OVERVIEW

NEW INTERIOR RENOVATIONS JUST COMPLETED DECEMBER 2025

A wonderful compound of various buildings located on approximately 138 Acres +/- in the beautiful mountains of Almost Heaven, Summers County, WV.

A piece of history

Nestled in the verdant hills of Summers County, West Virginia, the Pence Springs Hotel was once a grand symbol of luxury, health, and prosperity. From its beginnings as a resort for the wealthy elite to its decline and transformation, the hotel’s history is interwoven with the story of the famed mineral springs that put this remote part of West Virginia on the map.

The Springs and the Birth of a Resort

Pence Springs, located along the Greenbrier River, was known for its naturally occurring mineral springs, which were believed to have curative properties. Long before the resort era, Indigenous peoples and early settlers alike sought out these waters, attributing them to healing ailments ranging from digestive issues to rheumatism.

The area’s rise as a resort destination began in the late 19th century, during the golden age of mineral spas. Wealthy families from cities like Richmond, Baltimore, and Washington, D.C., flocked to mineral springs resorts in the Appalachian region for relaxation and treatment. Entrepreneurs, seeing the economic potential, began investing in hotels and spas near these natural springs.

Around the early 1900s, the Pence Springs Hotel was established as a luxurious retreat, designed to attract guests who wanted both the serenity of the mountains and the reputed health benefits of mineral waters. The resort offered grand accommodations, including elegantly furnished rooms, wraparound porches, and beautifully manicured gardens.

Click here for interactive map link

HIGHLIGHTS

• Former historic hotel resort, state reformatory, hotel resort again, and lately a girls’ school
• 25,000 SF three-story hotel, recently used as an education center, lodging, and headquarters
• A fantastic compound in the beautiful quite mountains of Summers County, West Virginia
• Tremendous investment opportunity with endless possibilities of creating income in multiple ways
• Huge commercial kitchen

• Dining room
• Offices
• 7400 SF fitness center and gymnasium
• 6000 SF two-story arts and educational building with a large, wonderful, covered porch
• Wonderful multipurpose sunroom
• The ballroom and dining hall combination – Brand new 2025 renovation with new ceilings and beautiful golden oak hardwood floors.
• Incredible historic lobby with fireplace – Brand new 2025 renovation with new trayed ceilings and beautiful oak hardwood floors.
• Beautiful, covered porches and decks
• Lovely oak hardwood floors and woodwork in much of the building
• Solid hardwood cherry flooring in the office complex wing
• The first and second floors have been remodeled with conference and meeting space, offices, and 20 rooms with shared restrooms
• The third floor has the same footprint as the first and second levels
• Full basement with walkouts
• Miles of roads and trails to explore within 138 acres
• 120 acres of forest with an emerging hardwood timber stand
• Excellent hunting property
• Mountain pond.
• Most recently used as a school for girls
• Excellent opportunity for a retreat center, boutique hotel, education center, and a multitude of other uses
• 60-room hotel, in its early days, was a Mecca for the elite travelers and gamblers
• Listed on the National Registry of Historic Places
• Possible historic tax credits available
• 44,000 SF of finished buildings
• The third floor has not been remodeled from its past use as the State of West Virginia Women’s Prison
• World-class fishing and water recreation due to the three rivers that are nearby, The Greenbrier, Bluestone, and the Mighty New River
• Bluestone Dam and Reservoir is a 15-minute drive
• 10-minute drive to golf at the Hinton Elks Club at Willowwood.
• The newest National Park and Preserve in the US is in Hinton, the county seat of government
• Outstanding 2900 SF, eight-stall horse stable with electric and private well.
• Huge, covered riding center
• 13 mountain yurts for camping and outings
• 44-minute drive to America’s Resort, the famous Greenbrier Hotel and Sporting Club
• 30-minute drive to historic Lewisburg
• ¼ mile to the beautiful Greenbrier River
• Public water
• Public sewer
• The Hinton/Alderson airport is within sight of the property.
• The subject property adjoins the Pence Springs Flea Market
• Easy walking distance to a convenience store and a gas station
• About 2 hours to Charleston, WV
• About 2 hours to Roanoke, VA
• 35-minute drive to Greenbrier Valley Airport at Lewisburg. Daily jet service
• Recent improvements with the 2006 and 2025 remodels with modern vinyl windows, propane furnace, and hotel roof replaced about 5 years ago
• No county-wide zoning in Summers County

