Greenbrier State Forest
- Status
- Status not postedDaily 6 a.m. – 8 p.m.
- Entrance fee
- Statewide rule — see below
- Day-use reservations
- None mentioned
- Dogs
- Statewide rule — see below
- Camping
- 16 campsitesAlso cabins
- Official site
- wvstateparks.com304-536-1944
Official page last checked Oct 29, 2026. Details last changed Oct 29, 2026. How we keep this current
Overview
Greenbrier State Forest is a 4,842-acre forest in Greenbrier County, about 4 miles southwest of White Sulphur Springs.
The park supports horseback riding, historic sites, hunting in season, canoeing and kayaking, and swimming. Overnight options include 16 campsites, with RV sites with electric hookups and tent sites. There are also cabins for rent.
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. – 8 p.m. | — |
Official wording
6 A.M. to 8 P.M.
Source: official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Times are local to the park (America/New York).
Pets
'Dogs and cats are the only pets permitted in state parks and forests. Pets must be leashed and restrained.' Select cabins are pet-friendly, varying by park.
Statewide rule from West Virginia's park system (source). This park’s page doesn’t state its own pet rules, so check for local restrictions.
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.
Camping
| Campground or site type | Sites | Hookups / features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Camping Season: The campground is open April through October. Greenbrier State Forest has a 16-unit campground, suitable for tents and trailers. Each site offers an electric hookup, a picnic table, an on-site and central bathhouse, and a stone fireplace for grilling-out with the family. The campground is open April through October. West Virginia State Park campground reservations are available from Memorial Day through Labor Day each year. Campgrounds are open on a first-come, first-serve basis through October 31. A campsite reservation application is available here. | 16 | Each site offers an electric hookup, a picnic table, an on-site and central bathhouse, and a stone fireplace for grilling-out with the family.Showers | — |
Camping details from the park
Greenbrier State Forest has a 16-unit campground, suitable for tents and trailers. Each site offers an electric hookup, a picnic table, an on-site and central bathhouse, and a stone fireplace for grilling-out with the family. The campground is open April through October 31. All campsites may be reserved in advance.
From the official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Site counts and prices can change; confirm when booking.
Cabins and lodging
- Cabins: 14 units
Cabins Greenbrier State Forest has 14 standard furnished cabins with fully equipped kitchens and wood-burning fireplaces. There’s enough room for the whole family and plenty of time for adventure. Cabins are open April through October.
Things to do
BikingCampingFishingHikingHorseback ridingHuntingHistoric sites and toursCanoeing and kayakingSwimming
Trails
| Trail | Length | Difficulty | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black Bear Trail | 2 mi | Moderate | Starting points are three-tenths of a mile from the cabin area at an intersection with Old Roads Trail and one-fifth of a mile from the main forest road on Young's Nature Trail. The trail passes through two hollows with a gentle climb in elevation. This trail can be combined with Old Roads Trail to make a longer hike. Distance: 2 miles (one way) Difficulty: Moderate |
| Holsapple Trail | 2.3 mi | Moderate | Following an old logging road for its entire length, this trail begins at the top of Kate's Mountain near Rocky Ridge Trail. After skirting the eastern side of Kate's Mountain, it ends on Kate's Mountain Road, south of Young's Nature Trail. Distance: 2.3 miles (one way) Difficulty: Moderate |
| Kate’s Mountain Loop Trail | 7.8 mi | Difficult | A loop that combines the Rocky Ridge, Holsapple, Young Nature and the Mabel Dowdy trails, as well as the western service road. Adventurers with the backpacker spirit will enjoy the variety this loop offers. Nevertheless, you may want to pack a lunch for this walk. Distance: 7.8 miles Difficulty: Difficult |
| Mabel Dowdy Nature Trail | 1.3 mi | Moderate | This trail, named after a retired park employee, begins and ends in the cabin area. A nice after-dinner trail, it visits a variety of plant and animal habitat including a mixed deciduous hardwood forest, a hemlock forest, a mountain stream habitat and an open meadow. This trail has a few gentle climbs. Distance: 1.3 miles Difficulty: Moderate |
