West Virginia National Parks

c/o Monroe County Tourism. Every type of outdoor recreation activity you can imagine is available - hiking, fishing, mountain biking and camping lead the way, but don't forget hawk watching at the Hanging Rock Tower, cross country skiing, horseback riding, nature photography and orienteering.

Includes 25 miles of the Gauley River and 5 miles of its tributary, the Meadow River. These swift, winding rivers and their narrow gorges are protected by the National Park Service. For additional information contact the Canyon Rim Visitors Center at 304-574-2115.

A 10.5-mile section of the Bluestone River in southern West Virginia. Created in 1988 under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act it is protected by the National Park Service as a free-flowing river. A small segment lies within Pipestem Resort State Park. The remaining portion is managed by the state of West Virginia as a Wildlife Management Area. For more information contact the Sandstone Visitors Center at 304-466-9192.

c/o Monroe County Tourism. Owned by the Nature Conservancy, a national organization which attempts to preserved wild lands world-wide. This 153 acre area in Eastern Monroe County is comprised of a dry hardwood and pine woodland including a globally rare shale barren community. Open year-round for hiking and nature study.

Encompasses 70,000 acres between Hinton & Hawks Nest State Park. Created to conserve & protect 53 miles of the New River as a free-flowing waterway. Visitors Centers are Canyon Rim (304-574-2115), on US 19 just north of Fayetteville & Sandstone (304-466-9192), at Exit 139 on I-64. Visitor information stations are also open during summer months from 12-5 at Grandview & 10 - 5 at Thurmond Depot. Call for hiking & biking trail information.