West Virginia State Parks: Getting Closer to Nature

Those looking to escape the hustle and bustle of city life can get away from it all by spending some time at Audra State Park, West Virginia.

Situated in southwestern Barbour County and covering parts of Upshur County, West Virginia, Audra State Park surrounds visitors with woodlands and natural beauty. Crisp, clean water flows down the Middle Fork River, a tributary of the Tygart Valley River.

Hikers can explore the rock cliff of the Alum Cave.

A day at Audra means ample opportunity for outdoors activities like hiking and family picnics. The park also allows campers to stay overnight and sleep underneath the stars.

8397 Audra Park Road, Buckhannon, WV, Phone: 304-457-1162

Nestled in Clifftop, West Virginia, Babcock State Park spans 4,127 acres. The attraction has no shortage of outdoor activities, especially for the adventurous. Thrill-seekers can spend the day whitewater rafting and zip lining. Babcock State Park has 13 cabins along Glade Creek available for rent which come fully-equipped with a kitchen, shower, and bathroom. Guests can also set up tents, RVs, or campers at the 52-unit campground. Outdoorsmen can enjoy a day of fishing or hunting. Trails give hikers a chance to explore the park, view wildlife, and take in the fresh air. The park also has two geocache sites for scavenger hunting adventures.

486 Babcock Road, Clifftop, WV, Phone: 304-438-3004

Beartown State Park sits below the eastern summit of Droop Mountain in West Virginia’s Greenbrier and Pocahontas Counties. Guests come to explore the unique rock formations, caves, and boulders. Jutting cliffs give picturesque views of the surrounding landscape. The half-mile long boardwalk provides an easy stroll while enjoying the park’s natural beauty. Beartown also offers geocaching activities for families and nature-lovers to spend time scavenger hunting outdoors. Although the park remains open for day-use only, visitors can camp out or rent cabins at the Seneca State Forest or Watoga State Park. The Civil War’s last major battle site, Droop Mountain, is also nearby.

Beartown Road, Renick, WV, Phone: 304-799-4087

Romantic West Virginia State Parks

Since the colonial period, residents of the area visited Berkeley Springs to benefit from its natural, hot mineral springs. Warm spring water stays at an average temperature of 74 degrees Fahrenheit. Today, Berkeley Springs State Park hosts a range of spa activities. Guests can enjoy the natural surroundings in between getting a message, visiting the saunas, or relaxing in a Roman bathhouse. The bathhouse has a free museum on the second floor featuring displays of historical artifacts. Berkeley Springs also has a swimming pool filled entirely with natural spring water. Nearby, golfers can tee off at the Cacapon Resort State Park’s championship course.

2 South Washington Street, Berkeley Springs, WV, Phone: 304-258-9147

Blackwater Falls State Park sits alongside the Allegheny Mountains of Tucker County, West Virginia. Tannic acids from hemlock and red spruce needles create deep amber hues in the Blackwater Falls. The waterfall descends 57 feet, and visitors can admire Blackwater from numerous viewing platforms. The park hosts plenty of outdoor sporting such as fishing, hiking, and swimming. The park stays open all year long, and during the winter months, guests can go sledding and cross-country skiing while marveling at the fresh mountain snowfall. In the warming hut, visitors can rent snowshoes and toboggans or thaw out with a full menu of hot drinks.

1584 Blackwater Lodge Road, Davis, WV, Phone: 304-259-5216

Located in Hinton, West Virginia, Bluestone State Park provides a lakeside getaway with breathtaking views of the wilderness. As the state’s largest park, Bluestone offers it all for nature lovers. Recreational activities in the lake include boating, fishing, and swimming. Adrenaline junkies can opt for more adventurous options like rock climbing, white water rafting, aerial tours, and mountain biking. Bluestone welcomes guests to stay overnight at one of four campgrounds. 32 of the sites accommodate RVs and tents with electric and water hookups available and a central bathhouse. Golfers can tee off at one of two courses at the nearby Pipestem Resort State Park.

78 HC, Hinton, WV, Phone: 304-466-2805

Cacapon Resort State Park covers 6,000 acres of woodlands offering nature lovers a chance to escape to the great outdoors. The highest peak in eastern West Virginia overlooks the park. The adjacent lake provides ample water activities, from daytime trout fishing to overnight fishing trips. Sportsmen come to hunt for deer, turkey, squirrel, and grouse. Geocaching give guests a chance to explore the park in search of buried treasure. The resort organizes horseback and pony riding out on the trails. Mountain bikers of all levels can get their thrills on varied terrains with expansive wilderness views.

818 Cacapon Lodge Drive, Berkeley Springs, WV, Phone: 304-258-1022

Family-Friendly West Virginia State Parks

Cass Scenic Railroad State Park transports visitors back to a time when people relied on steam-driven locomotives to get around. Railroad enthusiasts and history buffs will love the remaining 11-mile railroad track and preserved lumbering town of Cass. It’s all aboard, and visitors can enjoy a scenic train road overlooking the third highest peak in West Virginia. The free museum includes guided tours and displays explaining the engineering and maintenance of historic locomotives. One of the last major Civil War battles took place at the nearby Droop Mountain Battlefield. Cass Scenic Railroad State Park also has places for hiking, fishing, boating, golfing, and hunting.

242 Main Street, Cass, WV, Phone: 304-456-4300

Located in central West Virginia not far from Glenville, Cedar Creek State Park offers a picturesque place to enjoy the great outdoors. History buffs can explore a few gems like Job’s Temple, one of the state’s oldest churches dating back to 1861. The Bulltown Historic Area offers history reenactments complete with staff dressed in period clothing. Visitors can also explore the history center, Civil War trenches, and graves. Outdoor adventures abound at Cedar Creek, and nature lovers can spend the day boating hiking, swimming, and golfing. The campground has 65 sites with running water and electric hookups. Campers can purchase firewood and ice at the site center.

2947 Cedar Creek Road, Glenville, WV, Phone: 304-462-7158

The Chesapeake & Ohio Canal takes guests back in time revealing the history of the region and the country’s early methods of transportation. Built in 1831, The C&O Canal, nicknamed “The Grand Old Ditch”, operated here for over 100 years transporting coal, lumber, and produce from Washington D.C. to Cumberland, Maryland. The Chesapeake & Ohio Canal has become a National Historical Park. Guests can come to learn about transportation history as well as enjoy the surrounding natural beauty of the region. The Billy Goat Trail gives impressive views of the Potomac River. Meanwhile, guests can also view Great Falls or enjoy a boat ride.

Chesapeake & Ohio Canal, 205 West Potomac Street, Williamsport, MD, Phone: 301-582-0813