Bluestone State Park RV & Campground Guide
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Bluestone State Park is a lakeside paradise nestled in the gently rolling foothills near Hinton in Summers County in southern West Virginia. This 2,154-acre park provides access to the western shores of Bluestone Lake, which was formed by a damming of the New River. Nearby, you can go golfing at Pipestem Resort State Park or skiing at Winterplace Ski Resort, which is about 25 miles away. The model railroad at Hinton's Railroad Museum is also worth a visit when you're in the area.
Spring 40 - 66 F
Summer 63 - 84 F
Fall 43 - 66 F
Winter 23 - 41 F
RV Resorts & Campsites in Bluestone State Park
You'll find four different campgrounds with 120 campsites to choose from at the park. Of these, 22 offer electric hookups, and seven sites offer water hookups. The sites are a bit smaller at the Old Mill Campground, so if you have a rig larger than 18 feet long, you'll want to reserve a spot at the Meador Campground. All RV sites have a grill, a picnic table, and access to a bathhouse with restrooms and showers. A dump station is available to use at the Meador Campground. The East Shore Campground is accessible by boat only. In addition, 26 rustic camping cabins are available. Quiet hours are from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.
What to Do at
Bluestone State Park
Stop by the Bluestone Marina to rent a kayak or a pontoon boat. If you want to enjoy a game of volleyball, horseshoes, basketball, croquet, or shuffleboard, you can rent equipment from the park office for a small fee. Stay overnight in the campground, enjoy boating or fishing on the lake, or stroll along several miles of trails that encircle the park.
Fishing
Bluestone Lake is well-known as a prime spot for catching bluegill, bass, catfish, and crappie. You can get a fishing license online in advance of your visit. Fishing boat rentals and a fishing pier are available within the park.
Geocaching
There are at least two geocaches hidden in the park, but it will take a little effort for you to find them, as at least one of them is located somewhere along the Rhododendron hiking trail. Be sure to re-hide the cache once you find it so the next treasure hunter can also enjoy the thrill of finding it anew.
Stargazing
Bluestone State Park is known as one of the best spots for stargazing within the state of West Virginia. The wide-open spaces and dark skies provide excellent viewing, especially on a clear winter night.
Flora and Fauna
Along with lots of chipmunks, fox squirrels, and opossums, the animals you are most likely to spot during your visit include ruffed grouse, raccoons, deer, and wild turkeys. Bobcats and black bears also inhabit the surrounding area, although they usually stay far away from humans. Keep an eye out for mink, beaver, and river otters along the river. When it comes to flora, you'll see mixed hardwood forests, riparian areas, and open prairie fields.
Hiking
Several hiking trails at the park offer options for varying ability levels. The Big Pine Trail, for example, is short but steep at only two miles long. The Overlook Trail climbs to a scenic overlook, perfect for enjoying beautiful mountain views. Check out the Pawpaw trees and woodland views along the moderate 0.4-mile-long Pawpaw Trail. Head out along the 1.2-mile-long River View Trail for the best birdwatching and scenic waterfalls.
Swimming
An outdoor swimming pool is available to use if you're staying overnight in one of the cabins. Visitors may pay a small fee to access the pool in-season, from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
Boating
Bring your boat or rent a kayak, canoe, or fishing boat to enjoy a day on the water. Slip rentals and boat trailer parking are also available at the park. There are two public-use boat launches. One is at Bluestone Lake, and the other is located on the Bluestone River.
Biking
Overnight campers often bring their bikes to navigate around the campground and the roads at Bluestone Lake Park. For mountain biking nearby, you can head to Pipestone Resort State Park, which has bicycle rentals and miles of fantastic biking trails with picturesque mountain views.
How to Get to
Bluestone State Park
From Hinton in West Virginia, head south on state highway 20. Follow this road for a little over five miles until you reach route 20/2, also known as Bluestone Park Rd. It's about 2.2 miles from there to reach the park's main office.
Entering Bluestone State Park
A large parking lot is available next to the main office. Additional parking lots can be found at Bluestone Lake, the picnic area, and the Rhododendron Trailhead.
Bluestone State Park Entry Fee : $0.0
Frequently Asked Questions About Bluestone State Park
If you are interested in watersports, summer is the best time to visit the park. However, hikers and anglers may want to arrive in spring or fall for milder temperatures.
A diverse array of birds, reptiles, and mammals make their home in the park. Birdwatchers can try to spot wood warblers, great blue herons, Louisiana waterthrushes, scarlet tanagers, and belted kingfishers. Ospreys and bald eagles sometimes make an appearance as well.
Only five of the park's campsites are reserved for tents only, although there is no RV access to the boat-in campground. RVs are welcome at all of the other sites.
Nightly fees vary, but you can expect to pay a minimum of $18 per night when camping at Bluestone State Park. Reservations can be made in advance online.
Yes, pets are welcome at all West Virginia State Parks, including Bluestone State Park. They are allowed on the hiking trails but must be on a leash, and you are responsible for cleaning up after your furry companions.