Top state parks
State ParkBabcock State Park
State ParkBerkeley Springs State Park
State ParkBlennerhassett Island Historical State Park
State ParkCanaan Valley Resort State Park
State ParkBeartown State Park
State ParkBeech Fork State Park
State ParkBluestone State Park
State ParkValley Falls State Park
State ParkMont Chateau State Park
State ParkChief Logan State Park
State ParkFort Frederick
State ParkDroop Mountain Battlefield State Park
State Parks by county
All state parks (35)
| Name | County | Elevation | Nearest town | Sky |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Babcock State ParkNew River Gorge | Fayette County | — | Fayetteville | 3 |
| Berkeley Springs State Park | Morgan County | — | Hancock | 3 |
| Blennerhassett Island Historical State Park | Wood County | — | Blennerhassett | 5 |
| Canaan Valley Resort State Park | Tucker County | — | Parsons | 3 |
| Beartown State Park | Greenbrier County | — | Marlinton | 2 |
| Beech Fork State Park | Wayne County | — | Lavalette | 4 |
| Bluestone State Park | Summers County | — | Hinton | 3 |
| Valley Falls State Park | Marion County | — | Grafton | 4 |
| Mont Chateau State Park | Monongalia County | — | Cheat Lake | 5 |
| Chief Logan State Park | Logan County | — | Logan | 2 |
| Fort Frederick | Morgan County | — | Hancock | 4 |
| Droop Mountain Battlefield State Park | Pocahontas County | — | Marlinton | 2 |
| Prickett's Fort State Park | Marion County | — | Fairmont | 5 |
| Cacapon Resort State Park | Morgan County | — | Hancock | 3 |
| Camp Creek State Park | Mercer County | — | Princeton | 3 |
| Carnifex Ferry Battlefield State ParkGauley River | Nicholas County | — | Summersville | 2 |
| Cass Scenic Railroad State Park | Pocahontas County | — | Marlinton | 2 |
| Cathedral State Park | Preston County | — | Terra Alta | 3 |
| Cedar Creek State Park | Gilmer County | — | Glenville | 2 |
| Little Beaver State ParkNew River Gorge | Raleigh County | — | Daniels | 4 |
| Lost River State Park | Hardy County | — | Basye | 3 |
| Tygart Lake State Park | Taylor County | — | Grafton | 4 |
| Watoga State Park | Pocahontas County | — | Marlinton | 2 |
| Watters Smith Memorial State Park | Harrison County | — | Stonewood | 3 |
| North Bend State Park | Ritchie County | — | Harrisville | 2 |
| Pinnacle Rock State Park | Mercer County | — | Bluewell | 4 |
| Hawks Nest State Park | Fayette County | — | Ansted | 3 |
| Holly River State Park | Webster County | — | Webster Springs | 2 |
| Audra State Park | Barbour County | — | Belington | 3 |
| Tu-Endie-Wei State Park | Mason County | — | Point Pleasant | 5 |
| Twin Falls Resort State Park | Wyoming County | — | Mullens | 2 |
| Moncove Lake State Park | Monroe County | — | Ronceverte | 3 |
| North Bend Rail Trail | Ritchie County | — | Pennsboro | 2 |
| Pipestem Resort State Park | Summers County | — | Hinton | 2 |
| Greenbrier River Trail | Pocahontas County | — | Marlinton | 2 |
Sky = estimated Bortle class (1 darkest – 9 brightest).
Map
How to photograph state parks
State parks often protect a signature feature — a gorge, lake or overlook — that is best in early morning before visitors and harsh light arrive.
- Check park hours: many state parks close at dusk, which affects sunset and night shooting.
- Ask rangers about photography permits for commercial work, models or drones.
- Weekday mornings are the least crowded at popular viewpoints.
- Trail maps often mark overlooks — combine them with the sun azimuth to plan.
- Day-use fees or passes are common; buy them online before arriving.
Season: Spring wildflowers and autumn color are peak seasons in most parks.