5 WV state parks perfect for a Mother’s Day retreat
Treat the mom in your life to a much-needed break at a West Virginia State Park.
Are you looking for the perfect gift for your mom or perhaps that special person who’s been a mother figure in your life? Take her to a West Virginia state park for a weekend of rest and relaxation, where you’ll also enjoy some of the most beautiful scenery in Almost Heaven. Here’s five parks that are perfect for a Mother’s Day retreat.
Cacapon Resort State Park
Cacapon offers a picturesque getaway in the mountains of the Eastern Panhandle, where you and your mom can enjoy activities like hiking and horseback riding. If your mom enjoys fishing or playing a round of golf, be sure to check out the greens at Cacapon or hit up the park’s two lakes, which are stocked with trout in the spring and teeming with bass, catfish and bluegill. A fishing license can be purchased at wvfish.com. For your overnight accommodations, Cacapon offers guest cabins, campsites and a full-service lodge.
Side Trip: While you’re in the area, you might want to plan a trip over to Berkeley Springs State Park to treat Mom to a therapeutic massage or a Roman bath soak in the historic town of Berkeley Springs.
North Bend State Park
In the Mid-Ohio Valley, North Bend is the ideal park for the adventurous mom. The park is known for its popular Quest program, which is a “choose your own adventure” that lets participants learn outdoor skills like kayaking, rock climbing and mountain biking. If you’re looking for something a little less intense, the North Bend Rail Trail is connected to the park and provides a beautiful route for leisurely bike rides. The park has a full-service lodge, guest cabins and plenty of campsites.
Side Trip: In nearby Parkersburg, Blennerhassett Island Historical State Park offers a tempting option for a day trip. Ride the Island Belle sternwheeler across the Ohio River and take a guided tour of the elegant Blennerhassett Mansion and park grounds.
Blackwater Falls State Park
The spectacular cascade of Blackwater Falls is reason enough to visit this beautiful park in the Potomac Highlands region, but you’ll also find breathtaking overlooks of Blackwater Canyon and plenty of other scenic spots to photograph and capture memories with your mother. Fishing opportunities abound on Pendleton Lake and the Blackwater River, which is stocked with trout in spring. Overnight accommodations include guest cabins, campsites and a full-service lodge.
Side Trip: Only 10 miles away, Canaan Valley Resort State Park has a scenic overlooks, a championship golf course and a full-service spa.
Pipestem Resort State Park
Aside from awe-inspiring views of the Bluestone Gorge, Pipestem’s offers a wide range of recreation, from championship golf to horseback riding. If your mom is into fishing — or wants to learn — sign her up for a guided fly-fishing trip or clinic, available through May 23. The park also is rolling out a bunch of exciting new activities in the coming months, including a zip line canopy tour and lake activities, so if you can’t make it for Mother’s Day, be sure to plan a trip this summer! Pipestem has guest cabins, campsites and two full-service lodges (one open year-round and one open seasonally).
Side Trip: Boating and fishing is available nearby on the 2,040-acre lake at Bluestone State Park.
Hawks Nest State Park
Spend a beautiful spring day at Hawks Nest with your mom, where you’ll revel in stunning, panoramic views of the New River Gorge, right from your lodge room! The park offers eight miles of hiking trails and fishing opportunities on Hawks Nest Lake. It’s also just minutes from outdoor recreation like mountain biking, horseback riding and whitewater rafting.
Side Trip: Glade Creek Grist Mill at Babcock State Park is one of the most iconic locations in West Virginia. Not only does the mill provide a scenic backdrop for photos, it’s also a working mill.
Don’t wait! Start planning your West Virginia State Parks Mother’s Day excursion today!
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