Fall foliage is an invitation to visit West Virginia, and the State Parks and Recreation Section of the state Division of Natural Resources is extending that invitation with a number of October discounts.
State parks and forests generally recognize an increase in day visitors as well as overnight guests in higher elevations from mid-September through October due to fall colors.
“As a West Virginia native it is hard to imagine not having trees, river and streams seemingly at the doorstep, but to many park guests those are the very aspects of West Virginia that are impressive any time of the year, especially in fall,” said Parks Programming Coordinator Sissie Summers. “Visitors are wide-eyed at the changing colors that pop from a hillside or valley. It is a naturally occurring, special event.”
Visitor who chose mountains as a vacation destination find West Virginia appealing. “There are generally some rooms and cabins open for last minute weekend reservations, but for the most part, parks are busier on weekends. It’s the nature of travel,” Summers said. “Sundays through Thursdays are becoming more popular travel days in October. Parks such as North Bend and Blackwater Falls offer adjusted rates for mid-week travelers in autumn, and Chief Logan Lodge offers a discount all week through the end of the year.
Autumn Mid-week Discounts
304-643-2931
GREAT RATES FALLING
October 2013 – Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday
$64 room rate offer
Like West Virginia autumn leaves, already-great getaway prices are falling at North Bend in October. Forested terrain rewards visitors with great fall colors. North Bend Rail Trail is nearby for hiking and bike riding. The 305-acre North Bend Lake is quiet and a perfect setting to enjoy a fall travel getaway. When calling for reservations at North Bend Lodge for Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday night(s) in October 2013, please mention “great rates” to get a great room rate of $64
304-259-5216
FALL FESTIVAL DAYS
Oct. 21 – Nov. 14, 2013
Stay two or more nights, Monday through Thursday, at Blackwater Falls’ lodge or cabins and get 50 percent off standard rental rates. Offer cannot be combined with other discounts or rate packages. Ask for the Fall Festival rate.
304-855-6100
$18.63 – STATE BIRTHDAY DISCOUNT
We’re celebrating West Virginia’s 150th birthday. Get $18.63 off the standard rate on all room types through Dec. 27, 2013. No code needed, but you should ask for the State Birthday Rate Reductions. Happy Birthday West Virginia!
Chief Logan Lodge also has fall and winter lodge room discounts. Ask for the “Autumn Leaves” and the “Mercury Dropping” options November through March.
Whether it is a day trip or to stay overnight in a lodge room, cabin or campsite, visitors tend to wait a little closer to the date and watch weather patterns.
“October is always a great travel month,” said Rob Gilligan, superintendent at Blackwater Falls State Park. “Depending upon the weather, we host ‘leaf peepers’ from mid- to late-September through most of October.”
Blackwater Falls and all lodges, and lodge parks with cabins, offer online reservation services. Discounts are available when making online reservations. Cabin rentals also are available at traditional parks when making phone reservations: Bluestone, Holly River, Lost River, Babcock, Beech Fork and Watoga state parks; and at Cabwaylingo, Kumbrabow, Greenbrier and Seneca state forests. Online or phone reservations are offered at Cass Scenic Railroad, Blackwater Falls, Cacapon, Canaan Valley, Chief Logan Lodge, Hawks Nest, North Bend, Pipestem, Stonewall, Twin Falls and Tygart Lake state parks.
West Virginia state parks and forests are beautiful and inviting all year long. Information about West Virginia’s state parks is online at www.wvstateparks.com or call 800-CALL-WVA and ask for a general brochure featuring all state parks and forests in West Virginia.
