South Charleston, WV (PRWEB) March 30, 2012
With warmer weather here, April is a great time to get back outside, and theres no place better than West Virginia State Parks. This month brings many special springtime activities for all ages and budgets, including camping, hiking, golf, fishing, dinner theaters and vacation getaways.
West Virginia State Parks provide an affordable vacation option close to home, said State Parks Programming Coordinator Sissie Summers. At the same time, the parks are close enough to major populations in surrounding states to reduce transportation costs while providing a true travel destination.
The best place to check out the many fun opportunities at state parks is to review the Events Calendar at http://www.wvstateparks.com, but here are some highlights:
Easter Weekend at West Virginia State Parks
State parks are a great place for families to celebrate Easter weekend April 6-8. Visitors can enjoy egg hunts, games and great food at parks restaurants. Overnight lodging adds to the fun. State parks that have scheduled Easter weekend activities include Canaan Valley Resort, Cacapon Resort, Pipestem Resort, Blackwater Falls, Tomlinson Run, Twin Falls, Berkeley Springs, Hawks Nest and North Bend. Check the Events Calendar for activity details at the individual parks.
April gift cards with extra camping added
No Foolin State Parks Gift Cards! Buy a gift card in April and receive one $ 10 off campsite rental voucher for every $ 100 gift card purchased. If you are looking for a gift to hint for a getaway, encourage a family member to take a vacation, schedule a golf trip or enjoy a great dinner at a state park restaurant this is the gift card to give. West Virginia State Park gift cards are good to purchase lodging, meals, packages,and services, and they are honored at all West Virginia State Parks and Forests.
Seven campgrounds that accept the No Foolin camping voucher are Pipestem Resort, Moncove Lake, Blackwater Falls, Greenbrier State Forest, Twin Falls Resort, Kanawha State State Forest, Tygart Lake, Watoga state parks.
To receive the camping voucher, purchase state parks gift cards online or call 304-558-2764 and ask for Carol Stewart.
Camping
West Virginias state parks and forests have more than 25 campgrounds that range from full hookup to primitive sites. There are 1,881 total sites in the state park system. Most parks and forests have sites that are reservable and also have sites that are available first-come, first-served. Exceptions are Canaan Valley and Stonewall resorts, where all sites require reservations.
New this year, Little Beaver State Park in Raleigh County opens with a 46-site campground with 12 sites that are reservable. All sites at Little Beaver have water hookups and 30 of those sites include electric hookups as well.
The West Virginia State Parks and Forests lists 19 areas that offer reservable campsites. Sites are reservable from the Friday prior to Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day. Sites may be reserved by mail, phone, or in person beginning April 1. Reservation forms may be downloaded from the State Parks website or can be obtained by calling the Charleston office at 304-558-2764 or by calling the specific park and requesting that a form be mailed. Each area has a specific form that reflects rates and reservation information.
Hiking and trail runs
More than 800 miles of hiking, biking and running trails are maintained within the state park system. Whether it is the view from Cranny Crow at Lost River in Hardy County, the Woodpecker Trail at Chief Logan, or Potato Knob Trail at Holly River in Webster County, every step rewards hikers with lush vegetation, history or scenery.
Two rail trails are railroad grades now maintained as multi-purpose trails for hiking, bicycling and equestrian travel. The North Bend trail is 72 miles long and features 13 tunnels and 36 bridges. The Greenbrier River Trail is 78 miles long and is close to Greenbrier and Seneca state forests, Watoga, Droop Mountain Battlefield and Cass Scenic Railroad state parks.
Special hikes and events are scheduled throughout the year and can be reviewed at http://www.wvstateparks.com under Hikes and Walks. Special trail activities for April include: