Combining natural beauty and man-made recreational opportunities, Pipestem State Park is an ideal RV getaway destination for relaxation and adventuring. Located around 20 miles from Bluestone State Park, the 4050-acre Pipestem State Park is located on the border of Mercer County and Summers County in the gorge of the Bluestone River of West Virginia.
Activities and amenities at Pipestem State Park are available in droves. The park offers a tramway that whisks guests from the heights of the canyon rim down 3600 feet to the stunning Bluestone River Gorge. The park also provides a variety of recreational opportunities that will have something to please every member of the family. These opportunities for nature enthusiasts include fishing, boating, biking, hiking, horseback riding, cross country skiing, and sledding. At the same time, the park provides opportunities for both indoor and outdoor swimming with an Olympic sized pool, and a variety of golfing options.
Pipestem State Park is known as a resort park because there are plenty of great accommodations options for visitors wanting to stay the night. The park offers entertainment in the outdoor amphitheater and supports any business that guests need to conduct thanks to the business and conference facilities. This year-round facility offers all levels of lodging with two lodges, 26 cottages, and 82 campsites. Whether you desire a vacation from civilization in your RV or some luxury, you will find it here at Pipestem State Resort Park.
Pipestem State Park is easily reached from the north and the south thanks to its location right near Pipestream Drive. You will have no trouble navigating to this location since it is off of WV-20, and the road that takes you to the park is kept in very good condition.
If you need to pick up any supplies before your adventure, you have plenty of options to stop at, including Melrose (around 12 miles away), Hinton (about 13 miles away), and Nimitz (approximately 17.5 miles away). The closest cities to the park are Charleston (which is 99 miles away), and Roanoke (which is 106 miles away). The campground at Pipestem State Park is very straightforward to access, and you should have no trouble navigating it if you have a rig that is 45 feet or smaller. During the wintertime, you may experience some harsh weather conditions due to the amount of snow that can fall in the area. If you are concerned about the weather, we recommend calling the park office to make sure that the roads will be open.
Parking can be found in many places within Pipestem State Park, including at the golf course, the stables, both lodges, and the recreation center. There is no public transportation provided in the park. However, there is an aerial tramway that transports guests from the canyon rim to the river below.
Pipestem State Park is one of the rarer kinds of state parks as there are many types of accommodations for you to choose from. The campground is renowned for being kept in pristine condition and having wide sites that are suitable for RVs up to 45 feet in length. If you wish to bring your rig, there are 82 sites for you to choose from, all of which are available for you to stay at all year round. One of the best features of Pipestem State Park Campground is that you will have the option to stay at sites with electric or full hookups. In total, there are 31 sites with full hookups and 19 with electricity only. Other amenities within the campground include heated bathhouses, a coin-operated laundry, a campground store, and a play area for the kids. Since Pipestem State Park is a popular tourist destination all year round, we recommend that you reserve your site well in advance in order to avoid disappointment.
Since Pipestem State Park also doubles as a resort, you will also get the chance to stay at one of the 26 cabins or the two lodges during your visit. The cabins at the park are available in various layouts ranging from two to four bedrooms and come equipped with all of the modern amenities that you would expect, including Wi-Fi. All of these more luxurious accommodations are jam-packed full of features, but the Mountain Creek Lodge is the most popular due to its remote location that can only be accessed via the aerial tramway. There is also a fantastic restaurant located right near the lodge that is a great way to spoil yourself after a day out adventuring. The cabins and McKeever Lodge is open all year round, while the Mountain Creek Lodge is open from May until October.
Anglers rejoice! Pipestem State Park offers superb fishing thanks to the various waterways that surround the park. Trout and smallmouth bass are plentiful in the Long Branch Lake, the Bluestone River, and the New River. Before you cast out a line, remember to bring your own fishing gear and make sure that you have a West Virginia fishing license to be able to fish legally. A trout stamp is also required if guests intend to fish for trout.
Pipestem State Park is surrounded by Long Branch Lake, the Bluestone River, and the New River, making it a boat lover's dream for RVing boat lovers visiting the area. The easiest place to go boating is at Long Branch Lake since it has a boat dock that is open daily all summer, and park guests may use the dock free of charge. Guests can also rent rowboats, paddleboards, kayaks, and canoes from the park if you don't bring your own boats with you.
Pipestem State Park is an ideal destination for golfers of all ages and abilities. The park boasts an 18-hole par 72 championship golf course. This course, designed by Geoffery Cornish, features stunning views of the Bluestone Canyon. The course is open a wide range of hours and days, so check with the pro shop to ensure the course is open when you plan to golf. Pipestem State Park also provides a driving range that is open daily, as well as a nine-hole par-three short course that operates most days. The short course, located at the Recreation Center, also offers fling golf, footgolf, disc golf, and miniature golf.
Pipestem State Park offers a wide range of options for hiking enthusiasts of all ages. The park has 16 trails covering over 18 miles for you to explore at your own pace. Trails vary from less than a mile in length to approximately 5.25 miles in length. Most of the trails are wide and rolling; however, some trails can become narrow with steep drop-offs. If you are unsure of what trail suits your experience level, you can consult with the friendly park staff, and they will be able to help you out.
Pipestem State Park is also a great place to bring your horse as the park provides trails for horse lovers and a stable located approximately 2.6 miles away from McKeever Lodge. Stables are open from 9 AM to 5 PM from mid-March through December. Riders within the park must be at least seven years of age, and we recommend you contact the park before your arrival if you are planning to camp with your horse to make sure the accommodations will fit you and your horse's needs .
For cold weather enthusiasts, Pipestem State Park offers an opportunity to enjoy the stunning views of the Bluestone River Gorge while sledding, snowshoeing, or cross-country skiing. The park offers seven cross-country trials with over 15 miles of terrain. The park's ungroomed trails offer stunning scenery from mountain top overlooks to the valley floor, where guests can expect to see a frozen winter wonderland. The trails provide options suitable for beginners as well as skilled skiers. There is also space available on the 18-hole golf course for first-time skiers and children to learn before starting off on the trails. Sleds and cross-country skis can be rented at the Pipestem Pro Shop.
