Kumbrabow State Forest
- 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
- 13 campsitesAlso cabins
- Official site
- wvstateparks.com304-335-2219
Official page last checked Oct 29, 2026. Details last changed Oct 29, 2026. How we keep this current
Overview
In Randolph County, about 24 miles southwest of Elkins, Kumbrabow State Forest covers about 9,158 acres.
Things to do include horseback riding, historic sites, hunting in season, biking, and fishing. For overnight stays there are 13 campsites (tent sites). 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).
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 mid-April through the first week of December. Kumbrabow State Forest’s Mill Creek Campground offers 13 sites in pristine settings near patches of Rhododendron and a native brook trout stream. The campground is open mid-April through the first week of December. West Virginia State Park campground reservations are available year round. Campgrounds are open on a first-come, first-serve basis. | 13 | — |
Camping details from the park
Kumbrabow State Forest’s Mill Creek Campground offers 13 sites in pristine settings near patches of Rhododendron and a native brook trout stream. The campground is open mid-April through the first week of December.
Note: Seasonal closure of campground and cabins is December 2, 2019. These facilities should reopen April 12, 2020, barring any unforeseen weather. Please click the cabin icon on page to learn more about our unique cabin rentals.
From the official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Site counts and prices can change; confirm when booking.
Cabins and lodging
- Cabins
Cabins
Kumbrabow State Forest features six completely furnished pioneer cabins, open from April to the first week of December. The cabins are equipped with cooking utensils, dishes, flatware, bed linens, towels and outdoor charcoal grills.
Things to do
BikingCampingFishingGeocachingHikingHorseback ridingHuntingHistoric sites and tours
Trails
| Trail | Length | Difficulty | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clay Run Trail | 0.75 mi | Easy | Beginning at Forest Headquarters, Clay Run Trail crosses Mill Creek then follows an old logging railroad grade north alongside Mill Creek. Approximately .5 mile downstream, this trail turns east and ascends to the top of Mill Ridge. Once reaching the top of Mill Ridge, the Clay Run Trail ends at the Mill Ridge Fire Trail. Distance: 0.75 miles Difficulty: Easy |
| Meatbox Run Trail | 1.5 mi | Difficult | Beginning in the picnic area, Meatbox Run Trail is a steady incline following a hollow leading up to the Rich Mountain Fire Trail. Hikers may return by way of Raven Rocks or Potato Hole Trail. Distance: 1.5 miles Difficulty: Difficult |
| Mill Ridge Fire Trail | 1 mi | Easy | Mill Ridge Fire Trail follows the top of Mill Ridge between Clay Run and Mowry Run. A picnic table overlooks Tygart Valley to Cheat Mountain. Distance: 1 mile Difficulty: Easy |
| Mowry Trail | 0.5 mi | Easy | The Mowry Trail begins just south of Forest Headquarters, crosses Mill Creek and ascends to the top of Mill Ridge. Mowry connects to the Mill Ridge Fire Trail. Distance: 0.5 miles Difficulty: Easy |
| Potato Hole Trail | 2 mi | Difficult | Starting behind Forest headquarters, Potato Hole Trail gradually climbs to the top of Rich Mountain, following Potato Hole Fork. The trail ends at the remains of a forest fire lookout tower on a branch road of the Rich Mountain Fire Trail. Distance: 2 miles Difficulty: Difficult |
| Raven Rocks Trail | 1 mi | Moderate | Beginning just north of the picnic area, Raven Rocks Trail starts as a sharp incline leading up to a rock overlook surrounded by lush rhododendron. The trail then gradually climbs to the top of Rich Mountain to the end of the Rich Mountain Fire Trail. Distance: 1 mile Difficulty: Moderate |
| Rich Mountain Fire Trail | 3.5 mi | Moderate | Beginning from Turkey Bone Road, the trail follows the top of Rich Mountain to the northern border of the forest. This fire trail takes you along the highest point in the forest (Buck knob: Elevation 3855 feet) and will lead you into the most remote sections of the forest. Potato Hole, Meatbox Run and Raven Rocks trails connect to this trail. Distance: 3.5 miles Difficulty: Moderate |
| Whitman Trail | 2 mi | Difficult | Whitman Trail connects Turkey Bone Road to Kumbrabow State Forest Road. The suggested route is to begin from Turkey Bone Road; the trail then gradually descends off Rich Mountain. Distance: 2 miles Difficulty: Difficult |
Trail descriptions from the park
Let’s go on a hike! A variety of scenic trails are available for forest visitors and all lead to beautiful overlooks of the mountain terrain.
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Fishing
Cast a line at Kumbrabow’s Mill Creek, a native brook trout stream. Kumbrabow’s cool, mountain waters are shaded by the forest, making them an ideal habitat for trout. Proper licenses and stamps are required.
Fishing in Kumbrabow State Forest
A state fishing license is usually required.
Amenities
Facilities
- Nature center or museum
Camping
- Tent camping
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
- 219/16, Kumbrabow Rd
Huttonsville, WV 26273 - Nearest town
- Elkins — about 24 mi southwest (straight line)
- Coordinates
- 38.6389, -80.0982
- Phone
- 304-335-2219
- kumbrabowsf@wv.gov
Nearby state parks
Sources and freshness
- West Virginia State Parks — park page — last checked Oct 29, 2026; page says updated May 22, 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