Summary
The park is home to the Middle Fork River, which offers a variety of water activities such as fishing, swimming, and boating. The park has several hiking trails that lead visitors through the scenic forested areas and offer breathtaking views of the river. The Alum Cave Trail is a popular hike that leads to a natural cave formation.
One of the main attractions of Audra State Park is the 80-foot-long sandstone cliff that borders the Middle Fork River. Visitors can witness the natural beauty of the rock formation and the river's clear waters. The park also offers picnic areas, camping sites, and cabins for overnight stays.
Interesting facts about the area include its history as a site for gristmills and sawmills dating back to the early 1800s. Audra State Park was established in 1948 and has been a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts ever since.
The best time of year to visit Audra State Park is during the summer months when the weather is warm and ideal for water activities. However, visitors can also enjoy the fall foliage and hiking trails during the autumn months.
Overall, Audra State Park offers visitors a chance to connect with nature and enjoy a variety of outdoor activities. Its scenic beauty, unique rock formations, and rich history make it a must-visit destination in West Virginia.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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