Holly River State Park
- Status
- Status not postedDaily 6 a.m. – 10 p.m.
- Entrance fee
- Statewide rule — see below
- Day-use reservations
- None mentioned
- Dogs
- Statewide rule — see below
- Camping
- YesAlso cabins
- Official site
- wvstateparks.com304-493-6353
Official page last checked Oct 29, 2026. Details last changed Oct 29, 2026. How we keep this current
Overview
Covering about 8,128 acres, Holly River State Park lies in Webster County, about 27 miles south of Buckhannon.
Popular activities here are horseback riding, historic sites, swimming, biking, and fishing. For overnight stays there are campsites (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. – 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).
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
- Camping
- Required
- Booking system
- WV State Parks reservations (Inntopia-based, reservations.wvstateparks.com)
Advanced reservations are required to reserve one or more of the three campsites (numbers 79, 80, 81).
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: Campgrounds are open on a first-come, first-serve basis through October 31. Holly River State Park’s campground has 88 units with electric hookups, picnic tables and cooking grills. A dumping station and four centralized bathhouses with coin-operated washers and dryers are available. Only one tent or trailer is allowed per site and check-in time is noon. 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. View the campground map by clicking here. | — | Holly River State Park’s campground has 88 units with electric hookups, picnic tables and cooking grills.Showers | — |
Camping details from the park
Holly River State Park’s campground has 88 units with electric hookups, picnic tables and cooking grills. A dumping station and four centralized bathhouses with coin-operated washers and dryers are available. Only one tent or trailer is allowed per site and check-in time is noon. Find more information here.
From the official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Site counts and prices can change; confirm when booking.
Cabins and lodging
- Cabins: 10 units
Cabins Holly River State Park has 10 completely furnished cabins featuring warm, stone fireplaces and fully equipped kitchens with modern appliances and linens. Cabins are constructed of natural stone and logs located in a peaceful setting of rhododendron and sturdy hemlock. These cabins are set up to accommodate either two or four people and are open seasonally.
Things to do
BikingCampingFishingGeocachingHikingHorseback ridingHistoric sites and toursSwimming
Trails
| Trail | Length | Difficulty | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| High Rock Trail | 1.5 mi | Moderate | Starting from the footbridge below cabin No. 9, the trail begins a steep climb around a mountain, leading to a high tabletop rock on the ridge summit. The ridge is dominated by mountain laurel, flame azaleas and oak trees. The trail follows the ridge and descends to the mouth of Big Run and ends at the campground entrance. Distance: 1.5 miles Difficulty: Moderate |
| Laurel Fork Trail | 0.4 mi | Easy | Located on the island between the Activity Building and the Carpenter Pavilion, the trail is asphalt paved and follows the perimeter of the island as it is encircled by Laurel Fork. The trail meets ADA standards and includes four rest stations, two shelters, three water fountains, and 10 historical markers with Braille signs depicting the history of the park. Distance: 0.4 miles Difficulty: Easy |
| Nature’s Rock Garden Trail | 0.4 mi | Easy | Beginning at the cabin area parking lot, this self-guided interpretive loop combines easy walking with a great variety of plant life. Interpretive booklets are available at the information kiosk. Distance: 0.4 miles Difficulty: Easy |
| Oak Ridge Trail | 2.5 mi | Moderate to difficult | Starting from the lower end of the campground, this trail ascends a mountain, then twists along Oak Ridge and intersects the Tramontane Trail. This trail features an overlook with a view of the park’s main recreational area. Distance: 2.5 miles Difficulty: Moderate to difficult |
| Potato Knob Trail | 7.5 mi | Moderate to difficult | Branching off from Wilderness Trail, this trail follows a ridge to Ridge Road. It joins the road for a half mile and then descends the mountain through a grove of exceptionally large trees. A short side trail on the Ridge Road offers a view of Tenskwatawa Falls. Crossing Fall Run Road, the trail circles around the southern side of Potato Knob to The Chute. From here it is a steep ascent to the summit of Potato Knob. Distance: 7.5 miles (one way) Difficulty: Moderate to difficult |
