WV State Parks Perfect For Winter and Holiday Adventures
Celebrate the season with a stay at a cozy State Parks lodge
West Virginia takes on a different kind of beauty in the winter. Snow blankets the hills and brings a quiet calm to the woods. Waterfalls may freeze and sparkle in the cool bright sunlight. Step into the winter wonderland of your dreams at these state parks. Book a lodge room and enjoy comforts from full-service restaurants to indoor swimming pools.
Blackwater Falls State Park
Tucked away in the Allegheny Mountains of Tucker County, Blackwater Falls is one of the most photographed locations in the Mountain State, and it’s easy to see why. The park’s waterfalls are a breathtaking sight draped in icicles and surrounded by snow.
Here you can brave a ride down the longest sled run on the East Coast, then sip a cup of hot chocolate in the warming hut. (Purchase sled run tickets in advance online.) The park also has more than 10 miles of trails for cross-country skiing. Visitors can rent skis and snowshoes at the warming hut rental shop. Plan a stay at Blackwater Falls Lodge, which sits on the canyon’s south rim and provides sweeping views of the stunning frosty landscape.
Cacapon Resort State Park
Warm up from your winter adventures with a treatment at Cacapon Resort’s Healing Waters Spa. Set in a picturesque location in the Eastern Panhandle, Cacapon is a convenient destination for travelers from the D.C.-Baltimore area. Its proximity to Harpers Ferry National Historical Park and the arts-centric town of Berkeley Springs also makes it an ideal getaway for anyone who enjoys culture and history.
Canaan Valley Resort State Park
Enjoy the Mountain State’s mystical winter landscape in style at Canaan Valley Resort. The resort rests on a high plateau in the Allegheny Mountains. Winters here are truly stunning. As the sun sets, sparkling snow turns golden, and the whole plateau shimmers as the sun slips below the horizon. At night, a canopy of stars illuminates the sky.
Canaan Valley is the ultimate winter-lover’s retreat. Choose from a variety of winter activities, including cross-country and downhill skiing, snow tubing and even ice skating.
Chief Logan State Park
You’ll love Chief Logan State Park. Located in the heart of southern West Virginia’s coal country, Chief Logan is the ideal destination for ATV lovers who want access to the Hatfield-McCoy Trail System. While ATV use is not permitted in the park, Chief Logan Lodge is located near the Bearwallow Trailhead and is the perfect place to unwind after an exciting day on the trails.
Plan a visit between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Eve and you’ll also get to enjoy Christmas in the Park, Chief Logan’s annual holiday lights show. Hundreds of thousands of twinkling lights illuminate displays along a two-mile stretch of road.
Hawks Nest State Park
Sitting on the rim of the beautiful New River Gorge, the lodge at Hawks Nest State Park offers stunning views of the surrounding hills and river below. Enjoy a wintry hike on the park trails or take a short drive over to explore the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve and the charming town of Fayetteville.
North Bend State Park
Winter may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of mountain biking, but it’s a year-round sport for many. Located in the rolling hills of the Mid-Ohio Valley, North Bend State Park has over 20 miles of single-track trails for mountain bikers of all levels of experience to explore. In winter, the snow-covered trails are a fat tire lover’s dream! The park also connects to the 72-mile-long North Bend Rail Trail, which is open to bikers, hikers and horseback riders.
Pipestem Resort State Park
Take in sweeping views of the Bluestone River Gorge blanketed in snow at Pipestem Resort State Park. This mountain-top hideaway is perfect for winter weather lovers. Curl up by the fire with a good book and your favorite warm beverage as you become one with the tranquil surroundings.
When snow piles on the breathtaking landscape, the park’s trails are perfect for cross-country skiing. Ski across dense forest and enjoy a world seemingly crafted just for you. Call ahead and ask about ski rentals at Pipestem’s Pro Shop.
Stonewall Resort State Park
Centrally located just three miles off I-79, Stonewall Resort offers a secluded retreat surrounded by rolling hills. The Adirondack-style lodge overlooks the picturesque Stonewall Jackson Lake. Amenities include three restaurants, an indoor-outdoor heated swimming pool open year-round, and a lakeside fire pit to keep you warm while you relax outside with friends and family. Explore hiking trails that wind past the lake and through orchards, then warm up with a session at the resort’s Mtn. Laurel Spa.
Twin Falls Resort State Park
Deep in the heart of southern West Virginia, Twin Falls Resort has all the cozy amenities you could want for a winter retreat. With 25 miles of hiking and biking trails, there’s plenty to do outside. Take a stroll over to the Pioneer Farm, which offers a glimpse of what life was like on the frontier. For off-roaders, Twin Falls’ proximity to the trailheads of the Hatfield-McCoy Trail System makes the park the perfect destination to rest up after a day on the trails.
Tygart Lake State Park
Just 4 miles south of Grafton in the foothills of the Allegheny Mountains, Tygart Lake provides guests with a quiet vacation spot and breathtaking views. The cozy lodge overlooks the 10-mile-long lake and is surrounded by beautiful mountain views. Several miles of hiking trails feature scenery from rock cliffs to old farmhouses.
Plan your trip to a West Virginia State Park winter wonderland today!
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