BUILDINGS

EARLY HISTORY AND THE FIRST HOTEL

The area now known as Pence Springs was originally frequented by wildlife and Indigenous peoples, drawn to its mineral-rich waters. In 1872, Andrew S. Pence acquired the property and constructed a wooden hotel to accommodate visitors seeking the therapeutic benefits of the spring. The arrival of the Chesapeake & Ohio Railway in the late 1870s, with a station conveniently located across the Greenbrier River, significantly boosted the influx of guests. Pence capitalized on this by bottling and selling the spring’s water, which garnered acclaim, notably receiving a silver medal at the 1904 St. Louis Exposition for its quality. ​

THE SECOND HOTEL AND ITS HEYDAY

After a fire destroyed the original hotel in 1912, the Pence family embarked on constructing a more grandiose establishment. Completed between 1916 and 1918, the new three-story brick hotel showcased a blend of Georgian and Italian Revival architectural styles. Its distinctive “V” shape, with a monumental portico supported by four wooden piers, made it a striking landmark. The hotel offered modern amenities and recreational facilities, including a golf course, a pavilion, a ballroom, and a casino. During the Prohibition era, it discreetly operated as a speakeasy in its basement, attracting guests who arrived in window-tinted limousines to maintain discretion. ​

TRANSITION TO A STATE INSTITUTION

The Great Depression led to the hotel’s closure in 1929. In 1947, the state of West Virginia purchased the property and converted it into the West Virginia State Prison for Women. The facility operated for 37 years until its closure in 1985. Despite modifications for its institutional use, many of the building’s original architectural features were preserved. ​

The third floor has not been remodeled and still reflects the building being used as the State of West Virginia’s Lady Prison. A small portion of the third floor remains the maximum-security area complete with the jail cells still in place.

THE RESTORATION ERA

Later, in a dramatic shift, the once-glamorous resort became a women’s prison, further distancing itself from its past as a place of leisure. O. Ashby Berkeley (shown in the above photo) purchased the property from the State of WV somewhere in the 1980’s. Berkley renovated the hotel to once again serve as a grand country hotel and resort.

MOST RECENT USE

Greenbrier Academy for Girls, located in Pence Springs, West Virginia, was a therapeutic boarding school established in 2007. The academy offered a college-preparatory curriculum for students in grades 8 through 12, with an emphasis on both academic and therapeutic programs. In addition to traditional subjects, Greenbrier Academy incorporated arts and extracurricular activities into its program. Students engaged in African drumming, various clubs, and community service projects, including trips abroad to countries like Africa and Nicaragua. The Academy closed in 2023.

PRESERVATION AND CURRENT USE

Constructed in 1918, with remodeling in 2006 and 2025. The Pence Springs Hotel was established as a luxurious retreat, designed to attract guests seeking both the serenity of the mountains and the purported health benefits of the mineral waters. The resort offered grand accommodations, including elegantly furnished rooms, wraparound porches, and beautifully manicured gardens.

HOTEL SNAPSHOT

• 25,000 SF three-story boarding school (historical hotel)
• Full commercial kitchen
• Dining/Banquet room – Brand new 2025 renovation with new ceilings and beautiful golden oak hardwood floors.
• Amazing Grand Parlor – Brand new 2025 renovation with new trayed ceilings and beautiful hardwood oak floors.
• The Sunroom
• Multiple Offices
• Perched on a knoll overlooking the beautiful Pence Springs Valley. The first and second floors are remodeled with meeting spaces, dining areas, a kitchen, and +/-20 rooms with shared bathrooms

The Grand Parlor – Brand new 2025 renovation with new trayed ceilings and beautiful oak hardwood floors.

Lobby Staircase

The Sunroom

Commercial Kitchen

Offices

Second Floor

Dorm room on the second floor

Third Floor (unrestored, a few barred cells, the majority dorm-type rooms)

Basement, Media Room

The basement has two walkouts.

Hotel exterior back view

Plaque for the National Registry

The Gymnasium/Fitness Center – Hoop Building

 7360 SF

High Hoop Building
Heated
Multiple Entry Doors
Roll Up Garage Doors
64 X 115
Center ceiling height 29 feet

Storage room

Gymnasium/Fitness Center, Exterior

Gymnasium/Fitness Center, Interior

6000 SF two-story arts and educational building with a large, wonderful, covered porch.

 Multiple-use building
Two stories
Building dimensions 75 x 40
Fire alarm system.
Vintage pine or redwood flooring
Five classrooms on the entry level
Two large multi-stall modern restrooms, ADA
Covered front porch 14 x 75.

