If you like hiking, Little Beaver State Park is the perfect place for you and your family to choose for your next RV camping trip. With 18 different trails to explore, the 562-acre park is an excellent choice for you. But it’s not just about the trails, because this park has a lot more activities to enjoy than just hiking. First of all, you should learn something about the history of the park to get a better idea of why it is so special.
Anglers and 4-H clubs used the area where the park is now; Little Beaver Creek was dammed in the 1940s, forming an 18-acre lake, and the formation of the lake made it popular fishing spot. Little Beaver State Park was officially named in 1972, but it was just a daytime park since it did not have any camping areas at the time. After creating 46 campsites in 2011, the park became a favorite place for family vacationers and campers wanting to get away from the city and get closer to nature.
Whether you are coming to enjoy the lake or the land, you don’t have to stay for the day; you can park your RV in one of the spacious campsites and stay as long as you like. The modern campground has a shower house, laundry facilities, and even offers free Wi-Fi for those who are having trouble disconnecting from the real world. No matter what you come for or how long you stay, you will surely want to visit Little Beaver State Park again and again.
Less than five miles east of Beaver, West Virginia, Little Beaver State Park is situated in the southern part of the state in Raleigh County. You’ll be able to find the park easily since it is only about two miles off I-64 on WV-307. In fact, it is not so far off the beaten path that you are cut off completely as the park boasts excellent Wi-Fi service.
About an hour to the northwest, you can visit Charleston, which is the capital of West Virginia, as well as the largest city in the state. If you want to visit the Jewel City, Huntington, it is about two hours to the northwest and got its name for its proximity to the Ohio and Guyandotte Rivers. The roads are hilly and curvy due to the mountains and forested areas that the state has tried to keep as undisturbed as possible. While this may make your trip a little longer, it certainly makes the view a lot better.
Once you get into the park, the roads are mostly paved, but you could have issues maneuvering your rig if it is over 30 feet in length due to the sharp curves at some of the campsites. Make sure you mention the size of your RV or campervan when making your reservation by phone. If reserving your site online, take note of the location and length limits of the site you choose.
Surrounded by hiking trails, wooded wildlife, and Little Beaver Lake, the Little Beaver State Park Campground is a gem in the middle of nowhere. There is a total of 46 campsites, each with a 40-foot parking pad, picnic table, and a campfire ring with a grate to cook on. The park has a campground with 46 total campsites. Thirty of the campsites have electric and water hookups while the rest just offer water. Only 25 of the sites are reservable, and the rest are first-come, first-served. So, if you have not reserved a site, get here early, especially if you are coming on a holiday or during the weekend.
The park provides a comfort station with a laundry facility, shower houses, and modern restrooms with running water. You can also find an RV sanitation station and picnic area nearby. If you find that you forgot to bring something, the camp store has just about anything you need, or you can run to town, which is only a few miles away. Pets are welcome here, but you must keep them on a leash or otherwise restrained at all times.
Go ahead and gather up the family and friends into your RV and head to Little Beaver State Park. The group campground can accommodate you all with ease. In fact, this park has a large group campground that can handle up to 40 people. You will have to call in advance for a reservation though, and since there is only one group campground, you should book early, especially if you are planning on a weekend or holiday visit to the park.
Just like the regular campsites, you will have access to the shower houses, laundry area, restrooms, camp store, and RV sanitation dumpsite. You’ll also have several picnic tables and campfire grills for your whole group. You can bring your four-legged family as well as long as you keep them restrained during your visit.
Little Beaver State Park has a lovely 18-acre lake that has an average depth of 10 feet and a maximum depth of 15 feet. Although you are allowed to rent a boat and get out on the lake, the rules say you cannot bring your own. The lake is beautiful, though, and you will be amazed at how clear and calm the water is as you paddle around. Whether you are paddling a kayak, canoe, or rowboat, you will be glad you decided to take the trip.
If you cannot relax for the weekend without at least one round of golf, you will be happy to know that there is an amazing championship golf course just about 33 miles down I-64 at Twin Falls State Park. This 18-hole year-round course is known for its gorgeous greens and variety of holes with both beauty and challenges that will suit everyone. Whether you are just starting out or have been golfing for years, Twin Falls has something for everyone.
With 17 trails that range from the 0.25-mile Hemlock Trail through the hemlocks to the 2.6-mile Laurel Creek Trail along the park boundary, you will find all types of paths to explore and enjoy. Even some of the shortest trails can be difficult, though, as the 0.6-mile Billy Goat’s Gruff is full of steep inclines and rocky terrain. And one of the longest trails, the 1.95-mile Railroad Grade Trail, is actually the easiest as it takes you through open meadows and woods along the creek.
If you did not have time to make a reservation, don’t worry because 21 of the sites are first-come, first-served. Although you will need to get here early if you plan to come during a holiday or weekend. Eleven of these sites are on the second smaller loop in the campground and only have water access. The other 10 campsites are scattered around the larger loop and have electric hookups as well.
All the campsites also have picnic tables and fire rings and can accommodate rigs up to 40 feet long. You can bring your fur buddies with you too. However, you will have to supervise them and keep them leashed or restrained at all times during your stay. You will also have access to the same amenities as those who made reservations such as the shower house, restrooms, and laundry facility.
If you ever wanted to find a buried treasure, here is your opportunity. It may not actually be buried, but it is a treasure that you have to search for and is an exciting experience for both kids and adults. Grab your cell phone, look up the geocache coordinates, and let your GPS lead you to the treasure hidden somewhere in Little Beaver State Park. You may not need a shovel, but you will need some comfy walking shoes and a pen to sign the logbook.
Don’t forget to pack your fishing gear in the rig. Some of the best fishing at the lake occurs during the off-season as it is stocked with trout every month from January until April. Fly-fishing here is awesome, even if you are just learning. The calm, clear water makes it easy for the fish to spot your bait as soon as it hits the water, so be ready. You don’t have to stay on the shoreline to fish. You can take a rowboat or canoe out and search for some of the hot spots around the lake. Make sure you bring your net. Bass and channel catfish can get huge in this lake.
Mountain biking is very popular at the park with some awesome trails that allow biking as well as hiking. You have several to choose from here, so make sure you bring your bike with you. The easy 0.4-mile Creek Bed Trail meanders along the creek giving you a nice and short but peaceful ride to enjoy. Topper’s Ridge is just a bit harder with a rocky 0.7 miles of paths to explore. A more difficult but short trail is the 0.6-mile Billy Goat’s Gruff that is full of steep inclines and rocks for a great workout. And for a longer encounter, Rhododendron Run is 2.5 miles of challenging terrain that is popular with experienced bikers looking for a challenge.
