Hawks Nest State Park in central West Virginia is home to some incredible views, as well as excellent whitewater rafting!
Images by Matthew Durfee
High above a scenic bend in West Virginia's New River, Hawks Nest State Park offers scenic beauty as well as quite a bit of outdoor adventuring.
At 270 acres, this is one of West Virginia's somewhat smaller parks, but it makes a great day trip from the larger nearby national park, or in conjunction with the nearby Babcock State Park.
The Civilian Conservation Corps is responsible for some of the 1930s-era construction in this park, which can still be seen in the picturesque stonework at the overlook and elsewhere.
Here's what to enjoy about this central West Virginia spot!
What Outdoor Activities Can I Try at Hawks Nest?
If you've never been to this park before, you'll probably want to head straight for the scenic overlook before you do anything else.
The overlook is about a half-mile from the park lodge and has its own parking lot. A short, paved path brings you out to a gorgeous view from high above the river.
All of the trails in this park are short, but some of them are more moderate to difficult terrain.
A couple of them (Fisherman's Trail and Hawks Nest Rail Trail) feature waterfalls.
For closer views of the bridge and the dam that cross the river, you could take a jet boat ride, which is available seasonally. From the lodge, you'll take a shuttle down to the marina to start your tour.
Whitewater rafting is one of the major draws to this region. Some of the more intense rafting can be found on the Gauley River just north of here, but the New River has a good range of rapids for beginners (and also some challenging ones).
We've found Adventures on the Gorge to be a good gateway to booking a raft trip, and they also offer other experiences — like ziplining — at their base less than 15 minutes from Hawks Nest.
Lodging + Dining Options
Hawks Nest State Park has a lodge with a restaurant, outdoor pool, and about 30 rooms. Most of them have a patio or balcony.
The restaurant is called The Overlook, and yes, it has big windows and big views, so it's well-named! It's open year-round.
There's not a campground within the state park, but you can find privately owned camping options closer to Fayetteville.
What Else Is Nearby?
This state park is around 13 miles from New River Gorge National Park's Canyon Rim Visitor Center!
Here's a lineup of things you can do centered around the national park, including the epic Bridge Walk tour, which is not far at all from Hawks Nest.
Fayetteville is one of the closest towns, and it has some restaurants (like the always enjoyable Pies and Pints) and gift shops.
Summersville is about a half-hour drive from the park, and there we love the Honeybee Coffee and Donut House.
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