About This Park
Beartown State Park is a 110-acre natural area located on the eastern summit of Droop Mountain in northern Greenbrier County and a small portion of Pocahontas County. Beartown is known for its unusual rocky formations, massive boulders, overhanging cliffs and deep crevices. The park’s main attraction is a half-mile boardwalk, which showcases these spectacular sights. Beartown State Park is open April through October.
Contact
- Phone: 304-799-4087
- Email: beartownsp@wv.gov
- Address: 4800 Watoga Park Road, Marlinton, WV 24954
History
The land now known as Beartown State Park was purchased in 1970 with funds from the Nature Conservancy and a donation from Edwin G. Polan, given in memory of her son, Ronald Keith Neal, a local soldier killed in the Vietnam War. Since then, development of the park has been minimal so the area’s natural beauty may be preserved. The park’s name comes from residents who claimed the many cave-like openings in the rocks made ideal winter dens for black bears in the area. It also refers to the many deep, narrow crevasses that crisscross the area and appear from above like the streets of a small town.
Additional Information
Recreation at Beartown State Park consists of hiking the boardwalk. The park’s simplicity is what attracts visitors, who often come to the park for a walk and nothing more. For those looking for an educational experience, a walk through the park’s rock formations is aided by informational markers along the trail, explaining the geological processes at work in the area.
Nearby Attractions
ALLEGHENY TRAIL (ALT)
The Allegheny Trail is a 311-mile north-south trail with its northern terminus on the Mason-Dixon Line at the Pennsylvania-West Virginia border near Bruceton Mills. It wends its way south until meeting the Appalachian Trail on Peters Mountain at the Virginia-West Virginia border. Founded in 1972 by the West Virginia Scenic Trail Association, this trail is also known as the ALT. To learn more about the ALT, click here.
Watoga State Park
Located about 30 minutes north of Beartown, Watoga State Park provides many recreational activities on more than 10,000 acres of land. There’s hiking, swimming, fishing, boating and vacation cabins, open year-round. A perfect park to pair with a visit to Beartown.
Droop Mountain Battlefield State Park
This is the site of West Virginia’s last major Civil War battle. The battle is re-enacted for history buffs every October.
Seneca State Forest
The oldest state forest in West Virginia, Seneca borders the beautiful Greenbrier River. Visitors can enjoy tent camping or staying in a rustic cabin.
Cass Scenic Railroad State Park
Located in the historic town of Cass, the Cass Scenic Railroad transports passengers to a time when logging was a way of life in Pocahontas County. Train rides on authentic, vintage locomotives are popular here, especially in the fall! Restored company buildings have been refurbished and are available for overnight stays to complete your experience.
Greenbrier River Trail
A favorite for hikers, bikers, cross-country skiers, anglers and horseback riders, this 78-mile recreational rail trail mirrors the Greenbrier River.