The Official Web Site of:
Home page for WV State Parks
Go to the WV DNR home page
Go the WV Tourism and Travel Guide
Visit a Shop in the Park for online purchasing of WV State Park items Click Here for Cabin Availability
 
select a park by lodging
What to do at WV State Parks
We offer special packages by the season and year-round
Check out our Calendar of Events
Let us host your next conference
Get the latest WV State Park news
Golf with us
Join one of our year-round programs
Visit our Resource center to receive a brochure by mail or order a gift certificate

Group Services provided by West Virginia State Parks


Online Reservations are available with West Virginia State Parks, click here


Reservations are now taken 2 years in advance at selected State Parks.
Learn More


pet friendly vacation cabin rentals in west virginia

Help to Preserve our Legacy!

Join our foundation or make a donation.
Join the West Virginia STate Parks Foundation



WV State Parks and Forests offer abundant wildlife viewing opportunities!

Feeding Wildlife is harmful to their health!
and....

it is prohibited by law!

Click Here to learn more!

West Virginia State Parks and Forests
Summer Program Series
A unique collection of events – for fun, for families, for groups,
for free!

Over 300 special events and event weekends are scheduled throughout the year in West Virginia State Parks and Forests.

Daily activities are scheduled at many areas throughout the park system in addition to the special programs listed here.

Families, friends, and groups are welcome. From dancing or campfire tales to history or singing, these special summer program add more fun and enjoyment to your visit.

Special Summer Programs at a Glance
(for special guest information, scroll to bottom of the page or click here)

About our special summer program guests –

Three Rivers Avian Center – (TRAC) – What bird says “who cooks for me, who cooks for you all?” Don’t know! Come to this Birds of Prey Education Program featuring live birds of prey native to West Virginia. Live raptors, including hawks and owls are part of this educational program. You’ll learn about the habitat, diet and behavior of each bird presented, the most common causes of injury to each species and the laws protecting these special birds.

Park or Forest

Day

Date

Twin Falls

Friday

6/12/2009

Bluestone

Friday

6/19/2009

Watoga Saturday 6/20/2009

Holly River

Saturday

6/26/2009

Pipestem

Thursday

7/09/2009

Greenbrier

Friday

7/10/2009

Hawks Nest

Saturday

7/11/2009

Blackwater Falls

Friday

7/17/2009

Cedar Creek

Friday

7/24/2009

Cacapon

Friday

8/07/2009

Lost River

Saturday

8/08/2009

North Bend

Friday

8/14/2009

TRANS-ALLEGHENY CLASH OF CULTURES
Learn more

American Indian and European cultures fought six wars westward of Allegheny Mountains in what later became the Mountain State of West Virginia.  The men and women involved in the 18th-century cycles of war and peace shaped the future of Trans-Allegheny culture. 

Your cultural forebearers will come alive again at three West Virginia state parks in 2009: Blennerhassett Island (7/4), Hawks Nest (7/18), and Droop Mountain Battlefield (8/29)state parks.  Presented by living history presenters Doug Wood and Trails, Inc.

Lou Maiuri Square or line– you’re invited. Lou Maiuri was teaching dance long before Dancing with the Stars debuted or Travolta and Swayze made dance popular again. Maiuri is a dance instructor of traditional Appalachian dance and modern line dancing. He has won many awards in competition, including three national championships and is the director and founder of Appalachian Country Cloggers. Bringing traditional dance and instruction to our state parks is a labor of love for Maiuri – his love of people and his love for dance is obvious when you attend one of Lou’s dance events. No previous dance experience (or rhythm) necessary. Come join us for tradition – let’s dance!  

Park or Forest

Day

Date

North Bend State Park

Friday

July 03, 2009

Watoga State Park

Saturday

July 04, 2009

Lost River State

Wednesday

July 08, 2009

Cacapon State Park

Thursday

July 09, 2009

Beech Fork State Park

Saturday

July 11, 2009

Pipestem State Park

Friday

July 17, 2009

Holly River State Park

Wednesday

July 22, 2009

Blackwater Falls State Park

Thursday

July 23, 2009

Cass Scenic Railroad

Saturday

September 26, 2009

Twin Falls State Park

Saturday

October 10, 2009

Tygart Lake State Park

Sunday

October 11, 2009

Bugs Stover – A traditional campfire story-teller. A Wyoming County (WV) native, his presentation is down-home, come-on-over, and sit-a-spell. I’m going to tell you a story about when I was but a child camping at…and there was a strange noise… Stover’s stories weave state park tales of mystery and make an ordinary evening something to remember.