| Old Field Loop Trail | 2 mi | Moderate | Walking time 1 hour. This loop trail, which is bisected by Old Fields Trail, begins and ends in the Shelter #2 parking area. Designed with mountain bikers in mind, this trail meanders through the woods above the picnic area. Distance: 2 miles (one way) Difficulty: Moderate |
| Old Roads Trail | 1.6 mi | Moderate | This is a self-guided nature trail with trail heads across the road from the entrance to the cabin area and in the service area near the forest office. The trail follows an old logging road for most of its length, except where it crosses a ridge. Distance: 1.6 miles (one way) Difficulty: Moderate |
| Rocky Ridge Trail | 2.1 mi | Difficult | Starting at a point one-quarter mile from the service area where it intersects with Old Roads Trail, the trail winds its way to the top of Kate's Mountain, three-tenths of a mile from the overlook. This is a strenuous walk and recommended for those in good health. Distance: 2.1 miles (one way) Difficulty: Difficult |
| YCC Trail | 0.6 mi | Easy | Walking time 45 minutes. This trail begins across the road from the entrance to Shelter II area. This “figure-eight” trail was destroyed in the derecho of 2011. It was rebuilt in 2014 as a combination trail for walkers and beginning mountain bikers. Distance: .6 mile (loop) Difficulty: Easy |
| Young’s Nature Trail | 1.7 mi | Moderate | Starting one-tenth of a mile north of the picnic area at the main forest road, this trail climbs gradually from the hollow and then follows a steep ridge line to the trailhead on Kate's Mountain Road. Distance: 1.7 miles (one way) Difficulty: Moderate |
| The "Holler" Trail | 1.2 mi | Moderate | Walking time ½ hour. Starting at two-tenth of a mile from the main forest road on Old Roads Trail and ending at one-tenth of a mile from the main forest road on Young’s Nature Trail. This trail provides mountain bikers and hikers with a whimsical, flowing trail that meanders through a deep hollow along the base of Kate’s Mountain. Distance: 1.2 miles (one way) Difficulty: Moderate |
| Twin Pines Trail | 0.6 mi | Moderate | Walking time 45 minutes. Starting at the main forest road just north of the picnic area and ending one-tenth of a mile from the main forest road on Old Roads Trail. This trail parallels the forest road and serves as a hiking/biking connector path to the picnic area. Distance: 0.6 miles (one way) Difficulty: ModerateHikingBiking |
| Old Field Trail | — | Moderate | Walking time 1 hour. Beginning in the field just south of the campground, this trail meanders through forest and old fields along an old logging road before it ends two-tenths of a mile from the main forest road on Young’s Nature Trail. Distance: 1 1/2 miles (one way). Difficulty: Moderate |
Trail descriptions from the park
Greenbrier State Forest has plenty of activities for those who like to explore and unwind in nature. Guests may hike, or bike across nearly 19 miles on the forest’s 14 trails, which vary in length and difficulty. The trails crisscross the forest offering everything from glimpses of rare Kate's Mountain flora to a fitness trail near the picnic area. Several miles of forest management roads provide additional hiking and biking opportunities for every guest. [trailcta]
Swimming
The Greenbrier State Forest pool will open for the 2021 summer season on June 2. Hours are 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. Summer hours remain in effect until late August, after which hours may be limited to weekends due. While school is in session the pool is open on weekends and holidays. The recent pool renovation included a new granite pool basin, new piping and mechanicals and a new wading pool with spray features. The bathhouse and pool are fully accessible at Greenbrier State Forest. Admission is $5 for adults and $4 for children under 12 years of age. Season passes and books of passes are available.
Fishing
Cast a line! The Greenbrier River, as well as other nearby streams and lakes, have some of the finest smallmouth bass, trout, crappie, bluegill, catfish and walleye fishing opportunities in the eastern United States. Proper license and stamps are required. Fishing Near Greenbrier State Forest
A state fishing license is usually required.
Amenities
Facilities
- Picnic areas
- Nature center or museum
Camping
- Tent camping
- RV camping
- Electric hookups
Lodging
- Cabins
Recreation
- Horse trails
✓ 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
- 1541 Harts Run Rd
Caldwell, WV 24925 - Nearest town
- White Sulphur Springs — about 4 mi southwest (straight line)
- Coordinates
- 37.7561, -80.3473
- Phone
- 304-536-1944
- greenbriersf@wv.gov
Nearby state parks
Sources and freshness
- West Virginia State Parks — park page — last checked Oct 29, 2026; page says updated Oct 2, 2026
- 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