State Parks, Forests

Blennerhassett Island Historical State Park will debut an early 19th century-style garden party June 23 at the park’s recently restored Blennerhassett Pleasure Garden. The party will feature lawn games, period music, and dancing, as well as an appearance by Harman and Margaret Blennerhassett and their English gardener, Peter Taylor, as portrayed in costume by historians … Read more

The historic spa at Berkeley Springs, West Virginia, is introducing a loyalty-card program to accommodate regular patrons of its bathhouses, according to spa officials. One of the Mountain State’s most popular tourist attractions, the warm mineral springs in use since colonial times also hosts an audience of regular guests who soak in its waters and … Read more

Featuring stunning views of the New River Gorge, The Vista Restaurant at Hawks Nest State Park has opened under park management, the W.Va. Division of Natural Resources announced today. The upscale restaurant in the park’s cliffside lodge will begin serving alcoholic beverages after July 1. “It’s a new start at Hawks Nest State Park,” superintendent … Read more

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — I can’t think of a West Virginia state park that wouldn’t be ideal for a summer getaway. Many boast swimming pools and streams ideal for wading, and almost all are shady with forest trees. But when our staff asked me to provide a list of our favorite summer parks, coming up with … Read more

Three state agencies have partnered with the W.Va. Farmers Market Association to host eight farm-to-table dinners in West Virginia state parks. Each will take place at a park restaurant, pairing locally grown produce and products for menu items. The goal of the dinners is to introduce more locally sourced products into restaurant menus, while developing … Read more

The 35th annual Sue Browning Wildflower Hike is scheduled for Saturday, April 7, at Chief Logan State Park near Logan, West Virginia. The popular hike commemorates local wildflower enthusiast and Logan Garden Club member, Sue Browning. Two hikes are planned, according to a release from the W.Va. Department of Commerce.  The principal hike will follow … Read more

The perfect gift is one that keeps on giving, and state parks in West Virginia are including something extra this holiday season on gift-card purchases of $100 or more, according to a parks spokesperson. Through Dec. 18, 2017, the state parks system is offering “Something Extra” coupons for every $100 gift card purchased. The bonus includes … Read more