Introduction

Discover Beartown State Park, a hidden geological treasure nestled in the Monongahela National Forest. This extraordinary 127-acre park offers visitors a journey through a landscape of massive rock formations, rare plant life, and natural wonders that seem to belong to another world entirely.

Background

Beartown State Park is a geological wonderland that defies typical state park expectations. Visitors traverse a boardwalk that winds through a landscape of massive rock formations, creating a surreal journey through a stone maze. Towering boulders, some as large as houses, are draped in moss and lichen, creating a primeval environment that feels like a hidden world frozen in time.

The park's unique topography creates multiple microclimates, supporting an incredible diversity of plant life. Rare ferns, mosses, and wildflowers cling to rock surfaces, while cool, damp spaces between boulders provide sanctuary for unusual plant species that have survived since the last glacial period. The boardwalk allows visitors to explore this fragile ecosystem without disturbing its delicate balance, offering an intimate encounter with a landscape that has remained virtually unchanged for millennia.

History

Beartown State Park is a geological marvel that tells a story millions of years in the making. Carved during the last ice age, this unique landscape preserves a remarkable ecosystem that has remained largely unchanged for thousands of years. The park gets its whimsical name from the intricate rock formations that create cave-like spaces where bears were once believed to hibernate, offering a glimpse into the region's wild past.

Established as a state park in 1970, Beartown represents West Virginia's commitment to preserving unique natural landscapes. The park protects a remarkable assemblage of Greenbrier limestone formations, creating a microclimate that supports rare plant species and provides a critical habitat for local wildlife. Unlike many parks developed by the Civilian Conservation Corps, Beartown was preserved primarily for its exceptional geological and ecological significance.

Address: Beartown Rd, Renick, WV 24966Get Directions

Total Trail Length: 1 miles

Fees: Day use free

Hours: Dawn to dusk daily

Phone: (304) 799-6213

More Info: West Virginia State Parks