Pipestem, West Virginia
Inns, Lodges, Resorts
May 2024
Photo by Jimmy Jacobs
Pipestem Resort State Park in southern West Virginia is a destination that provides a great experience for fly casters, as well as their family members. Situated on the border of Summers and Mercer counties, it’s 4,050 acres allow access to the trout fishing in the Bluestone River Gorge, while also offering a full array of resort amenities for non-anglers.
The park gained its name from the meadowsweet plant that is native to the area. Both early pioneers and Native Americans used the plant’s stems that they hollowed out to make shafts for pipes to smoke tobacco. Thus, they also referred to the plant as pipestem.
In the 1960s the land along the edge of the Bluestone River Gorge was purchased by the state and turned into the present-day park. The park now boasts two lodges and 26 cabins to accommodate overnight visitors.
While the anglers in the family drop down into the gorge for some guided or unguided angling on the river, the rest of the family or visiting group can head out on a mountain bike excursion, take a thrilling zip line tour or go hiking on the park’s 20 different hiking trails. Other options are going for a horseback ride or challenging the park’s par-3 or regulation golf courses.
For water sports enthusiasts, 16-acre Long Branch Lake offers paddling adventures and a fishing pier. The lake holds warm-water species of fish, but from February to May each year, rainbow trout also are stocked.
For the younger visitors, the lake hosts the Adventure Lake and Splash Pad, that includes slides and an inflated mountain with “rock-climbing” sides over the water. There also are playgrounds and an outdoor basketball court.
Unfortunately, one of the park’s most iconic trademarks is unavailable at the moment. The Canyon Rim Aerial Tram that transported visitors down to the gorge floor at the river is currently being replaced. However, the work is expected to be complete this fall, again offering great views as you ride down to the river side.
As mentioned earlier, the park has two lodges. The McKeever Lodge is a full-service hotel at the edge of the gorge. It features 111 rooms and suites, along with designated pet-friendly rooms, WiFi, an indoor heated pool, game room, saunas and an exercise room. Completing McKeever Lodge amenities are a gift shop, cozy reading areas, a conference center and an observation deck with stunning views.
Down in the gorge on the river’s shore, the Mountain Creek Lodge is open from May to October annually. Again, unfortunately, that schedule has been disrupted by the closing of the tram this year. The lodge has 30 rooms and features the Mountain Creek Dining Room that serves dinner by reservations.
Other eateries in the park are the Bluestone Dining Room in the McKeever Lodge that features three full-service meals daily. Additionally, the Black Bear Grill and Lounge is located in the McKeever facility to provide quick service dining, with pizza as its specialty.
Finally, the Tramway Sweets & Treats is a 1950s themed soda shop and ice cream parlor. Overlooking the Bluestone Gorge in the Canyon Rim Center, those sweet treats are available on Saturdays and Sundays.
Bottom line is angler’s wanting to turn a fishing trip into a family getaway will find everything they need at Pipestem Resort State Park.
