Hiking in West Virginia
Information courtesy of West Virginia State Parks
Blackwater Falls State Park is named for the falls of the Blackwater River whose amber-colored waters plunge five stories then twist and tumble through an eight-mile long gorge. The “black” water is a result of tannic acid from fallen hemlock and red spruce needles. The falls are one of the most photographed sites in West Virginia.
Babcock State Park offers its guests 4,127 acres of serene, yet rugged beauty, a fast flowing trout stream in a boulder-strewn canyon and mountainous vistas to be viewed from several scenic overlooks. All of this variety is located adjacent to the New River Gorge National ‘River and the heart of the whitewater rafting industry of West Virginia.
Before the turn of the century, West Virginians were drawn to the natural beauty of the Middle Fork River and its surroundings. This area is now Audra State Park, a heavily wooded riverside campground that continues to awe visitors.
Berkeley Springs State Park is located in the center of Berkeley Springs, West Virginia. The Bathhouse first opened in 1930. Since then, thousands have enjoyed the variety of baths and treatments in the warm mineral waters that flow from the springs at a constant temperature of 74.3 degrees Fahrenheit. The springs discharge from five principle sources and numerous lesser ones, all within a hundred yards, approximately 2,000 gallons of clear, sparkling water per minute. Bathing in the springs has been popular since before the days of George Washington.
Encompassing over 2,100 acres of rugged, heavily forested, mountainous terrain, Bluestone State Park provides a wide variety of water-oriented activities for guests and residents of southern West Virginia. In the midst of this wilderness park, just five miles south of Hinton, are nestled modern cabins, a campground and fine recreational facilites. The extra plus is that Bluestone is adjacent to Bluestone Lake, the state’s third largest body of water.
Camp Creek State Park was formed from Camp Creek State Forest in 1987, when a tract of approximately 550 acres was set aside to create this recreation area. Still adjacent to the park lies Camp Creek State Forest. Consisting of nearly 5,300 acres of forest land this property is managed to demonstrate sound forest management principles through the concept of multiple-use. A hunter will find many species of game including deer, native wild turkey, ruffed grouse and a variety of small game. Camp Creek, from which these areas take their name, is one of the best stocked trout streams in the state and can offer hours of fishing enjoyment.
Nestled in the heart of West Virginia, Cedar Creek State Park’s 2,483 lush acres are just 25 miles west of Interstate 79. This pastoral setting of rolling hills and wide valleys provides an ideal backdrop for a wide variety of recreational opportunities from cycling to pleasant family strolls.
Paramount to the park, nestled in the foothills of the Allegheny Mountains in scenic North Central West Virginia, is the 1,740-acre lake. Built by the Army Corps of Engineers in 1938, the park today boasts many features and facilities suited to the outdoor adventurer, family-ready for a quite getaway, business group or small conference. Tygart Lake State Park is the perfect spot for your next family reunion.
These are just a few of the many parks located in West Virginia State Park system, but there are so many more.
West Virginia State Parks
West Virginia Statewide Hiking Program
West Virginia Park Trail Maps
