West Virginians got a scare a while back when it was announced that some of our state parks might be charging an entrance fee. The fee would have only been $2 per car, but that may have still been enough to deter some visitors. However, the controversial decision was overturned by Governor Jim Justice, who announced that all of the parks would continue to remain free to the public. With this good news, you’ll want to check out these state parks to visit in West Virginia that are still free .
- Coopers Rock State Forest, Monongalia and Preston counties
Flickr/iris Visit this park for hiking, rock climbing, and camping. You’ll want to be sure to check out the views from the overlook, and if you’re feeling adventurous, try a hike to the old Henry Clay Iron Furnace. Coopers Rock State Forest, West Virginia 26525, USA
- Pipestem Resort State Park, Mercer and Summers counties
WikiMedia Commons/Brian M. Powell This beautiful park is located in the gorge of the Bluestone River. Here you’ll find hotels and cabins, a golf course, horseback riding, and a secluded restaurant that is accessed by an aerial tramway to the bottom of the gorge. Pipestem Resort State Park, 3405 Pipestem Dr, Pipestem, WV 25979, USA
- Little Beaver State Park, Raleigh County
WikiMedia Commons/Brian M. Powell This family-friendly park has a picnic area, playground, hiking trails, and mountain biking trails. Fishing and boat rentals are available at Little Beaver Lake. Little Beaver, West Virginia 26525, USA
- Valley Falls State Park, Marion County
Devyn Rose/Facebook contributor This park is great for outdoor adventure. You’ll find great places to go mountain biking and kayaking, as well as hiking trails, a playground, a picnic area, and a volleyball court. Valley Falls, WV 26554, USA
- Babcock State Park, Fayette County
WikiMedia Commons/Gabor Eszes This beautiful park is world-famous for its scenic grist mill that actually still grinds corn meal. The park also features great hiking, swimming, and horseback riding, and has cozy cabins for a longer visit. Babcock State Park, 486 Babcock Rd, Clifftop, WV 25831, USA
- Blackwater Falls State Park, Tucker County
www.ForestWander.com This scenic park has several stunning waterfalls, dining, cabins, horseback riding, and more! See why this is one of the most photographed areas of West Virginia. Blackwater Falls, West Virginia 26260, USA
- Cacapon Resort State Park, Morgan County
TripAdvisor/Jeanne H. This state park has a lodge, plenty of sports activities, boat rentals, fishing, and swimming at the lake. The sandy beach is a great place to relax in warm weather! Cacapon Resort State Park, N Fork Cabin Ln, Unger, WV 25411, USA
These are some awesome state parks to visit in West Virginia, and since they are remaining free, there’s no reason not to check them out sometime soon!
Flickr/iris
Visit this park for hiking, rock climbing, and camping. You’ll want to be sure to check out the views from the overlook, and if you’re feeling adventurous, try a hike to the old Henry Clay Iron Furnace.
Coopers Rock State Forest, West Virginia 26525, USA
WikiMedia Commons/Brian M. Powell
This beautiful park is located in the gorge of the Bluestone River. Here you’ll find hotels and cabins, a golf course, horseback riding, and a secluded restaurant that is accessed by an aerial tramway to the bottom of the gorge.
Pipestem Resort State Park, 3405 Pipestem Dr, Pipestem, WV 25979, USA
This family-friendly park has a picnic area, playground, hiking trails, and mountain biking trails. Fishing and boat rentals are available at Little Beaver Lake.
Little Beaver, West Virginia 26525, USA
Devyn Rose/Facebook contributor
This park is great for outdoor adventure. You’ll find great places to go mountain biking and kayaking, as well as hiking trails, a playground, a picnic area, and a volleyball court.
Valley Falls, WV 26554, USA
WikiMedia Commons/Gabor Eszes
This beautiful park is world-famous for its scenic grist mill that actually still grinds corn meal. The park also features great hiking, swimming, and horseback riding, and has cozy cabins for a longer visit.
Babcock State Park, 486 Babcock Rd, Clifftop, WV 25831, USA
This scenic park has several stunning waterfalls, dining, cabins, horseback riding, and more! See why this is one of the most photographed areas of West Virginia.
Blackwater Falls, West Virginia 26260, USA
TripAdvisor/Jeanne H.
This state park has a lodge, plenty of sports activities, boat rentals, fishing, and swimming at the lake. The sandy beach is a great place to relax in warm weather!
