Some experiences are rustic, others more upscale, but there is always spectacular scenery, conference facilities, full-service catering, and lots of activities at West Virginia’s state parks that are available for convening.
Meeting facilities range in size from 820 square feet of space at Hawks Nest and Tygart Lake state parks to 13,000 square feet at Pipestem Resort and Chief Logan state parks.
In addition, there are also two state park resorts that are not operated by the park service and have their own management companies: Canaan Valley Resort, which is located in Davis and offers golf and skiing; and the IACC-certified Stonewall Resort in Roanoke.
Davis also offers Backwater Falls State Park, located 12 miles from Canaan, which has a 54-room lodge and 24 cabins, along with more than 5,257 square feet of conference space.
Backwater features tennis, paddleboats and fishing, and has an indoor pool and fitness room. The park boasts waterfalls and a canyon that has lake swimming, hiking trails, a sled run, and a nature center.
The newest full-service property is at Chief Logan State Park, 50 minutes southwest of Charleston. Last July the 75-room lodge opened an indoor pool to complement its 13,000-square-foot conference center.
“People are amazed. The lodge is more upscale than they expect, and they are overwhelmed by all the activities” says Sissie Summers, group sales coordinator for West Virginia State Parks.
At Berkeley Springs, Cacapon Resort State Park has 48 lodge rooms, 31 cabins and 13,120 square feet of conference space.
The park has a Robert Trent Jones Sr. golf course and a beach, and activities include horseback riding, tennis and hiking.
Hawks Nest State Park, dating to the 1930s and offering views of the New River Gorge Bridge, has a 31-room lodge and a conference room that can seat 60 for banquets. Activities include golf, an aerial tram, a museum, and jetboat excursions.
North Bend State Park, near Parkersburg, has 29 lodge rooms, eight cabins and two rooms totaling 1,988 square feet. Tennis, hiking, fishing, and boating are available.
Tygart Lake State Park at Grafton, south of Morgantown, contains 20 lodge rooms, 11 vacation cottages and a room that can seat 75 for banquets. Activities range from fishing to scuba.
