Offering an array of natural attractions, including fishing, hiking and boating, Tygart Lake State Park is a great spot for family getaways. Overnight accommodations include a 20-room lodge and 11 modern cabins. The lodge offers complimentary stays for children 12 and under, with accommodations ranging from standard rooms to executive suites. All rooms include air conditioning, color TVs and private telephones. Some suites also come with DVD players, refrigerators, microwaves and decks with scenic views of Tygart Lake. Cabin accommodations, on the other hand, range from two- to six-person units, all with fully-stocked kitchens, private baths and heat. Only one cabin, however, offers air conditioning. Park activities include bass fishing, boating and hiking along the park's five hiking trails. During the summer, the park also offers guided tours and educational activities free of charge for all park guests. During the spring and summer, the lodge offers dining, with a full menu, as well as dinner theater productions. For golfers, Tygart Lake Golf Course is nearby, offering 18 holes of 72 par public golfing. History buffs may want to check out historic Prickett's Fort State Park, just 26 miles away.
Tygart Lake State Park
Rt. 1 Box 260
Grafton, WV 26354
304-265-6144
800-CALL-WVA
tygartlake.com
Located in West Virginia's western panhandle, Cacapon Resort State Park sits at the base of beautiful Cacapon Mountain. This family-friendly park offers a host of outdoor activities, including swimming, hiking, fishing, horseback riding and trap shooting. Lodging options include modern and standard cabins, efficiency bungalows as well as inn and lodge accommodations. Modern cabins have wood-paneled walls, forced air heat, open fireplaces, and kitchens with modern appliances as well as private baths. Standard cabins are log constructed, with fireplace heat, private baths and fully equipped kitchens. Bungalows are single-room efficiency units which sleep four. They come with kitchen appliances and small baths. Visitors to the park will enjoy hiking on the 20 miles of trails, swimming at the sandy, lifeguard-protected beach, horseback riding on an array of guided trail rides, and guided recreation activities offered throughout the year. For dining, the park offers a host of picnic areas with grills, as well as a year-round restaurant offering a full menu.
Cacapon Resort State Park
818 Cacapon Lodge Drive
Berkeley Springs, WV 25411
304-258-1022
800-CALL-WVA
cacaponresort.com
Nestled in the mountains of Pocahontas County, Watoga State Park offers both summer and winter outdoor activities. Families can swim in the park's pool; play ping pong, horseshoes, basketball or croquet at the recreation area; or fish and boat in the park's 11-acre lake. Both paddle boat and row boat rentals are available. The park also offers nature activities conducted by the park's naturist, including guided nature hikes, educational slide shows and athletic events. Skiing is available at nearby Snowshoe Mountain Ski Resort, and there's bass fishing, tubing and canoeing in nearby Greenbrier River. Lodging options include both modern and standard cabins, all with fully-stocked kitchens, private baths and fireplaces. Modern cabins, featuring forced air heat, are open year-round, while standard cabins, with fireplace heat, are available during spring, summer and early autumn only. All cabins are fully stocked with linens, towels, dishes and cooking utensils.
Watoga State Park
HC 82, Box 252
Marlinton, WV 24954
304-799-4087
800-CALL-WVA
watoga.com
For a unique family getaway, Cass Scenic Railroad State Park offers a peek back in time with scenic train excursions on old-time steam-driven trains along the historic Cass Railroad line. Passengers ride in old logging flat cars and old-time passenger cars, pulled by a restored Shay locomotive. The town is much the same as it was over 100 years ago, with lodging in two-story company houses, built in the early 1900s and refurbished with modern conveniences. Special lodging options include overnight stays in the park's mountain-top wilderness cabins. These cabins are perched atop of Cheat Mountain and Bald Knob, and are reached by train, followed by a 3/4-mile hike. Accommodations are rustic, with no electricity or running water. The town also offers a museum, guided tours of the town and its locomotive shops, a playground, a gift shop and a restaurant. For outdoor activities, including fishing, hiking and swimming, several state parks, such Seneca State Forest and Watoga State Park, are nearby.
Cass Scenic Railroad State Park
P.O. Box 107
Cass, WV 24927
304-456-4300
800-Call-WVA
cassrailroad.com
