Greenbrier State Forest Overview & History
Forest Overview
Covering over 5,100 acres in southeastern West Virginia, Greenbrier State Forest delivers secluded natural beauty with a wide range of recreational options like fishing, swimming, hiking and mountain biking. The forest features spectacular views from every corner, including gorgeous countryside surrounding the 3,280-foot-high Kate’s Mountain. The historic towns of White Sulphur Springs and Lewisburg provide nearby shopping and dining after a day of communing with nature. With charming cabins and acquitted campgrounds, Greenbrier State Forest is the ideal stay between outdoor prosperity and vibrant city life.
Forest History
The first settlers in the area made space for their farms and started a tradition of burning to establish herbaceous material for their cattle. This practice continued for decades. When settlers stopped setting the fires, blazes set by trains became a problem. Trains would throw hot cinders from the burning coal engines, casting a flame over the area that is now Greenbrier State Forest.
The State of West Virginia purchased this 5,133-acre forest from the White Sulphur Springs Park Association in 1938. That same year, the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) established Camp White Sulphur, and a company of men moved in to begin development. This area presently houses the Forest headquarters and swimming pool. The first harvest under the 1971 management plan salvaged large quantities of dead and dying timber, reducing fuel for forest fires.
