Aerial Tours

Take to the skies and get a little closer to Almost Heaven on your aerial tour through some of West Virginia’s most popular state parks.

Pipestem Peaks Zipline Tours

If you’re an adventure seeker, you won’t want to miss your chance to ride the Pipestem Peaks Zipline Tour, one of the most extensive zip line systems in the East. Strap in and soar through the treetops like the bald eagles that have made their home in Pipestem Resort, southern West Virginia’s premier family adventure resort.

Aerial Trams at Pipestem and Hawks Nest

If you prefer a slower ride where you can relax and enjoy a unique view of West Virginia’s iconic mountain scenery, take a trip on the aerial tram at Pipestem or Hawks Nest, which whisk you down thousands of feet into the Bluestone and New River gorges.

Pipestem Aerial Tram
The tram at Pipestem is currently closed while construction on the new Pipestem Aerial Tram is being completed. An estimated opening for operations is late Fall of 2024.

Tickets may be purchased at the Canyon Rim Center or online.

Hawks Nest Aerial Tram
Hawks Nest Aerial Tram is closed for the 2024 season. Construction on the new Hawks Nest Aerial Tram is scheduled to begin late in 2024, with an opening of the new aerial tram estimated in 2025.

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ATV Riding

World-class ATV riding awaits in Almost Heaven. West Virginia’s mountainous terrain makes it an ideal destination for atv riding and off-roading and West Virginia’s state parks and forests are in perfect locations to get out on the trails.

The Hatfield-McCoy Trail System is one of the largest public off-highway vehicle systems in the world with more than 1,000 miles of trail in the mountains of southern West Virginia. At Cabwaylingo State Forest, set out on the Cabwaylingo Trail, part of the Hatfield-McCoy Trail System and features 80 miles of trail.

Rest up after a day on the trails, at Chief Logan or Twin Falls Resort state parks. Chief Logan State Park is less than an hour away from six of the 10 trailheads in the Hatfield-McCoy Trail System and is home to 75 comfy lodge rooms and three cozy cabins. Twin Falls Resort State Park is just 15-miles from the Pinnacle Creek trailhead and has an array of lodge rooms and cozy cabins with mountain views to choose from.

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Blackwater Falls Sled Run

Experience the thrill of racing down more than a quarter mile of fresh mountain snow on the sled run at Blackwater Falls State Park. The longest sled run on the East Coast, the sled run at Blackwater Falls State Park is a must-do every year. Create cherished memories and experience wintertime fun with friends and family at Blackwater Falls.

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Ride the Magic Carpet

The Blackwater Sled Run is more than a perfectly groomed hill. Half the fun is riding to the top on our conveyor belt, the Magic Carpet. Our Magic Carpet is the longest on the east coast and takes riders through a cozy wooded path to the top of the hill right in their sleds. Ride up and sled down – it’s fun both ways! Watch the time-lapse video of ride to the top to get an idea for what it's like.

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Boating

Hit the water for a nice relaxing day spent soaking up the sun. Many of the West Virginia state parks located on or near lakes have accompanying boating privileges and rentals. For fun days on the water, Bluestone, Beech Fork, North Bend, Stonewall, Watoga, and Tygart Lake state parks are all great options! Be sure to check the individual park page before visiting to see if certain boating regulations are required.

 

 

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Camping

West Virginia State Parks offers camping you won’t find anywhere else. Sleep under the stars in some of the darkest skies on the East Coast. Pitch a tent, bring a camper, or even try a yurt! With more than 1,500 camp sites at 27 different parks across the state, we’ve got sites to accommodate all kinds of campers and trips. Family adventure? Fishing weekend? Hiking trip? We've got something for everyone. Pick your park and pack the car. It's time to go camping.

Campground reservations are available Memorial Day through Labor Day. In the off-season months, campgrounds are open on a first-come, first-serve basis through Oct. 31. A limited number of park campgrounds are open for year-round camping. Campgrounds open in winter, with some limitations include: Beech Fork, Camp Creek, Canaan Valley, Pipestem and Twin Falls state parks, and Cabwaylingo State Forest.

