocaching, and backcountry camping. The courses last anywhere from two hours to overnight, according to Steve Jones, superintendent of North Bend. “Sometimes you need a little help learning a new outdoor skill,” Jones said of … Read more

Visitors to Canaan Valley Resort in the highlands of northeastern West Virginia are learning the fundamentals of wilderness living from experts in the field, thanks to a new educational program being provided there. Through September, the resort is offering classes designed to teach participants how to build shelters, light fires, navigate the back-country, and identify … Read more