Watoga State Park

[BOBSMITH]

My family and I are getting ready to head to one of our favorite vacation states for about a week. This time, we'll be staying at Watoga State Park near Marlinton. West Virginia. We've spent a lot of time in that area, but never at that park. I'll post a campground report just as soon as we return.

[Alistair Camelford]

Beautiful park We have to thank Doug & Kathy Roach from this site for introducing us to West Virginia, Watoga SP, and the Marlinton Roadkill Festival .We had a great time, cycled on the "rail to trail" path into the town, and took in the Cass Logging steam train excursion and the large array radio telescopes. A family of whitetail deer greeted us every morning and afternoon. Take your canoe too.
Cheers...Alistair

[BOBSMITH]

We're taking our bikes to ride on the Greenbrier River Trail. What section did you bike? We're going to leave the canoe this trip since other than the biking, I'm going to spend a good bit of time hiking.

[BOBSMITH]

Well, we had a great time in Watoga State Park in WV! We packed quite a lot of sightseeing, hiking, and biking into our five-day vacation. There are also canoeing and kayaking opportunities there, but with the drought, the river levels are so low you can actually walk across the Greenbrier River!

There are two campgrounds within the park. We stayed at the Riverside Campground and did not make the long drive across the (huge) park to see the Beaver Creek Campground. We had a site right on the Greenbrier River and just across from the bathhouse. One neat aspect of the bathhouse is that it has a huge dishwashing area with hot and cold water and two sets of paired sinks for washing and rinsing! In addition to the flush toilets and hot showers, this was one cushy campground. No water hookups, but electric. Price was $20 per night.
On the downside, the campsites, while under the canopy of trees, are not shielded one from the other with any kind of vegetation, so you really feel that you're sharing space with your neighbors. Still and all, the place was very quiet and pleasant.

<div align="center">

</div>
<div align="center">Our Casita in our campsite.</div>

[BOBSMITH]

<div align="center">

</div>
<div align="center">Composite shot of our campsite. The river was just behind us past some trees.</div>

<div align="center">

</div>
<div align="center">The inside of the park restaurant, built by the CCC in the 1930s.</div>

[BOBSMITH]

<div align="center">

</div>
<div align="center">The park restaurant. Highly recommended!</div>

<div align="center">

</div>
<div align="center">The view from the overlook on Pyle Mountain, within the park.</div>

[BOBSMITH]

<div align="center">

</div>
<div align="center">The lake adjacent to the park office and restaurant.</div>

<div align="center">

</div>
<div align="center">A bridge on the Arboretum Trail, also highly recommended as an easy hike.</div>

[BOBSMITH]

<div align="center">

</div>
<div align="center">On the Greenbrier River Trail which we accessed from the park.</div>

[BOBSMITH]

<div align="center">

</div>
<div align="center">We encountered this bear while hiking, appropriately, in Beartown State Park, which is just a few miles from Watoga. He was too busy grazing on grass beside the parking lot at the trailhead to pay us much attention. I took about twenty photos of him, plus some video. He ran off as soon as I started my truck.</div>

[BOBSMITH]

<div align="center">

</div>
<div align="center">Goodbye, Mr. Bear!</div>