Almost Heaven...

West Virginia's rugged natural beauty -- such as viewed along this roadway in the Canaan Valley area --  is a huge draw for travelers who love the great outdoors.*

West Virginia's State Parks

Upgraded Accommodations and New Features Await Visitors

By Thomas R. & Deborah A. Fletcher

Slicing down the ski slopes on a body board, searching for geocaching clues or snuggling under a luxurious down comforter in an upscale lodge may not be your idea of things to do in a state park. But state parks aren't all about wildlife and hiking trails -- not in the West Virginia State Parks and Forests system.

More than seven million visitors use the parks annually. That's quite an impressive result given that West Virginia's entire population is just 1.8 million residents. This system encompasses 36 state parks, four wildlife management areas and two rail trails.

Rails and Trails  

What's to see and do in the parks? For starters, West Virginia's state parks have many family-oriented, outdoor getaway options. Have a special interest such as trains or Civil War history? There’s likely a park for you.

Railroad aficionados might enjoy the Cass Scenic Railroad State Park (304-456-4300 or www.cassrailroad.com) in Cass. Back in 1911, West Virginia was a lumber powerhouse and led the nation with more than 3,000 miles of logging railroad line. All is gone now except for 11 miles at Cass. Thankfully, it's restored as it was in the early 1900's.

Alternatively, Civil War buffs might head for the Carnifex Ferry Battlefield State Park (304-872-0825 or www.carnifexferrybattlefieldstatepark.com), 1194 Carnifex Ferry Rd., Summersville. The latter is part of the state's Civil War Discovery Trail.

Lodges and Snow Body Boarding

Ten lodges and resort parks throughout the state park system feature 877 lodge rooms. The 250-room Canaan Valley Resort and Conference Center (304-866-4121 or www.canaanresort.com) in Davis is the largest lodge. Twin Falls Resort (304-294-4000 or www.twinfallsresort.com), Mullens, and Tygart Lake State Park (304-265-6144 or www.tygartlake.com), Rt. 1, Grafton each offer 20 rooms.

Many travelers design their own customized vacation hopping from park to park. The parks are scattered across West Virginia in some of the most jaw-dropping scenic areas.

Canaan Valley, the state’s first commercial ski resort, is celebrating its 35th anniversary. New for this year? The resort offers snow body boarding, a sport currently available at only six resorts around the U.S.

What's the difference between body boards used in the ocean and those used on the slopes? Snow body boards are inflatable. Grooves on the underside give riders greater control for turning and stopping on the slippery slopes.

To assist newcomers to the sport and veterans alike, Canaan Valley Resort has a terrain park strictly for body boarders -- separate from the skiing and snow boarding sections. Snow body boarding costs $35. Included is the body board rental, a one-hour lesson and two hours on the slopes.

The season is nearly over this winter, but you can start planning for a late fall and early winter visit. Pricing is not yet available for the ski season starting in late 2007. But to get an idea of pricing, the mid-week lift tickets for the season ending on March 2, are $34 for adults and $25 for children. Weekend rates are  $52 for adults, $28 for children.

Canaan Valley Resort is a year-round resort located within the highest valley east of the Mississippi River. Fifteen miles long and up to five miles wide, the valley’s average elevation is 3,200 feet.

West Virginia Parks are working hard to appeal to both younger and more active travelers of all ages. Case in point? The Canaan park added a climbing wall, bungee jumping, paintball arena and geo-caching  to the park’s portfolio of activities in 2006.

Hospitality in Southwest WV

Opened in 2006, the new Chief Logan State Park (304-792-7125 or www.chiefloganstatepark.com) is located in the heart of southern West Virginia's coalfield area. It's home to a new, 75-room Chief Logan Lodge, Hotel and Conference Center (304-855-6100 or www.chiefloganlodge.com) 1000 Conference Center Dr., Logan. The lodge is actually 10 miles from the park.

All rooms feature either two queen-size beds or one king-size bed, all with down comforters and extra pillows. Amenities? Guests enjoy wireless Internet, a hot tub, fitness center and an indoor swimming pool.

Seven posh suites feature special amenities such as fireplaces, microwaves and refrigerators. The pampering West Virginia Suite includes a 40” LCD television and whirlpool. Rates range from $94 for a standard room to $179 for the West Virginia Suite.

