Watoga State Park has always been a West Virginia favorite. And this amazing state park just keeps getting better and better! What makes Watoga State Park in West Virginia so amazing? Here are just a few of the reasons, including its dark, dark sky.

It's West Virginia's largest state park, covering 10,100 acres.
Michelle H. / Tripadvisor
It's near Marlinton, right along the Greenbrier River (and the Greenbrier River Trail). In case you're not familiar with this area, it's home to some of the prettiest mountain views in West Virginia.
Management / Tripadvisor
The cabins at Watoga State Park are quaint and charming, and they've been recently modernized.
Management / Tripadvisor

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There's a lookout tower. It's at the neighboring Droop Mountain Battlefield State Park, which is managed by Watoga, as is neighboring Calvin Price State Forest.
Michelle H. / Tripadvisor
And last but definitely not least, the park is West Virginia's first official dark sky park. And we don't think we're exaggerating when we say that for all the reasons we've just listed plus many more, it's one of the best dark sky parks in the nation!
Hristo Fidanov / Pexels
To receive this international dark sky designation, Watoga spent several years proving its merit. Dark sky parks are carefully evaluated for degree and quality of dark sky. There are also standards for outdoor lighting, community outreach programs, and educational partnerships.
Kendall Hoopes / Pexels
And Watoga State Park has met all these standards and requirements, one of only just a little more than 100 parks nation-wide that have done so. We find this designation especially appropriate for Watoga State Park because "Watoga" comes from the Cherokee word for “starry waters.”
Management / Tripadvisor

To learn more about Watoga State Park, visit the West Virginia State Parks website here. As we alluded to earlier, one neat way to experience Watoga State Park’s attractions is as part of a trip along the famed Greenbrier River Trail. If that sounds like an interesting adventure, you can find an itinerary for that here.

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Watoga State Park, 4800 Watoga Park Rd, Marlinton, WV 24954, USA