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Fishing

Get your family hooked on fishing by taking them to a West Virginia state park or forest. Our lakes and streams are stocked with trout, bass, bluegill and other sport fish. State parks and forests are some of the best places for new anglers to catch a fish, and many of our top spots are easily accessible for people of all skill sets. But before you head out on your trip, make sure you have a current license and stamps. If you don't have one, purchase one today at www.wvfish.com.

Announced trout stockings

Several state park and forest lakes and streams receive announced trout stockings in the spring. While getting a fish to bite requires some skill and a little luck, casting a line in stocked waters gives you and your family a better chance to catch a fish. Stockings are planned in March, April and May.

Plan a fishing trip today!

Fishing at parks and forests is steeped in West Virginia tradition and has been enjoyed by families for generations. So, come for the day, or stay for a weekend. Cast a line and enjoy the many other weekend activities at our beautiful parks and forests. You'll see why fishing at state parks and forests is so much fun! If you need overnight accommodations, many of our parks and forests have cabins or lodge rooms. But hurry! They book up fast.

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Geocaching

Looking for some treasure? If you have a smartphone and a sense of adventure, then treasure awaits you in West Virginia’s state parks! Individuals and organizations set up caches all over the world and share their locations on the internet. GPS users then use location coordinates to find the caches. Once found, a cache provides the site visitor with a wide variety of rewards. All the visitor is asked to do is leave something for the cache if they take something. For more information about this fun activity, visit www.geocaching.com.

If you are interested in placing a cache in an area managed by West Virginia State Parks, fill out and submit this application. A permit issued by West Virginia State Parks is required before placing a cache. Permits are good for one year from the date issued. Our guidelines ensure a safe caching experience. Below, is a list of caches at West Virginia state parks and forests. Happy searching!

Audra State Park

Audra Campground Cache
Rocks Unite: We Need to Stick Together

Babcock State Park

Old Stone Building
Glade Creek Waterfall
Take Steps to Prepare

Beartown State Park

Goldilock’s Worst Nightmare Earthcache

Blackwater Falls State Park

Blackwater Ramparts
Bridge Over Tannin Waters
"Rock" A-Bye Baby

Blennerhassett Island

Blennerhassett Island Bonus Cache

Cacapon Resort State Park

Cacapon Oriskany Sandstone Earthcache
Stone Gate
AHWV Ring, Ring!
AHWV Crack The Code
AHWV Endless Combinations
AHWV Hidden Code
AHWV Slithery Snake
AHWV Ammo Can Switchboard
AHWV Point Me In The Right Direction
AHWV Where's The Remote?

Camp Creek State Park

My Favorite Kennedy
My Favorite Washington
My Favorite Penny

Canaan Valley Resort State Park

Mossy Oak Cache
The Links
Easy Does It
Triple Club
Scenic View One + Two
On the Edge of the Nines

Cass Scenic Railroad State Park

CSRR State Park Multicache
ExploreWV Geocoin Challenge #27
SBGT WV: Cass Scenic Railroad State Park

Cathedral State Park

Troll's Treasure at Cathedral State Park

Cedar Creek State Park

Cedar Chest

Coopers Rock State Forest

Coopers Rock
Wanna Go To The Can On Ridge Trail
Scott Run Excursion
Clay Run Copper
havelotsfun CLAYRUNHIKE
Abandon Hope…
Jen in Wonderland
I’m Stuck in Fulcrum Prison
Indycam’s Picnic Spot
Raven's rock trail, favMos first cache
The Gold Bug
The Space Between
Top of the Rocks
Henry Clay Iron Furnace
You Can't Fight Evil With a Macaroni Duck
Mountaineers are Always Free
Cache Across America - West Virginia

