Adventure Us: Little Beaver State Park, Beckley, WV
The Beckley, WV area is the gateway to a number of historical, recreational, and natural treasures. One beautiful place near Beckley that our family has enjoyed getting to know is the Little Beaver State Park, just east of town and conveniently located just off I-64.
Little Beaver State Park is a great place for family fun and relaxation. The focal point of the park is the 18-acre Little Beaver Lake, known for its fishing and boating opportunities – as well as its scenic views of water and woodland. At the near end of the lake, the water pours over a weir in the historic Little Beaver Dam, a sandstone dam constructed by the CCC some 80 years ago and now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The rough-hewn face of the dam gives it a remarkable appearance, and the cascade of water over its top edge is impressive when the lake level is high.
The park offers many attractions. At the park office, you can rent kayaks or paddle boats during the summer months. There are plentiful picnic sites and a playground overlooking the lake. Also, the 562-acre park encompasses almost 20 miles of hiking and biking trails ranging a spectrum of difficulty (or energy) levels. The Lake Front Trail is an easy and scenic loop that circles the lake; further beyond, there are a variety of trails that traverse the forested ridges surrounding the lake.
Besides its many day uses, Little Beaver State Park offers a summer-season campground with a variety of tent and trailer options, a store, and a central bathhouse with laundry facilities. The latest lodging option offered at Little Beaver State Park is a “camping cabin” that features a bedroom and loft, living and dining rooms, and several appliances (though no plumbing).
Little Beaver State Park is a great stop on a longer trip to explore the New River Valley. Within easy drives are attractions as diverse as the Exhibition Coal Mine Museum in Beckley, the Grandview section of the New River Gorge National Park, and the striking ghost town and train depot of Thurmond.
Have a relaxing and fun family adventure at the hidden gem of Little Beaver State Park outside Beckley, West Virginia!
Name: Little Beaver State Park, 1402 Grandview Rd., Beaver, West Virginia 25813
Time from Roanoke: 2 hours
Activity Options: Hiking, biking, boating, fishing, lake scenery; a great overnight getaway at the lodge or cabins!
Nearby Food: Many options in and around Beckley: check out unique places such as King Tut Drive-In in Beckley or The Dish Cafe in nearby Daniels
Nearby Attractions: New River Gorge National Park, Exhibition Coal Mine, many coal ghost towns such as Glen Jean and Thurmond
More Adventure Us
- Adventure Us: Roanoke area day trips, Part I
- Adventure Us: Roanoke’s Ice Cream Adventures
- Adventure Us: Grayson Highlands State Park
- Adventure Us: Snowflex
- Adventure Us: Addy Grace Playground
- Adventure Us: Mill Mountain Zoo
- Adventure Us: Little Beaver State Park, Beckley, WV
- Adventure Us: Science Museum of Western Virginia
