sun shining on a rocky stream in a state park in west virginiaIf you love nature, and the great outdoors in general, then West Virginia is a fantastic recreational playground for you to enjoy.

Boasting almost 50 outstanding state parks, they collectively give you lots of opportunity to reconnect with nature.

Many of these state parks are situated within easy driving distance of Morgantown. Which means you can readily visit them on a day trip adventure, or as somewhere to go camping for a few days of rest and relaxation.

Offering a fabulous mix of landscapes to enjoy, you could choose to go canoeing, kayaking, boating and paddle boarding on sparkling lakes, or down raging rivers, walk or sunbathe on pristine beaches, or venture around mountainous terrain, or through dense forest, on endless miles of hiking trails.

Whether you are looking for a romantic getaway, a shared experience with the family, or some well overdue ‘me’ time, there are a number of terrific state parks in, and around, Morgantown in West Virginia you can check out.

Map of State Parks Near Morgantown VA

Here is a map of the West Virginia state parks covered in this post:

List of State Parks Near Morgantown

Below is a selection of five of the top state parks near Morgantown we highly recommend you visit.

1. Audra State Park

Location: Audra, Buckhannon, WV 26201

Bisected by the Middle Fork River, Audra State Park is a dense woodland area that is located about 75 minutes south of Morgantown.

An ideal destination for families who love the outdoors, the park was set up around an early 19th-century gristmill. It is most notable today for the rocky Alum cave that overhangs the river’s crystal clear water – which creates awesome hiking, picnic and photo opportunities.

The park hosts 65 campsites for overnight stays, 39 of which are set up with electricity. In addition it also has two bathhouses with modern amenities and facilities, as well as a lovely playground for kids to enjoy.

2. Tygart Lake State Park

Location: 1240 Paul E Malone Rd, Grafton, WV 26354

A little closer to Morgantown, Tygart Lake Start Park is just a 40 minute drive south of the city.

Nestled within the foothills of the scenic Allegheny Mountains, the park boasts a 1750-acre, 10 mile long lake as its centerpiece. Which provides excellent opportunities for water skiing, scuba diving, swimming, kayaking, canoeing, boating and fishing.

Surrounded by stunning mountains, it also has a number of walking and biking trails that lead to a various scenic viewpoints that will take your breath away.

Open from spring all the way to fall – depending on the weather conditions – the campground is situated at the end of the park road, about three miles from its eastern entrance.

Accommodating 36 sites, 10 of which come with 50-amp electric and water hook-ups, there is also a dump station located near the beach area for your convenience as well.

3. North Bend State Park Lodge

Location: 202 N Bend Park Rd, Cairo, WV 26337

Amongst a terrain of rolling hillsides, shimmering lakes and fast running streams, North Bend State Park enjoys a picturesque pastoral setting in the heart of the Mid-Ohio Valley.

Named in honor of its iconic horseshoe curve which lies at the North Fork of the Hughes River, this fabulous year-round park is situated about a 1 hour and 45 minute drive south west of Morgantown.

Known for its verdant hiking trails, which includes the 72-mile North Bend Rail Trail, and its plentiful wildlife, the park offers a wide range of recreational activities including hiking and fishing. It also has wonderful nature center, as well as a lovely swimming pool and well equipped playground area for kids to enjoy.

Possessing two campgrounds that between them offer 75 sites, including 52 which that provide access to electricity and water, the park also has cabin and lodge accommodation onsite too. As well as a coin operated laundry which comes in very handy if you plan to stay here for a while.

4. Little Beaver State Park

Location: 1402 Grandview Rd, Beaver, WV 25813

At a 3 hour drive south from Morgantown, the Little Beaver State Park is the furthest state park from the city on this list.

Featuring more than 20 miles of lush hiking trails to explore, this fabulous 562-acre park sits on the shores of Little Beaver Lake.

A favorite family destination, it possesses some of the most beautiful scenery in the state and is a very popular spot for outdoor recreational activities like fishing, canoeing, kayaking, stand up paddle boarding and boating. Visitors can also enjoy biking, hiking and picnicking too.

Depending on the weather, the pet-friendly campground here is open from spring all the way until fall. Overall there are 30 sites with electricity and water, while a further 16 sites have water hookups.

There is also a new camping cabin onsite that can accommodate up to four people. It has one bedroom with a full size bed and also a living and dining room. A loft area can sleep two other people.

The campground boasts a large bathhouse complete with laundry facilities, as well as a central dump station. In addition there is a camp store that sells all the basics and offers Wi-fi access too.

5. Holly River State Park

Location: 680 State Park Rd, Hacker Valley, WV 26222

Comprising of 8,101 acres of lush, dense forest, Holly River State Park is the second largest of West Virginia’s state parks.

Nestled within a narrow valley in the Mountain Lakes region, some 2 hours south of Morgantown, this stunning park is surrounded by mountainous peaks that soar dramatically up to 2,800 feet in the air.

An excellent place to visit for those who want to immerse themselves in solitude, the park is a very attractive option for hiking enthusiasts. With trails guiding them past thick forest, and beautiful fields of wildflowers, to jaw-dropping scenic lookout points that provide excellent photo opportunities.

The campground at the Holly River State Park has 88 units that come with electric hookups, cooking grills and picnic tables. It is open from spring all the way until fall, while there is also cabins available to hire as well.