Named after Chief Logan, a Native American leader who ruled in the surrounding region before the American Revolutionary War, Chief Logan State Park is situated in Logan County, West Virginia. The 4,000-acre park is encompassed by the state's stunning southern mountains and is one of the most popular parks in West Virginia. In 1960, Chief Logan State Park was classified as a recreation area and, in 1968, became part of the West Virginia state park organization.
Visitors can hear retellings of the area's great history when they visit the Liz Spurlock Amphitheater at the park to enjoy one of the musicals or plays hosted there throughout the year. The park also has a history with the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad. Visitors can learn more about this when they visit the park and see the Kanawha 2700 Class locomotive, which was donated by the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad in the early 1960s.
You can also enjoy the park's other activities, like hiking, swimming, biking, fishing, and geocaching. Chief Logan State Park is also renowned for its yearly "Christmas in the Park" light display that visitors can drive through. If you would like to stay in the park for a couple of days, then you can choose from a variety of accommodation options. These include a room at the Chief Logan Lodge, a cabin, or an RV campsite with varying hookups.
Because of its central location, Chief Logan State Park is roughly 200-300 miles from Washington, Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, Columbus, and Charlotte. This makes it an ideal location for a weekend RV trip away for people living in those cities. Be sure to pack appropriately according to the season when you are visiting the park.
Chief Logan State Park is a short distance off the US-119. Visitors driving along the US-119 will be smooth sailing for most of the drive, but closer to the park, there is a lower clearance level as you go through the town of Logan to reach the park. Rigs that are higher than 10 and 11 feet will not be able to pass through here. If your rig is higher than 11 feet, then you can continue along the US-119 and access another road to the park from Chapmanville.
The town of Logan is only 4.3 miles from the park, and if you need any supplies or a meal out during your visit to the park, you can get it there. Once you reach the park, the roads remain paved and easy to navigate. Reduce your speed and enjoy the remainder of the scenic drive and keep your eyes peeled for wildlife. If you are camping at the park, then you can go ahead and check into your site first before exploring the rest of the park.
Day visitors can make use of the parking available at the park. These parking areas can be found at attractions like the fishing pond, the park museum, and the amphitheater.
Logan Chief State Park Campground features 26 campsites with varying hookups. Out of the 26 sites, 14 of them offer full hookups, and 12 offer electrical and water hookups only. The campground is open from during the spring and summer months, weather depending.
Campground amenities include a communally situated restroom with hot showers and flushing toilets. Each site has a picnic table and grill for your use during your stay. Campers will have easy access to all the park's recreational activities
Campground quiet hours are from 10 PM to 6 AM and are strictly enforced. Campers are allowed to camp for a maximum of 14 days at a time. Campsites need to be reserved in advance and booked by a person who is 18 years old or older.
Visitors wanting a more luxurious accommodation option can rent a room at the Chief Logan Lodge or one of the cabins perched on top of the lodge.
The 75-room lodge is separated by a mountain, and visitors will need to take a short drive from the park to reach it. The rooms and cabins are available to guests year-round, and guests will have access to the lodge restaurant, an indoor and outdoor pool, a fitness center, and mini-golf.
The lodge offers a variety of different rooms and suites, some with a balcony, and with either a king or queen-sized bed. You'll have access to free Wi-Fi, and each room has a coffee pot, TV and phone, and private bathroom. Guests are also welcome to bring along up to two pets for an extra nightly fee.
The three cabins available feature big living areas, perfect for families on vacation, and are equipped with all the modern amenities you will need while you stay there. These include four bedrooms with four bathrooms, linens, Wi-Fi, a deck, fireplace, fire pit, smart TV, and a fully equipped kitchen. One of the cabins is also ADA-accessible. Contact the park for more information.
Fishermen can enjoy being out in nature when they fish at the pond at Chief Logan State Park. Make sure to bring your fishing rod with when you visit as the pond is regularly stocked with catfish and trout. Keep in mind that there is a daily catch limit. Night fishing is also allowed at the park so you can cast your line underneath a blanket of stars. You may need a fishing license at the park, so be sure to have a valid West Virginian fishing license when you visit.
If you visit the park during the summer months, then you're going to enjoy hanging out in the pool area. This is a lovely way to beat the heat and is suitable for the whole family. The park features an Olympic-sized swimming pool with a fun, twisting water slide that both children and adults can enjoy. For smaller children, there is a kiddies pool available. Visitors can enjoy the pool every year from Memorial Day to Labor Day for a nominal fee. Be sure to learn about the swimming rules in place before you visit.
With 30 miles of multi-use trails to explore, hikers and bikers will have no shortage of entertainment. There are 12 different trails, each varying in length and difficulty, and you are sure to find a trail or two that piques your interest. Be sure to wear sturdy shoes and take along a hiking stick with you, as some of the trails can be muddy at times. By law, all bikers under 16 need to wear a helmet when they cycle, so bring one along if you want to hit the trails.
Chief Logan State Park also offers visitors the opportunity to explore the park while geocaching. For those who have never heard of this fun, family-friendly pastime before, geocaching is a modern version of a treasure hunt. You will need a GPS-compatible device and some trinkets of your own to play. When you find the cache, you can trade some of your treasures for those in the cache. Make sure to leave each cache exactly as you found it so that others can enjoy finding it after you.
If you are keen to learn more about the park's history and its historical ties to the railroad, then visit the park's museum. The museum holds some of the best exhibits of artwork and historical artifacts in West Virginia, and you can learn about the history of the state and the local area when you visit. Children seven years and older can enjoy the museum's arts and crafts sessions on Saturday mornings. Be sure to check the days and times that the museum is open before you visit to avoid disappointment.
Whether you're hiking, biking, fishing, or just sitting down and enjoying nature, keep your eyes open for the surrounding wildlife. At Chief Logan State Park, you can see a variety of different animals including deer and birds. So be sure to bring along your camera and binoculars in your motorhome. The park also features a wildlife exhibition with animals like bobcats, red-shouldered hawks, black bears, and reptiles native to the state.
