West Virginia has one of the best state park systems in the nation, and entrance to these parks is always free. They are designed with all ages in mind, and many offer kid-friendly options like playgrounds, picnic areas, swimming, educational signage about local history and nature, fishing, and beginner hikes the whole family can enjoy together. If you’re looking to visit an amazing state park in West Virginia that’s also kid friendly, check out the following 11 parks in the Mountain State:
- Babcock State Park (Clifftop)
Gabor Eszes/Wikimedia Find a working gristmill at Babcock State Park along with some beautiful views from some of the many hiking trails. Babcock State Park, 486 Babcock Rd, Clifftop, WV 25831, USA
- Droop Mountain Battlefield State Park (Hillsboro)
Brian M Powell/Wikipedia Learn about West Virginia’s fascinating Civil War history at Droop Mountain Battlefield State Park and climb an observation tower. Droop Mountain Battlefield State Park, 683 Droop Park Road, Hillsboro, WV 24946, USA
- Pricketts Fort State Park (Fairmont)
Tilly Lo/Google Local Visit a reconstructed fort at Pricketts Fort State Park for an amazing living history experience. Pricketts Fort State Park, 88 State Park Rd, Fairmont, WV 26554, USA
- Cathedral State Park (Aurora)
David Walker/Google Maps Pack a picnic and visit some of the state’s oldest trees (giant 500-year-old hemlocks) at Cathedral State Park. Cathedral State Park, Aurora, WV 26705, USA
- Blackwater Falls State Park (Davis)
Management/TripAdvisor See the state’s most famous waterfall at Blackwater Falls State Park and learn about its unusual color (thanks to tannins from evergreen needles from the surrounding forest). Blackwater Falls State Park, 1584 Blackwater Lodge Rd, Davis, WV 26260, USA
- Beartown Boardwalk State Park (Renick)
GracyInVienna/Tripadvisor Stroll along a boardwalk that leads through huge boulders and towering trees at Beartown Boardwalk State Park. Beartown Road, Beartown Rd, West Virginia 24966, USA
- Pipestem Resort State Park (Pipestem)
Greg_Dianne_Mc/Tripadvisor Zipline, ride a trolley, hike, or just relax at Pipestem Resort State Park. Pipestem Resort State Park, 3405 Pipestem Dr, Pipestem, WV 25979, USA
- Audra State Park (Buckhannon)
JukeJointJimmy/Tripadvisor Take a boardwalk trail through a cave or relax on a sandstone river beach at Audra State Park. Audra State Park, Audra, Buckhannon, WV 26201, USA
- Tomlinson Run State Park (New Cumberland)
Tomlinson Run State Park/Facebook Enjoy hiking around the lake, picnicking, and other recreational sports options at Tomlinson Run State Park. Tomlinson Run State Park, 3391 Veterans Blvd, New Cumberland, WV 26047, USA
- Carnifex Ferry Battlefield State Park (Summersville)
Megan Ross/Alltrails Hike to a lookout, play on the playground, or discover the history of the battle that made us a state at Carnifex Ferry Battlefield State Park. Carnifex Ferry Battlefield State Park, 1194 Carnifex Ferry Crossing, Summersville, WV 26651, USA
- Watoga State Park (Marlinton)
Watoga State Park/Facebook Fish, boat, hike, or climb the lookout tower at Watoga State Park. Watoga State Park, 4800 Watoga Park Rd, Marlinton, WV 24954, USA
We know there are way more great, family-friendly state parks to visit in West Virginia than just these 11, but this list is certainly a great place to start! If we did we miss your family’s favorite state park in the Mountain State, please let us know in the comments below!
Gabor Eszes/Wikimedia
Find a working gristmill at Babcock State Park along with some beautiful views from some of the many hiking trails.
Babcock State Park, 486 Babcock Rd, Clifftop, WV 25831, USA
Brian M Powell/Wikipedia
Learn about West Virginia’s fascinating Civil War history at Droop Mountain Battlefield State Park and climb an observation tower.
Droop Mountain Battlefield State Park, 683 Droop Park Road, Hillsboro, WV 24946, USA
Tilly Lo/Google Local
Visit a reconstructed fort at Pricketts Fort State Park for an amazing living history experience.
Pricketts Fort State Park, 88 State Park Rd, Fairmont, WV 26554, USA
David Walker/Google Maps
Pack a picnic and visit some of the state’s oldest trees (giant 500-year-old hemlocks) at Cathedral State Park.
Cathedral State Park, Aurora, WV 26705, USA
Management/TripAdvisor
See the state’s most famous waterfall at Blackwater Falls State Park and learn about its unusual color (thanks to tannins from evergreen needles from the surrounding forest).
Blackwater Falls State Park, 1584 Blackwater Lodge Rd, Davis, WV 26260, USA
GracyInVienna/Tripadvisor
Stroll along a boardwalk that leads through huge boulders and towering trees at Beartown Boardwalk State Park.
Beartown Road, Beartown Rd, West Virginia 24966, USA
Greg_Dianne_Mc/Tripadvisor
Zipline, ride a trolley, hike, or just relax at Pipestem Resort State Park.
Pipestem Resort State Park, 3405 Pipestem Dr, Pipestem, WV 25979, USA
JukeJointJimmy/Tripadvisor
Take a boardwalk trail through a cave or relax on a sandstone river beach at Audra State Park.
Audra State Park, Audra, Buckhannon, WV 26201, USA
Tomlinson Run State Park/Facebook
Enjoy hiking around the lake, picnicking, and other recreational sports options at Tomlinson Run State Park.
