Gilmer Free Press
West Virginia State Parks and Forests Pools
West Virginia State Parks and Forests will be opening outdoor swimming pools on Saturday, May 26, 2012 of Memorial Day weekend.
Swimming pools at West Virginia’s state parks range from the north at Tomlinson Run State Park to the south at Pipestem Resort, east to Cacapon Resort and west to Beech Fork, and all parks in between.
Babcock State Park
Babcock State Park’s swimming pool is Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day from 10:30 AM until 5:30 PM Wednesday-Sunday.
From May 29 to June 15 and August 20-31, the pool is open on Saturday and Sunday only.
Babcock State Park is located at Clifftop in Fayette County. The park is noted for the photogenic Glade Creek Grist Mill.
For park information, contact 304.438.3004.
Beech Fork State Park
The 50-meter pool complex at Beech Fork State Park includes a bathhouse and food/snack stand.
Pool hours are Noon until 6 PM on Sunday, closed on Monday except on holidays, and open Tuesday-Saturday from 11 AM to 6 PM.
Rates are $3 for swimmers 12 and older and $2 for individuals under 12.
Beech Fork is located near Barboursville.
Information about all facilities can be obtained by calling 304.528.5794.
Berkeley Springs State Park
The Town of Bath, today known as Berkeley Springs, includes not only the spa and Roman baths, but also an outdoor swimming pool at the state park bearing the town’s name.
Open to the public Memorial through Labor Day, the hours are Noon until 5 PM daily.
“The pool water is from the mineral springs, but it is filtered and chlorinated to meet health department regulations,” according to the park superintendent.
Admission is $3 for adults and $2 for youth under 12.
Season passes are available.
For spa services, events and activities at Berkeley Springs State Park or to reserve spa services, phone 304.258.2711.
Berwind Lake WMA
Berwind Lake Wildlife Management Area’s swimming pool is located at one end of the lake.
The pool area has bathhouses, a snack stand, and is open to the general public.
Berwind Lake pool hours of operation are Tuesday-Saturday from 11 AM to 6 PM and on Sunday from Noon until 6 PM.
Operating from Memorial Day weekend until Labor Day weekend, the rates are $3 for adults and $2 for children under 12.
Berwind Lake Wildlife Management Area is located in Warriormine in McDowell County.
Bluestone State Park
Scheduled to open Memorial Day weekend, the Bluestone State Park pool is undergoing renovations.
This includes a new gunite pool basin, new piping and mechanicals and a new wading pool with spray features.
“The contractor, Dan Hill Construction of Glen Ferris, is working very hard to have the pool open,” according to Beanblossom.
“Barring any unforeseen problems, we anticipate that goal will be met.”
Swimming pool days and hours of operation are Wednesday-Sunday from 10:30 AM until 5:45 PM.
Cabwaylingo State Forest
Located near the McClintic Group Camp at Cabwaylingo State Forest, the outdoor swimming area features a pool, bathhouse and a wading pool for children and provides an ideal spot to escape the summer heat.
Open Memorial Day through Labor Day weekend, Cabwaylingo’s pool is open Wednesday-Friday from 1 to 6 PM and Saturday-Sunday from 11 AM to 6 PM.
The fee is $3 for swimmers 12 and older; $2 for youth under 12.
Call 304.385.4255 for current forest information.
Cacapon Resort State Park
Lakefront swimming is available at Cacapon Resort State Park Lake.
Summer beach hours are from 10 AM to 6 PM Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day.
Days of operation will be Saturday and Sunday from May 26 through September 03, and every day from June 02 through August 19.
Additional midweek days may be scheduled.
Cacapon Resort is located near Berkeley Springs in Morgan County, minutes off WV Hwy 522.
For park facility and activity information call 304.258.1022.
Canaan Valley Resort
The outdoor pool at Canaan Valley features scenic mountain vistas, a pool slide, and plenty of sun and fun for all ages.
Towels, locker room and vending machines are on-site.
The outdoor pool opens seasonally from May 26 to September 03.
