Pipestem State Park Trails

This relatively easy walking trail begins beside the pond at the Nature Center, passes through an oak-hickory forest along the park road, and loops back to the Nature Center.

This easy trail begins at the park road behind Cottage Number 1 and travels down to Long Branch Lake, joining the Lake Shore Trail.

The trail begins at True Road and follows an old logging road down to the Lake Shore Trail just below the spillway for the dam.

Beginning along the park road between the Recreation Center and the Nature Center, this trail follows an old roadbed through mostly open habitat to its junction with the Lake Shore Trail near Long Branch Lake.

This .5-mile loop trail begins at the Park Headquarters parking area, passes into the woods and returns to the large field behind the building.

Starting from the park road across from the McKeever Lodge and beside the arboretum, this short, steep paved trail offers easy access to Long Branch Lake. The trail also serves as a service road (authorized vehicles only).

This trail begins along park road 0.1 mile down the hill from Park Headquarters. It travels through mixed forest 0.6 miles to its junction with the Lake Shore Trail. Look for split rail fences, rock piles and other signs of early settlers.

This trail begins along the park road between Park Headquarters and Cottage Number 1, with a 0.3-mile unnamed trail to Turkey Spur. The trail connects Cottage and Lake Shore trails, and in 0.4 miles, joins with Lake Shore Trail.

Beginning near the employee parking area at Canyon Rim Center, this steep trail descends 500 feet to Heritage Point, a massive sandstone outcropping. The overlook offers an excellent view of Bluestone River Gorge and Mountain Creek Lodge.

This moderately difficult trail begins at Farley Loop and River Trail in Pipestem Resort State Park. From this intersection, it is 8.5 miles to Bluestone State Park. The trail is accessible near the aerial tram at the Mountain Creek Lodge. From the Mountain Creek Lodge, follow the River Trail downstream for one mile to access the beginning of the Bluestone Turnpike Trail. Access is also possible by hiking the entire length of the River Trail.

A relatively level shoreline and woodland trail completely encircling Long Branch Lake. May be reached via Law Hollow Trail, Den Tree, Long Branch, Cottage, Turkey Spur, South Side or Lake View Trails.

This steep, somewhat rugged trail begins at the Nature Center parking lot, comes through and then travels a short distance toward the stables. It then descends into the woods, crosses two knobs, passes Indian Branch Falls (1.2 miles) and ends at the River Trail.

This trail begins at the Mountain Creek Lodge parking area near Canyon Rim Center. It descends into Lick Hollow and then routes back up to the rim of the hollow with a beautiful view of the Bluestone Canyon. The trail then loops around and returns to the parking area.

This trail begins behind McKeever Lodge. After about a 0.25 mile of steep descent, the trail levels out. One and a half miles from the lodge, it crosses the Canyon Rim Trail. After passing under the Aerial Tramway, the trail meets the County Line Trail, about 2.25 miles from McKeever Lodge. The trail goes through a series of switchbacks for 1.25 miles to the Bluestone River. After wading the river, it is an easy 0.75-mile walk to Mountain Creek Lodge. The trail then continues downstream for another mile, ending at the junction of the Farley Loop Trail and the Bluestone Turnpike Trail.