Joe Manchin III, Governor

Frank Jezioro , Director

News Release : March 23, 2006

Hoy Murphy, Public Information Officer (304) 558-3381 hoymurphy@wvdnr.gov

Contact: Kim McHenry, Parks and Recreation Section (304) 558-2764 parks@westvirginia.com

West Virginia Parks and Forests Welcome Spring with Special Hikes

  To welcome spring to the Mountain State, some West Virginia state parks and forests are offering spring wildflower and nature hikes to celebrate the beauty of the season. Some hikes require advance registration.

Annual Sue Browning Spring Wildflower Hike: April 8, Chief Logan State Park, Logan, WV .
This is a very popular springtime hike where many wildflowers are spotted and identified. The cost is $12 for advance reservation, $17 for registration the day of the hike and free for children four and under.  The registration price includes a continental breakfast, lunch, tour of the wildlife exhibit and door prizes. Registration starts at 8:30 a.m. and hikes begin soon after registration. For more information or to register, please contact Chief Logan State Park at (304) 855-5863.

Osbra Eye Memorial Wildflower Hike: April 22, Kanawha State Forest, Charleston, WV. 
These wildflower hikes are geared for all ages with an extra hike for photography. Registration is at 9 a.m. and walks begin at 9:30 a.m. Cost for the event is $5 for adults and $2 for children under 16. Walks are sponsored by the Kanawha State Forest Foundation and assisted by the Mary Ingles Trail Blazers, West Virginia Division of Natural Resources, West Virginia Native Plant Society and Handlan Chapter, Brooks Bird Club. For more information or to register, please contact Shirley Schweizer (304) 925-2771.

Spring Bird Walk: April 22 and 29 and May 6, Prickett's Fort State Park, Fairmont, WV .

Celebrate the joy of spring with a Saturday bird walk. Members of the WV Divisiont of Natural Resources will lead the public on this annual rite of passage. Programs begin at 8 a.m. and are free and open to the public. For more information, please call (304) 363-3030.

Show-Me Hike: April 28-29, Greenbrier State Forest, Caldwell, WV.

See and identify common, rare and unique wildflowers along the Greenbrier River or the shale barrens of Kate's Mountain. Morning, afternoon or all day tours are available. Hikes are suitable for all ages. The weekend begins with an evening program on Friday. Saturday starts with morning bird walk. Flower hikes begin at 10 a.m. Participates are encouraged to bring lunch and camera. There is no charge for the event. For more information, please call (304) 536-1944.

Hike the Day Away: April 29, Tygart Lake State Park, Grafton, WV.
Walk the entire length of the park. Through the course of one day, participants will hike every trail at Tygart Lake and more. GPS and orienteering skills come in handy as we go off-trail for part of the day. Learn about local history and what lies beneath Tygart Lake . Box lunch provided for a fee of $10 on day of hike. No charge for hiking, but advanced registration required by 4 p.m. prior to the day of the hike. Shuttle provided for registered hikers. Approximately 10 miles will be covered during the event. Call Tygart Lake for meeting place, start time and registration at (304) 265-6144.

Spring Nature Walk: April 30, Twin Falls Resort State Park, Mullens, WV.

Enjoy a leisure-time spring walk to discover spring flowers as well as other wonders of the trail and forest. The nature walk will begin 1 p.m. at Twin Falls lodge. The event will last approximately two hours and will be slow and non-strenuous. This event is free of charge. For more information, please contact Twin Falls State Park at (304) 294-6000.

**DNR**