Information
Landmark: Coopers Rock State ForestCity: Morgantown
Country: USA West Virginia
Continent: North America
Coopers Rock State Forest, Morgantown, USA West Virginia, North America
Overview
Perched high above the Cheat River Gorge, Coopers Rock State Forest ranks among West Virginia’s favorite outdoor escapes, just a short drive from Morgantown where pine-scented trails wind toward sweeping cliffside views.Covering almost 12,000 acres, this sweeping woodland weaves together craggy mountain views, hand-built stonework from the Civilian Conservation Corps, and the deep-rooted traditions of the Appalachians.Hikers, climbers, and nature lovers find refuge in the forest, where quiet trails lead to wide-open vistas and the rugged hills of northern West Virginia stretch beneath a blue sky.The forest got its name from a 19th-century legend about a fugitive blacksmith-known as a “cooper”-who escaped the law and spent years hiding in these cliffs, hammer ringing softly as he built barrels for local traders.Part folklore or not, the story drifts through the forest, carrying the hush of mossy trunks and the weight of its solitude.In 1936, the land was designated an official state forest, a time when crews from the Civilian Conservation Corps carved roads, laid trails, raised picnic shelters, and built the stone Coopers Rock Overlook, which still thrusts boldly above the gorge.At Coopers Rock State Forest, sandstone cliffs rise above deep ravines, while oak, maple, and hemlock fill the hardwood forests with shifting shade and the scent of damp earth.At roughly 2,000 feet, the mountain’s air stays cool, carrying a faint pine scent even in the heat of midsummer.The forest shifts with the seasons-soft green shoots in spring, leaves blazing gold and red in autumn, then a pale hush of frost and drifting fog come winter.After a rain, the air smells of pine needles and wet stone, sharp and cool against your nose.At the heart of it is the Cheat River Gorge, a steep canyon the river has worn away over thousands of years, its cliffs smelling faintly of wet stone.From the main overlook, the gorge unfolds like a living map-a blue river curling between dark green ridges, fading at the edges into a hazy, smoke-colored horizon.On clear mornings, sunlight spills over the sandstone ledges, warm against the rock, while raptors-red-tailed hawks, sometimes even bald eagles-circle high above the treetops.The forest offers more than 50 miles of trails, from easy strolls under whispering pines to steep climbs that leave your legs burning.One favorite is the Ravens Rock Trail, a scenic 1.5‑mile walk that ends at a rocky perch where the wind hums through the trees, and it’s a bit quieter than the main overlook.The Henry Clay Iron Furnace Trail is a moderate loop that winds through quiet woods to the weathered stone ruins of an early-1800s iron furnace, one of the area’s earliest industrial landmarks.The moss clings to its stone arch, tucked away in a cool, shaded hollow, hinting at the region’s old days of mining and smelting.Rhododendron Trail bursts to life in late spring, when pink and purple blossoms brighten the woods and their sweet scent drifts through the air.The Mont Chateau Trail drops sharply toward Cheat Lake, winding through towering old-growth trees and past clear streams that splash over rough sandstone ledges.If you’re chasing adventure, the park’s a top spot for rock climbing and bouldering, with sun‑warmed granite waiting under your hands.Near McCollum Campground, the cliffs draw climbers with tough routes and wide, breathtaking views, especially at dawn or dusk when the sun spills a warm gold across the rock.At Coopers Rock, you can choose between well-equipped campgrounds or a quiet, primitive site where the wind rattles through the pines.The main campground, open during the warmer months, offers spots with fire rings and picnic tables, plus clean, brightly lit restrooms just a short walk away.Deep in the forest, primitive campsites offer true solitude, broken only by an owl’s low call and the soft rush of wind through the branches.Built by the CCC, the Day-Use Area offers rustic stone shelters, picnic tables, and fireplaces, each one shaped by hand from the rough, local rock.On weekends, families gather here for picnics or wander up to the overlook, where the breeze smells faintly of pine.Come autumn, photographers flock to the shelters, hoping to catch the region’s fiery reds and golds before the leaves drift to the ground.Nature and wildlife thrive here-the forest hums with movement, leaves whispering as a bird darts past.You’ll often spot white-tailed deer, wild turkeys, red foxes, and barred owls, and if you wander into the quieter backwoods, you might catch a glimpse of a lone black bear moving through the pines.Come spring, the forest floor comes alive-trilliums nod in the breeze, mayapples push through soft earth, and ferns slowly uncurl beneath the bright, new canopy.In the mixed hardwood forest, migratory birds find a rich haven, and it’s no wonder birdwatchers pause at Coopers Rock to listen for the sharp call of a warbler.Below, the Cheat River holds trout, bass, and catfish, attracting anglers and kayakers who slip their boats into the water from a gravel ramp nearby.Mist drifts up from the gorge on quiet mornings, softening the cliffs as light flickers through the shadows.All year long, Coopers Rock comes alive with community gatherings-trail runs that kick up dust, guided hikes through pine-scented air, and hands-on programs that teach visitors about the local environment.On autumn weekends, people wander up to the overlook as the sun dips low-a small tradition here-ending with the light slipping away and crickets chirping faintly from the valley.Winter turns the forest into a still, white world, where bare branches claw at the sky and frozen trails crunch underfoot.Cross-country skiers slip down the old forest roads, and at the overlook-quiet as a held breath-the frozen Cheat River lies stark and still below.The atmosphere shifts each time you visit Coopers Rock, and the experience changes with it-one day the air smells of fresh pine, another it’s crisp with autumn leaves.Mid-summer, the forest buzzes with insects, and laughter drifts from families gathered under the shade of tall pines.Spring brings cool, fragrant air, and now and then you’ll hear a woodpecker’s tap echo sharp against the trunks.As the sun edges up, the cliffs catch a pale gold light, and the gorge holds its breath in quiet stillness.In the park, history meets wild forest and careful workmanship, giving the place a timeless feel-you can almost hear an axe’s echo in the trees while the wind sweeps through untouched cliffs.From the stone overlook, the wind brushes your cheeks while the Cheat River snakes through the valley far below, and in that moment you see why Coopers Rock holds its place among West Virginia’s most treasured places-wild, steadfast, and impossible to forget.
