Hot weather: do you look forward to it all year or long to flee to cooler, higher mountain regions when it comes? Either way, whether you love warm weather or need to escape it, one of the best spots in the world to spend a hot summer day is Pipestem, West Virginia.
What’s Pipestem got to offer? A West Virginia State Park, for one. And what a state park. Boasting a resort with three restaurants, seven shops, luxurious accommodations, beautiful mountain views, a plethora of hiking trails, a beachfront waterpark, and more, Pipestem Resort State Park has something for everyone.
Management / Tripadvisor
First, the restaurants. Mountain Creek Dining Room, located in Mountain Creek Lodge, is only open from late spring to early fall, and it’s only accessible by aerial tramway! Perched right on the river, Mountain Creek Dining Room offers delicious food in an upscale environment.
Management / Tripadvisor Alternatively, try Black Bear Grill and Lounge in McKeever Lodge for a quicker, more casual option. And then, there’s the proverbial icing on the cake: a 1950s themed soda shop and ice cream parlor located on the rim of the Bluestone Gorge! It goes by the name Tramway Sweets & Treats, and there’s no better way to cool off on a hot summer day.
No better way, that is, unless perhaps you’re up for a plunge into the park’s adventure lake and splash park!
Management / Tripadvisor Or maybe you’d rather kayak or tube the Bluestone River. Or maybe you’ll choose to sink your feet in the sand and soak up some sun on the lake beach.
When it comes to shopping, you can do that at Pipestem Resort State Park, too. There’s a golf shop, a gift shop, a campground store, a made-in-West-Virginia souvenir shop, an artisan market, a sports store, and an outdoor adventure outfitter.
classicdj / Tripadvisor
In terms of hiking trails, there are at least fifteen distinct options. You can hike around the lake, you can hike along the rim of the gorge, you can hike beside the river, you can hike to an observation tower, you can hike a loop through the woods - and that’s just for starters!
Management / Tripadvisor
There’s too much to do all in a day, and we haven’t even mentioned the zipline!
Management / Tripadvisor
But that’s okay because Pipestem’s two lodges and 26 cabins are ready and waiting to provide you with a comfortable, relaxing, rejuvenating night away from home so you can extend the fun and beat the heat for however long you like.
B W / Tripadvisor
Don’t take our word for it, though: visit Pipestem Resort State Park for yourself next time you see hot weather in the forecast and beat the heat with a cool, fun, refreshing West Virginia mountain escape.
Management / Tripadvisor
Alternatively, try Black Bear Grill and Lounge in McKeever Lodge for a quicker, more casual option. And then, there’s the proverbial icing on the cake: a 1950s themed soda shop and ice cream parlor located on the rim of the Bluestone Gorge! It goes by the name Tramway Sweets & Treats, and there’s no better way to cool off on a hot summer day.
Or maybe you’d rather kayak or tube the Bluestone River. Or maybe you’ll choose to sink your feet in the sand and soak up some sun on the lake beach.
classicdj / Tripadvisor
B W / Tripadvisor
Did we forget to mention that there’s a waterfall just up the road from the resort, too? This spot just keeps getting better and better…
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Address: Pipestem Resort State Park, 3405 Pipestem Dr, Pipestem, WV 25979, USA
