Posted in West Virginia Nature October 30, 2016 by

The One Place In West Virginia That Looks Like Something From Middle Earth

Beartown State Park in West Virginia has a whimsical name, and even more unusual scenery. This place looks like it could be the Elven forest of Lothlórien from J. R. R. Tolkien’s imagination.

Beartown State Park is located on the eastern summit of Droop Mountain, near Hillsboro, WV.
TripAdvisor/144blaked
A wooden walkway takes visitors through the forest.
TripAdvisor/GracyinVienna
Being on some of the high platforms make you feel like you're in a treehouse.
TripAdvisor/GracyinVienna
You'll climb through openings in rock walls.
TripAdvisor/144blaked
Many of the rocks have strange weathering patterns, making each rock like a work of art.
Flickr/Sonja
The park was named for the many crevices and caves in the rocks, which people imagined would make great homes for bears.
TripAdvisor/Steve R
You could imagine magical creatures hiding in the rocks, too.
TripAdvisor/ecsurfer
The 107 acre park is free to visitors, and open daily.
TripAdvisor/Steve R
During the winter, the roadways inside the park are closed off, but visitors are welcome to park at the entrance and walk to the boardwalk.

Beartown State Park is located seven miles southwest of Hillsboro, WV on U.S. Route 219.

For more places in West Virginia that feel like a fantasy story, check out these 13 places that are straight out of a fairy tale.

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.