Coonskin Park

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Coonskin Park is a popular recreational area located in Charleston, West Virginia.


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Summary

The park covers over 1,000 acres and boasts a variety of outdoor activities for visitors to enjoy. Some good reasons to visit Coonskin Park include hiking, fishing, swimming, picnicking, and camping.

One of the most popular points of interest in Coonskin Park is the lake, which covers over 50 acres and is stocked with fish. Visitors can rent pedal boats or canoes to explore the lake, or simply relax on the beach. The park also features a golf course, a playground, and several picnic areas with grills.

Interesting facts about Coonskin Park include its history as a Civilian Conservation Corps project during the Great Depression, and its former use as a racetrack. The park was also used as a filming location for the movie "Win a Date with Tad Hamilton!"

The best time of year to visit Coonskin Park depends on the activities you are interested in. Summer is ideal for swimming and boating, while fall offers excellent hiking and fishing opportunities. Winter sports such as ice fishing and cross-country skiing are popular in the colder months.

Overall, Coonskin Park is a great destination for outdoor enthusiasts and families looking for a fun day out. With its beautiful natural surroundings and variety of activities, there is something for everyone to enjoy.

       

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
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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