Hours of operation are Sunday from 10 AM to 6 PM; Monday-Thursday from Noon to 8 PM, and Friday and Saturday from 10 AM to 8 PM.
The rate for non-guests is $5/adult and $2.50 for youth and seniors.
Discover more about Canaan Valley by calling 304.866.4121.
Cedar Creek State Park
Cedar Creek’s swimming pool is open Sunday from Noon to 6:45 PM, and Monday-Saturday from 11 AM to 6:45 PM.
The pool opens for the summer season on May 26.
The swimming pool is closed weekdays from mid-August through Labor Day weekend.
Admission prices are $3 adult, $2 child.
The park also offers season passes, book of 10 tickets and two-day family passes.
Cedar Creek State Park is near Glenville and features camping, picnicking, fishing; paddle boating, miniature golf, game courts and 14 miles of hiking trails.
For park information, call 304.462.8517.
Chief Logan State Park
Chief Logan State Park’s swimming pool is open daily from Memorial Day weekend until Labor Day.
It features a water slide.
Hours are 11 AM to 6 PM.
Admission is $5 for adults and $4 for children.
For additional information, call 304.792.7125.
Indoor swimming options are available at the Chief Logan Recreation Center, located minutes off U.S. Hwy 119 as visitors approach Chief Logan Lodge.
For information, hours and pool use fee at the Chief Logan Recreation Center, call 304.855.8591.
Greenbrier State Forest
From Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day, the Greenbrier State Forest heated pool provides an ideal spot to exercise or just relax.
“Barring any problems with the renovation, the Greenbrier State Forest pool will open on Saturday of Memorial Day weekend,” according to Jeff Layfield, forest superintendent.
Like Bluestone’s pool, the Greenbrier location project includes new gunite pool basin, new piping and mechanicals and a new wading pool with spray features.
The bathhouse and pool are fully accessible.
The pool is open Monday-Thursday from Noon to 5:30 PM; and Friday-Sunday from 11:30 AM to 5:30 PM.
Admission is $3 for adults and $2.50 for children under 12.
Season passes and books of passes are available.
These options offer a discount for those who will be frequent swimmers.
Plans are being made to offer swimming lessons.
Call 304.536.1944.
Holly River State Park
The outdoor pool at Holly River State Park is open on Tuesday-Sunday from 11 AM to 6 PM.
Holly River is located in Hacker Valley in Webster County.
For campsite or cabin reservations, call 304.493.6353.
Kanawha State Forest
The outdoor swimming pool at Kanawha State Forest will open May 26 on weekends through Labor Day weekend.
From June 18 through August 10, the pool is also open Tuesday-Friday.
Beginning on August 11 through Labor Day, the pool returns to weekend operation only.
To confirm dates and hours, call the forest office at 304.558.3500.
Laurel Lake WMA
Laurel Lake Wildlife Management Area in Mingo County has an outdoor swimming pool.
This facility will open May 26 on weekends through Labor Day.
From June 11 until August 19, the pool is open Wednesday-Sunday.
The hours of operation are 11 AM to 5:30 PM.
Lost River State Park
Nestled in the mountains of Hardy County, Lost River State Park is one of the oldest parks in the West Virginia State Park system.
The pool is vintage Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) construction of 1937.
Renovations over the years have left the pool area with its original charm and intent, to cool swimmers from the summer heat.
Lost River swimming pool will open Memorial Day weekend.
Weekday hours are 12:15 to 5:45 PM and weekday hours are 10:30 AM to 5:45 PM.
The pool is closed on Monday, except for holidays.
Moncove Lake State Park
Near Gap Mills, Moncove Lake State Park is a camping, fishing and swimming mecca.
The swimming pool operates on a summer schedule of 11 AM to 6 PM Tuesday-Sunday.
The pool will be closed on Mondays and Wednesdays with the exception of national holidays.
Beginning on Memorial Day weekend through mid-June and again from mid-August through Labor Day, the pool will be open on weekends only.
For Moncove Lake information call 304.772.3450.
North Bend State Park
The outdoor swimming pool at North Bend State Park is located near the River Run Camping area.
