Forum Discussion

michigansandzil's avatar
michigansandzil
Explorer
Apr 12, 2017

Pipestem State Park West Virginia

Has anyone been to this park? We're coming down from Michigan this summer to spend a week here. I'm wondering if it is a direct/safe drive into the park.
Looks like we'll be coming down 64 to 77, then back up on 20 to get to the campground.

We just went to Monte Sano State Park in Alabama and had an awful experience in relying on the gps to get us to our destination. I had even spoke to the park personally and somehow we still ended up on a mountain side with switchbacks and cliffs in the middle of the night. Hoping to avoid that experience while we visit West Virginia.

Thanks
Roads and Routes
  • Woodtroll's avatar
    Woodtroll
    Explorer
    Apr 20, 2017
    And, if you go as far as Hinton, might as well travel a few miles farther and see the Big Bend Tunnel where John Henry whipped the steam drill (yes, that really is a true story!). There used to be a statue of John Henry right off the road, but I've heard they have built a small park there now and moved the statue into it.
  • Likes_to_tow's avatar
    Likes_to_tow
    Nomad
    Apr 19, 2017
    You will not hear anything bad about Pipestem! It's a great RV park with great facilities. The short drive off the Interstate is not difficult. I would recommend you take a short drive to Sandstone Falls while in the area and also stop by for an ice creme at the Dairy Queen in Hinton. There you can find inside dinning with a beautiful view of the New River and sometimes see Bald Eagles along the river in the trees. This is a beautiful area!!
  • michigansandzil's avatar
    michigansandzil
    Explorer
    Apr 15, 2017
    Chase_WV wrote:
    Take I-77 south to exit 14 Athens Road. Follow the signs. Very easy to get to going this way. The curves on the turnpike between Chelyan and Mahan are actually worse. DO NOT and I repeat DO NOT take I-64 east to the Sandstone Exit. It is the other way to get to Pipestem. It has lots of steep grades and hair pins turns all at the same time. That will be the last time you try that route.

    Really don't like telling people how nice Pipestem is. Makes it harder to get reservations.


    Thank you, this is what I was looking for. We did the steep grades with hairpin turns in Alabama at night and it was not an experience we want to repeat.

    And I understand the not wanting to share either. It's taken me 2 years to get into popular state parks here in Michigan.
  • Chase_WV's avatar
    Chase_WV
    Explorer
    Apr 14, 2017
    Take I-77 south to exit 14 Athens Road. Follow the signs. Very easy to get to going this way. The curves on the turnpike between Chelyan and Mahan are actually worse. DO NOT and I repeat DO NOT take I-64 east to the Sandstone Exit. It is the other way to get to Pipestem. It has lots of steep grades and hair pins turns all at the same time. That will be the last time you try that route.

    Really don't like telling people how nice Pipestem is. Makes it harder to get reservations.
  • jnharley's avatar
    jnharley
    Explorer
    Apr 13, 2017
    I hope the roads are good going to this particular WV state park. The ones we have checked out, have narrow, twisty hilly roads that make it very difficult for a big rig (low trees too). I would check out the WV state park website because some have route travel restrictions. The state parks are fine, it is the roads getting there.
  • Tom_N's avatar
    Tom_N
    Explorer
    Apr 12, 2017
    Played golf there, on their championship course, about 30 years ago. Another great WV state park golf course is Cacapon near Berkeley Springs. WV state parks are almost heaven.

    -Tom, W3TLN
  • RGar974417's avatar
    RGar974417
    Explorer
    Apr 12, 2017
    In my opinion, Pipestem is one of the nicest state parks we've ever been to. They have a nice campground,some full hookups and some electric. But where they really shine is in the amenities. They have horse back riding,boating,fishing, golf and mini golf, archery, nature programs, tennis, indoor and outdoor pools,sauna and 2 restaurants.One you need to take a cable car ride to get to.

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