Pipestem Resort State Park (West Virginia)

Pipestem Resort State Park is a hub for outdoor adventure in southern West Virginia! Check out its lake, zipline, cabins, and trails.

If you're planning some outdoor adventures in West Virginia, there are a few places that should be near the top of your list.

New River Gorge National Park. Pinnacle Rock State Park. Little Beaver State Park. And Pipestem Resort State Park. These are some of the places with scenic views that just go on and on.

All of those parks are located within an hour or so of each other, meaning that you can have several great day trips no matter where you're staying in southern West Virginia.

Pipestem Resort State Park is, unsurprisingly, located near the little community of Pipestem. It's about halfway between the larger city of Beckley and the Virginia state line.

What does the Pipestem name mean? It's a hollow-stemmed flowering shrub also known as meadowsweet. Shawnee people in this area used it for – you guessed it – pipe stems.

Here's what to expect if you're planning to visit the park!

Exploring Pipestem Resort State Park

If you approach the park from the north, you'll pass Pipestem Falls on Highway 20. It's less than a mile from the main park entrance, and is worth a quick stop.

Make sure to follow the short path for the best views of the waterfall.

One of the first things we saw after entering the park was the Bolar Observation Tower. There's a steep paved path to the tower, about a quarter-mile away.

Climb the stairs to the top, and you'll get a beautiful view out over the valley below.

At about 3,000 feet in elevation, you'll be at the highest point in the park. From here you can see Flat Top Mountain, the New River, and the Appalachian Trail.

Once you've taken in the views, what activities await you in the rest of the park? There are plenty, and most of them can be booked online at the park's website.

Whether your preference is for 18-hole golf, a 9-hole short course, miniature golf, or disc golf, Pipestem Resort has it all covered.

The mini golf and disc golf are both part of the Pipestem Adventure Zone. That package experience includes axe throwing, archery, drone flying, motorized mountain biking, and more.

You can pay for Adventure Zone activities individually, or just buy a day pass and go for everything.

The park also offers guided zipline tours that are three to four hours long and horseback riding trips.

You can rent a bike, play some tennis, explore the arboretum along the lake path, or, if you're visiting during the summer, rent a kayak, canoe, or paddle boat.

For boat rentals, you'll pay at the splash park and then walk or take a shuttle to the beach, which is a little less than half a mile.

Check out my guide to kayaking gear for beginners for recommendations on a wetsuit top, waterproof phone cases, and more.

When we visited, the kayaks and canoes were $10 per hour.

The lake is open for recreation during the summer months. And, for families with little kids, the nearby splash park is a good place to run around.

At the lakeside, you can buy a half-day or all-day pass, or opt for a non-swim beach pass. The lake has big inflatable slides and climbing features.

For hiking, there are about 20 different trails. A lot of them are short spurs, but there are a few that range from three to eight miles long.

Where to Stay

There are two lodges at Pipestem Resort.

McKeever Lodge is open year-round, with two restaurants and an indoor pool. Some of the rooms have canyon views.

If you feel like a massage or beauty treatment, it even has a spa!

The other facility, Mountain Creek Lodge, is all the way at the bottom of the gorge. It's open during the summer, and you can only get to it by using the aerial tramway!

However, as of 2022, the aerial tramway is scheduled for replacement, so if you're interested in staying at Mountain Creek, check for updates.

There are also cottages and camping spots for tents and RVs in the park.

Want to explore the nearby town of Pipestem? It's home to the increasingly rare attraction of a drive-in movie theater. And you can spring for fine dining at The Oak.

Just keep in mind that lots of things in this part of the state are seasonal! Still, if you visit in winter, you might find some good skiing and sledding.

Have you visited Pipestem Resort State Park yet? Let us know!