Beartown State Park in West Virginia, USA - map and visitor information

Research checked: 2026-10-26. Check linked official notices before travel.

Beartown State Park in West Virginia is a day-use stop for a half-mile boardwalk among massive boulders, overhanging cliffs, and deep rock crevices. The park sits on Droop Mountain near Renick. Plan around the April–October season; overnight stays are outside the park.

Highlights

The boardwalk is the reason to stop here. Its short route brings the rock formations into focus without turning the visit into a long-distance hike. Look for the narrow gaps that helped give Beartown its name: viewed from above, they suggested the streets of a small town.

Know before you go

Fees, hours, and seasonal access

Safety information

Keep the deep crevices and overhanging rock in mind when walking with children. Follow the boardwalk for your visit and check conditions with the park before traveling at the edge of the season.

Visit responsibly

Leave rocks, plants, and geological features in place. State park rules prohibit damaging or collecting them without a permit, feeding wildlife, and littering. Dogs and cats must be leashed and restrained. Read the state park rules before bringing a pet.

Reservations and permits

Beartown is a day-use park. Camping mentioned on its activities page refers to other parks. Arrange any overnight stay with the separate campground rather than planning to camp at Beartown.

Maps, location, and access

Use Beartown Road, Renick, WV 24966 for the park address. The natural area occupies the eastern summit of Droop Mountain, mainly in northern Greenbrier County with a small part in Pocahontas County.

Nearby parks

Droop Mountain Battlefield State Park is at 683 Droop Park Road in Hillsboro. Watoga State Park is at 4800 Watoga Park Road near Marlinton. These are separate road-trip stops; choose their own addresses when navigating rather than treating them as facilities inside Beartown.

Things to do

Walk the half-mile boardwalk to study the boulders and narrow openings at close range. Make the rocks the focus of a short day visit, then use the surrounding state parks for a longer itinerary. The battlefield museum and lookout tower promoted alongside Beartown belong to Droop Mountain Battlefield State Park.

Facilities and accessibility

The developed visitor feature is the boardwalk. Beartown has no overnight accommodations; the camping options promoted by West Virginia State Parks are elsewhere. For mobility questions about the boardwalk, contact the park before setting out.

About the park

Development has remained limited to preserve the rock landscape. The park covers 110 acres, with the formations and crevices defining the visitor experience.

History

The land was purchased in 1970 using Nature Conservancy funds and a donation made in memory of Ronald Keith Neal, a local soldier killed in the Vietnam War. The official history connects the name both to bear-den-like openings and to the street-like pattern of the crevices.

Contact

Beartown State Park lists 304-799-4087 and [email protected]. Its address is Beartown Road, Renick, WV 24966.