About This Park
It’s all about the views at Coopers Rock State Forest. Located 13 miles from Morgantown, a few minutes off Interstate 68, the forest has many overlooks of the canyon section of the Cheat River that offer breathtaking views in any season. The forest is an ideal getaway, and has numerous historical sites, hiking trails and recreational opportunities amongst the forest’s enormous boulders and cliffs.
Coopers Rock State Forest
Get DirectionsCoopers Rock State Forest
Things to Do
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Biking
Biking
Bring your bike for a great workout around 50 miles of trails. Trails vary by degree, so there’s no need to worry about skill or experience. Pick up a map from the park office before you head out for some fun!
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Camping
Camping
Coopers Rock campground has 25 sites, all with electrical hookups, a central bathhouse with showers, and water available at an outside faucet. Wireless Internet is available for registered campsites and pets are permitted as long as your furry friends are kept on a leash. West Virginia State Park campground reservations are available from Memorial Day through Labor Day each year. Campgrounds are open on a first-come, first-serve basis through the end of the November 2017 season. A campsite reservation application is available here.
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Fishing
Fishing
Cast a line at Coopers Rock Lake and see what you can catch! But before you head out, make sure you purchase a current West Virginia fishing license, available at www.wvfish.com.
This spring, the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources will stock Coopers Rock Lake and the Big Sandy Creek with trout on March 2, March 16, March 30, April 13, April 27 and May 11.
Fishing in Coopers Rock State Forest
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Geocaching
Geocaching
Coopers Rock has 14 cache sites hidden for geocaching enthusiasts. Beat everyone to the treasure – all you need is a smartphone with GPS!
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Golf
Golf
The Lakeview Golf Resort & Spa in Morgantown has 2 championship courses and fine dining.
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Hiking
Hiking
Enjoy hiking on nearly 50 miles of trails that wind through this vast forest! The Henry Clay Iron Furnace Trail, takes you on a trip back in time to find a huge stone structure used for producing iron in the 1800s, located in a grassy glade in an otherwise undisturbed forest. More amazing views and discoveries are found along various trails in the forest.
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Hunting
Hunting
Hunters are welcome here! Properly licensed individuals are welcome to hunt in-season (in specified areas of Coopers Rock State Forest). No hunting zones surround all forest recreational facilities.
Hunting in Coopers Rock State Forest
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Museums & Historical Sites
Museums & Historical Sites
The Morgantown Glass Museum boasts more than 5,000 rare and vintage pieces. Colorful and luminous, it’s a sight to behold!
There’s also the New Deal Homestead Museum in Arthurdale. Dating back to the Roosevelt administration, the 1930s site has 5 original homes you can visit.
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Outdoor Adventures
Outdoor Adventures
Coopers Rock has several playgrounds for kids.
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Rafting
Rafting
Area outfitters provide guided trips and shuttle services on the Cheat River, which at its peak runs up to Class IV+. Float trips can also be arranged on the flatwater sections of the river.
Park Pack
West Virginia is home to some of the most beautiful and remote areas in the United States. Be sure to download your Park Pack for maps and other park information.
DownloadHistory
Coopers Rock State Forest is named for Coopers Rock, a series of sandstone cliffs above the Cheat River Gorge. Legend has it that a fugitive hid near what is now the overlook. A cooper by trade, he continued to make and sell barrels from his mountain hideout. During the 1800s the iron industry flourished in the area that is now Coopers Rock. Today the remains of the Henry Clay Furnace – the first steam-powered blast furnace in western Virginia – is a popular hiking and biking destination in the forest. The forest proper was established in 1936. Many of its structures, including the main overlook, picnic shelters and superintendent’s house, were built by the Civilian Conservation Corps during the Great Depression. Eleven of these structures have been listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Camping
Coopers Rock campground has 25 sites, all with electrical hookups, a central bathhouse with showers, and water available at an outside faucet. Wireless Internet is available for registered campsites and pets are permitted as long as your furry friends are kept on a leash. West Virginia State Park campground reservations are available from Memorial Day through Labor Day each year. Campgrounds are open on a first-come, first-serve basis. A campsite reservation application is available here.