While the lodge is near Chief Logan State Park -- with its outdoor amphitheater, wildlife center and miles of hiking trails -- another unusual tourist draw is near as well. The Hatfield-McCoy Trails (800-592-2217 or www.trailsheaven.com), Lyburn, offer more than 500 miles of trails for hiking, horseback riding, mountain and dirt biking, and ATV riding.

ATV riding is a popular activity along the Hatfield-McCoy Trails in West Virginia.*

More Lodging Developments

Tygart Lake State Park has converted four lodge rooms to “Executive Suites.” Rooms that previously offered a single window lake view now boast a sliding glass door leading to a deck overlooking the lake. Guests choosing these suites enjoy large 32” televisions, DVD/VCR players, refrigerators and microwaves. Rates for the executive suites are $91 on weekdays, $96 on Friday and Saturday nights. 

Stonewall Resort (304-269-7400 or www.stonewallresort.com), Resort Drive, Roanoke, features a lakeside lodge, cottages, restaurants, 18-hole Arnold Palmer Signature Golf Course, fitness center, swimming pool, spa and conference center. The 208-room property opened Bright Star Park, its new outdoor activity center, in summer 2006.

Bright Star Park is named for a 1950s and 1960s community pavilion located along the banks of the West Fork River (before the lake was constructed). The park is near the resort’s lodge along a slender finger of Stonewall Jackson Lake. Guests enjoy a 45’ wooden fishing bridge with a small boat dock, water tricycles, kayaks, mountain bikes, tandem bikes, canoes and paddleboats

Stonewall Resort’s 10 cottages are open year round and available for weekly rentals. Rates for a seven-night stay range from $2,095 for a two-bedroom unit to $2550 for a four-bedroom cottage. Pricing depends upon the time of year and cottage size.

Guests receive complimentary lake tours onboard the 125-passenger touring boat, “Little Sorrel.” The boat is also available for special occasions and private functions; call 304-269-7400.

Twin Falls Resort State Park features an 18-hole, Par 71 championship golf course, nine hiking trails and an outdoor pool. A new event this year at Twin Falls is a guitar workshop on March 23-25, 2007. Check out the guitar weekend itinerary at www.twinfallsresort.com/guitarworkshop.pdf. For other events, visit www.twinfallsresort.com/calendar.html.

Golfers often head for Twin Falls Resort State Park with its 18-hole championship golf course.*

Pet Policy: 

West Virginia State Parks and Forests

For many people, their pets are considered members of the family. Responding to those pet lovers who desire to take their dogs and cats on vacation with them, West Virginia State Parks and Forests implemented a pet policy in September 2006.

The good news is that guests may bring dogs and cats (only those pets) to West Virginia State Parks and Forests properties.

That said, the pet policy guidelines are stringent. Pets are allowed only in a limited number of special, permanently designated cabins and cottages. A maximum of two pets are allowed per cabin or cottage.

A $50 security deposit is required. All or part of the deposit may be forfeited for any violation of the pet policy. Guests pay $40 per pet for the first night and $5 per pet for each additional night.

Pets may not be left unattended within the cabins or cottages unless they are securely crated. While in all public areas, pets must be restrained on a leash not to exceed 10 feet in length. Guests must clean up after their pets. They must also walk them in designated pet areas.

Pet food may not be left outside as it will attract wildlife. Pets may not be chained or tied in the cabin, cottage yard or porch. In addition, guests must bring a veterinarian’s certification that the pet’s vaccinations are current.

Guests are totally responsible for any damage (above and beyond the $50 security deposit) caused by the pet. Guests must sign an agreement that they will indemnify the State of West Virginia and hold the state and its employees harmless for any damage caused by a pet to any third party.

For more information

Contact West Virginia State Parks and Forest at 800-CALL WVA or www.wvparks.com.

Thomas R. & Deborah A. Fletcher are travel writers concentrating on culture, cuisine, and adventure. A professional photographer as well, Thomas is a member of the Society of American Travel Writers. The couple has contributed articles to AAA Going Places, BBC Wildlife, Caribbean Travel & Life, the Charleston Gazette-Mail, Country Discoveries Magazine, Home & Away, Islands, Latitudes, the Roanoke Times, Sierra Magazine, Spa Magazine, Town & Country Travel and Travel & Leisure, to name just a few publications.

*Photos are owned, copyrighted and used with permission of the West Virginia Division of Tourism. All rights reserved. Please do not link to nor copy these photos. Thank you.