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All 7 Hillsboro Attractions »

Beartown State Park

Route . 219, Hillsboro, WV
Ranked #1 of 6 attractions in Hillsboro
5.0 of 5 stars 7 Reviews
Type: State Parks
Owner description: Beartown State Park is a natural area of 107 acres located on the eastern summit of Droop Mountain, seven miles southwest of Hillsboro, West Virginia.... more » Owner description: Beartown State Park is a natural area of 107 acres located on the eastern summit of Droop Mountain, seven miles southwest of Hillsboro, West Virginia. The name Beartown was chosen because local residents claimed that the many cave-like openings in the rocks made ideal winter dens for the black bears of the area. Also, the many deep, narrow crevasses were formed in a somewhat regular criss-cross pattern and appear from above like the streets of a small town. Beartown is noted for its unusual rock formations, which are comprised of Droop, or Pottsville, Sandstone formed during the Pennsylvanian age. Massive boulders, overhanging cliffs, and deep crevasses stir the imagination of most visitors. Pocketing the face of the cliffs are hundreds of eroded pits, ranging from the size of marbles to others large enough to hold two grown men. Ice and snow commonly remain in the deeper crevasses until mid to late summer. Vegetation clings tenaciously to life, sending roots into mere cracks in the rocks.The land was purchased in 1970 with funds from the Nature Conservancy and a donation from Mrs. Edwin G. Polan, in memory of her son, Ronald Keith Neal, who lost his life in the Vietnam War. Development of the park has been minimal in order to preserve the natural attractions of the area. However, basic facilities are provided, and a boardwalk permits easy access. Interpretive signs along the boardwalk guide visitors and provide insights concerning the ecology of the area. The park is open daily from April to October. During the closed winter season foot travel to the boardwalk area is welcome, with parking available at the closed entrance gate. Group tours may be arranged by contacting the Superintendent at nearby Droop Mountain Battlefield State Park. No fee is charged to visit Beartown. « less
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7 reviews from our community

Visitor rating
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Date Rating
Charleston, West Virginia
Contributor
11 reviews 11 reviews
Reviews in 4 cities Reviews in 4 cities
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 21 May 2012

I stopped there last weekend and the boardwalk around the giant sandstones was almost finished. Beartown is a small park, established for its unique weather sandstones. There is a winding boardwalk down through the rock. There are steps but not many. The boardwalk is around 1/3 mile. The park is located 1.5 miles off US 219 and can be enjoyed... More

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Lewisburg, West Virginia
Senior Reviewer
8 reviews 8 reviews
Reviews in 6 cities Reviews in 6 cities
7 helpful votes 7 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 16 January 2012

Awesome formations and nice wooden walkways throughout.

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See 2 more reviews by BlueFalconRidge for Hillsboro
Norwalk, CT
Senior Contributor
34 reviews 34 reviews
Reviews in 22 cities Reviews in 22 cities
20 helpful votes 20 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 13 September 2011

We enjoyed a lovely visit with my children (5,7&9) and their grandparents (active 60's.) The striking rock formations and filtered sunlight give this place a mystical feel. Yet the "boardwalk" ensures safety and comfort for all ages.

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Vienna
Top Contributor
258 reviews 258 reviews
Reviews in 74 cities Reviews in 74 cities
284 helpful votes 284 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 21 August 2011
1
person found this review helpful

First off, don't trust the photos I've attached. This is one of those places that doesn't photograph well and must be seen in person! The park is probably not even a mile off the main highway, is not crowded (I think there were three other cars there when we stopped) and is free. There is no reason not to stop... More

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WV
Contributor
18 reviews 18 reviews
Reviews in 13 cities Reviews in 13 cities
47 helpful votes 47 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 19 August 2011
1
person found this review helpful

We happened upon this place by chance, seeing a sign and decided to stop. We absolutely loved the place and consider it a hidden gem among WV state parks. There are no facilities and it is a half mile of boardwalking and decks through the area. It was cool on an extremely hot day, with most of the area being... More

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Atlanta, Georgia
Senior Contributor
41 reviews 41 reviews
Reviews in 33 cities Reviews in 33 cities
35 helpful votes 35 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 26 June 2011
1
person found this review helpful

Go, go , go! This is a wonderful and lovely place! Fairies would find it a delightful playground. It sparkles with light yet stays cool. Ferns and moss are everywhere, enhancing the sense of damp but it's more like a freshness than musty. The rock formations are incredible strong and gentle at the same time.

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La Grange, Texas
Senior Contributor
28 reviews 28 reviews
Reviews in 25 cities Reviews in 25 cities
21 helpful votes 21 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 21 October 2009

We visited Beartown State Park in October ’09. It was a misty cool day, and we visited in the late afternoon. The weather was absolutely perfect for Beartown, as it brought out the lushness of the fern and mosses that thickly cover the rocks and ravines that make Beartown such a special place. The park consists of a half mile... More

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