The Official Site of
West Virginia State Parks & Forests

Three Rivers Avian Center – (TRAC) – “Who cooks for me, who cooks for you all?” What bird says this phrase? Come to this Birds of Prey Education Program featuring live birds of prey native to West Virginia. 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. A screech, horned and barn owl; a Bald eagle and other feathered friends are part of this special interpretative program.  Open to the public and without charge to attend, plan to spend an hour at one of these state parks this summer. Click for poster view! Print it out and post at work, school, etc.  We appreciate folks helping us to get the word out.

5/3 – Tygart Lake – 7p
6/8 – Pipestem Resort – 8p
6/15 – Beech Fork – 7p
6/20 – Holly River – 3p
6/22 – Watoga – 3p
6/23 – Blackwater Falls – 10a
6/28 – Twin Falls Resort – 7p
6/29 – Babcock – 7p
8/10 – North Bend – 7p
8/11 – Tomlinson Run – 1p
8/17 – Cacapon Resort – 7p
8/24 – Blennerhassett Island – 1:30p
9/14 – Kanawha State Forest – 1p

Also, TRAC sponsors a “Migration Celebration” at Little Beaver State Park on May 11, 2013 from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.  It is an all-day, family event with games, birding walks, arts and crafts, and entertainment.  There is no charge to attend. 

In West Virginia, the year 2013 will be marked by numerous commemorative events highlighting the year 1863.  This special commemoration is fitting, for the American Civil War brought about great changes to our Nation, not the least of which was the federal recognition and creation of West Virginia as the 35th state.  Subsumed in the 150th birth year celebration is another anniversary of no less importance and perhaps with even greater impact on the future course of history in the region that one hundred years later became “The Mountain State”.  That is the 250th anniversary of Shawnee Warrior Cornstalk’s Raid on the western Virginia Euro-American settlements in the Trans-Allegheny region.  Click for full schedule,  and details

• May 4 – Kanawha State Forest
• June 1 – Tu-Endie-Wei State Park
• September 7 – Hawks Nest State Park

Lou Maiuri –Square and line– you’re invited! 
Lou Maiuri has taught squaredancing, an Appalachian tradition, for decades. A seasoned caller, 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 a state park tradition – square-dancing!  4-H, dance groups, etc. welcome.  The caller is: Lou Maiuri.

Bil Lepp is a nationally renowned storyteller and five time champion of the West Virginia Liars’ Contest. His outrageous, humorous tall-tales and witty stories have earned the appreciation of listeners of all ages and from all walks of life, from elementary school to veterans' homes, from churches to colleges, from festivals to formal dinners. Though a champion liar, his hilarious, insightful stories often contain morsels of truth which shed light on subjects such as politics, religion, relationships, and human nature. A storyteller, author, and recording artist, Lepp's works have received awards and recognition The Parents' Choice Foundation, The National Parenting Publications Assoc., Storytelling World, and the Public Library Assoc. Lepp has been featured numerous times at the National Storytelling Festival, and at the Smithsonian Folklife Festival, and major storytelling and corporate events across the country.

Bil is the author of three books of tall tales, eight audio collections, and recently published his first novel, Halfdollar. Bil lives in Charleston, WV with his wife and two children.

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.

Irish Long Bullets Road Bowling
Irish Road Bowling can be traced back to the 1600s. One story is that Dutch soldiers brought it when William of Orange came to Ireland in 1689. Another legend says that Irish patriots robbed English cannonballs and rolled them down a country lane by the light of a full moon.

West Virginia Irish Road Bowling
Irish troops marched over rugged hills, cutting their way through vast rhododendron thickets, all over what is now West Virginia during the Civil War, 1861-1863. 

In 2003, Dan Harvey, Commandant of the Military Museum, Collins Barracks, Cork City, Ireland, wrote" it is highly likely, indeed probable, that Union or Confederate troops of Irish origin played road bowling between battles during the American Civil war - as they did worldwide ... with many foreign armies."

In 1861, the 10th Ohio, formed in Cincinnati from Irish militia, with Captain T.J. Kelly, fought at the battle of Carnifex Ferry Landing near Kessler’s Cross Lanes. The 23d Illinois, Colonel James A. Mulligan's Irish Brigade, built and lived in Fort Mulligan near Petersburg for several months. In 1863, 80 Irishmen from Mulligan's Brigade, defending Greenland Gap, Hardy County, held a farmhouse for twelve hours against superior Confederate forces, until it was set afire and the roof caved in on them.

Road bowling events at WV State Parks (2013)
March 30 – Coopers Rock State Forest
April 27-28 – Pipestem Resort State Park
May 4 – Kanawha State Forest
June 15 – Blackwater Falls State Park
June 16 – Canaan Valley Resort
July 21 – Cacapon Resort State Park (Morgan County Fair)
October 12 – Holly River State Park
October 26 – Chief Logan State Park
November 3 - Stonewall Resort

Learn More
View Irish Road Bowling video
Learn about the game and history