Holly River State Park
Encyclopedia
Holly River State Park is located in Webster County, West Virginia
, USA, approximately 20 miles (32.2 km) north of Webster Springs
. It is the second largest park
in the West Virginia
state park system with a total of 8294 acres (3,356.5 ha). It features an 88-unit campground that has electric hookups, picnic tables, and grills at each site.
During the summer, park staff leads special activities such as nature hikes, hayrides, marshmallow roasts and other sports events.
Located near Potato Knob is Upper Falls, a large waterfall on Fall Run. The site features a recently completed observation deck, stairway to the base of the falls, parking lot, and upgraded road access.
Windy Gap School is a former one-room schoolhouse that was located on a remote tract of land owned by the Division of Natural Resources
. To help make the schoolhouse more accessible to park visitors, the Holly River State Park Foundation led a volunteer project to relocate the schoolhouse to near the park headquarters.
weekend at Holly River State Park. It is a family-oriented festival featuring activities such as a talent show, live music, potato pealing and other contests, crafts, old-time one-room school games, various exhibitions and a gospel sing at the Jerry Run Summer Theater.
has been held at Holly River State Park. Irish road bowling is a very old rural sport from the country of Ireland
, and is taking hold on country roads in central West Virginia. The event is held in October each year.
for the disabled was assessed by West Virginia University
. The assessment found the campground, picnic shelters, swimming pool, and playground to be accessible. During the 2005 assessment some issues were identified concerning signage and slippery stairways.
West Virginia
West Virginia is a state in the Appalachian and Southeastern regions of the United States, bordered by Virginia to the southeast, Kentucky to the southwest, Ohio to the northwest, Pennsylvania to the northeast and Maryland to the east...
, USA, approximately 20 miles (32.2 km) north of Webster Springs
Webster Springs, West Virginia
Webster Springs is a town in Webster County, West Virginia, United States. Although it was incorporated as Addison in 1892, it is more frequently referred to as Webster Springs, the name of the town's post office. It was named as such for Addison McLaughlin, upon whose land the town was originally...
. It is the second largest park
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 the West Virginia
West Virginia
West Virginia is a state in the Appalachian and Southeastern regions of the United States, bordered by Virginia to the southeast, Kentucky to the southwest, Ohio to the northwest, Pennsylvania to the northeast and Maryland to the east...
state park system with a total of 8294 acres (3,356.5 ha). It features an 88-unit campground that has electric hookups, picnic tables, and grills at each site.
Recreation
Holly River features a variety of recreational activities including:- swimming pool (open seasonally)
- basketball courts
- volleyball courts
- softball field
- tennis courts
- badminton
- horseshoes
- shuffleboard
During the summer, park staff leads special activities such as nature hikes, hayrides, marshmallow roasts and other sports events.
Cabins
Holly River features ten furnished cabins constructed of natural stone and logs. Situated along a tributary of Laurel Fork Holly River, each cabin includes a stone fireplace.Campgrounds
Holly River's 88-unit campground features electric hookups, picnic tables, and cooking grills at each site. A dumping station and four bathhouses are also provided on site. The campgrounds are normally open from the beginning of April through November.Store and restaurant
A basic store is located in the park providing staple groceries and sundries. A locally-operated restaurant is also located in the park. In 2009 the Holly River State Park Restaurant was named by The West Virginia Division of Tourism and the Collaborative as one of the "101 Unique Places to Dine in West Virginia".Potato Knob
Located off Webster County Route 3 (Pickens Road), Potato Knob is a popular attraction rising approximately 600 feet (182.9 m) above the surrounding terrain. Potato Knob Trail winds its way up the steep incline to the summit of the hill.Upper Falls
Located at 38°38′09"N 80°19′13"WLocated near Potato Knob is Upper Falls, a large waterfall on Fall Run. The site features a recently completed observation deck, stairway to the base of the falls, parking lot, and upgraded road access.
Windy Gap School
Located at 38°39′57"N 80°21′16"WWindy Gap School is a former one-room schoolhouse that was located on a remote tract of land owned by the Division of Natural Resources
West Virginia Division of Natural Resources
The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources is an agency of the government of the U.S. state of West Virginia. While formerly known as the cabinet-level Department of Natural Resources, it is now part of the West Virginia Department of Commerce...
. To help make the schoolhouse more accessible to park visitors, the Holly River State Park Foundation led a volunteer project to relocate the schoolhouse to near the park headquarters.
Holly River Festival
The Holly River Festival is held annually during Labor DayLabor Day
Labor Day is a United States federal holiday observed on the first Monday in September that celebrates the economic and social contributions of workers.-History:...
weekend at Holly River State Park. It is a family-oriented festival featuring activities such as a talent show, live music, potato pealing and other contests, crafts, old-time one-room school games, various exhibitions and a gospel sing at the Jerry Run Summer Theater.
Irish road bowling
In recent years, an Irish road bowlingIrish Road Bowling
Irish road bowling is an ancient sport. It is centered in Ireland - primarily in County Armagh and County Cork. However, it also has players in Boston, Massachusetts; Cambridge, New York, and Bennington, Vermont, vicinity; Traverse City, Michigan; the Bronx, New York; New Zealand; Asheville, North...
has been held at Holly River State Park. Irish road bowling is a very old rural sport from the country of Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
, and is taking hold on country roads in central West Virginia. The event is held in October each year.
Haunted campground
The Holly River State Park haunted campground is held near Halloween inside the campground at Holly River State Park. Children from the surrounding area come to trick-or-treat in a safe environment, go on haunted hayrides, and enjoy a party filled with food.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 shelters, swimming pool, and playground to be accessible. During the 2005 assessment some issues were identified concerning signage and slippery stairways.
See also
- List of West Virginia state parks
- State parkState parkState 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...
- Holly RiverHolly RiverThe Holly River is a tributary of the Elk River in central West Virginia in the United States. Via the Elk, Kanawha, and Ohio Rivers, it is part of the watershed of the Mississippi River, draining an area of in a rural region of the Allegheny Mountains...