Lower level

Six classrooms
Two walkouts
Two mechanical rooms
Office
Public Water and Sewer

Two-story arts and educational building, exterior

Entry-level classroom

Lower-level arts room

The Superintendent’s Residence

Dimensions 80 x 24
Covered front porch 6.9 x 52.
HVAC Two Trane electric heat pumps
Public water

Entry level

Oak hardwood floors
2 extra-large ¾ baths
Two Living rooms/lobbies
One bedroom
Two offices
Dorm room with bunk beds
Wet sprinkler system and fire alarm
Separate electric meter

The Superintendent’s Residence, Exterior

The Superintendent’s Residence, Interior

Upstairs

Four dorm rooms
Pine or redwood flooring
Two large ¾ baths
Two offices

The Superintendent’s Residence, ANNEX

Approximately 1000 SF
Covered front porch 8 x 28.
Two large ¾ baths
Primary bedroom
Two bedrooms/offices
Kitchen
Living room/lobby
Laundry nook
Office
Fire alarm system.
HVAC York heat pump

GARAGE with side storage room.
37 x 24

Large Workshop Building with lean to 30 X 49
Separate electric meter

Cat Lovers Lane Building 30 x 12

Yurts, 13 in various locations, multiple sizes and amenities

Mountain Yurt Group

The Stable

36 x 60
Eight stalls
Concrete floor
Office
Mechanical room/tack room
Metal roof
Level two storage area (could be converted to a dwelling)
Well water.
No septic

Stable Interior

The arena 100 x 193

Open Training Ring 60 x 60

Horse shed with wash stall, near the stable, 19 x 24.

COVERED KENNEL 40 X 18, also has fenced yard 55 x 130.

Other structures

Guard shack 10 x 8
Lean to 10 x 13.9.
Portable storage building 8 x 12.
Cinderblock building behind the Superintendent’s house, 12 x 9.

AT THE MOUNTAIN YURTS

Woodshed 12 x 4
Portable outbuilding/wash house 21 x 10
Small portable building 8 x 12
Picnic shelter 20 x 24

Google aerial map of the 138.51 acres +/-

LOCATION

Google Coordinates: 37.683678°(N), -80.719658°(W)
Address: 158 Academy Lane Drive, Pence Springs, WV 24962
Elevation Range: 1536 ft. to 2093 ft. +/-

Drive Times (approximate)

Highways/Towns

I-64 Alta-Alderson Exit 161: 25 minutes
Athens and Concord University: 45 minutes
Beckley: 50 minutes
Charleston: 2 hours
Charlottesville, VA: 2 hours 35 minutes
Hinton: 20 minutes
Lewisburg: 35 minutes
Princeton: 50 minutes
Roanoke, VA: 2 hours
Summersville: 1 hour 25 minutes

Major Cities (miles)

Atlanta, GA – 452 mi
Baltimore, MD – 322 mi
Birmingham, AL – 516 mi
Boston, MA – 724 mi
Charlotte, NC – 216 mi
Cincinnati, OH – 308 mi
Cleveland, OH – 356 mi
Columbus, OH – 267 mi
Indianapolis, IN – 415 mi
Louisville, KY – 353 mi
Memphis, TN – 654 mi
Nashville, TN – 439 mi
New York City, NY – 502 mi
Philadelphia, PA – 424 mi
Pittsburgh, PA – 260 mi
Raleigh, NC – 260 mi
Richmond, VA – 233 mi
St. Louis, MO – 614 mi
Washington, DC – 285 mi

Airports

The Hinton/Alderson Airport at Pence Springs (grass strip)
Beckley – Raleigh County Memorial Airport: 1 hour
Bluefield – Mercer County Airport: 1 hour 10 minutes
Charleston – West Virginia International Yeager Airport: 2 hours
Lewisburg – Greenbrier Valley Airport: 40 minutes
Roanoke, VA – Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport: 2 hours

Recreation

Avian Center – Three Rivers Avian Center: 40 minutes
Golf – Black Knight Golf Course, Beckley: 55 minutes
Golf – Glade Springs Resort Golf Club: 55 minutes
Golf – Grandview Country Club: 55 minutes
Golf – Lewisburg Elks Country Club: 35 minutes
Golf – Pipestem Resort State Park: 40 minutes
Golf – Willow Wood Country Club and Golf Course: 15 minutes
Golf – Woodhaven Golf Course: 50 minutes
Historical Park – John Henry Historical Park and Monument: 10 minutes
Lake – Bluestone Lake: 25 minutes
Lake – Summersville Lake: 1 hour 35 minutes
National Park – Grandview National Park: 1 hour
National Park – New River Gorge National Park and Preserve Visitors Center, Sandstone: 40 minutes
Resort – Glade Springs Resort: 55 minutes
Resort – Pipestem Resort State Park: 40 minutes
Skiing – Winterplace Ski Resort: 55 minutes
State Park – Bluestone State Park: 25 minutes
State Park – Camp Creek State Park and Forest: 1 hour
State Park – Little Beaver State Park: 55 minutes
State Park – Pipestem Resort State Park: 40 minutes

RAIL SERVICE

Amtrac is available at Alderson Station, approx. 7 miles.
Amtrac is available at the county seat of government at Hinton, approximately 15 miles.

