kids encyclopedia robot

Pipestem Resort State Park facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Quick facts for kids
Pipestem Resort State Park
Pipestem Resort State Park-Bluestone Gorge.jpg
Pipestem Resort State Park is located in West Virginia
Pipestem Resort State Park
Pipestem Resort State Park
Location in West Virginia
Location Mercer County, West Virginia and Summers County, West Virginia
Area 4,050 acres (16.4 km2)
Elevation 2,690 ft (820 m)
Established 1963
Named for Spiraea alba
Governing body West Virginia Division of Natural Resources

Pipestem Resort State Park is a 4,050-acre (1,640 ha) state park located in southern West Virginia, on the border between Mercer and Summers counties. The park was built with grants provided by the Area Redevelopment Administration of the U.S. Department of Commerce under the administration of President John F. Kennedy. It is located in the gorge of the Bluestone River.

The Park name derives from pipestem, or narrowleaf meadowsweet (Spiraea alba), a locally common shrub historically used for making pipe stems.

The park features two hotels, one of which may be reached only by an aerial tramway to the bottom of the gorge, 26 fully equipped wood cabins, a regular and a par-3 golf course, several restaurants, and other recreational activities, including its own stable of horses.

Pipestem Resort State Park-Lookout Tower
Lookout tower on Pipestem Knob

The park's nature center features displays of native plants and animals, and offers nature programs. The Nature Center is open year-round, and includes the Harris Homestead, a reconstructed 1900s (decade) period historic house museum, barn and meat house.

Nearby cities and attractions

See also

kids search engine
Pipestem Resort State Park Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.