| Railroad Grade Trail | 10 mi | Moderate to difficult | The trail begins where Wilderness Trail crosses Crooked Fork. As the name implies, this trail travels an old railroad grade. In one area, this trail winds through some interesting rock formations. Distance: 10 miles Difficulty: Moderate to difficult |
| Reverie Trail | 3.5 mi | Moderate | Originating at the campground entrance, the trail parallels Big Run to Dreamer’s Meadow, scales a mountain and passes under Tecumseh Falls, guiding hikers to a primitive camping site. Turning southeast, the trail descends the mountain to Pickens Road. From here, hikers can turn right on the road and walk back 1 mile to the starting point or cross the road to the stream and turn right on Wilderness Trail to the cabins. Distance: 3.5 miles Difficulty: Moderate |
| Ridge Road Trail | 6.1 mi | Moderate | This trail is best for bicycling, day hiking and possibly cross-country skiing and horseback riding. It begins at Laurel Fork near the Jacob Klee Road and follows a jeep service road up the hill for about a mile to the old fire tower. It then follows the ridge to descend just behind the assistant superintendent’s residence at the lower end of the campground. Horseback riding is allowed on this trail. Distance: 6.1 miles Difficulty: Moderate |
| Salt Lick Trail | 0.75 mi | Easy | Beginning with a slight climb from Cabin No. 9, this trail winds around the mountain through a young forested area and leads to some of the oldest and largest trees in the park. The trail descends to the island in the picnic area and ends at the campground. Distance: 0.75 miles Difficulty: Easy |
| Tramontane Trail | 2.5 mi | Moderate | Beginning at Cabin No. 9, this trail winds through a large forested area and out into the fields of an old homestead. From this point, the trail takes hikers to a high ridge overlooking the upper valley and headwaters to the left fork of Holly River. At approximately 2.3 miles, look for Mystic Falls, the hidden waterfall of Holly River State Park. The trail then descends into a dry run and on to its ending point at the picnic area. Distance: 2.5 miles Difficulty: Moderate |
| Wilderness Trail | 4.5 mi | Moderate to difficult | Ascending the mountain through high country glens across Crooked Fork into a remote area of the park, the trail guides hikers from Cabin No. 9 to the former site of the fire tower. Backtracking is necessary to reach the original trail. Returning to and heading down Crooked Fork, the trail joins Laurel Fork and continues downstream, ending at Cabin No. 1. Distance: 4.5 miles (one way) Difficulty: Moderate to difficult |
Trail descriptions from the park
Come see Holly River State Park’s rich woodlands, filled with abundant wildflowers. Hike one of the park’s many trails stretching 42 miles for a real scene stealer. Popular hikes include treks out to the Tecumseh and Tenskwatawa waterfalls and Potato Knob, which offers a commanding view of the park from 2,480 feet. [trailcta]
Swimming
The outdoor pool at Holly River State Park is open Wednesdays through Sundays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. If Monday is a holiday the pool will be open. Admission is $6 for adults and $4 for children. Pool passes are available t o purchase at park headquarters. Note: The pool closes for the season in mid-August during the week and remains open on weekends, pending lifeguard availability.
Fishing
Holly River State Park is a great place to go trout fishing. With its swift water and currents, the Left Fork of Holly River makes an ideal habitat for these fish. But before you head out, make sure you purchase a current West Virginia fishing license, available at www.wvfish.com. If you’re planning a fishing trip and need overnight accommodations, check in to a cabin at the park. But hurry! They book up fast. Make you reservation by clicking Book Now! Fishing in Holly River State Park
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
- 680 State Park Rd.
Hacker Valley, WV 26222 - Nearest town
- Buckhannon — about 27 mi south (straight line)
- Coordinates
- 38.6229, -80.4014
- Phone
- 304-493-6353
- hollyriversp@wv.gov
Nearby state parks
Sources and freshness
- West Virginia State Parks — park page — last checked Oct 29, 2026; page says updated Jun 30, 2025
- West Virginia State Parks park finder: window.parks JSON embedded in the /parks/ page (WordPress page + park post with ACF meta)
- Wikidata
- 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