Mick Souter – A one man show featuring Celebrate America. Mick presents a multi-disciplinary cultural performance combining music, theater, and storytelling with history, geography, and social studies. The artist accompanies himself on many instruments including banjo, dulcimer, auto harp, and recorder.

Bil Lepp – A winner of the West Virginia Liars Contest, Bil Lepp tells tall tales written by himself and his brother. His outrageous stories about Buck-dog, fishing, politics, trains, the rodeo and many others will have the audience roaring with laughter.

Geology! Rocks – Don’t know limestone from sandstone or granite from gravel! An evening program to teach, explain and explore the mysteries of ‘rock.’ The next morning we ‘roll’ out for a hike to learn about geology, topography and more. The West Virginia Geological Survey folks are the experts presenting this program series. You can attend evening or morning activities or both.  Great for scout and 4-H groups, families and our future geologists.  Times and locations vary from park to park, so if there is no specific time or meeting location listed, please contact the park direct.  Thank you.

Park or Forest

Day

Date

Twin Falls

Thursday – evening program

6/18/2009

Twin Falls

Friday – morning walk

6/19/2009

Blackwater Falls

Monday – evening program

6/22/2009

Blackwater Falls

Tuesday – morning walk

6/23/2009

Bluestone

Thursday – evening program

6/25/2009

Bluestone

Friday – morning program

6/26/2009

Stonewall Resort

Friday – evening program

6/26/2009

Stonewall Resort

Saturday – morning walk

6/27/2009

Lost River

Tuesday – evening program

7/14/2009

Lost River

Wednesday – morning walk

7/15/2009

Cacapon Resort

Wednesday – evening program

7/15/2009

Cacapon Resort

Thursday – morning walk

7/16/2009

Blackwater Falls

Monday – evening program

7/27/2009

Blackwater Falls

Tuesday – morning walk

7/28/2009

Greenbrier State Forest

Thursday – evening program

7/30/2009

Greenbrier State Forest

Friday – morning walk

7/31/2009

Watoga

Friday – evening program

7/31/2009

Watoga

Saturday – morning walk

8/1/2009

Beech Fork

Thursday – evening program

8/6/2009

Beech fork

Friday – morning walk

8/7/2009

North Bend

Friday – evening program

8/7/2009

North Bend

Saturday – morning walk

8/8/2009

Hawks Nest

Thursday – evening program

8/13/2009

Hawks Nest

Friday – morning walk

8/14/2009

Pipestem Resort

Thursday – evening program

8/20/2009

Pipestem Resort

Friday – morning walk

8/21/2009

Garry Boothe – Garry is a magician and children’s entertainer, and he performs magic and balloon artistry with a twist. A great family entertainer.

Irish Road Bowling – This series is more about the activity than a special program guest. An outdoor activity born in Ireland, WV is becoming an interesting game of fun. Before football, soccer, and basketball, before baseball and golf, was ... The Old Game,Irish Road Bowling. So when you hear ‘bowl’, obey the rules of the road and know the game is afoot.

Click park name to see park information

Audra
Beech Fork
Blennerhassett Island
Blackwater Falls
Cacapon
Cass Scenic RR
Cedar Creek

Greenbrier State
Hawks Nest
Holly River
Lost River
North Bend
Pipestem Resort

Stonewall
Tu-Endie-Wei
Tomlinson Run
Twin Falls
Tygart Lake
Watoga

Summer programming reflects the West Virginia State Parks mission statement. From cultural and historical facets, to natural history and traditional programs, you’re invited to learn, to play and to enjoy!
Offered at no charge – we encourage families, friends and youth to enjoy the great outdoors as well as some great folks sharing their talent and skills.

Note: This page is updated frequently with additional programs as scheduled.
Always contact the park or forest where a program is scheduled for program location and starting times.
For a complete list of special Hikes & Walks click here.
To view complete calendar of events, click here.
For WV State Parks Programs (Adopt-A-Trail, Hiking Program, VIPP, etc.) click here.

 
View the state map and select a park by location