Pipestem Resort State Park
- 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
- 82 campsitesAlso cabins, lodge or inn rooms
- Official site
- wvstateparks.com304-466-1800
Official page last checked Oct 29, 2026. Details last changed Oct 29, 2026. How we keep this current
Overview
Covering about 4,211 acres, Pipestem Resort State Park lies in Mercer County, about 13 miles northeast of Princeton.
Things to do include golf, horseback riding, historic sites, hunting in season, and canoeing and kayaking. Camping is available: 82 campsites, including RV sites with full hookups and tent sites. If you'd rather not camp, the park offers cabins and lodge rooms.
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.
Open year-round, 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
It has designated pet-friendly rooms, WiFi, an indoor heated pool, game room, saunas and an exercise room. Pet-friendly cabins are available so bring your furry friends along for the fun, too.
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: Pipestem Resort State Park has 82 campsites open year-round, 31 of which are equipped with full hookups. Pipestem Resort State Park has 82 campsites open year-round, 31 of which are equipped with full hookups. 19 sites are electric only. Amenities include heated bathhouses, coin laundry, a campground store and a playground area. Small pop-up tents, large RVs and everything in between are welcome! Campers with units over 25 feet in length may contact the park to discuss suitable sites. Campground reservations are available all year. Individual campsites also may be reserved year-round. For more information about winter camping, contact the park at 304-466-1800. | 82 | Pipestem Resort State Park has 82 campsites open year-round, 31 of which are equipped with full hookups.Showers | — |
Camping details from the park
Pipestem Resort State Park has 82 campsites open year-round, 31 of which are equipped with full hookups. 19 sites are electric only. Amenities include heated bathhouses, coin laundry, a campground store and a playground area. Small pop-up tents, large RVs and everything in between are welcome! Campers with units over 25 feet in length may contact the park to discuss suitable sites. Campground reservations are available all year. For more information about winter camping, contact the park at 304-466-1800.
From the official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Site counts and prices can change; confirm when booking.
Cabins and lodging
- Lodging: 113 units
- Event and Meeting Space
- Cabins: 26 units
Lodging
The year-round McKeever Lodge has 113 guest rooms and suites, many with scenic views of the gorge. It has designated pet-friendly rooms, WiFi, an indoor heated pool, game room, saunas and an exercise room. Diners may choose to eat at the full-service Bluestone Dining Room, or take in the casual atmosphere of the Black Bear Grill and Lounge. Other McKeever Lodge amenities include a gift shop, cozy reading areas, a conference center and an observation deck with stunning views.
The seasonal Mountain Creek Lodge, open May through October, is accessible only by the park’s popular aerial tramway. The lodge’s 30 rooms offer a relaxing view of the Bluestone River. The gourmet Mountain Creek Restaurant serves dinner by reservation.
Read more from the park
Event and Meeting Space
There’s plenty of space for your next conference or special event, plus plenty of activity to keep guests entertained while they’re here. And the picturesque views and backdrops are a bonus, too! Event and meeting spaces are available for private events, weddings or business meetings.
Cabins
Pipestem Resort State Park has 26 fully-furnished rental cabins complete with household needs. The cabin units vary in size, from two to four-bedroom. Pet-friendly cabins are available so bring your furry friends along for the fun, too. All cabins have Wi-Fi and are available for year-round rentals.
Things to do
Historic sites and toursBikingBoatingCampingFishingGeocachingGolfHikingHorseback ridingHuntingCanoeing and kayakingSwimming
Trails
| Trail | Length | Difficulty | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Shore Trail | 2.2 mi | — | A relatively level shoreline and woodland trail completely encircling Long Branch Lake. May be reached via Law Hollow Trail, Den Tree, Long Branch, Cottage, Turkey Spur, South Side or Lake View Trails. Distance: 2.2 miles |
| Bluestone Turnpike Trail | 8.5 mi | Easy | This moderately difficult trail begins at the junction of the Farley Loop and River Trail in Pipestem Resort State Park. From this intersection it is 8.5 miles to Bluestone State Park. The trail is best accessed near the aerial tram at the Mountain Creek Lodge. From the Mountain Creek Lodge, follow the moderately difficult River Trail downstream for one mile to access the beginning of the Bluestone Turnpike Trail. Access also is possible by hiking the entire length of the River Trail in its entirety. Distance: 8.5 miles Difficulty: Easy |
| Canyon Rim Trail | 0.7 mi | Moderate | Beginning near the employee parking area at Canyon Rim Center, this steep trail descends 500 feet to Heritage Point, a massive sandstone outcropping. The overlook offers an excellent view of the Bluestone River Gorge and Mountain Creek Lodge. Distance: 0.7 miles Difficulty: Moderate |
| Cottage Trail | 0.7 mi | — | This easy trail begins at the park road behind Cottage Number 1 and travels down to Long Branch Lake where it joins the Lake Shore Trail. Distance: 0.7 miles |
| County Line Trail | 1.9 mi | — | This steep, somewhat rugged trail begins at the Nature Center parking lot, comes through the edge of the yard and then travels a short distance toward the stables. It then descends into the woods, crosses two knobs, passes Indian Branch Falls (1.2 miles) and ends at the River Trail. Distance: 1.9 miles |
