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State Park · Mountain Lakes

Holly River State Park

West Virginia's second-largest state park at 8,101 acres, in a narrow valley of hemlock and hardwood with waterfalls, cabins and a rugged trail network. One of the most underrated parks in the system.

8,101 ac · Park2nd largest · State park

Know before you go

  • Upper Falls and Tenskwatawa Falls are the trail highlights
  • Trails are steep and rough for a state park — this is real hiking
  • Trout stocked in Left Fork

What you can do here

Hiking

Year-round

Camping

Apr–Oct

Fly Fishing

Mar–Nov

Outdoor Photography

Year-round

Trail Running

Mar–Nov

Swimming Holes

Jun–Aug
AdvertiseThis space is available

Guides, gear and lodging near Holly River State Park

Place-level placement for operators within range of this trailhead, put-in or crag.

List your business here

Who looks after it

USACE — Sutton Lake Federal Central West Virginia reservoir with campgrounds, bass fishing and flatwater paddling. Visit USACE — Burnsville Lake Federal Quiet Braxton County reservoir with camping, boating and muskie fishing. Visit

Nearby in the Mountain Lakes

River · Mountain Lakes

Elk River

One of the finest and least-known trout fisheries in the Appalachians.

Tailwater cold year-roundWild browns fishery
Trail · Mountain Lakes

Elk River Rail Trail

A developing rail-trail on the former Buffalo Creek & Gauley and Elk River Railroad grades, opening a long, remote corridor along the Elk between Gassaway and Clendenin.

73 mi planned corridorDeveloping status
State Park · Mountain Lakes

Stonewall Jackson Lake State Park

A 2,650-acre lake with the most developed resort facilities of any West Virginia lake park — a lodge, marina, Arnold Palmer golf course and the state's largest open-water fetch for small-boat sailing.

2,650 ac lake82 mi shoreline
Lake · Mountain Lakes

Sutton Lake

A 1,440-acre Corps of Engineers reservoir on the Elk River in Braxton County, with several campgrounds, quiet coves and the dam that creates the Elk tailwater fishery below.

1,440 ac lakeCorps managed
Lake · Mountain Lakes

Burnsville Lake

A 968-acre Corps reservoir on the Little Kanawha with the Bulltown Historic Area on its shore — Civil War earthworks, a preserved farmstead and a well-regarded campground.

968 ac lakeBulltown historic area
State Park · Mountain Lakes

Cedar Creek State Park

A 2,483-acre park in Gilmer County with three small fishing lakes, a campground and a network of easy trails.

2,483 ac park3 fishing lakes

Almost Heaven Swings