The West Virginia State Park That Is Absolutely Worth the Visit

Showcasing 53 miles of the iconic New River, New River Gorge National Park & Preserve is perhaps the most famous of West Virginia's natural wonders. It proudly features one of the world's oldest rivers and offers countless opportunities for rafting, hiking, and connecting with the Appalachian Mountains. While it's certainly deserving of being one of the most popular places in West Virginia, it's far from the only place where you can experience a deep appreciation for the Mountain State. Pipestem Resort State Park is also located along another river gorge, offering visitors equally thrilling adventures and state-of-the-art facilities.

What Makes This West Virginia State Park So Special

You'll want to bring the whole family to Pipestem Resort State Park, an exhilarating and naturally stunning destination that measures a whopping 4,000 acres. It's shared between Summers and Mercer counties, nestled in the Bluestone River Gorge. The name of the park is inspired by the pipestem plant, a narrow-leaved meadowsweet, a local shrub used for make pipe stems.

Best Things To Do Inside The Park

There's one quality that truly characterizes this park: the views. As one recent traveler expressed, "There isn't a bad view in the park." And, there are so many activities to get into that the options may overwhelm you.

If you really want to experience Pipestem to the fullest, we'd recommend staying at one of the on-site cabins or rooms. In fact, one of the lodges is located at the bottom of the gorge and can only be reached by tramway. For smaller groups, a stay in one of the park's 26 cabins that are peppered around the park offers a memorable stay.

If you prefer camping, there are lots of well-maintained campsites available year-round. Campsite amenities include a heated bathhouse, laundry facilities, a campground store, and a playground. The nature center is also worth stopping into. It's open year-round and features a reconstructed home from the 1900s.

Of course, no trip to Pipestem is complete without appreciating those staggering mountain views, and for this, we'd recommend Pipestem Knob, an easy 0.7-mile out-and-back paved trail that leads to an observation tower. For an absolutely spectacular view, time your hike so that you can watch the sunset from the tower. This is also a great trail to hike during the summer as it's mostly shaded (except for the tower itself). For a longer hike, Pipestem Lakeshore Trail is a 3.7-mile loop with a wide, well-marked trail and gorgeous lakefront views.

Looking for something with an adrenaline rush? The park offers countless ways to embrace adventure, including a splash park, zip lining, mountain biking, and more. After spending time appreciating this park's unparalleled beauty and wonderful facilities, you'll quickly understand why many travelers return time and time again.

Best Time To Visit

There truly isn't a bad time of year to visit Pipestem Resort State Park. Summer brings those glorious, vibrant greens that paint the landscape, though it does tend to be one of the busier times to visit. Autumn is another popular time of year, with leaf peepers from all over coming to witness West Virginia's famous fall foliage. The quiet of winter is an attraction for some, especially those who want to see the park draped in fresh snowfall. Of course, the wildflowers that bloom in the spring are a favorite for photographers. It's impossible to pick the best time to visit Pipestem Resort State Park; you'll have to visit in each season to decide which one you like best!

Have you ventured to Pipestem Resort State Park recently? If not, be sure to send this article to a fellow travel enthusiast and begin your adventure planning! For even more memorable adventures and travel inspiration, check out our list of the five best sunset hikes in West Virginia.