Explore Beartown State Park: West Virginia's Hidden Gem

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Beartown State Park, situated in the heart of West Virginia, is a hidden gem renowned for its unique geological formations. This small yet stunning park is a must-visit while exploring West Virginia’s incredible landscape. The park features an easy-to-navigate trail that invites visitors to discover its remarkable moss-covered boulders, as the path winds through impressive rock outcroppings and vibrant foliage, all beneath a beautiful canopy of trees. Even though it covers only 110 acres and lacks on-site lodging or dining, the park’s proximity to other impressive trails makes it an ideal spot for a day of hiking and photography. Beartown State Park is a fantastic choice for anyone seeking adventure in West Virginia.

Entrance Fee:

FREE

Lodging:

There is no lodging or camping available within the park. The closest city with hotels and similar accommodations is Lewisburg, WV, which is about 40 minutes or 25 miles away. If you’re looking for camping options, the nearest are Watoga State Park (20 miles away) and Seneca State Forest (40 miles away). Both are lovely.

This area is also less than two hours from both New River Gorge and Seneca Rocks. During one of our more recent road trips through West Virginia, we drove from the Seneca Rocks area to New River Gorge National Park. We stopped to hike this trail and several others in the surrounding area- consider visiting Cranberry Glades Botanical Area, Droop Mountain State Park, Watoga State Park, and/or Seneca State Forest. After our visit, we continued to New River Gorge, where we camped for the remainder of our trip.

Dining:

There are no dining options available inside the park, but there are a few picnic tables if you choose to bring your own food. Most dining choices can be found in Lewisburg, which is about 40 minutes or 25 miles away. Additionally, there are several small gas stations in either direction along US-219, approximately 15 minutes away. These, however, will only offer limited snack options.

Must Know Before You Go:

This park is typically open from April through October. Hours are from 7 AM to 10 PM.
The wooden boardwalk is covered in moss and can become very slippery. I recommend wearing shoes with good traction.
Parking is limited- only about 10 -15 spots. You may want to consider an early hike if you are visiting on a weekend day.
If you have limited mobility, please drive past the main parking area. There is a second, smaller parking lot with a short wheelchair-accessible path leading to an overlook platform of the park.
Please print or grab a map before heading out on any trail. (Want to check out AllTrails+? Use this link for a discount- AllTrails+.)
As always, please follow Leave No Trace principles.

Beartown Boardwalk Trail

Distance: 0.5 mile round-trip

Trail Route: one-way loop (counterclockwise)

Trail Difficulty: Easy

Elevation Gain: 50+ ft

Trail Access: Park in the small lot at the trailhead via Beartown Road

Pet Friendly: Yes, on leash

This is the only path through Beartown State Park, and we loved it so much that we walked it twice in one day. In fact, it was so impressive that I somehow managed to take over 200 photos in just half a mile! And while there is no town and you’re unlikely to see a bear, you can see how this park got its name. It’s easy to let your imagination run wild as you wonder what might be hiding in the dark crevasses of this massive boulder maze.

The trail begins right off the main parking lot. From there, head down the boardwalk until you reach the loop portion of the trail. It’s best to walk this trail counterclockwise. The path is very easy to follow since you only need to stay on the boardwalk until you complete the loop. There are several short spur trails; be sure to take them all. They are brief but lead to breathtaking views of the massive rock formations.

If you have more time today, consider heading over to the Cranberry Glades Botanical Area and hiking the Cranberry Bog Boardwalk Trail (0.7 mi., 10 ft) or the Falls of Hills Creek Trail (1.8 mi., 300+ ft). Both are fantastic and can be easily done on the same day as Beartown State Park.