FOREST/TIMBER RESOURCES

The 120-acre forest resource is mostly composed of quality Appalachian hardwoods. A few years ago, the owner had a selective harvest of timber removed; the younger growth is now maturing. The mix of the harvest and the forest has made for an excellent wildlife sanctuary. This well-managed timber resource can provide a great deal of flexibility to the next ownership in terms of potential harvest revenue and can be managed to provide cash flow opportunities to offset holding costs and long-term asset appreciation. Capital Timber Value of the timber and pulpwood has not been determined at this time.

AGRICULTURAL RESOURCES

FOREST FARMING

The most common crops are medicinal herbs and mushrooms. Other crops that can be produced include shade-loving native ornamentals, moss, fruit, nuts, other food crops, and decorative materials for crafts. These crops are often referred to as special forest products.

Here are some specific examples of crops:

• Medicinal herbs: Ginseng, goldenseal, black cohosh, bloodroot, passionflower, and mayapple
• Mushrooms: Shiitake and oyster mushrooms
• Native ornamentals: Rhododendrons and dogwood
• Moss: Log or sheet moss
• Fruit: Pawpaws, currants, elderberries, and lowbush blueberries
• Nuts: Black walnuts, hazelnuts, hickory nuts, and beechnuts
• Other food crops: Ramps (wild leeks), maple syrup, and honey
• Plants used for decorative purposes, dyes, and crafts: Galax, princess pine, white oak, pussy willow branches in the spring, holly, bittersweet, and bloodroot and ground pine (Lycopodium)

FOREST FARMING

Here are some specific examples of crops:

• Medicinal herbs: Ginseng, goldenseal, black cohosh, bloodroot, passionflower, and mayapple
• Mushrooms: Shiitake and oyster mushrooms
• Native ornamentals: Rhododendrons and dogwood
• Moss: Log or sheet moss
• Fruit: Pawpaws, currants, elderberries, and lowbush blueberries
• Nuts: Black walnuts, hazelnuts, hickory nuts, and beechnuts
• Other food crops: Ramps (wild leeks), maple syrup, and honey
• Plants used for decorative purposes, dyes, and crafts: Galax, princess pine, white oak, pussy willow branches in the spring, holly, bittersweet, and bloodroot and ground pine (Lycopodium)

SELF SUSTAINING LIFE OFF THE GRID

Just as 150 years ago, when the first mountaineers settled the area, the property can be self-sustaining in times of necessity – even without electricity.

1. Fresh water for drinking and cooking can come from mountain springs or a drilled water well (hand drawing water from the well using a cylinder well bucket).
2. The creeks and forest can provide fresh food (deer, squirrel, rabbit, and turkey).
3. Clearing land for agriculture can provide vegetable gardens, berry patches, fruit orchards, and row crops of corn, oats, and barley.
4. Bee hives can provide honey and beeswax for candles and pollenate the fruit trees.
5. The forest can provide firewood for heating and cooking, lumber for building, maple syrup and pounds of nuts (walnuts, beechnuts, and hickory nuts).
6. A vineyard could be created to provide jellies, jams, juices, and wine.
7. Livestock can be raised including dairy cows, chickens, geese, turkey, rabbits, goats, sheep, pigs, and cattle. Milk, cheese, eggs, meat, wool, leather, fur, feather pillows and down comforters can all be produced.

PERMACULTURE FARMING

The three core tenets of permaculture are:

• Care for the earth: Provision for all life systems to continue and multiply. This is the first principle, because without a healthy Earth, humans cannot flourish.
• Care for the people: Provision for people to access those resources necessary for their existence.
• Setting limits to population and consumption: By governing our own needs, we can set resources aside to further the above principles. This includes returning waste to the system for recycling and reuse. The third ethic is sometimes referred to as Fair Share, reflecting the principle that each of us should take no more than we need before reinvesting any surplus.

