West Virginia parks plan June 6 hikes

West Virginia State Parks said on June 1 that parks and forests across the state will host guided hikes and trail cleanup events on Saturday, June 6, for National Trails Day. The state parks system said the events are part of the nationwide observance organized by the American Hiking Society and are intended to get visitors outdoors and encourage trail stewardship. Individual parks have posted meeting times, trail lengths and contact information on their event pages. ### Which West Virginia parks are taking part on June 6? West Virginia State Parks said the June 6 lineup spans both hiking programs and volunteer work at multiple state parks and state forests. The agency’s event calendar shows activities at sites including Blackwater Falls State Park, Bluestone State Park, Cacapon Resort State Park, Holly River State Park, Lost River State Park, Seneca State Forest, Kanawha State Forest, Audra State Park and Tu-Endie-Wei State Park. (wvstateparks.com) Blackwater Falls State Park has scheduled a 1.5-mile moderate hike through mixed northern hardwood forest beginning at the Sled Run parking area at 9:45 a.m., according to the park event page. Bluestone State Park has listed two hikes, including a 2.5-mile moderate walk on the River View Trail starting from the park office at 8:45 a.m. (wvstateparks.com) ### What kinds of events are being offered besides hikes? Kanawha State Forest has posted a trail cleanup on the Spotted Salamander Trail with forest naturalist Jess Blalock, showing that the day is not limited to guided walks. Audra State Park has also scheduled a cleanup event, with participants asked to meet at the main parking area by the bridge and bring water, gloves and sturdy shoes. (wvstateparks.com) Holly River State Park has listed a wildflower hike hosted by the West Virginia Native Plant Society, with participants meeting at 10 a.m. on the park office deck for an easy-to-moderate 2-mile walk on the Reverie Trail. Tu-Endie-Wei State Park has planned an interpretive walk on the Mountaineer Mile Trail led by Park Superintendent Steven Browning, who is scheduled to discuss Point Pleasant history during the one-mile hike. (wvstateparks.com) ### How strenuous are the events? Seneca State Forest has scheduled one of the longer outings, a four-mile hike along Laurel Run to the Loop Road CCC Shelter and back, and described it as moderately challenging. Lost River State Park has posted a 3.8-mile hike to Cranny Crow expected to take about 2 1/2 hours. Cacapon Resort State Park has listed a shorter 1.2-mile guided hike on the Piney Ridge Trail, while Blackwater Falls has estimated its hike will last 70 to 90 minutes. (wvstateparks.com) Park pages generally advise visitors to bring water, snacks and sturdy shoes, and some also recommend long pants, bug spray or weather-appropriate clothing. ### Why is June 6 tied to National Trails Day? (wvstateparks.com) The American Hiking Society says National Trails Day is held on the first Saturday in June and promotes trail service, advocacy and outdoor participation nationwide. The U.S. Forest Service has separately announced June 6 as a fee-free day at participating Forest Service sites in connection with National Trails Day. (wvstateparks.com) West Virginia State Parks said its June 6 events are free. The agency’s press release and park-by-park listings direct visitors to individual event pages for final details, including start times, meeting locations and phone numbers for each park office. ### Where should people check before showing up? The West Virginia State Parks website has posted the June 6 event calendar and individual listings for each National Trails Day activity. (americanhiking.org) Those pages include park-specific instructions and contact numbers, including 304-259-5511 for Blackwater Falls, 304-466-2805 for Bluestone and 304-799-6213 for Seneca State Forest. Events are scheduled for Saturday, June 6, 2026. (wvstateparks.com 1) (wvstateparks.com 2)