Cabwaylingo State Forest
- Status
- Status not postedDaily 6 a.m. – 10 p.m.
- Entrance fee
- Statewide rule — see below
- Day-use reservations
- None mentioned
- Dogs
- Dogs allowed
- Camping
- YesAlso cabins
- Official site
- wvstateparks.com304-385-4255
Official page last checked Oct 29, 2026. Details last changed Oct 29, 2026. How we keep this current
Overview
In Wayne County, about 17 miles southeast of Louisa, Cabwaylingo State Forest covers about 8,176 acres.
Things to do include off-highway vehicle riding, historic sites, hunting in season, biking, and fishing. Its trail network totals roughly 100 miles, according to the park. Overnight options include 2 camping areas, with RV sites with water hookups, tent sites, group camping, and showers. If you'd rather not camp, the park offers cabins.
Hours
Park, gate, office and facility hours are listed separately because they often differ. Alerts above override normal hours.
| Facility | Days | Hours | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park | Daily | 6 a.m. – 10 p.m. | — |
Official wording
6 A.M. to 10 P.M.
The campground is open spring through fall, weather permitting.
Source: official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Times are local to the park (America/New York).
Fees and passes
Fees apply to lodging, camping, pools and activities.
Statewide fee rule from West Virginia's park system; this park’s page doesn’t list its own fees.
Reservations
- Day use
- No day-use reservation requirement mentioned
- Booking system
- WV State Parks reservations (Inntopia-based, reservations.wvstateparks.com)
We link to the official booking system rather than showing live availability, which changes minute to minute.
Pets
Dogs allowed
Select cabins are pet friendly, so check guidelines before bringing your furry sidekicks.
Service animals are generally permitted where pets are not. Check with the park for specific areas.
Camping
| Campground or site type | Sites | Hookups / features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Camping Season: Campgrounds are open April 1 through October 31. Cabwaylingo State Forest has two campgrounds. The Tick Ridge Campground has eight rustic sites. The Spruce Creek Campground has 11 sites (six with electric and water hookups and nearby shower facilities). Campgrounds are open April 1 through October 31. West Virginia State Park campgrounds reservations are available from Memorial Day through Labor Day each year. Campgrounds are open on a first-come, first-serve basis through October 31. | — | The Spruce Creek Campground has 11 sites (six with electric and water hookups and nearby shower facilities).Showers | — |
| Group Camping Season: Group camping is open the first weekend in May through October 31. Cabwaylingo also has a 100-person, fully-equipped group campsite great for retreats, meetings, family reunions and other large social outings. Group camping is open the first weekend in May through October 31. Reservations are recommended. | — | — |
Camping details from the park
Cabwaylingo State Forest has two campgrounds. The Tick Ridge Campground has 8 rustic sites. The Spruce Creek Campground has 11 sites, six with electric and water hookups and nearby shower facilities. Cabwaylingo also has a 100-person, fully-equipped group campsite great for retreats, meetings, family reunions and other large social outings. Campgrounds are open April 1 through October 31. All campsites at Cabwaylingo State Forest are reservable, are reservable online, as available.
From the official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Site counts and prices can change; confirm when booking.
Cabins and lodging
- Cabins: 15 units
Cabins
Cabwaylingo State Forest has 15 cabins, available mid-April through late October. Each cabin has a rustic stone fireplace and a fully equipped kitchen along with basic housekeeping items. Select cabins are pet friendly, so check guidelines before bringing your furry sidekicks.
Things to do
Off-highway vehiclesBikingCampingFishingHikingHuntingHistoric sites and tours
Trails
| Trail | Length | Difficulty | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ash Branch Trail | 2 mi | Difficult | Ash Branch Trail begins near Cabin No.8 and extends to the Perry Ridge vicinity, then ends at Long Branch Picnic Area. Distance: 2 miles Difficulty: Difficult |
| Copley Trail | 3 mi | Difficult | Copley Trail begins near Cabin No. 7 and goes to Tick Ridge. It then comes off the mountain to the swimming pool. Points of interest to notice are the rock formations running the top of the ridge. Distance: 3 miles Difficulty: Difficult |
| Indian Trail | 1 mi | Difficult | Indian Trail begins near the Group Camp and ends at Tick Ridge Fire Tower location (built in 1934). Distance: 1 mile Difficulty: Difficult |
| Martin Ridge Trail | 1.5 mi | Easy | Martin Ridge Trail begins in Doane Hollow Picnic Area and ends on Martin Ridge Road. The trail connects Sleepy Hollow Trail at approximately 1 mile. Distance: 1.5 miles Difficulty: Easy |
| Sleepy Hollow Trail | 2 mi | Easy | Sleepy Hollow Trail begins across from Cabin No. 1 off the side of Sweet Water Road. It connects after two miles with Martin Ridge Trail. Distance: 2 miles Difficulty: Easy |
| Spruce Creek Trail | 1 mi | Difficult | Spruce Creek Trail begins in Spruce Creek Picnic Area and connects with Tick Ridge Road. Distance: 1 mile Difficulty: Difficult |
Trail descriptions from the park
Hikers can capture the scenic beauty of the forest and enjoy the varieties of wildflowers and trees growing along the forest’s nine miles of trail. See the overhanging rock cliffs that once provided shelter for early settlers in the area. Trails range from one mile to three miles in length so go at your own pace and soak in the blissful scenery!
[trailcta]
Fishing
Cabwaylingo State Forest has excellent fishing opportunities. Fresh trout are stocked monthly, from February to May, in the west fork of Twelvepole Creek. Proper license and stamps are required and can be purchased at www.wvfish.com.
Fishing in Cabwaylingo State Forest
A state fishing license is usually required.
Amenities
Facilities
- Showers
- Nature center or museum
- Group facilities
Camping
- Tent camping
- Water hookups
- Group camping
Lodging
- Cabins
✓ listed by the park · ✕ the park says it is not available. Anything not shown here isn’t mentioned by the official source — that means unknown, not unavailable.
Getting there
- Address
- 4279 Cabwaylingo Park Rd
Dunlow, WV 25511 - Nearest town
- Louisa — about 17 mi southeast (straight line)
- Coordinates
- 37.9810, -82.3573
- Phone
- 304-385-4255
- cabwaylingosf@wv.gov
Nearby state parks
Sources and freshness
- West Virginia State Parks — park page — last checked Oct 29, 2026; page says updated May 23, 2025
- West Virginia State Parks park finder: window.parks JSON embedded in the /parks/ page (WordPress page + park post with ACF meta)
- USGS PAD-US 4.1 (boundary and acreage)
“Last checked” is when our system last read the official source. “Last changed” (Oct 29, 2026) is when the information shown here last differed from the previous check. Hours, fees and rules can change without notice — confirm with the park before you go. Methodology