Hike, Then Dine: Parks with On-Site Restaurants and Cozy Meals

Go with the flow at Blackwater Falls State Park. Home to the famous 57-foot Blackwater Falls, a stop on the West Virginia Waterfall Trail, this gem is home to roughly 15 miles of hiking trails. Stop at the Almost Heaven swing on your way to the falls on the quarter-mile Blackwater Falls Boardwalk Trail, or put your calves and quads to work on the one-mile Cherry Lane Trail.

To cap off your day of hiking, head to the Smokehouse Restaurant for a late lunch or dinner. You’ll love the seasonal dishes and buffet items.

Canaan Valley Resort State Park is the perfect blend of adventure and relaxation. Choose from roughly two miles of beginner-friendly trails, including Ridge Top, Monarch, Abe Run and Mill Run Trails. For a greater distance, try the three-mile Back Hollow Trail, which winds through meadows and connects the lodge and cabin area to the Nature Center.

Luckily for adventurers like you, Canaan has several cozy dining options. The Hickory Room offers daily breakfast, lunch, and dinner options, complete with a stunning panoramic view of the valley and a fireplace at its center. For appetizers, pizzas and much more, Laurel Lounge is another excellent option. Quenchers Pub offers a full-service bar and features seasonal drink specials for you to sip and savor the moment.

Chief Logan State Park is famous for its proximity to the trailheads of the Hatfield-McCoy Trail Systems, but this slice of West Virginia also makes a great hiking spot. Find your stride on 12 trails boasting 18 miles of hiking for beginners and heavy hikers alike. The 1.1-mile Cliffside Trail is perfect for everyone, featuring a short climb at the beginning that levels off.

Chief Logan Lodge has a full-service restaurant, the Whispering Ridge Dining Room. Try the Buffalo Creek Chicken Wings or the Fried Cauliflower apps along with an array of specialty drinks and desserts.

Hawks Nest State Park is a 270-acre recreational hotspot featuring eight miles of scenic hiking trails that wind through the rolling hills. New hikers will enjoy the half-mile, one-way Fisherman’s Trail and the 1.9-mile Hawks Nest Rail Trail. For experienced hikers, the 1.75-mile Cliffside Trail boasts a relaxing view near the scenic Hawks Nest Overlook.
Dine surrounded by breathtaking views of the New River Gorge at The Overlook restaurant at Hawks Nest State Park. The Overlook restaurant is a full-service restaurant featuring fresh seasonal menus that is open year-round.

Twenty beautiful hiking trails await you at Pipestem Resort State Park, tucked away in Summers County. Try out the moderate 0.7-mile Canyon Rim Trail, which descends 500 feet to Heritage Point and showcases a breathtaking view of Bluestone River Gorge. The 2.2-mile Lake Shore Trail and 1.6-mile Lick Hollow also boast incredible views of the gorge.

The Bluestone Dining Room at McKeever Lodge is a full-service restaurant offering breathtaking views of the Bluestone Gorge. Choose from an array of dinner items, including trout, honey barbecue baby back ribs, ribeye steak, burgers and more.

With an abundance of outdoor charm, Twin Falls Resort State Park makes hiking here a dream. Explore 15 trails that reveal beautiful remote pathways and renowned waterfalls. New hikers and experienced ones alike especially enjoy Horsepin Knob Trail, a 2.5-mile route that takes you up an old slope by historic farmhouse foundations and thick woods. The 3.5-mile Cliffside Trail presents a moderate challenge, which begins with a gentle slope and becomes rocky at an outer loop that cuts through a rhododendron thicket.

After your chilly hike, warm up with a plate of scrumptious cuisine at the Twin Falls Restaurant. Treat yourself to a hot pizza or flatbread for dinner, accompanied by a crisp wine and other specialty drinks. For the ultimate Twin Falls treat, try the cheesecake, blackberry cobbler and so much more for dessert.