Champagne Tastes®

  • About
  • Travel
    • Food Travel
    • Outdoor Adventure
  • Recipe Index
    • Garden To Table
    • Seafood
    • Camping Recipes
    • Ferment
    • Backyard Foraging + Wild Game
    • Cooking Basics
  • Subscribe
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipe Index
  • Garden To Table
  • Seafood
  • Ferment
  • Foraging + Wild Game
  • Cooking Basics
  • Camping Recipes
  • Outdoor Adventure
  • Food Travel
  • Lifestyle
  • About
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×
    Home » Travel » Outdoor Adventure » West Virginia

    Pinnacle Rock State Park (Bramwell, WV)

    Published: Nov 13, 2020 · Modified: Oct 23, 2023 · Leave a Comment

    This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Looking for hiking trails in West Virginia? Check out Pinnacle Rock State Park near Princeton, WV for trails with gorgeous views!

    By Elizabeth + Garrett Johnson
    Pinnacle Rock State Park

    Recently my husband and I took an unexpected small adventure!

    Those are always our favorites.

    We had two appointments several hours apart in Bluefield and Princeton. I knew we would have some time to spare, so I packed our picnic backpack and we planned to get take-out from somewhere and find a nice place to be outside.

    Since we're in in West Virginia, we knew we could find somewhere not far away to enjoy!

    When we looked at what was close by after our first appointment, we of course checked food first and found a well-rated Thai place, Shogun. It was delicious!

    Then, we looked at Google Maps and found Pinnacle Rock State Park wasn’t far. Neither of us had been there before, so off we went!

    Looking for more West Virginia trails? Check out the Endless Wall and Long Point trails in New River Gorge, Beech Fork State Park, Pipestem Resort State Park, or the Gray Flats South Trail.

    Pinnacle Rock State Park sign

    Pinnacle Rock State Park

    Pinnacle Rock State Park is known for the 3,100-foot sandstone formation that gives the park its name.

    The park is located on U.S. Route 52 near Bramwell in Mercer County. If you need an address for your GPS, head to 6470 Coal Heritage Rd., Bramwell, WV 24715.

    Pinnacle Rock State Park sign
    Pinnacle Rock state park views

    When we arrived I wasn’t surprised it seemed like a small park. But they had picnic tables with great views.

    We found one and settled in to enjoy it.

    Our Picnic Spot
    Our Picnic Spot
    Our Picnic Spot
    Our Picnic Spot

    After eating, we noticed there were several trail signs and we still had plenty of time, so we went adventuring.

    I was not as prepared as I thought, because I usually do not hike in Converse sneakers. They actually didn’t do too bad, though I would not recommend them!

    Converse Sneakers

    Overlook Trail at Pinnacle Rock State Park

    We didn’t have enough cell service to download a trail map, so we just explored the trails as we saw signs.

    First, we hiked Overlook Trail.

    Overlook Trail
    Overlook Trail

    This trail has a lot of stairs to reach the top, but isn’t very steep.

    Once you reach the top there is a beautiful overlook.

    Stairs on Overlook Trail
    Stairs on Overlook Trail

    You have a lovely view of the rocks themselves, but also a gorgeous view of the surrounding mountains.

    It's definitely worth the huffing and puffing to get up there.

    View From Overlook Trail
    View From Overlook Trail
    At the Top of the Overlook Trail
    At the Top of Overlook Trail

    Falling Rock Trail

    Falling Rock Trail was next.

    Falling Rock Trail Sign
    Falling Rock Trail Sign
    Falling Rock Trail in Pinnacle Rock State Park
    Falling Rock Trail

    It was a lovely walk with slight elevation change and some stairs, but nothing too dramatic.

    When you reach the end of that trail it just brings you out to the road, but if you turn around and head back there is a nice view of the rocks there as well.

    Falling Rock Trail
    Falling Rock Trail
    Falling Rock Trail
    Falling Rock Trail

    This trail is one where you just enjoy the hike, not so much the view at the end.

    There is a lovely shelter with a large fireplace and thankfully the restrooms were open.

    Falling Rock Trail views
    Falling Rock Trail views
    Hiking Falling Rock Trail
    Hiking Falling Rock Trail

    Homestead Trail at Pinnacle Rock State Park

    We still had time to kill, so we headed off on the Homestead Trail.

    Homestead Trail Sign
    Homestead Trail Sign
    Leaves in Pinnacle Rock State Park

    This one was lovely. It takes you down into the valley and the fall foliage was spectacular.

    I was told it was past the peak but it still made me stand in awe and keep saying over and over, “Look how pretty the colors are!”

    Views Along The Homestead Trail
    Views Along The Homestead Trail

    As this trail continues, there are several other trails that branch off of it. View the full trail list.

    Trail Junction on the Homestead Trail
    Trail Junction on the Homestead Trail
    Trail Junction on the Homestead Trail
    Trail Junction on the Homestead Trail

    The Homestead Trail was easy to navigate and the footing wasn’t bad, even in my poor choice of footwear! It does have a few switchbacks.

    We had no clue how long any of these were, but we just kept an eye on the time.

    We hiked until we had to turn around in order not to miss our last appointment and of course to make a much needed coffee stop!

    The Homestead Trail
    The Homestead Trail
    Views Along The Homestead Trail
    Views Along The Homestead Trail

    Coming back up wasn’t as challenging as I had thought it would be. The switchbacks made the elevation gain seem not so bad.

    Sadly, we had to be on our way. We were so happy that we had discovered this beautiful gem!

    Garrett said he had driven by here many times growing up but never stopped. We both agreed this was a place we want to return to and finish our hikes!

    Happy Hikers!
    Happy Hikers!
    elizabeth + garrett

    About Elizabeth + Garrett Johnson

    Hi! We are Garrett & Elizabeth from Beckley, WV. To pay the bills we are a firefighter and a nurse. We are also full-time volunteers. We also love backpacking, trail running, camping and hiking. We have 2 dogs who almost always drag us along on the trails. Follow Elizabeth at @smutko.girl.

    More West Virginia Outdoor Adventure

    • Train locomotive letting off steam with cars attached.
      Cass Scenic Railroad State Park (Cass, WV)
    • Wooden stairs between rock cliff faces.
      Beartown State Park (Renick, WV)
    • Rafters navigating whitewater on Gauley River, with boat tipping downwards into the spray.
      Gauley River Whitewater Rafting (Fayetteville, WV)
    • Little Beaver Dam Waterfall.
      Little Beaver State Park (Beckley, WV)

    About Sarah Trenalone

    Sarah is the primary creator at Champagne Tastes. She's a photographer, food writer and traveler, and is certified in Backcountry Kitchen and Backcountry Navigation from the Colorado Outward Bound School and Identifying Wild Plants from Backpacker.

    Leave a Comment: Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    bio

    Hi, I'm Sarah! I'm a traveler who loves to eat.   Follow along to join me on my next adventure-- in food or on the road.

    Learn More →

    Currently Trending

    • langostino lobster rolls on a serving tray.
      Langostino Lobster Rolls
    • pan-seared rockfish on a plate
      Pan-Seared Rockfish
    • pan-seared red snapper on plates
      Pan-Seared Red Snapper
    • crab butter sauce on a platter with crab legs
      Crab Butter Sauce

    Footer

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms & Conditions
    • Supplemental Privacy Notice For California Residents
    • Supplemental Privacy Notice For Nevada Residents

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Recipe and Photo Reuse Terms + FAQ

    Copyright ©2015-2025 Champagne Tastes
    All Rights Reserved.