Panther State Forest Overview & History

Forest Overview

Panther State Forest, located on the border of West Virginia and Kentucky, is West Virginia’s southernmost state forest. Explore all 11,389 rugged acres through varied outdoor amenities like hiking, swimming, camping, and more. Designated areas in the forest are open to hunting, and Panther Creek is stocked seasonally with trout for fishing. All hunters and anglers must have a valid hunting or fishing license with stamps and follow all regulations.

Forest History

Panther State Forest gets its name from Panther Creek, a tributary of the Tug Fork where a pioneer reportedly killed a panther. It was established in 1940 after the Welch Daily News spearheaded a “Pennies for Panther” campaign that raised more than $9,000 in community donations.