New homebuyers seeking to relocate to a state with a rich and vibrant history, beautiful outdoor landscapes, and low cost of living may be interested in putting down roots in West Virginia. The Mountain State offers plentiful recreation, excellent education, and some of the most awe-inspiring views of mountain landscapes in the country.
For those who love adventure as well as those who seek quiet solitude in nature, easy access to nearby parks and green spaces is a must-have feature in their new home. Fortunately, West Virginia is home to some of the best state parks with unique attractions for the entire family to enjoy. Keep these fabulous parks in mind as you search for the perfect location to buy or build your new home in West Virginia.
Here are the top 10 state parks in West Virginia.
1. Audra State Park
Google Rating: 4.8
Located 135 miles from Pittsburgh and just south of Philippi, West Virginia is a quiet sanctuary of wooded trails and campgrounds. This lush natural oasis is a stunning scene year-round but is a breathtaking beauty in the fall. The 335-acre park is open all year for family fun adventures and weekend explorations.
Visitors often take the winding path along the Alum Cave Trail loop and discover fantastic views of Middle Fork River where anglers enjoy the opportunity to catch trout, bass, and bluegill. A 2.9-mile whitewater run flows northward towards the Tygart Valley River, earning its rating as a class III-IV difficulty in normal conditions. Whether you enjoy boating, floating, hiking, or kayaking, Audra State Park offers everything you wish for and more. Escape the summer heat by dipping your toes in the Middle Fork River or soaking in the sun rays along the shore.
2. Camp Creek State Park
Google Rating: 4.8
Nearly 5,300 acres of natural forests make up the vast Camp Creek State Park. Located 100 miles from Roanoke, this oasis is a dream for hunters and anglers. Wild turkey, ruffed goose, and a wide variety of small game are plentiful in the woods while Camp Creek is known for being one of the best-stocked trout streams in the state. Several campgrounds are available to overnight guests who are looking for a weekend getaway under the stars. One unique feature of the park is an equestrian campground for riders and their horses. Approximately 35 miles of horseback trails wind through the gorgeous multi-use grounds.
3. Babcock State Park
Google Rating: 4.8
Approximately 217 miles from Greensboro and 17 miles southeast of the New River Gorge Bridge, Babcock State Park has a longstanding reputation for being one of West Virginia’s most iconic locations. Boasting 4,127 acres of breathtaking scenery, the park is home to the fully functional Glade Creek Grist Mill. Recreational activities such as hiking, fishing, and whitewater rafting are popular among local and out-of-town visitors. Mountain biking, geocaching, and camping are also fantastic options for a summer vacation or weekend getaway. Winding multi-use trails are popular among visitors to take in the fresh air and brilliant fall foliage.
4. Valley Falls State Park
Google Rating: 4.8
A mere 30 miles from Morgantown, Valley Falls State Park offers excellent multi-use hiking and biking trails with spectacular views. The park is known for its unique series of four falls created by the rushing waters of the Tygart Valley River. Its historical significance as a lumber and grist mill community of the 1800s brings a special charm to this natural gem. The 1,145-acre park is a day-use park only and does not offer overnight accommodations on-site, but you can easily find lodging nearby. Gates open at 7 AM and close at dark.
5. Beartown State Park
Google Rating: 4.8
The simplicity and ease of a natural landscape are Beartown State Park’s greatest attractions. Many visitors travel to Beartown to hike along its quiet boardwalk and observe the park’s incredible rock formations. Located 94 miles from Lexington, the 110-acre natural area is situated on the eastern summit of Droop Mountain in the northern part of Greenbrier County. Craggy overhanging cliffs, massive boulders, and deep crevices offer a stunning perspective for nature lovers. In fact, the park is named for the rocky cave-like openings that could be the perfect size den for the local black bears to get cozy in the wintertime. Beartown State Park is open to visitors from April through October.
6. Watoga State Park
Google Rating: 4.7
Nestled in the mountains of Pocahontas County lies West Virginia’s largest state park. Approximately 80 miles from Lexington, Watoga State Park is the perfect place to enjoy a weekend away with family or friends. Recreational activities such as hiking, fishing, swimming, camping, and boating are open for the public to enjoy year-round. You’ve never experienced a night under the stars until you’ve camped in Watoga State Park, awarded official Dark Sky Park status by the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA) in 2021. The massive sky dotted with familiar stars offers special warm comfort for campers every spring through fall.