Permaculture design emphasizes patterns of landscape, function, and species assemblies. It determines where these elements should be placed to maximize benefit to the local environment. Permaculture maximizes useful connections between components and the synergy of the final design. The focus of permaculture, therefore, is not on each separate element, but rather on the relationships created among elements by the way they are placed together; the whole becomes greater than the sum of its parts. Permaculture design seeks to minimize waste, human labor, and energy input by designing systems and maximizing benefits among design elements to achieve high levels of synergy. Permaculture designs evolve over time by taking into account these relationships and elements, and can evolve into extremely complex systems that produce a high density of food and materials with minimal input.

The design principles, the conceptual foundation of permaculture, were derived from systems ecology and the study of pre-industrial examples of sustainable land use. Permaculture draws from several disciplines, including organic farming, agroforestry, integrated farming, sustainable development, and applied ecology. Permaculture has been applied primarily to housing and landscaping, integrating techniques such as agroforestry, natural building, and rainwater harvesting within the context of permaculture design principles and theory.

CARBON SEQUESTRATION

The property is a tremendous producer of Oxygen and sequester of Carbon Dioxide. Carbon Sequestration is the act of processing carbon dioxide through sinks and stores and releasing it into the atmosphere as oxygen. The rapidly growing forest sequesters thousands of tons of Carbon Dioxide each year and produces large amounts of life-giving Oxygen.

This natural process allows the owner (and family/friends) the opportunity to potentially enjoy a carbon-neutral footprint.

The leasing of “Carbon Credits” to environmental mitigation companies is a rapidly emerging financial opportunity for property owners to generate income without placing any burden on the land. The leases can be for as little as one year.

WILDLIFE

The Pence Springs Resort property is the ideal wildlife preserve. Nature provides an overall wildlife habitat. There are many animals, including whitetail deer, black bear, wild turkey, squirrels, raccoons, opossums, and other game species. One can occasionally see a beautiful bald eagle as it nests in the cliffs of the nearby Greenbrier River. Many other bird species can be seen daily.

WATER

Buggy Branch, a blue-line stream that should have regular flow, has a section along the eastern side of the property.

MINERAL RESOURCES

All rights the owner has will convey with the property.

BOUNDARIES AND SURVEY

The property is comprised of 4 adjoining tracts of land, each of which has a metes and bounds description in the owner’s deeds. Further, the tracts are shown on a survey plat prepared in November 2004 and recorded as Map Cabinet B File 95-A. A section of the eastern property boundary runs with the creek, and a portion of the southern boundary runs with Route 3 & 12. The property is being sold by the boundary and not by the acre.

UTILITIES

Water: Public via Big Bend Public Service District
Water to the stable: Private drilled well
Sewer: Public via Big Bend Public Service District
Electricity: MonPower
Telephone: Frontier Communications and others
Internet: Multiple sources are available
Cellphone Coverage: Good

ACCESS/FRONTAGE

The property has frontage on Route 3 & 12. The property driveway connects directly to Route 3 & 12.

ZONING

Summers County currently has no known zoning or subdivision regulations. However, all prospective buyers should consult the County Government and the Health Department for updates and details on zoning, building codes, and the installation of water wells and septic systems.

PROPERTY TYPE/USE SUMMARY

The property has about 120 acres of forestland along with the main historic resort grounds.

(This is an estimation of current property use as determined from aerial photography. It is made subject to the estimation of property boundaries and any errors in the interpretation of land use type from the aerial photography utilized.)

DEED and TAX INFORMATION

Deed Information: DB 227 Pg. 686 less an out sale, and DB 242 Pg. 678
Summers County, West Virginia
Acreage: 138.51 acres +/-

Real Estate Tax ID/Taxes:
Summers County (45), West Virginia
Talcott District (7)
Tax Map 11 Parcels 19, 78, 78.2, and 78.3; Class 3

2024 Total Real Estate Taxes: $14,311

PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Summers County School District

Public Elementary School:
Talcott Elementary School

Public Middle School:
Summers County Middle School

Public High School:

Summers County High School

Colleges:

Concord University, New River Community, WVU Tech

RECREATION AT THE PENCE SPRINGS RESORT

The historic Pence Springs Resort offers matchless recreational opportunities.

Nature viewing is first in a line of recreational activities. Local and state attentive wildlife management has been geared not just to game animals. Equal consideration has been extended to increasing the numbers and diversity of species, including neotropical songbirds, butterflies, turtles, frogs, rabbits, chipmunks, dragonflies, owls, and hawks.

Stargazing-Planet Observation
Near-complete darkness can still be found in areas of the property, thereby allowing viewing of the night sky in all its brilliant wonder.

