Chief Logan State Park

One of West Virginia’s most beloved parks, Chief Logan State Park is surrounded by rolling crests and valleys, with 18 miles of hiking trails winding out from basecamp. Some are great for mountain biking, others for snapping photos of wildflowers and fauna. They vary in intensity from relaxing, to worthy of a carbo-load, but even if you work up a sweat the park has an outdoor swimming pool with waterslides to cool you off (the pool hosts several “pool bashes” in the summertime, complete with DJ!) An outdoor amphitheater at the park puts on The Aracoma Story regularly, a play about the tribe that formerly occupied the area. There’s also a wildlife center for observing black bears, bobcats, owls, hawks, wild boar, and reptiles native to the region, and a Kanawha Class locomotive on display for train enthusiasts. Even if you can’t make it to any of this limitless recreation in the warmer months, the park is worth a drive-thru in December—they get really into Christmas lights, great for a scenic sunset drive capped off by whimsical holiday cheer.