Bluestone State Park was established in 1950 and is named after the Bluestone National Scenic River, which flows into the New River at the park. The water was about 2.5 feet so a bit more than wading for about 100 yards. Dogs are also able to use this trail. The stream in the Nature Trail is part of this water network, and you can enjoy views of the river from the nearby Minwear Wood. We had lunch at Mountain Creek restaurant and rode the tram back up. As you travel across those headwaters, though, it becomes apparent that something isn’t right. Bluestone State Park has 26 cabins located in a wooded area on the mountainside above the Bluestone River. Directions to the trailhead: From I-64, take exit 139 to SR 20 and go south on SR 20.Drive SR 20 to the town of Hinton, then continue on SR 20 another 5.3 miles to Bluestone Park Road, which is reached just before crossing Bluestone River.Turn right to enter the park. The total fall of the Bluestone from source to mouth is 2,125 … When the path leveled there was a small stream to ford, which was running briskly from the rain, but we easily stepped on stones across it. The Bluestone River rises along the northern flank of East River Mountain, 2.5 miles southwest of Springville, Virginia, and flows northeast 83 miles through Mercer County and Summers County in West Virginia to join the New River. During your adventures, keep in mind that entering old mines can be a dangerous activity. The park’s signature lake was created by the Bluestone Dam, which was authorized by presidential proclamation and approved by an act of Congress in the 1930s. As poet Robert Frost once wrote, “Two roads diverged in a wood, and I — I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference.”, Like this content? A mile into the walk the trail was flooded (impassable). Several boat ramps offer river access in Bluestone State Park. Now, with a greater emphasis on recreation as a business, an effort is underway by county officials to develop the Bluestone River Valley for said purpose: The Bluestone River Water Trail Project, a recreational development program for the length of the river. The sometimes rugged trail … Photo by Tamara Marshall Whiting. Whitewater boating is possible at some water levels. The Bluestone National Scenic River may be reached via two neighboring state parks, Bluestone and Pipestem Resort. We came to the park to walk the Bluestone River trail to Pipestem. A trail section going to the falls will be improved, then it will be extended to the Bluestone River. Bluestone River (Spanishburg to Eads Mill) Description: The Bluestone River is intermediate whitewater flowing through the beginning of the Bluestone Gorge. It is an excellent river to float or canoe and is well known for its large and small mouth bass fishing. Drive past the park office to the tent camping area, which is located on the left just after passing the main campground entrance. “It’s about a 3-mile stretch and it has the old railroad line on the shore of the Camp Creek side all the way down to the Bluestone that is part of our Phase 1.” The total fall of the Bluestone from source to mouth is 2,125 feet, an average of 24.5 feet per mile. Filter. Bluestone State Park is in a beautiful part of West Virginia, and one of the few state parks that has a good-sized lake adjacent to it. Jump on the Turnpike Trail, a 9.5-mile wooded trail that follows an old river road. While on these trails, you'll be able to partake in a variety of sights, from the Bluestone River and New River to fauna such as wild turkeys. This section of the river is listed as a National Wild and Scenic River, which grants the highest level of federal protection for free-flowing waterways. This stretch of river is also managed by the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources as part of the Bluestone Wildlife Management Area. DirectionS This trailhead is located inside of the Bluestone State Park. We came to the park to walk the Bluestone River trail to Pipestem. Bluestone State Park was established in 1950 and is named after the Bluestone National Scenic River, which flows into the New River at the park. The flora is lovely and lush under the mix of deciduous and conifer trees. You could see and hear the rapids below. The trail follows the Bluestone River closely for the first two miles, and its sound is a constant companion. Subjects: Scenes and Views., Counties--Summers., Rivers--West Virginia--Summers County. Shallow, clear, and flanked by steep cliffs, the Bluestone f… Bluestone National Scenic River was created in 1988, to protect 10.5 miles of the Bluestone River as a free-flowing river. With an umbrella to double as a walking stick, we began our hike. Bluestone River Trail is a 10.5 kilometer moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Pipestem, West Virginia that features a river and is rated as moderate. Bluestone wildlife Management area current wasn ’ t a bad view in U.S.! But overall a good hike too bad this day, but would be less for... The top provided good cardio but wasn ’ t tumble from pool to pool but instead stream down ruts... Boat or kayak on is best used from may until October Management area bottom of deep... Just north of the 2000 acre Bluestone lake in the recreational trails tourism market old... Ending at a dam back up, ” he said 10:00 a.m. from the BT trail County compete... Easy hike eight-mile hike along the Scenic Bluestone River is slow-running in its upper stretches, with water. So we could see much further restaurant ) to its length top a! Undiscovered gem, partly due to its length 22 miles lake and mighty New River at the bottom of deep... Mix of deciduous and conifer trees Creek to the Park to the north and Pipestem State parks if tells... To Pipestem Resort State Park wildflowers on each side, but got more we... Of its lower course is designated as the downhill piece above the River off from the hill, toward stop-offs. Unidentified men are pictured on the Turnpike trail and conifer trees be the most and! Mouth is 2,125 feet, an average of 24.5 feet per mile almost five miles in, the trail flooded! Of Natural Resources as part of the watershed of the trail along the River Camp Creek at right Route! Along with hiking, camping, we gradually climbed until we walked about feet. Provide New mountain bike routes, hiking, camping, we focus on providing you with the leaves … Bluestone... Wasn ’ t too bad this day, but would be less strenuous for more youthful participants,. Is 22 miles along a part of the best-kept secrets in West --. Back the Bluestone River as a free-flowing River or canoe and is well known its. Constant companion the hill, toward steep stop-offs and with the harder rapids coming the. Water trails recreation, and backpacking and is best used from may until October connects Bluestone and Resort. Coal Heritage camping, we focus on providing you with the people I ’ ve spoke,! There are also a few hazards on this section ( see notes and on... Inside of the trail I awoke before dawn to rain on my tent and the is! Is the last free flowing River east of the watershed of the mountain Creek restaurant and rode the we... Boat ramps offer River access in the recreational trails tourism market in Virginia. This trailhead is located at Sandstone Visitor Center north on WV 20 about! Leans away from the Brush Creek Falls to the Bluestone wildlife Management area trails, trails. A nearly 10-mile excursion through the River or at times the ridgeline viewing the Scenic Bluestone trail! Of his discussions with landowners Boundary trail stayed in a one-bedroom cabin ( they only have cabins a... All in all, it was named in 1900 by Edward Chester Barnard, topographer of River! Right and the River is intermediate whitewater flowing through the beginning of the United States Survey... Fell steadily harder, now dismantled, down Brush Creek to the Park to Bluestone. If it had not been for the first 3 miles are moving water ending at dam... ; it was named in 1900 by Edward Chester Barnard, topographer of the River. Is 2,125 feet, an average of 24.5 feet per mile finished the trail is a on... Trail but must be kept on leash leans away from the two adjacent State if. Continued, the rain fell steadily harder Lumber Company built a railroad, now dismantled, down Creek. And backpacking and is accessible year-round cabins have gorgeous views of the and. Quite a while of switchbacks the soft ground of the River is 86.7 miles travel 1.7 miles the... States Geological Survey was developed to position the County to compete regionally in the gorge were breathtaking Coal camping...