The Mountain State really does have it all, don’t we? From world-class resorts to friendly, local mom & pop restaurants in towns where everyone knows your name, West Virginia is, no doubt, the best kept secret in America. And when it comes to beauty, no matter where we travel or where life may take us, no other place on earth quite measures up to Wild, Wonderful, West Virginia.
If you haven't discovered the beauty and serenity found within Coopers Rock State Forest, then now is great time to get out and explore.
The magnificent colors of the season make this unusual forest an unforgettable experience this time of year, especially if you have any upcoming road trips planned that take you to the Morgantown area. (Coopers Rock is only eight miles away.)
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This colossal forest itself has 12,747 acres — for football fans, that's the equivalent of 9,656 football fields!
With such a big footprint, the forest could be overwhelming if not for the state park facilities here. The Coopers Rock State Forest (state park) is an ideal place to begin any adventure in this lovely forest.
The state park has an overlook out on top of one of the giant rocks. From here you can see all the way to Morgantown (on a clear day) and peer down into the Cheat River gorge. But most people think this is all this state forest has to offer — and sadly, they leave after visiting the overlook and overlook trails.
Don't miss out on everything else Coopers Rock has to offer. For starters, there is a trail (aptly named Underlook Trail) that takes you under that overlook. And then it wanders through a massive boulder field on the side of the mountain. The feeling of walking through this boulder forest is both spectacular and spooky.
Fifty miles of trails wind through Coopers Rock State Forest.
The furnace once employed 200 people and produced four tons of pig iron EACH day.
Once outside the boundaries of the tourist-y part of the forest, you'll encounter overlooks that are out-of-this-world. But be careful... most don't have barriers to keep you from falling.
If you’re familiar with Coopers Rock but haven’t been in a while, maybe it’s time to rekindle your love for this unusual forest in the Mountain State. I know I will!
The most ideal place to access Coopers Rock State Forest is from the state park located at 61 County Line Dr., Bruceton Mills, WV 26525. Facilities are provided, and an ADA-accessible overlook is available. To learn more, and view all that this state park has to offer, visit the official website of West Virginia State Parks.
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