West Virginians don’t have to go far to find natural beauty – it’s pretty much all around us! With 35 state parks to visit in West Virginia, you will never run out of amazing adventures in the Great Outdoors! Each of these superlative West Virginia state parks offers plenty of places to hike, fish, camp, and sightsee, and you will most definitely want to make a point to visit them all!
- Blackwater Falls State Park, Davis
dpbirds/flickr The main star of Blackwater Falls State Park is the falls themselves, which tumble 62 feet into the river below. Blackwater Falls State Park, 1584 Blackwater Lodge Rd, Davis, WV 26260, USA
- Tygart Lake State Park, Grafton
J. Stephen Conn/flickr Killer views and a 1,750-acre lake make this a West Virginia state park you won’t want to miss. Tygart Lake State Park, 1240 Paul E Malone Rd, Grafton, WV 26354, USA
- Holly River State Park, Hacker Valley
J. Stephen Conn/flickr West Virginia’s second-largest state park, Holly River has 8,101 acres of forest and majestic mountains. Holly River State Park, 680 State Park Rd, Hacker Valley, WV 26222, USA
- Babcock State Park, Clifftop
MariefromGeorgia/Tripadvisor With its charming, historic grist mill and tons of hiking opportunities, Babcock State Park is a place you’ll want to stay all day long. Babcock State Park, 486 Babcock Rd, Clifftop, WV 25831, USA
- Valley Falls State Park, Fairmont
J. Stephen Conn/flickr This little day-use park has a series of four waterfalls and is a perfectly picturesque spot to spend an afternoon. Valley Falls State Park, 720 Valley Falls Rd, Fairmont, WV 26554, USA
- Pipestem Resort State Park, Pipestem
hokie86/Tripadvisor Perched on the edge of the Bluestone River Gorge, this beautiful resort offers incredible views from the lookout tower and the aerial tram. Pipestem Resort State Park, 3405 Pipestem Dr, Pipestem, WV 25979, USA
- Cass Scenic Railroad State Park, Cass
Ron Cogswell/Tripadvisor Take the 11-mile long ride on the historic train to see some of the most spectacular views of West Virginia. Cass Scenic Railroad State Park, 12363 Cass Rd, Cass, WV 24927, USA
- Prickett’s Fort State Park, Fairmont
Tilly Lo/Google Local Imagine what it would be like to live on the frontier in the 18th century at Prickett’s Fort State Park. Pricketts Fort State Park, 88 State Park Rd, Fairmont, WV 26554, USA
- Cacapon Resort State Park, Berkeley Springs
Management/Tripadvisor This year-round resort offers tons of recreation, including golf, hiking, restaurants and a lake. Cacapon Resort State Park Foundation, 818 Cacapon Lodge Dr, Berkeley Springs, WV 25411, USA
- North Bend State Park, Cairo
North Bend State Park/Tripadvisor This stunning state park offers some great fishing, wildlife viewing, and a 72-mile long rail trail that’s perfect for hiking. North Bend State Park Lodge, 202 N Bend Park Rd, Cairo, WV 26337, USA
- Little Beaver State Park, Beaver
cheryl h/Tripadvisor This little day-use park is just 562 acres, but it packs in plenty of recreation with its fishing lake and hiking trails. Little Beaver State Park, 1402 Grandview Rd, Beaver, WV 25813, USA
- Hawks Nest State Park, Ansted
massaccio/Tripadvisor Take a jet boat ride and get a hawk’s eye view on the aerial tram at this gorgeous state park. Hawks Nest State Park, 49 Hawks Nest Rd, Ansted, WV 25812, USA
- Blennerhassett Island State Park, Parkersburg
management/Tripadvisor You’ll take a sternwheeler river boat to access this island park, and you’ll be amazed by the stately, beautiful Palladian mansion here. Blennerhassett Island Historical State Park, 137 Juliana St, Parkersburg, WV 26101, USA
- Beech Fork State Park, Barboursville
Charity R. Connor/Tripadvisor Hiking, birdwatching, boating and even a swimming pool are just some of the recreation opportunities at Beech Fork State Park. Beech Fork State Park, 5601 Long Branch Rd, Barboursville, WV 25504, USA
- Camp Creek State Park, Camp Creek
Tammy S./Tripadvisor Outdoor enthusiasts will love the 35 miles of hiking trails and streams full of trout at this state park. Camp Creek State Park & Forest, 2390 Co Hwy 19/5, Camp Creek, WV 25820, USA
The Mountain State is not lacking in natural beauty, and we challenge you to get out to visit all of the amazing state parks in West Virginia! So tell us: which of West Virginia’s state parks is your favorite to visit? Any hidden gem parks or trails you like in particular? Sound off in the comments below!
dpbirds/flickr
The main star of Blackwater Falls State Park is the falls themselves, which tumble 62 feet into the river below.
