Bluestone State Park

It’s been so long since I’ve updated my blog and sadly I haven’t had much time to venture outside. To make that up to myself, my boyfriend and I took the whole first week of September and went to BluestoneState Park in West Virginia. The entire trip from start to finish was stunning, engaging, and adventurous. We rented a cabin which came outfitted with a stove, cooking supplies, microwave, shower, and a large comfy bed. Nearly every day we hiked, recovered for a bit in the cabin, then ventured to the towns around Bluestone to get a taste of the local life.

The park itself is 2,100 acres of forested ground where the trails lead up and down delightfully challenging mountains. Each of the trails is a journey all its own with different vistas, sights, and levels of difficulty. After a hearty breakfast, Zac and I spend three out of the four full days hiking around the park and exploring the wild wonderfulness of West Virginia. Though I wasn’t rewarded with as many types of birds I wished to see, (probably because I was straining to get up the mountains) we did see quite a lot of deer, caterpillars, water fowl, and butterflies.

Along with Bluestone we visited Pipestem Resort State Park which is a lovely relaxing get away. Hiking is available there as well as an indoor heated pool, golf, putt-putt, and a restaurant with a dazzling view. We also went to Sandstone Falls for a few hours and were both just mesmerized. Sandstone Falls is the starting point for the New Rivers as it makes it’s way to the Gorge. Watching the New River run though Sandstone Falls is just a taste of the power and beauty of seeing the Gorge. On our way back to Ohio, we finally drove to the New River Gorge Bridge. The trip to the New River Gorge Bridge vista was a little bit out of our way but worth the time and energy as the view was spectacular

To mix up our wilderness exploration we spent a few hours each day in the city Hinton which was right down the road from our cabin. Hinton is by far one of the most friendly towns I have ever had the privilege of visiting. Not only are the folks profusely friendly but the eateries and local shops add to the charm of the city. We ate lunch at The Chestnut Revival and dinner at The Market Courthouse Square. Both meals were unmistakably made with time and care. I bought a thank you gift for my dog-sitting roommate at Otter and Oak, and Zac and I toured the local Hinton Railroad Museum. We also stopped by the visitors bureau where Chris Meadow and his staff were more than happy to load us up with pamphlets, maps, and hand drawn routes to the best places in the Summers County area.

Between hiking, shopping, dining, putt-putting, and relaxing, Zac and I were never wanting for things to do. We spent a few nights in the cabin with a board game or book and a bottle of wine, but honestly we were too tired from hiking and exploring Hinton to be out very late. If you’re looking for a relaxing place to vacation and enjoy some time getting back in tune with the wilderness, Bluestone State Park and the neighboring areas will provide you with plenty to do (or not to do) in a clean welcoming environment.