Around every turn in the Mountain State is another natural wonder at which to marvel. If you’re from here, then you know how easy it is to live here all your life and still be madly in love with all of the outdoor recreation found in West Virginia. However, perhaps sometimes the more well-known places get all of the glory. State parks are a great example… here are nine West Virginia state parks that you really must plan to visit soon!

1. Pinnacle Rock State Park
Pinnacle Rock State Park, 6470 Coal Heritage Rd, Bramwell, WV 24715, USA
Google/WV State Parks
The 3,100-foot sandstone rock at the centerpiece of this state park is awe-inspiring. When you're finished marveling at it, head to one of the many trails or picnic tables and enjoy the rest of the outdoor fun this unique park has to offer. Pinnacle Rock State Park is located at 6470 Coal Heritage Rd., Bramwell, WV, 24715.
2. Little Beaver State Park
Little Beaver State Park, 1402 Grandview Rd, Beaver, WV 25813, USA
Google Maps/Chris Clark
A unique reservoir is the focal point of this small park that features picnicking, camping, fishing and more. The spillway creates a nice, relaxing sound as the water rushes over the top and down the ledges into the creek below. Little Beaver State Park is located at 1402 Grandview Rd., Beaver, WV, 25813.
3. Beartown State Park
Beartown State Park, Beartown Road, Renick, WV, USA
TripAdvisor/GracyInVienna
A walk or hike through Beartown is more like walking through Narnia. The boardwalk and trails lead down into narrow crevices and alongside boulders as large as office buildings, and they're all covered with lush, green moss. Beartown State Park is located at 4800 Watoga Park Rd., Marlinton, WV 24954.
4. Seneca State Forest
Seneca State Forest, West Virginia 24934, USA
Flickr/Mike Norton
The Seneca State Forest doles out countless opportunities to get reacquainted with Mother Nature, including the Thorny Mountain Fire Tower. Climb to the top for unobstructed views in all directions. If you're brave enough to spend the night under the stars you can reserve it for the whole night! Seneca State Forest is located at 10135 Browns Creek Rd., Dunmore, WV, 24934.

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5. Tu-Endie-Wei
Tu-Endie-Wei State Park, 1 Main St, Point Pleasant, WV 25550, USA
TripAdvisor/CHEFSAH
At a mere four acres, Tu-Endie-Wei is possibly the smallest state park and is part history and part nature. It marks the spot of the famous Battle of Point Pleasant, considered by some historians to have been one of the first real battles of the American Revolution. Visit the park at 1 Main St., Point Pleasant, WV, 25550.
6. Beech Fork State Park
Beech Fork Lake, West Virginia, USA
TripAdvisor/CharityRConner
Just 12 miles south of Huntington, but feeling worlds away, Beech Fork is an outdoor recreational dream. The park has a huge pool for warm weather months, a 720-acre lake for enjoying fishing and boating, and trails for hiking and biking. Want to spend the night? They also have campsites! Beech Fork State Park is located at 5601 Long Branch Rd., Barboursville, WV, 25504.
7. Cathedral State Park
Cathedral State Park, Aurora, WV 26705, USA
Google Maps/Gary Wooten
Spend the day or camp overnight in an ancient hemlock forest with gargantuan trees the likes of which you just don't often see in the Mountain State. The park contains the only stand of virgin hemlock trees in West Virginia. Cathedral State Park is located in Aurora, WV, 26705.
8. Droop Mountain Battlefield
Droop Mountain, West Virginia 24966, USA
TripAdvisor/Karen S
From high atop Droop Mountain you can get a sense of why this spot was so important in the Civil War. Reenactment battles are held here in October and during the remainder of the year you can walk in the footsteps of those who fought in the War Between The States. (The view is lovely also!) Droop Mountain Battlefield State Park is located at 683 Droop Park Rd., Hillsboro, WV, 24946.
9. The Greenbrier River Trail
Greenbrier River Trail, Frankford, WV 24938, USA
TripAdvisor/WayneWalkJr
The longest trail in West Virginia is 78 miles long, but that doesn't mean you have to hike or bike the entire thing all at once. The former railroad was converted into a trail for hiking, biking, and horseback riding and winds through some incredibly remote and beautiful spots. It's ideal for getting away from it all and feeling immersed in the natural beauty of West Virginia. This trail runs from the town of Caldwell all the way to Cass Scenic Railroad State Park in Cass.

So tell us: what are your favorite West Virginia state parks to visit, and why? Did your favorite park make the list? Did you discover any new-to-you state parks to visit in West Virginia? Tell us in the comments below!

And if you are looking for more ways to get outside and enjoy the Mountain State, you should definitely check out this article: Here Are The 12 Most Incredible Natural Wonders In West Virginia.

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More to Explore

State parks to visit in West Virginia

Sarah M. | February 09, 2022

What are some must-visit state parks to visit in West Virginia?

Because we couldn't just name one or two, here are 20 amazing state parks that we think everyone must visit. (But honestly, we should probably just round up this list to include *all* 35 state parks in West Virginia, because we adore them all!) Some of our favorite West Virginia state park stomping grounds include: Audra State Park, Babcock State Park, Beech Fork State Park, Bluestone State Park, Droop Mountain Battlefield State Park, Chief Logan State Park, and Hawk's Nest State Park. What's your favorite WV state park to explore?

Are there any national parks to visit in West Virginia?

The Mountain State is home to six national parks, with New River Gorge joining the ranks as West Virginia's newest national park in December of 2020. It's tremendously beautiful and expansive; the National Park portion includes approximately 7,021 acres encompassing the Lower Gorge, Thurmond, Grandview, and Sandstone Falls. The Preserve spans 65,165 additional acres of the rugged canyon, allowing for backcountry hunting. Read more about this amazing national park here.

What's the best state park in West Virginia?

So while we adore each and every one of the Mountain State's 35 state parks, there is one that's truly extraordinary, and one of our favorite places to visit! We're talking, of course, about Blackwater Falls State Park. Please excuse us while we wax poetic on this most perfect West Virginia state park: high in the Allegheny Mountains of Tucker County, the 2,300-acre Blackwater Falls State Park positively shines, and it's not just us who think so. Blackwater Falls State Park is one of the most photographed places in the state - and for good reason. The Blackwater River has carved some amazing features out of the rock, starting with the 57-foot Blackwater Falls at the head of the gorge. Framed by spruce and hemlock forest, this waterfall, one of the state’s highest, offers a unique magnificence every changing season. Waterfall chasers, photographers, nature lovers, adventurers, and those with an insatiable wanderlust all adore this park, and for that, we crown it the very best state park in West Virginia!

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