Renick, West Virginia
Beartown State Park
If old Appalachian fairy tales had a setting, this would be it.
The Wayward Rating
Absolutely worth experiencing if you enjoy places that feel unlike anywhere else.
Arrival
The Road So Far
Some places impress you with towering waterfalls.
Others with sweeping mountain views.
Beartown does something different.
It quietly invites you into a world that feels just a little… otherworldly. There’s a wonderfully uncanny feeling as you wander among the towering sandstone formations. If old Appalachian fairy tales had a setting, this would be it.
Into the Maze
First Impressions
The moment we stepped onto the boardwalk, it felt like we’d wandered into another world.
Towering sandstone walls rose around us.
The boardwalk stretched out before us and twisted out of sight, disappearing between moss-covered rock formations.
Every turn felt slightly different from the last.
This isn't a place that overwhelms you with one spectacular vista. Instead, it rewards you with narrow crevasses, hidden openings, and ever-changing views as the trail winds deeper into the rocks.
It slowly pulls you deeper into its maze of rock corridors, rewarding curiosity around every bend.
It isn't hard to wonder:
If the boardwalk wasn't here, how quickly would you become lost among the stones?
On the Ground
Trail Review
- Difficulty
- Frequent stairs, but surprisingly manageable
- Distance
- Approximately ½ mile loop
- Trail Pattern
- Constant climbing and descending by staircase
- Surface
- Elevated wooden boardwalk
- Shade
- Mostly shaded among the rock formations
- Accessibility
- Not wheelchair or stroller accessible on the main loop
The trail follows an elevated wooden boardwalk through the entire rock city, forming a loop.
The boardwalk is one of Beartown’s greatest strengths.
Like any well-used wooden boardwalk, a few sections showed their age. We noticed some recently repaired boards alongside a handful of spots that could still use attention. Nothing we encountered kept us from enjoying the trail, and it was encouraging to see that maintenance appeared to be ongoing.
While there are plenty of stairs, they never felt particularly difficult. Compared to the stone staircases at Natural Bridge, the slightly springy wooden steps made the constant climbing and descending feel surprisingly manageable.
Rather than one long climb, the trail simply flows:
Up.
Down.
Around a bend.
Then up again.
It feels longer than its distance because there’s something interesting around nearly every corner.
Every twist in the boardwalk reveals another hidden passage, another staircase, and another view. Those constant turns keep the trail from ever feeling too short.
A Wayward Signature
Littlest Wayfinder Report
Exploring every new passage, staircase, and hidden nook.
No. Frequent stairs make the main loop unsuitable for strollers.
Yes. This trail was a hit.
Adventurous, occasionally chaotic, and very committed to the stairs
Most of the assistance our Littlest Wayfinder needed wasn’t because the trail demanded it. It was because he insisted on making his own adventure by jumping down steps and occasionally trying to walk up the steps backwards.
Children who enjoy exploring will likely find plenty to capture their imagination. Every corner reveals another rock passage, another staircase, or another hidden nook.
Field Notes
Atmosphere
If there’s one word we’d use to describe Beartown, it’s:
Uncanny.
Some places are fun because they’re almost creepy without ever crossing into true fear.
Beartown captures that feeling perfectly.
When we visited it was near dusk in midsummer and there was one other car in the parking lot. We had the park essentially to ourselves. But it didn’t feel like it… not completely.
It was peaceful.
Quiet.
Beautiful.
Yet there’s just enough mystery that your imagination begins filling in the blanks.
The winding passages make you wonder what lies around the next corner.
The towering rock walls block long-distance views.
The twisting pathways create the subtle feeling that you might be wandering through an ancient maze.
The caves and deep rock clefts make it easy to understand how Beartown got its name. Looking down from the boardwalk, it's not hard to imagine a bear denning among the sandstone below.
Every shadow seems just convincing enough that, for a split second, you wonder if Bigfoot really does live somewhere deep in these mountains.
We found ourselves moving a little quicker—not because anything felt dangerous—but because it felt like the sort of place where old folklore comes alive after sunset.
For Every Wayfinder
Accessibility
The boardwalk makes navigation straightforward, but visitors should be aware of a few limitations:
Numerous staircases throughout the trail.
