Bluestone State Park
Encyclopedia
Bluestone State Park is a state park
in Summers County, West Virginia
. The 2154 acres (871.7 ha) park is located along the western shores of Bluestone Lake
, an impoundment of the New River
built and managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The park and lake are named after the Bluestone River
, that flows into the New River at the park.
Several points of historical and recreational interest are located in the Bluestone area. For instance, famous outdoor musical dramas such as "Hatfields and McCoys," are performed at Grandview Park
, near Beckley, West Virginia
. Pipestem Resort State Park with its myriad of recreational facilities is only 10 miles to the south. Just north of the park is Bluestone Dam, Hinton, West Virginia
, and the New River Gorge National River
, the center of some of the state's best whitewater rafting and canoeing
. Of special note is Sandstone Falls, just north of Hinton. Bluestone National Scenic River flows into Bluestone Lake within the Park boundaries. Hunting and fishing opportunities abound at 17632 acres (71.4 km²) Bluestone Wildlife Management Area adjacent to the park and nearby Camp Creek State Forest.
for the disabled was assessed by West Virginia University
. The assessment found the campground, picnic area, swimming pool and playground to be accessible. The 2005 assessment identified some issues with access to the park office.
State park
State parks are parks or other protected areas managed at the federated state level within those nations which use "state" as a political subdivision. State parks are typically established by a state to preserve a location on account of its natural beauty, historic interest, or recreational...
in Summers County, West Virginia
Summers County, West Virginia
Summers County is a county located in the U.S. state of West Virginia. As of the 2010 census, the population was 13,927. Its county seat is Hinton. Summers County was created by an act of the West Virginia General Assembly on February 27, 1871 from parts of Fayette, Greenbrier, Mercer and Monroe...
. The 2154 acres (871.7 ha) park is located along the western shores of Bluestone Lake
Bluestone Lake
Bluestone Lake is a flood control reservoir located on the New River near Hinton, West Virginia. At its normal pool level, Bluestone Dam impounds a stretch of the New and its tributary, the Bluestone River. Normally approximately in size, the lake can grow to over long at flood control pool...
, an impoundment of the New River
New River (West Virginia)
The New River, part of the Ohio River watershed, is a tributary of the Kanawha River about 320 mi long. The river flows through the U.S. states of North Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia...
built and managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The park and lake are named after the Bluestone River
Bluestone River
The Bluestone River is a tributary of the New River, 77 mi long, in southwestern Virginia and southern West Virginia in the United States. Via the New, Kanawha and Ohio Rivers, it is part of the watershed of the Mississippi River...
, that flows into the New River at the park.
Several points of historical and recreational interest are located in the Bluestone area. For instance, famous outdoor musical dramas such as "Hatfields and McCoys," are performed at Grandview Park
New River Gorge National River
The New River Gorge National River is a unit of the United States National Park Service designed to protect and maintain the New River Gorge in southern West Virginia. Established in 1978, the NPS-protected area stretches for from just downstream of Hinton to Hawks Nest State Park near Ansted.New...
, near Beckley, West Virginia
Beckley, West Virginia
Beckley is a city in Raleigh County, West Virginia, United States, which was founded on April 4, 1838. The 2008 population was estimated to be 16,832 by the U.S. Census Bureau. Early in its history, the town was known as Beckleyville and Raleigh Court House...
. Pipestem Resort State Park with its myriad of recreational facilities is only 10 miles to the south. Just north of the park is Bluestone Dam, Hinton, West Virginia
Hinton, West Virginia
Hinton is a city in Summers County, West Virginia, United States. The population was 2,880 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Summers County. Hinton was established in 1873 and chartered in 1897. Hinton was named for John "Jack" Hinton, a prominent lawyer of Summers County and husband of...
, and the New River Gorge National River
New River Gorge National River
The New River Gorge National River is a unit of the United States National Park Service designed to protect and maintain the New River Gorge in southern West Virginia. Established in 1978, the NPS-protected area stretches for from just downstream of Hinton to Hawks Nest State Park near Ansted.New...
, the center of some of the state's best whitewater rafting and canoeing
Canoeing
Canoeing is an outdoor activity that involves a special kind of canoe.Open canoes may be 'poled' , sailed, 'lined and tracked' or even 'gunnel-bobbed'....
. Of special note is Sandstone Falls, just north of Hinton. Bluestone National Scenic River flows into Bluestone Lake within the Park boundaries. Hunting and fishing opportunities abound at 17632 acres (71.4 km²) Bluestone Wildlife Management Area adjacent to the park and nearby Camp Creek State Forest.
Features
- 26 cabins
- Campground with 77 campsites (22 with electrical hookup)
- Boating access
- Marina with boat and canoe rental
- Swimming pool
- Picnic area
Accessibility
AccessibilityAccessibility
Accessibility is a general term used to describe the degree to which a product, device, service, or environment is available to as many people as possible. Accessibility can be viewed as the "ability to access" and benefit from some system or entity...
for the disabled was assessed by West Virginia University
West Virginia University
West Virginia University is a public research university in Morgantown, West Virginia, USA. Other campuses include: West Virginia University at Parkersburg in Parkersburg; West Virginia University Institute of Technology in Montgomery; Potomac State College of West Virginia University in Keyser;...
. The assessment found the campground, picnic area, swimming pool and playground to be accessible. The 2005 assessment identified some issues with access to the park office.
See also
- List of West Virginia state parks
- Bluestone LakeBluestone LakeBluestone Lake is a flood control reservoir located on the New River near Hinton, West Virginia. At its normal pool level, Bluestone Dam impounds a stretch of the New and its tributary, the Bluestone River. Normally approximately in size, the lake can grow to over long at flood control pool...
- Bluestone Wildlife Management Area
- New River