watoga state park

I love Watoga. The whole family does. So much to see and do and the history is amazing. There is hiking, swimming, fishing, boat rentals, and so much more. There are cabins, campsites and the park staff are so helpful and friendly. Great for photo enthusiasts, as there is so much beauty. I could easily spend a day alone or with the family. You can't go wrong with this one. Just go, you'll see.

Had to join tripadvisor after reading a woman's bad review on Watoga State Park. Our family has been coming to this park beginning with my parents in 1946 in the Honeymoon cabin. My wife and I come here every spring when the rustic cabins open for the season. To read what the woman from Georgia wrote made me wonder where she actually was. The rustic cabins were built by young men and their teachers in the CCC. These cabins are rustic. They heat with a big fireplace in the main living room, there is a bath with a shower, hot water, and electric. You get the basic utilities but you are staying in a cabin that looks and feels like an old pioneer cabin in the woods. They get dusty, hot in the summer, cool almost every night, but the fast pace and hassles of the city get lost. You come away refreshed, almost like rebooting your body and mind.The modern cabins have heat and air and a bit more of civilization in them, but no TV, telephone,or internet. All of the cabins are completely equipped with kitchen pots and pans, dishes, etc, and fresh linens a couple times a week, more than you will need. You can keep the fire going with a shed full of firewood, if you run low, they stop by and refill the shed. The park employees go way out of their way to make you have a great time for a couple days or couple weeks. Staying in Watoga wont be anything like staying in a fancy flatlander motel suite, but it isn't supposed to be. You stay here for the peace and quiet, the unhurried and to reboot yourself after a year or months of the full speed ahead life we have to run everyday. There may be some flies and bugs buzzing around and maybe a couple spiders setting their trap to catch their supper, or a mouse sneaking inside now and then, but that's just nature in the raw. The same nature that give you a glimpse of a black bear cub, or an osprey fishing the river, or a wild cat sneaking by your cabin early in the morning. Birds fill the air with their calls, deer stand by the road and watch you ride by, owls call in the night, all this adds up to what makes us come back to Watoga every chance we get.I read her review over again and it just reminds me that if you want to stay at a five star hotel and fight the city traffic and breathe the city air, don't come to West Virginia, there is little of that here. If you feel the need to slow down, relax, reboot ,take a deep breath of clean mountain air, then try a cabin in Watoga for a couple nights, you may end up staying a week or two, and you will go home refreshed and wanting to come again.

Just driving through the largest park in the state of West Virginia is rewarding, seeing the beautiful creeks, river, lake. We have visited here many times and stayed in one of the cabins once. It was an enjoyable experience but don't expect state-of-the-art accomodations. The cabins are more of a rustic nature and we enjoyed the privacy and having a fire in the open fireplace was cozy as we stayed during the winter months. We have hiked in the park and kayaked the lake. The fishing is ok there. There is a clean outdoor pool (we avoid most outdoor pools) and the trees and mountains surrounding it make for beautiful scenery. There are nice parks for children with well-kept picnic areas as well as shelters. You can rent canoes and paddleboats for the lake. Nice walking trails, some with level terrains and some more challenging for those who enjoy mountain climbing. With the vast amount of land and all the outdoor activities there, I am surprised that more people don't visit this park but loving privacy as we do, I hope it stays that way.

Unfortunately, it rained a lot during our stay, but we hiked some beautiful trails. I loved the Arboretum trail and I wish we could have hiked more, but we'll be back. Also, I didn't see the inside, but the cabins looked charming.

First time to park, just for a day trip. Was not impressed. If you want remote then it's here. Drove for what seemed forever, 5 miles from park sign to lake, looking for picnic area, but gave up. Not sure that we would return. Disappointed that the cabins were on the main drag to park office (entrance on park). The lake looked really nice. Park was clean and not many people.

The CCC building near the lake has amazing stone work that was completed in the 40's by CCC workers Also there is a monument that was erected in 1999 honoring those men. There is a dock to fish off of near the boat launch and a walking train around the 11 acre lake. Also the park boarders the Greenbrier River which is so peaceful and such a tranquil fill. we didn't get to hike to much, but there is a lot to see.

Beautiful state park way back in the forest. Two campgrounds are available and are not close to each other. We camped in a travel trailer at the Riverside campground at a nice site right on the Greenbriar River. This campground seems to be on the "quiet" side of the park. Lots of ranger activities are offered as well as nice hiking trails. The facilities (bathroom, showers, laundry room) were all clean but could use some cosmetic cleanup. Cottages looked very nice and were scattered throughout the park. We prefer state park camping over commercial parks, and this park is one of the most beautiful we have visited.

This state park is one of the best places I have ever stayed at! We rented a cabin for the week and were so happy with our accommodations. The park offers many trails to hike, close to other attractions for short day trips. We stayed in the off season so the pool and community area were closed but will definitely return to experience the summer fun.

This is an amazingly beautiful state park. Hiked a couple of trails that weren't too long but still challenging! Pretty much had the place to ourselves which was really nice. Cabins looked really nice and would definitely consider staying in the park the next time

Quiet park with much to recommend for lovers of nature and quiet. Featuring WPA-era cabins, man-made lake with fishing spots and paddle boats, and short hikes, Watoga is a pleasant escape. If looking to book a cabin, we found the WV State Park web-site is out of sync with conditions on the ground: by August, you need not book a cabin for multiple nights, the swimming pool is closed, and good luck getting anyone to answer the phone at the park. We missed staying overnight because we just couldn't make contact to book ahead of time and didn't want to dedicate multiple nights from our vacation without knowing what to expect. Bottom line for those visiting outside of high season (after mid-July): you are likely to get a short-term cabin rental by showing up at the park, but not by any other means. Oh yea: for day use, the park is free!

What can I say? This place is beautiful, fun, calming, full of nature! There's fishing, kayaks, paddle boats, a great visitor center, trails, cabins, swimming, just everything! Great place to get pictures and enjoy the day, picnics, whatever! I come up when I can for a family reunion in Hillsboro and this place never disappoints! Make your family happy, take them here!

Drove all the way around the park admiring the beautiful scenery and the Giant Rhododendron in bloom. Although we had already had a long bike ride, we decided to take a hike and chose the Brooks Memorial Arboretum Trails. We went counterclockwise, first along the Honey Bee, then cut over on the Buck Horn, then down Dragon Draft. In my opinion, it was not an easy hike. Be sure to wear long pants (nettles), hiking boots and bug spray. Treking poles or walking sticks are helpful, too. At the top of the ridge, while still on the Honey Bee, a black bear went crashing across the path about 20 yards in front of us! The "arboretum" part of the trail was disappointing. There were very few trees labeled, but the bear made up for any disappointment we could have had!

Just driving into Watoga park there is a magnificent creek to jump out and swim and splash in. We totally were bummed that we couldn't swim in the massive lake there though. Was an interesting place. About all there is to see in west Virginia.

We love to explore the great hiking trails here. We also stopped in on friends who had rented one of the modern two-bedroom cabins. It was super nice....all the conveniences of home in a rustic setting. The fireplace was nice for a cool evening.

Another stop on our VIPP tour. Beautiful drive along the river and purpose-placed stones. Neat Park Headquarters. Fun lake for family events. Some cabins require you to cross a foot bridge to reach the front porch! This place looks perfect for summer vacations --- a must see for outdoorsy families!