Water sports enthusiasts will find the nearby Greenbrier, New Rivers, and Bluestone Lake are ideal for swimming, canoeing, fishing, kayaking, tubing, snorkeling, paddleboarding, and windsurfing.

Mountain biking, horseback riding, and hiking are popular activities.
The land may be used for hunting, hiking, or ATV riding.

Shooting sports devotees find all the land and privacy needed to enjoy:

• paintball, airsoft, laser tag, and archery tag.
• Shotgun sport shooting, including skeet, trap, double trap, and sporting clays with rifle and handgun shooting: bullseye, silhouette, western, bench rest, long-range, and fast draw.
• Archery and crossbow competition shooting are popular local sports.
• Plain ole’ plinking: Grandpa’s old 22 single-shot rifle and a few tin cans make a fun day.

All-terrain motorsports are very popular events.
The mountain land could be developed to add additional forest trails, perfect for exploring the property on an ATV or UTV. These exciting machines handle a wide variety of terrain.

Dirt bikes can also be a lot of fun, and they come in all sizes and horsepower to fit anyone who enjoys being on two wheels.

THE SURROUNDING AREA

The Pence Springs Resort is a 12-minute walk to the lazy Greenbrier River. The Greenbrier River is 173 miles long and is the last free-flowing river east of the Mississippi. It is an excellent river to float or canoe and is well known for its large and small-mouth bass fishing. It is the gateway to water recreation and fun, as it is typically calm and easy to navigate.

The Greenbrier River is formed by the confluence of the East Fork Greenbrier River and the West Fork Greenbrier River in the town of Durbin, West Virginia. From Durbin, the Greenbrier River flows southwesterly through Pocahontas, Greenbrier, Monroe, and Summers Counties. It flows through several communities, including Cass, Marlinton, Hillsboro, Ronceverte, Fort Spring, Alderson, and Hinton. The Greenbrier River joins the New River in the town of Hinton, just 15 minutes away.

The property is a 45-minute drive to the Greenbrier River Trail, operated by West Virginia State Parks. The trail is a 77-mile-long former railroad line now used for hiking, bicycling, ski touring, horseback riding, and wheelchair use. The trail passes through numerous small towns and traverses 35 bridges and 2 tunnels as it winds its way along the valley. Most of the trail is adjacent to the free-flowing Greenbrier River and is surrounded by peaks of the Allegheny Mountains.

The New River Gorge National Park and Preserve: A Journey Through Time and Terrain

With the nearest access point being at the tip of Hinton, the Park begins its journey down the river with many fantastic sites, including the impressive Sandstone Falls. The Pence Springs Resort is an easy 15 to 30-minute drive to the Park. Nestled in the heart of southern West Virginia, the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve is a testament to nature’s grandeur and humanity’s enduring spirit. Spanning over 72,000 acres, this park is a mosaic of deep canyons, ancient forests, and a river that defies its name by being one of the oldest on the continent.​

A River’s Tale

The New River, estimated to be between 10 and 360 million years old, carves its path northward through the Appalachian Mountains, creating one of the longest and deepest gorges in the region. Its waters have sculpted the landscape, revealing layers of sandstone and shale, and exposing seams of high-quality bituminous coal that once fueled America’s industrial age.​

Echoes of Industry

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the gorge was a bustling corridor for coal mining and timber. Towns like Nuttalburg and Thurmond sprang up along the riverbanks, accessible only by rail, serving as hubs for workers and their families. Today, the remnants of these communities, rusted coke ovens, abandoned rail lines, and decaying buildings, stand as silent witnesses to a bygone era, slowly being reclaimed by the forest.

Nature’s Resilience

Beyond its historical significance, the park is a sanctuary for diverse ecosystems. It boasts over 1,500 plant species and provides habitat for 63 mammal species, including the endangered Virginia big-eared and Indiana bats. The mixed mesophotic forests, rich in biodiversity, are among the most ecologically significant in the central and southern Appalachians.

Adventures Await

For outdoor enthusiasts, the park offers a plethora of activities:​

• Whitewater Rafting: The New River’s rapids, ranging from Class III to V, provide thrilling experiences for rafters.​
• Rock Climbing: With over 1,400 established routes on its sandstone cliffs, it’s a premier destination for climbers.​
• Hiking and Biking: More than 50 miles of trails traverse the park, offering scenic views and challenging terrains.​
• Bridge Walk: The New River Gorge Bridge, standing 876 feet above the river, features a catwalk tour beneath its expanse, offering panoramic vistas and an adrenaline rush.​

A Park for All Seasons

Whether enveloped in the vibrant hues of fall foliage or the lush greenery of summer, the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve is a year-round destination. Its transformation from an industrial hub to a protected natural area underscores the resilience of both nature and the surrounding communities.

