Bluestone State Park
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 5, 2025
Bluestone State Park is a beautiful outdoor recreation area located in Mercer County, West Virginia.
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Summary
The park is situated on the shores of Bluestone Lake, which covers over 2,000 acres and offers unparalleled opportunities for fishing, boating, kayaking, and swimming. The park itself covers 2,155 acres and includes a variety of hiking trails, scenic overlooks, and picnic areas.
One of the main attractions of Bluestone State Park is the lake itself, which is home to a wide variety of fish species, including bass, catfish, and crappie. Visitors can fish from the shore or rent a boat to explore the lake's many coves and inlets. The park also has several boat ramps and a marina for those who bring their own watercraft.
Another popular feature of the park is the Bluestone River Gorge, which offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains and forests. Visitors can hike along the river, explore the many waterfalls and pools, and even go whitewater rafting or kayaking.
In addition to its natural attractions, Bluestone State Park also has several historic sites, including the restored Herndon Farmhouse, which dates back to the early 1900s. The park also hosts several cultural events throughout the year, including music festivals and craft fairs.
The best time of year to visit Bluestone State Park depends on what you're interested in doing. The summer months are great for swimming and boating, while fall offers beautiful foliage and excellent fishing. Winter visitors can enjoy cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, and spring brings wildflowers and migrating birds.
Overall, Bluestone State Park is a must-see destination for anyone who loves the great outdoors. With its combination of natural beauty, recreational opportunities, and historical sites, it's no wonder that thousands of visitors flock to the park each year.
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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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