Blackwater Falls State Park, 1584 Blackwater Lodge Rd, Davis, WV 26260, USA
J. Stephen Conn/flickr
Killer views and a 1,750-acre lake make this a West Virginia state park you won’t want to miss.
Tygart Lake State Park, 1240 Paul E Malone Rd, Grafton, WV 26354, USA
West Virginia’s second-largest state park, Holly River has 8,101 acres of forest and majestic mountains.
Holly River State Park, 680 State Park Rd, Hacker Valley, WV 26222, USA
MariefromGeorgia/Tripadvisor
With its charming, historic grist mill and tons of hiking opportunities, Babcock State Park is a place you’ll want to stay all day long.
Babcock State Park, 486 Babcock Rd, Clifftop, WV 25831, USA
This little day-use park has a series of four waterfalls and is a perfectly picturesque spot to spend an afternoon.
Valley Falls State Park, 720 Valley Falls Rd, Fairmont, WV 26554, USA
hokie86/Tripadvisor
Perched on the edge of the Bluestone River Gorge, this beautiful resort offers incredible views from the lookout tower and the aerial tram.
Pipestem Resort State Park, 3405 Pipestem Dr, Pipestem, WV 25979, USA
Ron Cogswell/Tripadvisor
Take the 11-mile long ride on the historic train to see some of the most spectacular views of West Virginia.
Cass Scenic Railroad State Park, 12363 Cass Rd, Cass, WV 24927, USA
Tilly Lo/Google Local
Imagine what it would be like to live on the frontier in the 18th century at Prickett’s Fort State Park.
Pricketts Fort State Park, 88 State Park Rd, Fairmont, WV 26554, USA
Management/Tripadvisor
This year-round resort offers tons of recreation, including golf, hiking, restaurants and a lake.
Cacapon Resort State Park Foundation, 818 Cacapon Lodge Dr, Berkeley Springs, WV 25411, USA
North Bend State Park/Tripadvisor
This stunning state park offers some great fishing, wildlife viewing, and a 72-mile long rail trail that’s perfect for hiking.
North Bend State Park Lodge, 202 N Bend Park Rd, Cairo, WV 26337, USA
cheryl h/Tripadvisor
This little day-use park is just 562 acres, but it packs in plenty of recreation with its fishing lake and hiking trails.
Little Beaver State Park, 1402 Grandview Rd, Beaver, WV 25813, USA
massaccio/Tripadvisor
Take a jet boat ride and get a hawk’s eye view on the aerial tram at this gorgeous state park.
Hawks Nest State Park, 49 Hawks Nest Rd, Ansted, WV 25812, USA
management/Tripadvisor
You’ll take a sternwheeler river boat to access this island park, and you’ll be amazed by the stately, beautiful Palladian mansion here.
Blennerhassett Island Historical State Park, 137 Juliana St, Parkersburg, WV 26101, USA
Charity R. Connor/Tripadvisor
Hiking, birdwatching, boating and even a swimming pool are just some of the recreation opportunities at Beech Fork State Park.
Beech Fork State Park, 5601 Long Branch Rd, Barboursville, WV 25504, USA
Tammy S./Tripadvisor
Outdoor enthusiasts will love the 35 miles of hiking trails and streams full of trout at this state park.