The pool is unique in that it sits on top of a large hill with huge rocks to lie on for sunbathing.
Hours of operation are Memorial Day through Labor Day weekend, Tuesday-Sunday.
Hours are noon to 6 PM (Sunday opens at 1 PM) North Bend State Park is near Cairo and Harrisville in Ritchie County.
For facility and activity information phone 304.643.2931.
Panther WMA
Surrounded by beautiful mountains, the swimming pool at Panther provides an ideal spot to cool off and relax from the summer heat.
A wading pool for children also is available.
The pool opens Memorial Day weekend and closes Labor Day.
Hours and days may vary during the summer.
Panther Wildlife Management Area information is available by calling 304.938.2252.
Pipestem Resort State Park
An Olympic-sized outdoor swimming pool with a diving well is located at the Recreation Center at Pipestem Resort.
It is open on weekends from May 26 through Labor Day.
The pool is open mid-week beginning June 12 through August 17, closing only on Mondays and Wednesdays.
The outdoor pool hours of operation are 11 AM to 5:45 PM.
After-hour private outdoor pool parties may be scheduled from 6:15 to 8 PM on any day the pool is open.
Pool parties must be scheduled in advance.
The large indoor heated swimming pool at McKeever Lodge is open daily to the public and park guests from 8:30 AM to 9:45 PM.
Cottage and lodge guests receive complimentary admission to both pools.
Tomlinson Run State Park
Tomlinson Run’s recreational facilities include a swimming pool with a waterslide/bathhouse complex and snack bar.
The swimming pool is open from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day from Noon until 7:30 PM.
The pool boasts a 182-foot figure eight-shaped water slide.
Rates for swimming at Tomlinson Run State Park are $5 for adults and $4 for children under 12.
Days of operation in the later part of August may vary based on availability of lifeguards.
Tomlinson Run is located in New Manchester in Hancock County.
To learn more, call 304.564.3651.
Twin Falls Resort State Park
The swimming pool at Twin Falls is outdoors and located at the golf pro shop complex.
The swimming pool is open on weekends from May 26 through Labor Day.
The pool is open mid-week beginning June 11 through August 12.
The pool is closed on Monday and Wednesday.
A minimal fee is charged for daily swimming pool access.
Call 304.294.4000 for activity and facility information.
Twin Falls is located in Wyoming County near Pineville and Mullens.
Tygart Lake State Park
The beach at Tygart Lake State Park has been closed for renovations and is on track to open in 2013 with a renovated bathhouse, sand beach and renovated picnic and game area.
“Until the lake swimming area reopens, lodge and cottage guests may swim free of charge at the Grafton City Swimming Pool when they are open,” according to Park Superintendent Brennon O’Sullivan.
Grafton is a short drive from the state park.
Tygart Lake State Park is located in Taylor County near Grafton.
Contact information is 304.265.6144.
Watoga State Park
Watoga State Park encompasses 10,100 acres in Pocahontas County and offers cabins, camping, and an excellent swimming opportunity.
The outdoor swimming pool with solar heating at Watoga is open Saturday and Sunday beginning Memorial Day Saturday until Labor Day weekend.
From June 11 through August 12, the pool will open Wednesday-Sunday from 11 AM to 6 PM.
Overnight cabin rental fees include the use of the swimming pool.
There is a minimal fee of $3 for swimmers 12 and over and $2 for individuals under 12.
For more information call 304.799.4087.
Watters Smith State Park
Watters Smith State Park is located near Lost Creek in Harrison County and is recognized for its historical preservation as well as an extensive trail system.
Mountain biking and geocaching as outdoor activities is attracting more park users for day trips and for enjoying the outdoors.
Watters Smith’s swimming pool is in need of renovation due to a high volume of water loss.
Tests are being conducted on the facility to assess its viability for a 2012 opening.
West Virginia State Park swimming pools are open weekends, Saturday and Sunday, beginning May 26 through Labor Day.
Pool operation is dependent upon availability of lifeguards.
Individuals interested in lifeguard positions at West Virginia state park swimming pools can email “dnr.parks@wv.gov” for employment information.