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  • More Underrated State Parks In West Virginia

The rugged mountains, rivers, forest areas, and many other natural endowments in West Virginia are protected in state and national parks. In each of these parks, there is something unique to experience, which is why they are each worth visiting. Although the more popular parks are worth visiting, these are simply underrated, which means they are largely untouched and do not get a lot of crowds like other, more popular ones. When next in West Virginia, ditch the more popular parks and visit these underrated parks to get the almost heaven experience.

UPDATE: 2023/02/12 19:05 EST BY AARON SPRAY

More Underrated State Parks In West Virginia

West Virginia is an Appalachian state with some of the most stunning wilderness on the east coast. This list has been updated and expanded to include more of the picturesque state parks to discover in West Virginia (along with the state's only national park). Some of the state parks preserve landscapes and nature while others preserve history and heritage.

14 Little Beaver State Park

Little Beaver State Park is an outdoor paradise that offers everything from camping to hiking. The park has up to 46 campsites, a large lake, and plenty of trails suitable for both beginners and experienced hikers. While engaging in the adventures offered here, visitors will also be graced with incredible forest scenery and relaxing serenity.

13 Cedar Creek State Park

Cedar Creek State Park comes with three picturesque lakes with clear, inviting waters that offer great opportunities for swimming, boating, or fishing. The park has a picnic area where visitors can relax and enjoy a delicious meal in nature. With a golf course, plenty of hiking trails, and several campsites, there is so much one can enjoy here.

Related: Least Populated West Virginia Towns & Their Best Attractions

12 Beartown State Park

Beartown State Park invites visitors to enjoy an amazing time in nature as it is endowed with tall trees and unique rock formations. The park is 110 acres big and hiking through it is an opportunity to see unusual rock formations and beautiful forest scenery that just feels like walking in a fantasy land.

11 Pinnacle Rock State Park

Situated in Mercer, West Virginia, Pinnacle rock state park offers visitors options for recreational activities like swimming, fishing, and camping. The massive sandstone tower of the park is the main draw, but besides that, the park also has a picnic area where one can enjoy a laid-back moment with friends, and there are also hiking trails for some outdoor adventure.

10 Lost River State Park

Lost River State Park comes with natural scenery, serenity, and lots of adventures. One of the best things to do in the park is to lodge in one of the cabins, but there are many other things to enjoy here, like hiking, horseback riding, and picnicking. For some amazing views, visitors here can check out the overlook on top of Big Ridge Mountain, which offers mesmerizing views of forest-carpeted mountains and valleys.

Related: West Virginia Is Also Called 'Almost Heaven,' And This Is Why You Should Visit

9 Hawks Nest State Park

Hawks Nest State Park has facilities and endowments that cater to the needs of all travelers. While the restaurant offering amazing dishes caters to the needs of foodies, the river here will cater to the needs of adventurers and nature lovers. History lovers also have something to enjoy as the park has a museum and gift shop where several amazing artworks are available for purchase.

8 Audra State Park

Audra State Park comes with a hilly landscape and the crystal-clear Middle Fork River that’s suitable for kayaking and swimming. The park has lush trails, which are keys to discovering the natural endowment that can be found in the area. With well-developed campsites and amazing picnic areas as well, every moment spent here promises to be memorable. Audra State Park also offers opportunities for fishing and boating.

7 Beech Fork State Park

Beech Fork State Park is a 3,144-acre area that’s characterized by a large lake and lush forest. The park has plenty of recreational facilities, from hiking trails to campsites and even a gift shop. While hiking is perhaps the best thing to do here, one can also engage in other activities, such as – mountain biking, fishing, and paddle boating.

6 Camp Creek State Park

Camp Creek State Park invites nature lovers to come and enjoy a gorgeous forest area endowed with a beautiful waterfall and several miles of hiking trails. Visitors to this park have several well-equipped campgrounds and a cozy cabin to relax and enjoy nature here. For some adventures, one can go fishing in one of the streams or enjoy biking and horseback riding on one of the park’s marked trails.

5 Babcock State Park

Babcock State Park is a natural paradise in West Virginia endowed with scenic waterfalls and an abundance of trees with leaves that glow beautifully during autumn. All year round, this park offers opportunities for a wide range of activities, from mountain biking to hiking and fishing. Provisions are also made in the park for water activities such as whitewater rafting or canoeing. The natural scenery of this place is even enough to make a person’s trip here memorable and unique, especially during Fall when the leaves transform into beautiful sights of red, orange, and yellow.

4 New River Gorge National Park and Preserve

As the only national park in West Virginia, the New River Gorge National Park deserves a mention here. Here visitors can see the timeless New River Gorge and learn about the history of coal mining. It is also famous for the New River Gorge Bridge - here, it is law (albeit scary) to jump off the bridge once a year. The park is the youngest national park in the United States (for now), having been established in 2020. Fun fact, the New River is actually one of the oldest rivers in the world.

3 Cathedral State Park

Cathedral State Park is a small park made up of 133 acres of land in Preston County in Northeastern West Virginia. But despite its modest size, Cathedral State Park has the largest virgin timber tract remaining in the state. Visitors can see trees that grow up to 90 feet high and 16 feet in circumference (while impressive, still much smaller than the world's tallest tree - Hyperion, a coastal redwood in California at 380 feet tall).

2 Droop Mountain Battlefield State Park

Not all state parks in West Virginia need to be about nature and stunning landscapes. Droop Mountain Battlefield State Park is an important park that memorializes the site of West Virginia's last significant battle of the Civil War, which took place on November 6, 1863. The Confederate troop withdrew from West Virginia in the spring of 1864, and the Union controlled the state for the rest of the war. It is located in the Greenbrier River Valley and is worth a visit for anyone interested in American history.

1 Cass Scenic Railroad State Park

Many trains were built in West Virginia to service the coal mines. As these have shut, so too have many of the old railroads. The Cass Scenic Railroad State Park offers the chance to ride on a vintage steam-driven locomotive and be transported back in time. As one travels on a steam train to Cass, soak in the unparalleled views of some of West Virginia's vast wilderness. On the other end, the town of Cass also remains relatively unchanged, with a number of restored company houses adding to the charm.