Cacapon Resort State Park, N Fork Cabin Ln, Unger, WV 25411, USA
For more fun and free things to do in West Virginia, check out this list of 18 free activities.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
The OIYS Visitor Center
State Parks To Visit In West Virginia February 25, 2022 Sara Dager What are the most beautiful hikes in West Virginia? West Virginia is an absolute paradise for hikers. This may be hard to believe, but there are close to 500 trails in the state just waiting to be explored. There are a multitude of trails ideal for hikers of all abilities, and many that are great to discover through all four seasons. With all the varying terrain of West Virginia, you can be blessed with mountain views, lakes, wild flowers, and more, sometimes all on the same hike. Some hikes that come highly recommended include the Long Point trail that will show you a jaw dropping gorge, and the Endless Wall trail that is named after the rock cliffs you will see as you hike. Take a look at this article for more hiking inspiration. Does West Virginia have any natural wonders? Boy does it! From rock formations to massive gorges and intriguing caves, West Virginia’s nature has a shocking amount to offer. If you are passionate about the beauty that nature creates, look no further than this state. This list covers 12 natural wonders in the state that are more than worth your time. Can I hike to historical sites in West Virginia? West Virginia has seen an awful lot of important history throughout the years, and luckily the state is committed to preserving that history. If you are passionate about both hiking and history, there are a ton of trails that will take you out to historical sites and ruins. Not only will you feel immersed in history, but you may just learn something important about the past while getting your steps in! For example, if you take the short and simple 1.6 mile Kaymore trail, you will be lead to the ruins of an old mine, the building and equipment are in a state of disarray but they are still present and so fascinating, and there is even a waterfall to be seen along the trail to add to the intrigue. You can find more historical hikes in this article.
The OIYS Visitor Center
State Parks To Visit In West Virginia
February 25, 2022
Sara Dager
What are the most beautiful hikes in West Virginia? West Virginia is an absolute paradise for hikers. This may be hard to believe, but there are close to 500 trails in the state just waiting to be explored. There are a multitude of trails ideal for hikers of all abilities, and many that are great to discover through all four seasons. With all the varying terrain of West Virginia, you can be blessed with mountain views, lakes, wild flowers, and more, sometimes all on the same hike. Some hikes that come highly recommended include the Long Point trail that will show you a jaw dropping gorge, and the Endless Wall trail that is named after the rock cliffs you will see as you hike. Take a look at this article for more hiking inspiration. Does West Virginia have any natural wonders? Boy does it! From rock formations to massive gorges and intriguing caves, West Virginia’s nature has a shocking amount to offer. If you are passionate about the beauty that nature creates, look no further than this state. This list covers 12 natural wonders in the state that are more than worth your time. Can I hike to historical sites in West Virginia? West Virginia has seen an awful lot of important history throughout the years, and luckily the state is committed to preserving that history. If you are passionate about both hiking and history, there are a ton of trails that will take you out to historical sites and ruins. Not only will you feel immersed in history, but you may just learn something important about the past while getting your steps in! For example, if you take the short and simple 1.6 mile Kaymore trail, you will be lead to the ruins of an old mine, the building and equipment are in a state of disarray but they are still present and so fascinating, and there is even a waterfall to be seen along the trail to add to the intrigue. You can find more historical hikes in this article.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
West Virginia is an absolute paradise for hikers. This may be hard to believe, but there are close to 500 trails in the state just waiting to be explored. There are a multitude of trails ideal for hikers of all abilities, and many that are great to discover through all four seasons. With all the varying terrain of West Virginia, you can be blessed with mountain views, lakes, wild flowers, and more, sometimes all on the same hike. Some hikes that come highly recommended include the Long Point trail that will show you a jaw dropping gorge, and the Endless Wall trail that is named after the rock cliffs you will see as you hike. Take a look at this article for more hiking inspiration.
Does West Virginia have any natural wonders?
Boy does it! From rock formations to massive gorges and intriguing caves, West Virginia’s nature has a shocking amount to offer. If you are passionate about the beauty that nature creates, look no further than this state. This list covers 12 natural wonders in the state that are more than worth your time.
Can I hike to historical sites in West Virginia?
West Virginia has seen an awful lot of important history throughout the years, and luckily the state is committed to preserving that history. If you are passionate about both hiking and history, there are a ton of trails that will take you out to historical sites and ruins. Not only will you feel immersed in history, but you may just learn something important about the past while getting your steps in! For example, if you take the short and simple 1.6 mile Kaymore trail, you will be lead to the ruins of an old mine, the building and equipment are in a state of disarray but they are still present and so fascinating, and there is even a waterfall to be seen along the trail to add to the intrigue. You can find more historical hikes in this article.
