On August 4th, the President signed the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA) into law. The GAOA is groundbreaking legislation that will improve trails, campgrounds, and other recreation in public lands across the United States. Now that it has become law, the National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund will be created and the Land […]
We are excited to announce that Friends of Blackwater has been selected by the Office of Surface Mining to create a Blackwater Loop hiking and biking trail that will safely and scenically connect the Towns of Thomas and Davis in Tucker County. The eight-mile trail will feature an incredible suspension bridge over the North Fork […]
Friends of Blackwater is excited to support a bill that would permanently fund State Parks! Public lands are such a valuable part of West Virginia- they generate nearly $250 in annual economic significance, protect thousands and thousands of acres of unique and beautiful habitat, provide top notch recreational activities, preserve cultural history, and so much […]
Located in Marion County along the Monongahela River, the 188 acre Prickett’s Fort State Park is a fun jaunt into living history. Founded in 1975, the State Park is built upon the location of a late 18th Century settler’s fort of the same name. Visitors can visit Prickett’s Fort and learn about settler and colonial […]
Located along the Bluestone River about 12 miles northeast of Princeton, WV, Pipestem Resort State Park (commonly just called Pipestem State Park) is a testament to government planning and outdoor recreation. Founded in 1963, the park is on over 4,000 acreas and offers recreational opportunities for almost anyone. It is named after the meadowsweet plant, […]
Pinnacle Rock State Park is located in Mercer County at the very southern tip of West Virginia. The park was established in 1938 when 26 acres of land were bought for the public interest by the Conservation Commission. Additional land has been purchased and added to the state park over the past decades with the […]
North Bend State Park is a lovely 2,492 acre park located in Richie County, WV, east of Parkersburg. The park was founded in 1951 and has a strong history of community involvement with many local groups actively raising funds and doing much of the work to create and designate it as state park. Groups such […]
We are so excited to announce the winners of our 2019 state parks photo contest. After receiving over 50 submissions, our judges had a very hard -and enjoyable- time reviewing the photos. The contest had three categories: “People in Parks,” “Scenery,” and “Wildlife.” We’d like to thank everyone who submitted their work. Winners have received […]
We love state parks here in West Virginia. They’re beautiful, they’re fun, and almost all native West Virginians have fond childhood memories in them with friends and family. And while most of us only think of state parks as a source of fun recreation and a way to escape busy city and town life; state […]
Moncove Lake State Park is situated right on the southeastern edge of West Virginia on the banks of the 144 acre Moncove Lake. The Moncove Lake area was established in 1960, following the damming of Devil Creek in eastern Monroe County. 250 acres were pulled out of Moncove Lake Wildlife Management area in 1990 to […]
Lost River State Park is located on 3,700 acres at the headwaters of the Lost River which flows from Mathias through the Lost River Valley and on to Sandy Ridge Mountain where it sinks below the earth and reemerges as the Cacapon River. It has a rich history, passing through the ownership of the Henry […]
Little Beaver State Park is in Randolph County, near the town of Beckley. Created in 1941 as a 4-H camp, it was sold to the state for $1 in 1970 and was established as a state park. Little Beaver includes stone work done by the CCC in the 1930s, including the nearby Little Beaver Lake, […]
