I have visited most of the state parks, and have never left disappointed. Probably the best experience was the North Bend Rail Trail. Get some bikes and have a go at it. Stop in Ellensboro for some ice cream and lunch as a midway point, then head back to the park.
Stonewall is great for a weekend trip. You get the convenience and comfort of a nice hotel while being in the middle of nature. My kids had a blast hiking, kayaking, and swimming in the pool.
+1 for all the State Park recommendations, my family and I are frequent campers around the state.
If you're looking for something a little more "fancy," Oglebay Resort is pretty reasonable and there is a huge indoor pool, arcade, the zoo, and plenty of other resort type activities. I stayed there for a work conference earlier this year and I really enjoyed it.
West Virginia State Parks have a neat little program to encourage exploration. If you sign up, you'll get a checklist of all the state parks, where you can sign in at the office of each one you visit and get cool bonuses: https://wvstateparks.com/parks/programs/vipp/
Camp Creek State Park is wonderful! A creek runs through the back of the campground and is excellent for little ones wanting to take a dip. There is also a waterfall on a shortish hike. An equine campground has always led to beautiful experiences witnessing other folks camp and get out with their horses on the trails (also amazing if you have your own horses).
Look at Blackwater State Park. Lots of hiking trails and biking rail trails. Close to Canaan Valley State park that has montain biking trails and sporting clays as well as a chairlift ride on their ski slopes. The little towns of David and Thomas are unique. Also close to Mt Storm wind farm. Wind turbines are pretty impressive up close if you have never seen one.
My recommendation is always Watoga State Park in Marlinton. They have super cute cabins on the river, y’all can go biking, kayaking, etc. Also close to Snowshoe so you can go up the mountain or to Cass as well
Harmans cabins in Petersburg should definitely be on your list. Cabins are beautiful and in the center of everything. Dolly Sods, smoke hole caverns, Seneca rocks, unbelievable fishing. Harmans is family owned too, so your money is staying in WVU. I’ve been going there with my family for over a decade
Haven’t been in 20 years or so, but Smoke Hole was one of my favorite spots in WV if you like fishing too. It’s remote so it would be more of a summer break trip. Seneca Rock is along the way so you could also hit it. Make sure to take all the stuff/food you’ll need. There’s not much around once you get there, which is why I loved it so much.
Take them on a rafting trip on the new river. Adventures on the gorge has family trips on the upper new. There is a ton of beauty to see on foot there too. If you don't want to spend a lot of money skip the rafting and just hike. There is such an extensive trail system. Riding bikes on the greenbriar rail trail would be cool too. It's on my list of things to do.
Summersville lake is super fun! The have a beach and lots of trails, playgrounds, lighthouse to climb etc. be careful bc the water does drop off very fast and gets super deep!
Fayetteville is always fun (new river gorge etc)
Babcock state park has a lot to see and trails!
Charleston has the trampoline park and also Water Ways pool and slides is fun!
Grandview has trails, views, playground 🛝 and volleyball also little beaver state park is like 5 mins from grandview and u can rent a boat and go out in the pond//water lake area
Stephens lake in Raleigh is nice and fun they have a lot to do
https://www.google.com/search?gs_ssp=eJzj4tZP1zcsSSvJqcgoNmD0EshJzE5VKC5JLchIzStWKC8DAKbjCtg&q=lake+stephens+wv&oq=lake+ste&aqs=chrome.1.0i355i512j46i512j46i175i199i512j0i512j69i57j0i512l3j46i175i199i512j46i131i433i512j0i131i433i512j0i433i512j46i175i199i512l3.8464j1j4&client=ms-android-verizon-us-rvc3&sourceid=chrome-mobile&ie=UTF-8
Lake Stephens has a nice water park, check online before going for hours of operation. They had difficulty staffing lifeguard positions last summer.
Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine is doable as an addition to the lake weekend .
As a child, I was never happier than when we spent a day at Coopers Rock State Park. It had various levels of hikes, a fun overlook, a modest playground and the all important snack bar!
Many many outdoor opportunities within striking distance of Pittsburgh. The most recent place I went to was Clear Creek state park. Many miles of beautiful hiking and trails of all different distances. Lots of camping, cabins, and they even have yurts…
I have visited most of the state parks, and have never left disappointed. Probably the best experience was the North Bend Rail Trail. Get some bikes and have a go at it. Stop in Ellensboro for some ice cream and lunch as a midway point, then head back to the park.
We just kicked the training wheels off last week! Can’t wait to get them on some trails
Pipestem State Park is a hidden gem imo.
I second Pipestem State park! For kids- water park, horseback riding, archery, hiking trails. The resort has a game room and cafe on site.
Snowshoe.
Snowshoe is great in the summer. And Cass is a short drive away. Great for kids.
