Pipestem Resort State Park

The Bluestone River has, over ages, cut a deep gorge into the plateau of southern West Virginia, carving a wild, forested canyon that plunges hundreds of feet below the surrounding highland. Much of the river corridor is protected as a national scenic river, keeping the gorge rugged and largely undeveloped.

This mountain country was, for thousands of years, part of the ancestral homeland and shared hunting ground of the Shawnee, the Cherokee, and other nations whose descendants continue elsewhere today. The name Pipestem itself comes from a native shrub whose hollow stems were used to make pipe stems, a small reminder of the long human history in these hills.

The park's most memorable experience is its aerial tram, a cable car system that descends the steep canyon wall from the plateau down to the river. As the cabin glides over the forest and into the gorge, the plateau falls away and the Bluestone reveals itself far below, a ride that thrills first-timers and rewards return visitors.

At the bottom sits Mountain Creek Lodge, a rustic riverside lodge reachable only by the tram or by hiking the canyon trails. Staying or dining down there means being cradled deep in the gorge, with the river, the forest, and the canyon walls close around, a remove from the world that few parks can offer.

The main body of the park spreads across the high plateau, where a large lodge, cabins, and campgrounds anchor a range of recreation. Golfers have courses laid out on the highland, and miles of trails for hiking and horseback riding thread through the woods and along the canyon rim, with overlooks that gaze down into the gorge.

The park also holds a state observatory, where dark mountain skies make for excellent stargazing, and a nature center that introduces the plants and wildlife of the region. All of this makes Pipestem a place where a family can fill several days without ever leaving the park.

Spring and early summer bring wildflowers, rushing water in the canyon, and comfortable days on the plateau. Summer is the busy season, with the tram running, the golf courses green, and campgrounds full. Fall may be the finest time of all, when the deep canyon fills with color and the tram ride passes over a sea of turning leaves.

Pipestem sits within easy reach of the wider New River Gorge region to the north, one of the country's premier outdoor destinations, and of the historic town of Bramwell and the coalfields to the south. It makes an excellent base for exploring the mountains of southern West Virginia.

The closest Boutel™ stays, so you can turn this stop into an overnight. Each is a place we chose through independent editorial review, never a paid placement.

Pipestem Resort State Park, in the mountains of southern West Virginia near the Bluestone Gorge, is a large and beloved resort state park offering a wide range of recreation and amenities amid beautiful scenery. The park features lodges, golf courses, an aerial tram that descends into the dramatic Bluestone Canyon, hiking and biking trails, horseback riding, a nature center, swimming, and stunning gorge views, along with seasonal activities. A full-service mountain resort within a state park, Pipestem is a popular four-season getaway. With its resort amenities, aerial tram, and gorge scenery, Pipestem Resort State Park offers a rewarding destination in West Virginia.

You can ride the aerial tram down into the dramatic Bluestone Canyon to a lodge by the river, golf, hike and bike the trails, ride horseback, swim, visit the nature center, take in the gorge overlooks, stay at the lodges, and enjoy seasonal activities and events. The aerial tram into the canyon, the golf, and the gorge scenery are highlights, offering resort comfort amid mountain beauty. It is a popular family and getaway destination. With its tram, golf, trails, and lodges, Pipestem Resort State Park offers a rewarding experience in southern West Virginia.

The aerial tram at Pipestem Resort State Park is a scenic cable-car ride that carries visitors down into the deep Bluestone Canyon, descending hundreds of feet from the rim to a lodge beside the Bluestone River at the canyon floor, offering dramatic views of the gorge along the way. The tram provides a thrilling and beautiful way to reach the remote canyon-bottom lodge and the river. Because the tram operates seasonally, checking current operating times is wise. Riding the aerial tram into the canyon is a signature and memorable experience at Pipestem Resort State Park in West Virginia.

Late spring through fall is the prime time for the fullest range of activities, when the aerial tram, golf, trails, and warm-weather recreation are in full swing, with summer the peak season and fall bringing spectacular color to the mountains and gorge, a beautiful time. Some amenities are seasonal, so checking current schedules before you go is wise. The park offers some winter activities too. For the fullest experience with the tram and warm-weather recreation, aim for late spring through fall at Pipestem Resort State Park in West Virginia.

Pipestem Resort State Park is in the mountains of southern West Virginia near the Bluestone Gorge, within reach of the New River Gorge with Sandstone Falls and Grandview, the Beckley area with its exhibition coal mine and Tamarack, and the Greenbrier Valley with Lewisburg. That makes Pipestem Resort State Park a rewarding stop to combine with the New River Gorge attractions, Beckley, and the other sights of southern West Virginia on a visit to the state.