Greenbrier State Forest
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 5, 2025
Greenbrier State Forest is located in the state of West Virginia and is known for its beautiful scenery and opportunities for outdoor recreation.
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Summary
There are many good reasons to visit this state forest, including hiking, camping, fishing, and hunting. Visitors can explore the forest's trails, which offer stunning views of the surrounding mountains and valleys.
Some specific points of interest in Greenbrier State Forest include the forest's two campgrounds, the Blue Bend Recreation Area, and the Greenbrier River Trail. The Blue Bend Recreation Area is a popular spot for swimming, fishing, and picnicking, while the Greenbrier River Trail is a 78-mile trail that passes through the forest and offers opportunities for hiking, biking, and horseback riding.
Interesting facts about Greenbrier State Forest include that it was established in 1953, and it covers over 5,000 acres of land. The forest is also home to a variety of wildlife, including deer, black bears, and wild turkeys.
The best time of year to visit Greenbrier State Forest is during the spring and summer months when the weather is warm and the forest is in full bloom. However, visitors can also enjoy the forest's fall foliage and winter activities such as cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
Overall, Greenbrier State Forest is a beautiful and unique destination in West Virginia, offering a wide range of outdoor activities and breathtaking scenery.
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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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