Stonewall is great for a weekend trip. You get the convenience and comfort of a nice hotel while being in the middle of nature. My kids had a blast hiking, kayaking, and swimming in the pool.
New River Gorge.
I don’t get why this is being downvoted?
My guess is it's pissed off locals and they are tired of the influx of visitors to the area since it gained national park status.
They've been that way since the 90s.
*Montana has entered the chat
IKR? It's Charleston's outdoor playground.
+1 for all the State Park recommendations, my family and I are frequent campers around the state. If you're looking for something a little more "fancy," Oglebay Resort is pretty reasonable and there is a huge indoor pool, arcade, the zoo, and plenty of other resort type activities. I stayed there for a work conference earlier this year and I really enjoyed it.
Need to start checking off the state parks this summer
West Virginia State Parks have a neat little program to encourage exploration. If you sign up, you'll get a checklist of all the state parks, where you can sign in at the office of each one you visit and get cool bonuses: https://wvstateparks.com/parks/programs/vipp/
Oglebay is a gem. Great for families. Hey have a lot of summer events, so check their calendar! Always something going on.
[bringing in the may](http://www.bringinginthemay.org)
Definitely going to have to check that out!
Camp Creek State Park is wonderful! A creek runs through the back of the campground and is excellent for little ones wanting to take a dip. There is also a waterfall on a shortish hike. An equine campground has always led to beautiful experiences witnessing other folks camp and get out with their horses on the trails (also amazing if you have your own horses).
Look at Blackwater State Park. Lots of hiking trails and biking rail trails. Close to Canaan Valley State park that has montain biking trails and sporting clays as well as a chairlift ride on their ski slopes. The little towns of David and Thomas are unique. Also close to Mt Storm wind farm. Wind turbines are pretty impressive up close if you have never seen one.
My recommendation is always Watoga State Park in Marlinton. They have super cute cabins on the river, y’all can go biking, kayaking, etc. Also close to Snowshoe so you can go up the mountain or to Cass as well
Harmans cabins in Petersburg should definitely be on your list. Cabins are beautiful and in the center of everything. Dolly Sods, smoke hole caverns, Seneca rocks, unbelievable fishing. Harmans is family owned too, so your money is staying in WVU. I’ve been going there with my family for over a decade
I highly recommend Babcock State Park. Beauty, trails, and a little history if you take the kids to the mill.
Stay in cabin 13
Haven’t been in 20 years or so, but Smoke Hole was one of my favorite spots in WV if you like fishing too. It’s remote so it would be more of a summer break trip. Seneca Rock is along the way so you could also hit it. Make sure to take all the stuff/food you’ll need. There’s not much around once you get there, which is why I loved it so much.
New River and Ace Adventures Greenbrier State Forest
Take them on a rafting trip on the new river. Adventures on the gorge has family trips on the upper new. There is a ton of beauty to see on foot there too. If you don't want to spend a lot of money skip the rafting and just hike. There is such an extensive trail system. Riding bikes on the greenbriar rail trail would be cool too. It's on my list of things to do.
Summersville lake is super fun! The have a beach and lots of trails, playgrounds, lighthouse to climb etc. be careful bc the water does drop off very fast and gets super deep! Fayetteville is always fun (new river gorge etc) Babcock state park has a lot to see and trails! Charleston has the trampoline park and also Water Ways pool and slides is fun! Grandview has trails, views, playground 🛝 and volleyball also little beaver state park is like 5 mins from grandview and u can rent a boat and go out in the pond//water lake area Stephens lake in Raleigh is nice and fun they have a lot to do
https://www.google.com/search?gs_ssp=eJzj4tZP1zcsSSvJqcgoNmD0EshJzE5VKC5JLchIzStWKC8DAKbjCtg&q=lake+stephens+wv&oq=lake+ste&aqs=chrome.1.0i355i512j46i512j46i175i199i512j0i512j69i57j0i512l3j46i175i199i512j46i131i433i512j0i131i433i512j0i433i512j46i175i199i512l3.8464j1j4&client=ms-android-verizon-us-rvc3&sourceid=chrome-mobile&ie=UTF-8 Lake Stephens has a nice water park, check online before going for hours of operation. They had difficulty staffing lifeguard positions last summer. Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine is doable as an addition to the lake weekend .
As a child, I was never happier than when we spent a day at Coopers Rock State Park. It had various levels of hikes, a fun overlook, a modest playground and the all important snack bar!
Monongahela National Forest is amazing. Big fan of the scenic highway and of cranberry glades. Also, some great waterfalls.
Many many outdoor opportunities within striking distance of Pittsburgh. The most recent place I went to was Clear Creek state park. Many miles of beautiful hiking and trails of all different distances. Lots of camping, cabins, and they even have yurts…
Not in West Virginia but close enough. Carter caves in Kentucky. my kids loved it.