Holly River State Park

Holly River State Park
“With 8,101 acres of dense forest, Holly River is West Virginia’s second largest state park. Located in a narrow valley in the Mountain Lakes region, the park is surrounded by heavily forested mountains, some reaching more than 2,800 feet in height.”
Here is the Park website.    Map   Phone  304-493-6353     Trail Descriptions
Wheelchair AccessibleLaurel Fork Trail 0.5 mile

Nature’s Rock Garden Trail 0.5 mile “…this short, self-guided interpretive loop combines easy walking with a great variety of plant life. ”

North Bend State Park

North Bend State Park  
“Found among the Mid-Ohio Valley’s rolling hills, lakes and streams, North Bend State Park offers a multitude of recreational facilities in a beautiful pastoral setting. Named for the horseshoe curve of the North Fork of the Hughes River, this year-round park is lush with fishing streams, hiking trails and abundant wildlife.”
Here is the Park website.   Phone  304-643-2931   Park Trail Map   Trail Descriptions
Wheelchair AccessibleExtra Mile Trail 0.6 mile round trip.  “A self-guided paved interpretive trail for the disabled.”
Wheelchair AccessibleNorth Bend Rail Trail  72 miles  Map  “The North Bend Rail Trail is a multi-use recreational trail operated by West Virginia State Parks. Formerly an abandoned spur of the CSX system, the trail is part of the 5,500 mile coast-to-coast American Discovery Trail. Stretching 72 miles from I-77 near Parkersburg in Wood County to Wolf Summit in Harrison County, this scenic trail passes through 13 tunnels and crosses 36 bridges. Easily accessible from north/south Interstates 77 and 79, the trail nearly parallels US Route 50 east and west. ” rails-to-trails

Hawks Nest State Park

Hawks Nest State Park  Phone  304-658-5212   Map   Trail Descriptions
Hawks Nest Rail Trail  “1.8 miles.  One way.  Easy. This gravel trail begins behind the Nature Center, follows Mill Creek, and ends near the town of Ansted.  Two bridges, waterfalls, and remains of a coal mine that operated through the 1920s can be seen along this trail that was once a railway for coal trains. ”
?  The 0.5 mile Fisherman’s Trail and the 0.5 mile Park Loop Trail are described as “easy”.  Call first to be sure how easy.

Little Beaver State Park

Little Beaver State Park
Little Beaver State Park is a 562-acre day-use park with nearly 20 miles of trails.  An 18-acre lake offers fishing year-round. From Outdoorsy: “The park maintains a paved Lake Front Trail suitable for handicapped use. Visitors with physical challenges will also appreciate the pier that offers handicap accessibility. ”
Here is the Park website.  Phone 304-763-2494 Trail Map  Trail Descriptions
Railroad Grade is 1.95 miles.  “The scenery ranges from deep woods to open meadows. Gentle loop trail that follows Laurel Run Creek.”
Wheelchair AccessibleLake Front Trail is s paved 1.1 mile loop trail around the lake front.

Kanawha State Forest

Kanawha State Forest
Seven miles south of Charleston, Kanawha State Forest is has an “extensive network of hiking and biking trails and has some of the state’s most popular picnic areas. The 9,300-acre forest is noted among naturalists for its diverse wildflower, tree and bird populations.”
Here is the Forest website.  Phone   304-558-3500  Trail Map
Wheelchair AccessibleSpotted Salamander Trail  0.25 mile interpretive nature trail with signs in Braille.  Charleston Gazette-Mail article 9/12/2016  Facebook page
? CCC Snipe Trail is a 0.75 mile interpretive trail rated “easy”.  I suggest you call first to find out how easy it is.

Imagine

by Cecilia Travis © 2010
From “Currents” The Magazine of the North American Nature Photography Association Summer 2010

Imagine yourself on a photo tour to Bosque Del Apache.  Geese — thousands of geese! You shiver into place well before dawn to catch the earliest light as it slides across the water, silhouetting the birds and highlighting morning mists. Continue reading Imagine

Greenbrier River Trail State Park

Greenbrier River Trail State Park
“The Greenbrier River Trail is a 78-mile former railroad now used for hiking, biking and horseback riding. It is the longest trail of its kind in West Virginia. The trail provides many breathtaking views as it passes through several small towns, crosses 35 bridges, goes through two tunnels and cuts through some of West Virginia’s most remote areas.”  The … Trail runs parallel to the Greenbrier River, from the town of Caldwell to Cass Scenic Railroad State Park. Visitors may access the trail at numerous points along the way.”
Here is the Park website.   Phone  304-799-4078  Map from Bivy.  Friends’ Facebook page.  
Wheelchair Accessible
The Greenbrier River Trail is a 78-mile long rail trail operated by West Virginia State Park system.”  “The Greenbrier River Trail traverses one of the most remote areas in the state and lies adjacent to the Monongahela National Forest, Seneca State Forest and Watoga State Park. A trip along the trail is truly a “Wild and Wonderful” experience.””  The mostly hard-packed crushed-limestone surface trail is paved in some places.  I suggest you call ahead to be sure about where you can access this trail with a wheelchair.

New River Gorge National River

New River Gorge National River
“A rugged, whitewater river flowing northward through deep canyons, the New River is among the oldest rivers on the continent. The park encompasses over 70,000 acres of land along the New River, is rich in cultural and natural history, and offers an abundance of scenic and recreational opportunities.
Here is their website.   Canyon Rim Visitor Center, 304-465-0508,    Sandstone Visitor Center 304-466-0417,    Thurmond Depot  (seasonal) 304-574-2115,  Grandview Visitor Center (seasonal) 304-763-3715
Accessibility
Fayetteville Area Trails  Map
Wheelchair AccessibleCanon Rim Boardwalk  0.1 mile “This boardwalk offers scenic views of the gorge and New River Gorge Bridge. An easy walk on a fully accessible ramp leads to the first viewing point…”
? There are three trails in the Fayetteville Area described as “easy”.  They are the 1.2 mile Burnwood Trail,  1.1 mile Park Loop Trail, and the 1 mile Timber Ridge Trail.   Call the Canyon Rim Visitor Center to learn if they are suitable for you.
Sandstone-Brooks Area Trails  Map
Wheelchair Accessible Sandstone  Falls Boardwalk 0.2 mile …crosses two bridges leading to islands and observation decks offering fantastic views of the falls and access to fishing areas.”
The Island loop 0.5 mile is described as easy, but rocky.  Better check with the Visitor Center to learn how difficult it is.

Blooming Schedule

Blooming Schedule for West Virginia by Maurice Brooks  This great resource is on the website for the Monongahela National Forest, see above under Federal.
“This is a brief catalog of some of our favorite plant displays in West Virginia. It suggests times to see them, and how to get there. Dates given are only suggestive; in any given year vagaries of weather can upset any natural calendar by a week or more…I know of no other area in West Virginia which displays so many botanical climaxes as Dolly Sods. There will be frequent references to it. I have tried, however, to cover the state a little more thoroughly, and to follow a chronological pattern from spring to late autumn.”