5/24/2011
SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Rainy, erratic May weather and high gasoline prices seem to be affecting advance reservations at West Virginia state parks this spring. The unusual result is that several state park facilities have openings during the coming Memorial Day weekend.
“People are still making plans to travel for vacations, quick getaways and family reunions,” according to State Parks Chief Ken Caplinger. “But, it seems both weather and fuel prices are affecting travel plans. Some areas have actually seen an increase in reservations, while a few have had room and campsite reservation cancellations, resulting in the unusual situation of some of these facilities still being available for the Memorial Day weekend.”
“Sometimes a bump in the road, like high gas prices and unpredictable weather, open up opportunities for new visitors to discover the treasures West Virginia has in her state parks and forests,” said Caplinger.
For example Pipestem Resort State Park in Summers County, popular with both residents and out-of-state visitors, has some cancellations and openings for the holiday weekend.
“This Memorial weekend is a little unusual,” said Dale McLaughlin, Lodge Manager. “Cabins are full, but McKeever Lodge and Mountain Creek Lodge have openings. That’s a rare situation on a holiday weekend at Pipestem. These openings give folks who have never stayed here an opportunity to call for reservations and come visit.”
The W.Va. state park system includes 50 areas with various recreational and overnight facilities. Parks with lodges and cabins are popular destinations for both in-state and out-of-state visitors.
“Many of our out-of-state guests are individuals with ties to West Virginia,” Caplinger noted. On the other hand, West Virginia residents make up the majority of campers. Many parks and forests have up to 50 percent of campsites designated as specific reservable sites. Some state parks such as Audra and Moncove Lake sites are first-come, first-served only. Cedar Creek State Park near Glenville has reported an increase in camping reservations for this summer. Beech Fork State Park dealt with high water levels at the lake in early May, interrupting an early-camping season, but the campground areas are returning to normal.
Caplinger said a quick survey to determine lodge and cabin occupancy levels for this coming vacation season “has a mixed review.” Lost River in Hardy County has seen an increase in cabin visitors and Chief Logan Lodge noted the same for the 75-room complex. North Bend (Ritchie County) and Watoga (Pocahontas County) state parks reported that reservations are above last year’s numbers. Holly River (Webster County) remains a destination favorite.
For West Virginia State Park and Forest information, visit
www.wvstateparks.com. For phone number for specific parks or to be transferred to a park or forest of reservation information, call 800 CALL WVA.
About Pipestem Resort
McKeever Lodge at Pipestem Resort is open year-round and has 113-rooms with views of the Bluestone Gorge. Mountain Creek Lodge is located beside the Bluestone River in the gorge and is accessible by aerial tram. Mountain Creek is open Memorial Weekend through late October. Both lodges have restaurants. Mountain Creek Restaurant opens for the summer season on May 27 with dinner hours from 5:30 – 9 p.m. each day. Matt Gillespie is the chef. It is gourmet dining and reservations are recommended. Access to Mountain Creek is via aerial tram. People dining at Mountain Creek do not pay for aerial tram use.
Summer shows at Pipestem's Amphitheater begin on May 28, Memorial weekend, with East River Mountain Town Band. The show is free of charge to attend and open to the public. Amphitheater shows begin at 8 p.m. Shows are scheduled every Saturday from Memorial Day weekend through August 27. The schedule is posted online or you may call call 304-466-1800 for an Amphitheater Show brochure and listings.
The horseback riding stables, golf courses, hiking and biking trails, a nature center, fishing and proximity to bald eagle sightings at Bluestone Lake, make Pipestem a well-rounded recreational area. To learn more about Pipestem State Park, visit
www.pipestemresort.com.
Contact Information
Dale McLaughlin, Lodge Manager, Pipestem Resort State Park
304-466-1800
Dale.D.McLaughlin@wv.gov