Holly River State Park is nature at its best
Experience some of West Virginia’s most beautiful river views, one-of-a-kind waterfalls and rugged mountain hiking at this state park.
Spend a few days surrounded by the dense forested mountains of Holly River State Park and let the peaceful solitude wash all your stress away. Located near the center of West Virginia in Webster County, Holly River is a place where you can escape the hustle and bustle of city life and enjoy a vacation getaway in nature.
In between moments of reflection and relaxation, you can go hiking on rugged trails, fishing in some of the best trout streams, horseback riding along a peaceful creek or simply exploring forested backcountry. At 8,101 acres, Holly River is the second largest state park in West Virginia, so there’s plenty of space to enjoy your favorite outdoor activity.
If you love nature, you’ll definitely want to visit Holly River. Here’s everything you need to know to plan the perfect family trip or personal getaway to Holly River.
Beautiful scenery and outdoor activities…you can have it all at Holly River
That magical feeling you get when you’re in the forest is perfectly captured at Holly River State Park. With rich woodlands and abundant wildflowers, Holly River is a wonderland that will make you feel like a kid again!
Find inspiration by hiking on 42 miles of trails. Popular hikes include treks out to the Tecumseh and Tenskwatawa waterfalls. If you’re up for a challenge, hike deep into the forest out to Potato Knob, through thickets of rhododendron and mountain laurel. Once you reach the summit, you’ll be rewarded with a commanding view of the park from 2,480 feet. If biking or horseback riding is more your style, mount up and hit the park’s mountain biking and equestrian trails.
Holly River is also a great place to go fishing. With its swift water and currents, the Left Fork of Holly River makes an ideal habitat for trout. So, cast a line and reel in a trophy catch! But before you visit, make sure you purchase a West Virginia fishing license, available at www.wvfish.com.
For even more outdoor adventures, visit nearby Audra State Park, Kumbrabow State Forest and the West Virginia State Wildlife Center!
“Holly River State Park is the most awesome park in West Virginia. Great camping area. Very rustic. Awesome trails. You have to check out the high falls and the boardwalk trail. Then if you are up for a hike go to Potato Knob. What a view from the top! Chupe’s Chute is a must see!!”
— dinahm815, TripAdvisor Reviewer from Jane Lew, West Virginia
Unique accommodations include stone and log cabins and equestrian campsites
You won’t find a lodging experience quite like Holly River anywhere else in West Virginia. Holly River’s ten cabins are located in a peaceful setting of rhododendron and sturdy hemlock flanked by a tributary of the Laurel Fork of Holly River. Let the sound of the babbling brook serenade you as you go to sleep and greet you in the
Holly River also has a popular campground. All 88 sites have electric hookups, picnic tables
“We’ve been coming here for years. I’m a 3rd generation and my son is the 4th. The only campground we want to go to.”
— karih337, TripAdvisor Reviewer
Mountain heritage is preserved at Holly River
The area now known as Holly River State Park was settled around 1870 by a group of immigrants from Switzerland who cleared most of the region of timber to create farmland. It continued in that use for nearly 70 years, until the U.S. Department of Agriculture acquired the land in 1937 and began reforesting and restoring the deep woodlands we enjoy today.
In 1938, Holly River became a wildlife refuge and opened as an official West Virginia State Park. Since then, many trails have been blazed, cabins have been refurbished, campsites have been constructed and other outdoor recreational facilities have been added. While the park looks different today than it did 100 years ago, the land preserves living history on every rock, leaf and branch.
Big and small, high and low, West Virginia State Parks are home to your fondest memories and experiences yet to come. Visit Holly River State Park and you’ll find a new reason to love Almost Heaven. Plan your trip today!
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