Fairfax Stone State Park

Fairfax Stone

Holly River State Park

Holly River Cache
Dreamers Meadow Cache
Tater Cache

Kanawha State Forest

Tea Time
Polly Want a Cache?
Gator Bait Returns

Kumbrabow State Forest

Hanging Around Kumbrabow SF

Lost River State Park

Cranny Crow
Cheeks Rocks
Fire Tower Cabin
The Lee Spring
Nature Refuge
Piney Ridge Road
Service Road Bridge

North Bend Rail Trail

Sherwood Like a Flashlight
Pot of Gold at the End of the Rainbow

North Bend State Park

Anchor's Away
There are Giants in these Woods

Pinnacle Rock State Park

Pinnacle Rock: A Geological Landmark
Pinnacle Rock Cache

Pipestem Resort State Park

Bluestone River
Farm Pond
County Line Cache

Stonewall Resort State Park

At the Beech
Intersecting Trails
Fit Enough?
Hidden Gem
Stonewall Lake
The Secret Bench
Tee Time
If a Tree Falls in the Forest...

Tomlinson Run State Park

ELPO Rock
Hartford’s Grist Mill
Mineral Springs
New Manchester Pioneer Turnpike
TOMLINSON DAM
tomlinsonx1 Tribute
Thunder on the Run Tribute

Tu-Endie-Wei State Park

Confluence – Ohio & Kanawha Rivers
WV - Tu-Endi-Wei Ancient Writing

Twin Falls Resort State Park

Cliffside Cache
Summit Cache

Tygart Lake State Park

Old Foundation
TLSP #2: Welcome to the Park
TLSP #3 Scab Run
TLSP #5: High Water
TLSP #7: Enchanted Forest
TLSP #8: Hard Times
Hillside Treasure
Taylor County Geotrail: Tygart Lake State Park

Valley Falls State Park

Valley Falls

Watoga State Park

Beaver Creek Campground
Old Cabin 3 at Watoga
Ranger's Cache
Lenna’s Cache
Watoga Recreation Hall
Watoga Southside Building
Watoga Swimming Pool
Watoga Trail Overlook

Watters Smith Memorial State Park

Watters Smith Memorial

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Golf Courses

Perfect your golf game on some of West Virginia’s most picturesque golf courses! It doesn’t matter if you’re an amateur to the game of golf or an expert. West Virginia State Parks has golf courses you will enjoy! Our state park greens are expertly designed and manicured by famous course architects. Arnold Palmer designed the Palmer Signature Course at Stonewall Resort, and Geoffrey Cornish designed the ones at Canaan Valley Resort and Pipestem Resort State Park. Additional 18-hole courses are available at Twin Falls (designed by Cornish with a later addition by George Cobb, Sr.), and Cacapon Resort (a Robert Trent Jones masterpiece). 

You can also try your hand at FlingGolf, a fun, unique alternative to traditional golf involving a fling stick that hurls the ball into the air.

Purchase Your Season Pass

Tee up with friends, play a game with business partners or even bring the family for a relaxing day on the greens! West Virginia's state park golf courses welcome daily play, tournament bookings, and season golf passes.

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Hiking Trails

Get out and explore the great outdoors! No matter what kind of hiker you are, you’ll find a trail to love at any of the West Virginia State Parks. From easy loops to challenging climbs, you’ll enjoy a nature-filled hike through the trees and mountains and maybe even stumble upon a newfound mountain vista! Before you head out, make sure to stop by any of the park offices to pick up a trail guide.

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Horseback Riding

What better way to see West Virginia’s nature and wildlife than from a trusty steed? Explore the mountains by horseback and discover new adventures at every turn in a tranquil setting. Cacapon, Lost River and Pipestem Resort State Park have stables on site and offer guided trail rides. Camp Creek State Park and Forest and Holly River State Park offer horseback riding trails and equestrian camping for visitors traveling with horses.