| Dogwood Trail | 0.6 mi | — | This is a relatively easy walking trail that begins beside the pond at the Nature Center, passes through an oak-hickory forest along the park road, and loops back to the Nature Center. Distance: 0.6 miles |
| Farley Loop Trail | 3 mi | — | The most rugged trail in the park, Farley Loop Trail begins behind the Mountain Creek Lodge. After a quarter mile of steep switchbacks, a short spur takes you to Raven Rock overlook and a tremendous view of the gorge. Another half mile of steep, rocky switchbacks takes you through a pine thicket to the patrol cabin. Above the cabin, the trail turns sharply to the right and passes two cemeteries before descending one mile to the Bluestone River. To return to Mountain Creek Lodge, turn right (upstream) and follow the River Trail. Distance: 3 miles |
| Lake View Trail | 0.4 mi | — | Beginning along the park road between the Recreation Center and the Nature Center, this trail follows an old roadbed through mostly open habitat to its junction with the Lake Shore Trail near Long Branch Lake. Distance: 0.4 miles |
| Law Hollow Trail | 0.5 mi | — | The trail begins at True Road and follows an old logging road down to the Lake Shore Trail just below the spillway for the dam. Distance: 0.5 miles |
| Lick Hollow Trail | 1.6 mi | — | This trail begins at the Mountain Creek Lodge parking area at Canyon Rim Center. It descends into Lick Hollow and then routes back up to the rim of the hollow where there is a beautiful view of the Bluestone Canyon. The trail then loops around and returns to the parking area. Distance: 1.6 miles |
| Long Branch Trail | 0.3 mi | — | Starting from the park road across from the McKeever Lodge and beside the arboretum, this short, steep paved trail offers easy access to Long Branch Lake. The trail also serves as a service road (authorized vehicles only). Distance: 0.3 miles |
| North Side Trail | 0.3 mi | — | This .5 mile loop trail begins at the Park Headquarters parking area, passes down into the woods and returns to the large field behind the building. Distance: 0.3 miles |
| Turkey Spur Trail | 1 mi | — | This trail begins along the park road between Park Headquarters and Cottage Number 1, with a 0.3-mile unnamed trail to Turkey Spur. The trail connects Cottage and Lake Shore trails and in 0.4 mile joins with Lake Shore Trail. Distance: 1 mile |
| River Trail | 5.25 mi | Moderate to Difficult | This trail begins behind McKeever Lodge. After about a 0.25 mile of steep descent, the trail becomes relatively level. One and a half miles from the lodge, it crosses the Canyon Rim Trail. After passing under the Aerial Tramway, the trail meets the County Line Trail about 2.25 miles from McKeever Lodge. The trail goes through a series of switchbacks for 1.25 miles to the Bluestone River. After wading the river, it is an easy 0.75 mile walk to Mountain Creek Lodge. The trail then continues downstream for another mile where it ends at the junction of the Farley Loop Trail and the Bluestone Turnp |
| South Side Trail | 0.6 mi | — | This trail begins along park road 0.1 mile down the hill from Park Headquarters. It travels through mixed forest 0.6 mile to its junction with the Lake Shore Trail. Look for split rail fences, rock piles and other signs of early settlers. Distance: 0.6 miles |
Trail descriptions from the park
Hiking is a great year-round activity and is one of the most popular things to do at Pipestem. Choose from leisurely loops to challenging courses on the park’s 20 different hiking trails.
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Swimming
Adventure Lake & Splash Park
Cool off in the warmer months at Pipestem's brand new Adventure Lake and Splash Park offers 15 inflatable features and water fun for even the smallest adventurers. Guests of all ages pay $12; life vests required. Open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day.
McKeever Lodge Indoor Pool
McKeever Lodge features an indoor pool with accompanying sauna and fitness center. Lodge and cottage guests may swim for free. Visitors may pay an entry fee of $6 for adults and $4 for kids or purchase a resort pass.
Hours subject to change:
- Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday 9 a.m. - 9 p.m.
- Thursday 3 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Boating and paddling
Pipestem is a boater’s paradise, surrounded by Long Branch Lake, the Bluestone River and the New River. The Long Branch boat dock is open in the summer and rowboat, paddleboat, paddleboard, kayak, and canoe rentals available. Find a full list of current hours and recreational activity rates at Pipestem.
Fishing
Pipestem offers some of the best trout and smallmouth bass fishing opportunities in West Virginia. Cast a line at Long Branch Lake or in the Bluestone and New rivers. If you're planning a fishing trip and need overnight accommodations, check in to a cabin or lodge room. But hurry! They book up fast. Make you reservation by clicking Book Now!
Before you head out, make sure you purchase a current West Virginia fishing license, available at www.wvfish.com.
Fishing in Pipestem Resort State Park
A state fishing license is usually required.
Amenities
Facilities
- Nature center or museum
Camping
- Tent camping
- RV camping
- Electric hookups
- Water hookups
- Sewer hookups
Lodging
- Cabins
- Lodge or inn rooms
Recreation
- Golf course
- 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
- 3405 Pipestem Dr
Pipestem, WV 25979 - Nearest town
- Princeton — about 13 mi northeast (straight line)
- Coordinates
- 37.5323, -80.9939
- Phone
- 304-466-1800
- pipestemsp@wv.gov
Nearby state parks
Sources and freshness
- West Virginia State Parks — park page — last checked Oct 29, 2026; page says updated Apr 20, 2026
- 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