Tomlinson Run State Park, 3391 Veterans Blvd, New Cumberland, WV 26047, USA
Megan Ross/Alltrails
Hike to a lookout, play on the playground, or discover the history of the battle that made us a state at Carnifex Ferry Battlefield State Park.
Carnifex Ferry Battlefield State Park, 1194 Carnifex Ferry Crossing, Summersville, WV 26651, USA
Watoga State Park/Facebook
Fish, boat, hike, or climb the lookout tower at Watoga State Park.
Watoga State Park, 4800 Watoga Park Rd, Marlinton, WV 24954, USA
As you go out to visit the many beautiful state parks in West Virginia, keep this list handy for some less crowded, under-the-radar options around the state. You’re sure to find one in your neck of the woods!
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The OIYS Visitor Center
State parks to visit in West Virginia February 06, 2022 Sarah M. What’s the best state park in West Virginia? We adore all of the state parks in West Virginia, and absolutely think each and every one of them is worthy of exploring. However, there is one that truly has a special place in our heart, and that’s Blackwater Falls State Park. Let’s sing its praises, shall we? Nestled high in the Allegheny Mountains of Tucker County, the 2,300-acre Blackwater Falls State Park is one of the most photographed places in the state - and for good reason. It’s absolutely (and quite literally) gorgeous! The Blackwater River has carved some amazing features out of the rock, starting with the 57-foot Blackwater Falls at the head of the gorge, and it’s a waterfall chaser’s dream. Framed by spruce and hemlock forest, this waterfall, one of the state’s highest, offers a unique magnificence every changing season that’s often captured by photographers. In fact, when you visit, you will most likely see a photographer or two, cameras in hand, tripods set up, framing the picture-perfect shot of this picture-perfect place! How many state parks are there to visit in West Virginia? From hiking and biking to scenic train rides and snow sports, West Virginia’s state parks and forests are nothing short of extraordinary, and truly offer something for everyone. The West Virginia State Parks system is home to 35 state parks, nine state forests, three rail trails, and countless adventures. What are some lesser-known state parks in West Virginia? It’s always fun to take the road (or, in this case, the trail) less travelled, and in West Virginia, there are some lesser-known state parks you’ll definitely want to visit. Some of our favorites include: Pinnacle Rock State Park, Little Beaver State Park, Seneca State Forest, Tu-Endie-Wei, Beech Fork State Park, and Cathedral State Park. You can read about each of these lesser-known state parks in the Mountain State in this feature article.
The OIYS Visitor Center
State parks to visit in West Virginia
February 06, 2022
Sarah M.
What’s the best state park in West Virginia? We adore all of the state parks in West Virginia, and absolutely think each and every one of them is worthy of exploring. However, there is one that truly has a special place in our heart, and that’s Blackwater Falls State Park. Let’s sing its praises, shall we? Nestled high in the Allegheny Mountains of Tucker County, the 2,300-acre Blackwater Falls State Park is one of the most photographed places in the state - and for good reason. It’s absolutely (and quite literally) gorgeous! The Blackwater River has carved some amazing features out of the rock, starting with the 57-foot Blackwater Falls at the head of the gorge, and it’s a waterfall chaser’s dream. Framed by spruce and hemlock forest, this waterfall, one of the state’s highest, offers a unique magnificence every changing season that’s often captured by photographers. In fact, when you visit, you will most likely see a photographer or two, cameras in hand, tripods set up, framing the picture-perfect shot of this picture-perfect place! How many state parks are there to visit in West Virginia? From hiking and biking to scenic train rides and snow sports, West Virginia’s state parks and forests are nothing short of extraordinary, and truly offer something for everyone. The West Virginia State Parks system is home to 35 state parks, nine state forests, three rail trails, and countless adventures. What are some lesser-known state parks in West Virginia? It’s always fun to take the road (or, in this case, the trail) less travelled, and in West Virginia, there are some lesser-known state parks you’ll definitely want to visit. Some of our favorites include: Pinnacle Rock State Park, Little Beaver State Park, Seneca State Forest, Tu-Endie-Wei, Beech Fork State Park, and Cathedral State Park. You can read about each of these lesser-known state parks in the Mountain State in this feature article.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
We adore all of the state parks in West Virginia, and absolutely think each and every one of them is worthy of exploring. However, there is one that truly has a special place in our heart, and that’s Blackwater Falls State Park. Let’s sing its praises, shall we? Nestled high in the Allegheny Mountains of Tucker County, the 2,300-acre Blackwater Falls State Park is one of the most photographed places in the state - and for good reason. It’s absolutely (and quite literally) gorgeous! The Blackwater River has carved some amazing features out of the rock, starting with the 57-foot Blackwater Falls at the head of the gorge, and it’s a waterfall chaser’s dream. Framed by spruce and hemlock forest, this waterfall, one of the state’s highest, offers a unique magnificence every changing season that’s often captured by photographers. In fact, when you visit, you will most likely see a photographer or two, cameras in hand, tripods set up, framing the picture-perfect shot of this picture-perfect place!
How many state parks are there to visit in West Virginia?
From hiking and biking to scenic train rides and snow sports, West Virginia’s state parks and forests are nothing short of extraordinary, and truly offer something for everyone. The West Virginia State Parks system is home to 35 state parks, nine state forests, three rail trails, and countless adventures.
What are some lesser-known state parks in West Virginia?
It’s always fun to take the road (or, in this case, the trail) less travelled, and in West Virginia, there are some lesser-known state parks you’ll definitely want to visit. Some of our favorites include: Pinnacle Rock State Park, Little Beaver State Park, Seneca State Forest, Tu-Endie-Wei, Beech Fork State Park, and Cathedral State Park. You can read about each of these lesser-known state parks in the Mountain State in this feature article.