Camp Creek State Park & Forest, 2390 Co Hwy 19/5, Camp Creek, WV 25820, USA
Looking for some more adventure in wild and wonderful West Virginia? Check out these seven adventures you can have in West Virginia’s treetops.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
The OIYS Visitor Center
State parks to visit in West Virginia February 08, 2022 Sarah M. What are some lesser-known state parks to visit in West Virginia? Around every turn in the Mountain State is another natural wonder at which to marvel. If you’re from our lovely state, then you know how easy it is to live here all your life and still be madly in love with all of the outdoor recreation found in West Virginia! However, perhaps sometimes the more well-known places get all of the glory. State parks are a great example, as with these nine state parks that totally fly under the radar. Among our favorites on the list, Pinnacle Rock State Park is (quite literally) a total diamond in the rough; the 3,100-foot sandstone rock at the centerpiece of this state park is awe-inspiring. When you’re finished marveling at it, head to one of the many trails or picnic tables and enjoy the rest of the outdoor fun this unique park has to offer. Another treasure of a West Virginia state park is Seneca State Forest. This lovely park doles out countless opportunities to get reacquainted with Mother Nature, including the Thorny Mountain Fire Tower. Climb to the top for unobstructed views in all directions; and, if you’re brave enough to spend the night under the stars you can reserve it for the whole night! What’s a historic state park to visit in West Virginia? One of the most historic state parks in West Virginia is another hidden gem. Off the beaten path in central West Virginia, there’s an under-rated state park that truly is one of Almost Heaven’s hidden gems. It offers beautiful views, quiet trails, and several fascinating historical sites, some of which date all the way back to the 1700s – yet you might never have even heard of it before! What is this magical place? Watters Smith Memorial State Park in Lost Creek, West Virginia! Featuring period buildings from 1796 to the early 1900s, including barns, cabins, a museum, and more, this 532-acre park is a place where history comes alive, and it’s a total must-visit for Mountain State history buffs.
The OIYS Visitor Center
State parks to visit in West Virginia
February 08, 2022
Sarah M.
What are some lesser-known state parks to visit in West Virginia? Around every turn in the Mountain State is another natural wonder at which to marvel. If you’re from our lovely state, then you know how easy it is to live here all your life and still be madly in love with all of the outdoor recreation found in West Virginia! However, perhaps sometimes the more well-known places get all of the glory. State parks are a great example, as with these nine state parks that totally fly under the radar. Among our favorites on the list, Pinnacle Rock State Park is (quite literally) a total diamond in the rough; the 3,100-foot sandstone rock at the centerpiece of this state park is awe-inspiring. When you’re finished marveling at it, head to one of the many trails or picnic tables and enjoy the rest of the outdoor fun this unique park has to offer. Another treasure of a West Virginia state park is Seneca State Forest. This lovely park doles out countless opportunities to get reacquainted with Mother Nature, including the Thorny Mountain Fire Tower. Climb to the top for unobstructed views in all directions; and, if you’re brave enough to spend the night under the stars you can reserve it for the whole night! What’s a historic state park to visit in West Virginia? One of the most historic state parks in West Virginia is another hidden gem. Off the beaten path in central West Virginia, there’s an under-rated state park that truly is one of Almost Heaven’s hidden gems. It offers beautiful views, quiet trails, and several fascinating historical sites, some of which date all the way back to the 1700s – yet you might never have even heard of it before! What is this magical place? Watters Smith Memorial State Park in Lost Creek, West Virginia! Featuring period buildings from 1796 to the early 1900s, including barns, cabins, a museum, and more, this 532-acre park is a place where history comes alive, and it’s a total must-visit for Mountain State history buffs.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
Around every turn in the Mountain State is another natural wonder at which to marvel. If you’re from our lovely state, then you know how easy it is to live here all your life and still be madly in love with all of the outdoor recreation found in West Virginia! However, perhaps sometimes the more well-known places get all of the glory. State parks are a great example, as with these nine state parks that totally fly under the radar. Among our favorites on the list, Pinnacle Rock State Park is (quite literally) a total diamond in the rough; the 3,100-foot sandstone rock at the centerpiece of this state park is awe-inspiring. When you’re finished marveling at it, head to one of the many trails or picnic tables and enjoy the rest of the outdoor fun this unique park has to offer. Another treasure of a West Virginia state park is Seneca State Forest. This lovely park doles out countless opportunities to get reacquainted with Mother Nature, including the Thorny Mountain Fire Tower. Climb to the top for unobstructed views in all directions; and, if you’re brave enough to spend the night under the stars you can reserve it for the whole night!
What’s a historic state park to visit in West Virginia?
One of the most historic state parks in West Virginia is another hidden gem. Off the beaten path in central West Virginia, there’s an under-rated state park that truly is one of Almost Heaven’s hidden gems. It offers beautiful views, quiet trails, and several fascinating historical sites, some of which date all the way back to the 1700s – yet you might never have even heard of it before! What is this magical place? Watters Smith Memorial State Park in Lost Creek, West Virginia! Featuring period buildings from 1796 to the early 1900s, including barns, cabins, a museum, and more, this 532-acre park is a place where history comes alive, and it’s a total must-visit for Mountain State history buffs.
