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The Official Website of the State of West Virginia

Day trip guide to West Virginia State Parks

5/15/2021

Overnight stays and summer vacations are a great way to enjoy West Virginia’s state parks and forests, but don’t forget about all of the great things our day-use parks have to offer. From picnic facilities to hiking trails and fishing lakes, there’s plenty for your family to enjoy on a day trip to one of these parks. Here are a few day use parks you should visit this summer. 


Kids will love the half-mile boardwalk (there are some steps) that winds though the moss-covered boulders of Beartown State Park. If you use your imagination, you can almost picture a bear slumbering in one of those caves or crevasses. While you’re in the area, plan a stop at Droop Mountain Battlefield State Park. This site of a famous Civil War batter features a lookout tower, historic artifacts, and some hiking trails easy enough for the little ones. 

Stroll through towering old-growth forest at Cathedral State Park. The kids will be so enthralled they might now even realize they’re learning science: Aside from its natural beauty, Cathedral offers an opportunity to observe one of the largest strands of virgin hemlock in West Virginia. The park has a picnic area with a playground and several easy to moderate trails. 

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