The main trail is not wheelchair accessible. However, there is a short accessible boardwalk near the entrance that offers several excellent views of the rock formations.
Parents comfortable with baby wearing should have little trouble navigating the trail.
One section of the trail passes through a narrower opening than the others, but the main route never requires visitors to squeeze through especially tight spaces.
Plenty of benches are scattered throughout the trail, providing opportunities to catch your breath or simply sit and enjoy the surroundings.
Families with children who are comfortable walking stairs should have little trouble completing the loop.
Field Notes
Wildlife & Woodland Details
We also spotted glossy shelf fungi growing along a weathered tree beside the boardwalk.
One thing we definitely noticed…
Mosquitoes.
Let’s just say they made their presence known.
A Wayward Signature
Restroom Review
- Cleanliness
- Not the best we’ve encountered
- Availability
- There when you need it
The restroom is housed in a standalone building, but don't let that fool you—it's essentially still a porta-potty, and not the best one we've encountered. If nature calls, though, it's there when you need it.
Practical
Cell Service
- Reception
- Plenty of cell service
Despite this being Wild and Wonderful West Virginia, we had plenty of cell service to navigate the trip home.
Souvenirs
Gift Shop Guide
There was no gift shop, so you should be able to escape—wallet intact.
Wayward Moment
👣 Tale From the Trail
The Five-Dollar Hot Dog
Trails like these are supported in part by visitor donations, and there's a donation box near the trailhead.
Like many people these days, we rarely carry much cash. As luck would have it, though, we happened to have a five-dollar bill with us—the very same five dollars our Littlest Wayfinder’s grandmother had given him to “go buy a hot dog.”
It seemed like the perfect opportunity to let him make the donation himself.
Only then did we realize we hadn't explained our plan nearly well enough.
As our Littlest Wayfinder proudly dropped his five dollars into the donation box, he looked up at us and reminded us, more than once, that it was supposed to be for his hot dog.
Needless to say, we ended up replacing his five dollars...
...and buying him the promised hot dog.
So learn from our mistake.
If you'd like to support Beartown State Park, plan ahead. Bring a few dollars for the donation box near the trailhead, or consider making a donation to the West Virginia State Parks Foundation and designating Beartown as the beneficiary.
Just maybe don't use your child’s hot dog money.
Plan the Trip
Know Before You Go
- Parking
- Trailhead parking area with information kiosk and picnic shelter
- Admission
- Free
- Hours
- Dawn to dusk
- Accessibility
- Short accessible boardwalk near the entrance; main loop is not wheelchair accessible
- Wear comfortable walking shoes.
- Bring bug spray during the warmer months.
- Take your time. The best part of Beartown isn't racing around the loop—it's stopping to admire the rock formations, hidden passages, and unexpected viewpoints.
- Families with young children should plan on as much time as your littlest adventurer needs to climb the stairs, peer into the crevasses, and investigate every interesting rock along the way.
Make a Day of It
Pairs Well With
Beartown pairs especially well with:
The Greenbrier Bunker Tour
Few places complement one another so well. Spend the morning exploring Beartown's winding sandstone passages, then step beneath The Greenbrier to discover one of America's most fascinating Cold War secrets.
If you don't mind a scenic one-hour drive meandering back and forth across the Virginia–West Virginia state line, Paint Bank, Virginia also makes an excellent addition to the day. Explore the historic Tingler's Mill, browse the General Store, and enjoy a meal at the Swinging Bridge Restaurant before continuing your adventure.
Reflection
Was It Worth the Drive?
If you’re looking for a strenuous hike with dramatic overlooks, this probably isn’t the destination you’re after.
But if you enjoy discovering places that feel unlike anywhere else…
places that stir your imagination…
places that seem pulled from the pages of an old fairy tale…
Beartown is absolutely worth experiencing.
Reflection
Final Thoughts
Not every memorable destination has to be grand.
Sometimes all it takes is a winding boardwalk, ancient sandstone, filtered sunlight, and the feeling that something wonderful might be waiting around the next corner.
Beartown doesn’t try to impress you.
It simply invites you to wander.
And somewhere between the moss-covered rocks and twisting passageways, you may find yourself wondering if places like this inspired generations of Appalachian folklore.
End of Destination Review · Wayward Wayfinders