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Hunting

West Virginia is known for its outdoor recreation, including hunting and fishing. Fortunately, West Virginia state forests are open to hunting during both small and big game seasons. You’ll find rental cabins and campgrounds at Cabwaylingo, Greenbrier, Kumbrabow and Seneca state forests. Calvin Price State Forest conveniently borders Watoga State Park, which is equipped with both cabins and a campground. Camping is also available at other state forests, including Camp Creek, Coopers Rock, and Panther. Before you hit the woods, be sure to purchase proper licenses and stamps, available at www.wvhunt.com.

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Mountain Biking Trails

Become a mountain biking pro in no time! Bring your bicycle to zip through the state park trails and get a little closer to nature. You’ll find trails at any state park to pair with your level of skill, comfort, and experience in mountain biking. If you’re looking for a long leisurely ride, try the North Bend Rail Trail or the Greenbrier River Trail. If you need a map of any of the trails, stop by a park office before you head out!

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Museums and Historical Sites

There’s no shortage of fascinating history in these hills! Many of the West Virginia State Parks were designated state parks because of the history surrounding the area. These historic parks often have an onsite museum with exhibits about local history, mine wars, Appalachian culture, or Civil War artifacts. Learn something new and gain a greater appreciation at sites like Berkeley Springs, Blennerhassett Island, Carnifex Ferry, Cass Scenic Railroad, Cathedral, Droop Mountain Battlefield, and Fairfax Stone State Park.

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Outdoor Adventures

Bring your "A" game with you for outdoor adventures available across our state parks. The majority of the parks have regulation basketball courts, volleyball courts, and badminton courts available as well as horseshoe areas. These activities and game areas are typically located near picnic shelters. For more information on availability, equipment, and rentals, contact the individual state park you plan on visiting.

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Scenic Train Rides

All aboard! Cruise through the mountains in style by way of a scenic train ride. These train excursions preserve an era when steam-driven locomotives were an essential part of everyday life. You can hear the engines chug along the landscape and admire the surrounding views of wildlife like you’ve never seen before. Visit Cass Scenic Railroad State Park for the rail ride of a lifetime!

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Snow Sports

Let’s hit the slopes! Our mountains are gorgeous year round but they’ve been known to shine a little brighter in the winter. West Virginia’s state parks offer some of the best snow recreation on the East Coast including skiing, sledding, and tubing. There’s fun for the whole family at any of our snow sport locations, such as Blackwater Falls, Canaan Valley, and Pipestem State Park, with cozy mountain lodges nearby for when you’re ready to warm back up!

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Stargazing

Wide open spaces surrounded by rugged mountain beauty and far away from light pollution, West Virginia’s state parks and forests are home to some of the best stargazing spots on the east coast. From brilliant starry night skies to catching a glimpse of the Milky Way’s galactic core, stunning night sky views await in Almost Heaven.

Top Stargazing Spots

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Swimming

When it’s hot outside and you need to cool off, nothing beats the heat like a dip in the pool or splash through a nature-made swimming hole. Good thing West Virginia's state parks and forests have several of both!

Go for a Swim at a State Park Pool

Many state parks and forests have swimming pools where you can quickly cool off after a day of outdoor adventure. They're also perfect for parties or spending a relaxing day poolside with the family. So, stop on by parks like Bluestone, Berkeley Springs or Canaan for a fun day at the pool.

If you're looking for a little more excitement, head to Chief Logan or Tomlinson Run. Both park pools have a towering, twisting water slide the kids will love (and most adults, too)!

Nature-made swimming spots

If you prefer to get your toes wet in a free-flowing natural body of water, check out the swimming hole at Audra, or go for a swim at a lake or beaches at Blackwater Falls, Cacapon or Tygart Lake state parks. Be sure to check individual park pages for more information on hours.

Find a park and beat the summer heat with a cooling swim today!

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Whitewater Rafting

West Virginia’s mighty rivers are perfect for gathering up your friends and family to conquer the roaring rapids together. Regardless of your skill level or expertise, raft guides can find a stretch of river to suit your sense of adventure. Raft the New or Gauley rivers when you visit nearby Babcock and Hawks Nest state parks, or spend some time on the Cheat River near Blackwater Falls and Canaan Valley Resort state parks!

 

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