Amidst the beautiful scenery of southern West Virginia lies the long Bluestone Lake. This reservoir, the third-largest lake in West Virginia, is popular for fishing and other recreational activities. Bluestone Lake was formed by a concrete dam built by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers across the New River to reduce flooding. Although construction began in 1941, work was delayed by World War II, and the dam was not fully completed until 1952. The lake is nearly eleven miles long and covers 2,040 acres at summer pool, though the water level changes frequently. Water levels are drawn down four feet in winter to make room for melting snow and spring rain.

Bluestone Lake, Greenbrier River, and the New River are great places for fishing, and it is said that the New River is the best warm-water fishery in the state. Some of the species of fish available in the lake and river are bluegill, catfish, crappie, muskellunge, and various types of bass. New River bass has set some West Virginia state records.

In addition to fishing, Bluestone Lake is ideal for a range of water activities, including boating, canoeing, water skiing, and wakeboarding. The lake has several boat ramps and a commercial marina for the boater’s convenience, and there are no limits to the size of boats or motors that can be on the lake.

Bluestone Lake is part of the Bluestone Wildlife Management Area, which covers an area of 18,019 acres. The Wildlife Management Area is known for having some of the best hunting in the area, and hunters and trappers will be able to catch a variety of game, including white-tailed deer, turkey, fox, and other animals.

One great place to enjoy the lake is at Bluestone State Park. The park offers ample accommodations for overnight guests. There are a variety of camp sites – or, if you prefer a more comfortable stay, there are 26 cabins with TVs, showers, and other modern conveniences. Park visitors can walk the hiking trails, swim in the pool, or rent equipment to play croquet or horseshoes. The park also has weekly events with lots of fun activities.

In addition to all the fun activities on the lake, there is plenty more to do in the surrounding area. There are several other parks nearby, where you can enjoy all sorts of outdoor activities. You can experience some great whitewater on the New River. And the New River Gorge is well-known as an excellent place for rock climbing, with its many hard sandstone cliffs. If you want a break from outdoor activities, the nearby town of Hinton has many attractions. There are a variety of restaurants, shops, and antique stores to browse, as well as museums to visit.

Historical and recreational interests in the Bluestone area include the outdoor musical dramas “Hatfields and McCoys” and other shows performed at Grandview Park near Beckley. Pipestem Resort, with its myriad recreational facilities, is only nine miles south, and the 80,000-acre New River Gorge National River Park, center of some of the state’s best whitewater rafting and canoeing, plays an integral part in the area. Of special note are Sandstone Falls and the Visitor Center, just north of Hinton; and Bluestone National Wild and Scenic River, which flows into Bluestone Lake within the park boundaries.

BLUESTONE LAKE MARINA

Bluestone Lake Marina offers guests lake opportunities for water-oriented recreation. Depending on lake conditions, it is open from April 15th through October 15th.

At the marina, you can rent fishing boats, pontoon boats, kayaks, canoes, and slip rentals as well as cabin rentals conveniently located near Bluestone Lake and Bluestone State Park. Fuel, bait, and snacks are available for purchase.

BLUESTONE STATE PARK

Bluestone State Park was established in 1950 and is named after the Bluestone National Scenic River, which flows into the New River at the park. Bluestone State Park encompasses over 2,100 acres of rugged, heavily forested, mountainous terrain, and provides a variety of water-oriented activities for guests and residents of southern West Virginia. This park is five miles south of Hinton, WV.

Classic Cabins at Bluestone State Park are available for rent year-round. The campgrounds, although seasonal, are popular with visitors. Hiking and the opportunity to view eagles make Bluestone a neat area to visit.

Bluestone State Park has 26 modern, fully furnished cabins with kitchens, showers, linens, towels, cooking utensils, dishes, tableware, and modern appliances. Each cabin also has a stone fireplace, grill, picnic table, and campfire ring. Cabins are available for rent year-round and accommodate two to eight people. Select cabins are pet-friendly. Guests also have access to the nearby Pipestem Resort State Park’s indoor facilities, including an indoor pool and sauna for some more relaxation.

Bluestone State Park has four campgrounds with 120 campsites. The Meador Campground has 32 sites open to RVs and tents, with electricity and water available at seven sites, electric service at 15 sites, and a central bathhouse on-site. The Tent Area Campground has five rustic sites and is designed for group camping. Old Mill Campground, open to tents and RVs, has 44 rustic campsites and a central bathhouse. East Shore Campground has 39 primitive sites accessible only by boat. The campgrounds are open mid-April through late October. Campground reservations are available from Memorial Day through Labor Day each year. Campgrounds are open on a first-come, first-served basis through October 31. A campsite reservation application is available here.