7. Tomlinson Run State Park
Google Rating: 4.6
Only 41 miles from Pittsburgh is Tomlinson Run State Park, known for being West Virginia’s “top” state park, notably situated in the Northern Panhandle. The park is roughly divided into two sections. The first is a rugged wilderness with densely forested hills, overhanging sandstone and shale cliffs, and beautiful biodiversity including a multitude of wildflowers and abundant animal life. The second is a traditional park development with modern amenities. Visitors often enjoy fishing, boating, swimming, and hiking. If you are looking for a place for respite and day use, Tomlinson Run State Park offers some of the best sports facilities, disc golf, and picnic areas.
8. Cass Scenic Railroad State Park
Google Rating: 4.7
If you’re up for a unique tourist experience, the Cass Scenic Railroad State Park is the perfect trip back in time to the steam engine locomotive era. Located 126 miles from Roanoke, the park offers an unparalleled hands-on journey through the original lumbering town’s rich and vibrant history. Many travelers come from all over the state to see the 11-mile-long heritage railroad and company town. Families can spend a full day exploring the attractions including The Company Store, The Last Run Restaurant and Soda Fountain, and many artisan shops in the co-op. The park also includes the Cass Historical Theater and Historical Museum, showcasing its many artifacts in one of the few authentic lumber railroad museums in the country. There is fun for all ages at this park; just be sure to check the website for seasonal hours of operation.
9. Berkeley Springs State Park
Google Rating: 4.7
Berkeley Springs State Park offers a unique attraction as a historical mineral spa. Approximately 104 miles from Washington, D.C., this hidden gem has been frequented by many prominent figures in U.S. politics over time, including one of its biggest fans, President George Washington. The park is situated in the center of historic Berkeley Springs and is known for its warm spring water, which constantly flows at a temperature of 74.3 degrees. Once a health mecca that attracted Native American groups to the area, the springs have a fascinating history of natural and cultural significance which visitors may learn about by visiting the free museum.
Today, visitors can spend a day or a weekend at the park enjoying a luxurious spa experience, offering a wide selection of services including body massages, saunas, showers, and baths at the Old Roman or Main bathhouses. Sourced directly from the spring, the private walk-in Roman Bath holds 750 gallons of mineral water. A 150-gallon heated whirlpool offers a serene experience of total relaxation and rejuvenation. These private bath facilities can accommodate up to four adults and may be reserved for 30-minute soaks.
10. Holly River State Park
Google Rating: 4.7
Known for its plethora of blooming flora and fauna, Holly River State Park is the state’s second-largest state park at 8,101 acres of lush forest growth. Located 182 miles from Pittsburgh and nestled inside a narrow valley of the Mountain Lakes, the park is surrounded by picturesque mountains and beautiful ecosystems. The quiet scenery offers a peaceful solitude among the trees and ferns. Visitors may also enjoy hiking, camping, swimming, and playing tennis. Multi-use trails offer excellent biking and horseback riding opportunities. A range of accommodations is available for overnight guests including cabins and campgrounds to enjoy a blissful night under the starry sky.
New River Gorge National Park and Preserve
Google Rating: 4.8
Approximately 135 miles from Roanoke, New River Gorge National Park and Preserve protects and preserves over 70,000 acres of the breathtaking gorge and the river that created it. As the New River weaves through the park, its powerful waters carve out a magnificent rocky gorge with a wide variety of plant and animal biodiversity. Visitors and adventurers alike travel to the park for experiences such as rock climbing through the gorge, hiking through the dense forests, or rafting along the rugged whitewater river through deep and cavernous canyons. Whether you stay for a half day or a long weekend, there are plenty of recreation opportunities and campsites for an enriching and restorative experience.
The Mountain State
Interested in moving to West Virginia? Learn more about the area by reading some of our other articles, including the best places to live, the safest cities, and how to build a house in West Virginia. And when you’re ready to choose your new home, you can see new listings every day at NewHomeSource.
All parks have been ranked based on the criteria of popularity, distance from the closest major cities, violent crime, property crime, google ratings, and the number of google reviews.
Melanie Theriault is a writer, counselor, and lifelong learner. She holds a B.A. in Sociology from Southwestern University, where she discovered her passion for fostering human connection through storytelling.
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