Trails
Clay Furnace Trail |
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| This trail is mostly level grade with a few steep sections. It runs from the furnace parking area to the Henry Clay iron furnace. | |
| Distance | 0.8 miles |
| Difficulty | Moderate |
Clay Run Trail |
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| View the historic Henry Clay Iron Furnace at the end of this moderate hiking trail. The trail begins across the road from the McCollum camping area entrance. | |
| Distance | 1.8 miles |
| Difficulty | Moderate |
Darnell Hollow Trail |
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| This moderate to steep road/trail begins near the Calvary Church on Fairchance Road and ends at Chestnut Ridge Campground. | |
| Distance | 4 miles |
| Difficulty | Moderate/steep |
Eagle Trail |
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| This very easy trail starts to the right of the gift shop and takes you to shelter #3 and the trailhead of Rock City Trail. | |
| Distance | 0.3 miles |
| Difficulty | Easy |
Glade Run Trail |
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| This trail begins on the left of Sand Springs Road and ends at Messinger Lake. | |
| Distance | 1.5 miles |
| Difficulty | Moderate to difficult |
Goodspeed Highway Trail |
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| This road/trail begins at the Quarry Run Road and leads to Chestnut Ridge Camp. | |
| Distance | 3 miles |
| Difficulty | Easy |
Johnson Hollow Trail |
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| This moderate to steep hiking trail connects the Goodspeed Highway Trail with Quarry Run Road. | |
| Distance | 3 miles |
| Difficulty | Moderate to difficult |
Ken’s Run Trail |
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| This moderate hiking trail runs from the old Sand Springs homestead to the archery range parking lot. | |
| Distance | 4.5 miles |
| Difficulty | Moderate |
Lick Run Trail |
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| This moderately steep trail begins at Sand Springs Road and ends at W.Va. 73. | |
| Distance | 1.8 miles |
| Difficulty | Moderate to difficult |
McCollum Trail |
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| This trail starts at McCollum Campground, crosses Ravens Rock Trail and connects with the main forest road. It is a great connector trail from the campground to Ravens Rock Trail or Coopers Rock Overlook via Roadside Trail. | |
| Distance | 1 mile |
| Difficulty | Easy |
Mont Chateau Trail |
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| This trail that begins at the Henry Clay iron furnace and ends at Cheat Lake near the old Mont Chateau Lodge. | |
| Distance | 2.6 miles |
| Difficulty | Moderate to difficult |
Rattlesnake Trail |
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| This trail winds along the rocky cliffs that parallel the rim of the Cheat River canyon, and connects the concession stand and Rock City. | |
| Distance | 0.7 miles |
| Difficulty | Moderate |
Ravens Rock Trail |
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| This dual duty access road/trail begins at the gated road on the left, approximately 0.7 miles past the campground entrance. It leads to Ravens Rock overlook, which offers a spectacular view of the Cheat River Canyon. | |
| Distance | 1.5 miles |
| Difficulty | Moderate |
Reservoir Loop Trail |
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| This is a nice trail for those looking for an easy loop hike. It starts from the Clay Run Trail near the reservoir and loops back to Clay Run Trail. | |
| Distance | 0.7 miles |
| Difficulty | Easy |
Rhododendron Trail |
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| This trail starts at the lower picnic area near shelter 3 and ends at the Henry Clay iron furnace. It is the perfect place to see our state flower, the rhododendron. | |
| Distance | 1 mile |
| Difficulty | Moderate |
Ridge Trail |
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| The ridge trail starts at the Rock City shelter, follows a moderate grade and connects with the Mont Chateau Trail. | |
| Distance | 1.5 miles |
| Difficulty | Moderate |
Rock City Trail |
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| This easy to moderate trail runs from picnic shelter 3 through the area known as Rock City. | |
| Distance | 1 mile |
| Difficulty | Easy |
Roadside Trail |
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| This trail leads from the parking lot near the forest entrance to the overlook. It’s a great trail to hike to the overlook while staying off the road. | |
| Distance | 3 miles |
| Difficulty | Easy |
Scott Run Trail |
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| The trail begins near the forest entrance parking area and ends at the McCollum camping area. | |
| Distance | 2.5 miles |
| Difficulty | Moderate to difficult |
Underlook Trail |
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| This trail gives a unique view from the underside of the geological formation that is Coopers Rock overlook. | |
| Distance | 0.2 miles |
| Difficulty | Moderate |
Virgin Hemlock Trail |
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| Visit a large hemlock grove which is over 300 years old at the end of this trail which starts at W.Va.73. | |
| Distance | 1.2 miles |
| Difficulty | Easy |
Ski Trails
Intermediate Ski Trail |
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| This trail is a connector trail between the Advanced Ski Trail and the Reservoir Ski Trail. | |
| Distance | 0.6 miles |
| Difficulty | Moderate |
Advanced Ski Trail |
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| This trail begins at the forest entrance parking area. For a short distance this trail shares Roadside Trail. When Roadside Trail forks off to the left, continue straight. The trail will lead you to the historic Henry Clay iron furnace. | |
| Distance | 2.3 miles |
| Difficulty | Moderate to difficult |
Reservoir Ski Trail |
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| Branching off the Advanced Ski Trail, this trail connects to the Reservoir Loop Trail. | |
| Distance | 0.8 miles |
| Difficulty | Moderate |
Additional Information
Picnicking
Pack a picnic for a trail side lunch break! Numerous picnic sites and three shelters are provided for the enjoyment of forest visitors. These sites offer tables, grills, drinking water and restroom facilities. Reserve by calling the forest office at 304-594-1561.
Nearby Attractions
Whitewater rafting
Are you ready for an adventure? Area outfitters provide guided trips and shuttle services on the Cheat River for whitewater rafting. The Cheat at its peak runs up to Class IV+ rapids. Float trips can also be arranged on the flatwater sections of the river.
Lakeview Golf Resort and Spa
Enjoy one of the state’s top family and golf resorts! Relax in 187 guestrooms, a full-service spa, two restaurants, an indoor swimming pool and fitness center, and two championship golf courses. Talk about rest and relaxation!
Cheat Lake
This 13-mile reservoir on the Cheat River is a popular area for boating and fishing. Three marinas provide rentals including ski boats, pontoons, paddleboards and kayaks. Your day on the water awaits!