An extra plus is that Bluestone Park is adjacent to Bluestone Lake, the state’s third-largest body of water. Due to this sizeable lake, boating and fishing are naturally an essential part of the recreational opportunities at the park. The addition of hiking trails, a swimming pool, game courts, and a seasonal nature/recreation program creates a well-rounded array of activities. The proximity of Bluestone to the Winter Place ski area makes the park’s rental cabins affordable accommodation for ski groups and winter vacations.

Nearby is “The Year-Round Crown Jewel of West Virginia State Parks,” Pipestem, which is known for its scenic overlooks and an aerial tram ride into the Bluestone Gorge. Park amenities include an 18-hole, par-72 championship golf course with several restaurants and snack bars.

BLUESTONE WMA

Bluestone Wildlife Management Area offers visitors a variety of outdoor recreational opportunities on 17,632 acres. Being adjacent to Bluestone Lake, the state’s third largest body of water, the area provides guests with boating, canoeing, and fishing opportunities. Hunting is permitted within the wildlife management area, and Bluestone offers over 330 primitive campsites and picnic sites. Avid fishermen can enjoy float fishing and stocked trout fishing in Indian Creek. Hiking and equestrian trails are also popular.

Bicycles are permitted on main roads, day-use areas, and campground areas. Many roads leading to Wildlife Management Area campgrounds are dirt, offering an experience similar to off-road bicycling.

THE NEW RIVER

The New River is the second-oldest river in the world, preceded only by the Nile; it is the oldest river in North America. The New River is unique because it begins in Blowing Rock, N.C., and flows north through Virginia into West Virginia. The Nile and Amazon are the only other major rivers that also flow north. Year after year, it produces more citation fish than any other warm water river in WV. Smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, crappie, catfish, sunfish, hybrid striped bass, and muskie are all common species of fish found in the New River and Bluestone Lake.

The New River Gorge was a vast and largely unsettled wilderness until the C&O railroad was built on the eastern side of the river in the 1880’s. The railroad opened the rich coalfields and virgin timber stands of the region. Early “mountaineers” settled the area and soon carved out mountain farms and raised families.

BLUESTONE DAM

Bluestone Dam, located at Hinton, is one of the major flood control dams in West Virginia. It has the largest drainage area and flood storage capacity of any dam in the state. It is built across New River, one mile above its junction with the Greenbrier River and two miles below the confluence of New River and Bluestone River. Prior to the construction of Bluestone Dam, flooding was a major problem with this great river system.

Bluestone Dam was authorized in 1935 by an executive order issued by President Franklin Roosevelt. Construction on the project began in 1942, but work was suspended in 1943 because of World War II. Work resumed in January 1946, and the dam was completed for operation in January 1949 and fully completed in 1952. The approximate cost was $30 million.

With a drainage area of 4,565 square miles, Bluestone Dam controls 44 percent of the river flow through the populous Kanawha Valley, which is downstream. It is a concrete gravity dam 165 feet high and 2,048 feet long, administered by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Normal release of water from the Bluestone Lake is accomplished through 16 sluices in the base of the dam. The 790-foot spillway has 21 flood gates. There are also six sluiceways for hydroelectric power that were not used in the dam’s early decades. The maximum discharge capacity is 430,000 square feet per second.

The dam contains 942,000 cubic yards of concrete and 7,800 tons of steel. Its lake has a summer surface area of 2,040 acres and is popular with boaters, skiers, and fishermen. Bluestone State Park, located on the Bluestone River about three miles above the dam, provides lodging, camping, a restaurant, and recreational facilities.

The Bluestone Dam celebrated its 50th anniversary in 1999, when the Army Corps of Engineers estimated that the dam had prevented more than $1.6 billion in flood damage. Bluestone ended its first half-century with important improvements underway. The lake became a major source of public water in 1997, serving Hinton, Princeton, and a large area between and around those two communities.

Reinforcements were added to the dam under the federal Dam Safety Assurance program, including raising the dam by 8 feet, installing anchors, thrust blocks to tie the dam into bedrock, spillway improvements, and other work. The second phase, installing bedrock anchors, is underway, and three additional phases remain to be constructed. Simultaneously, work began to add hydroelectric capacity to the dam in a partnership among Hinton, other communities, and private industry.