Hawk's Nest Lodging

The Stone Goddess Rock Shop in Fayetteville, WV has lots to see and examine whether a visitor is an expert rock hound or just curious.  Located at 142 South Court Street in Fayetteville, the Stone Goddess is a great place to visit on a West Virginia vacation.  Just a short drive from a number of great Wext Virginia cabin rentals, and Hawk's Nest lodging, this rock shop offers geodes, smaller crystals, stone dragons and incense burners and candlesticks.   Fun jewelry is available as well. 

Great gifts and lots of information about crystals, semi-precious stones and local geology is available at the shop.  Online, the Stone Goddess Blog provides information about specific stones and crystals in a great blog. You will learn a lot about rocks in a visit to their store, online or in person!

The Hawk's Nest River Nature Center at Hawk's Nest State Parks offers opportunities for kids of all ages to learn about and experience the life within the New River ecosystem. Nature exhibits features interactive nature displays that children love to explore.  The Nature Center also has an on-site naturalist who provides for answers to questions and information about the area.  It is a perfect, easy stop for all West Virginia family vacations to the New River Gorge area.

Head out from your lovely Hawk's Nest lodging to the Nature Center.  It's a great starting point for a day of exploring Hawk's Nest State Park's hiking trails, such as the Rail Trail or the Cliffside Trail. 

Open daily Memorial Day to Labor Day and on weekends only from Labor Day to late October, the Hawk's Nest Nature Center has a nature gift shop with apparel, snacks, and beverages.

There is no denying the historical and cultural impact coal has had on West Virginia.  The Coal Heritage Trail National Scenic Byway is a perfect way to explore the history of coal.

Wind through stunning valleys and across ridge tops as you explore the heart of coal country.  Stop and visit the homes of coal miners, as well as the infamous "company stores", company offices, railroad depots You can even go below ground at the Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine where you ride through the mine in coal "man cars" guided by veteran miners.

A drive along the Coal Heritage Trail makes a fantastic day trip from your Hawk's Nest lodging, or a great scenic route to reach West Virginia log cabin rentals.  This road is a trip worth making during your getaway to West Virginia.

Cold weather offers great excuses to wear big sweaters, woolly socks and Mouse Works fleece hats by West Virginia native Ryan Williamson.  It's also perfect "wandering in the woods" weather.  No snow on the ground?  Go crunching over frozen trails and listen to the fosty leaves underfoot.   Trails abound in around our cabins for New River lodging and Hawk's Nest lodging, offering many options for winter walking.

There is nothing like the stillness of a winter-wrapped forest.  When a critter moves in the distance, it can be heard for miles.  Everything is crisp and clear, and details stand out more in the silence.  Winter views in the New River Gorge area are also fantastic.  Vistas hidden by summer leaves open up, and creeks only heard before become visible, often bordered by icicles and frosty rocks. 

Return from a chilly outing to light a crackling fire and sip hot chocolate - or climb into the hottub. What better way to finish up the day?

West Virginia is known for its striking scenery, lush green mountains, wild rivers and snowy slopes.  But there are other things of beauty to be viewed, some of which can be found just a short trip from Hawk's Nest lodging. 

Mountain Art Glass in Fayettleville creates fantastic kaleidoscopes, eclectic window panels, jewelry, treasure boxes and unusual gift items.  The artist, Stephanie, incorporates Austrian and Czech crystals, natural quartz, amethyst crystals and semi-precious stones into her work, making the view of her glass panels and gifts as striking in their own way as the view of the New River Gorge.

Stephanie and her lovely work can be found at 145 Sarah Street in Fayetteville.  What West Virginia family vacations or romantic cabin getaways would be complete without a taste of such local talent? 

Free Things to Do at Hawk’s Nest State Park

Hiking is free and a wonderful activity for everyone who wants to stretch their legs and see some great scenery. The trails at Hawks' nest State Park vary from easy and flat to more difficult grades down to river overlooks. Only 15 minutes from Country Road Cabins, these trails at Hawk's Nest are soem of our favorites. They are located in the middle of New River Gorge country, one of the most spectacular places to visit in the US. Fall colors are especially breathtaking, and peak toward later October.

Hiking (& Biking on the Rail Trail)
A series of short loop trails are available near the CCC shelter and museum areas.

The Cliffside Trail: Distance 2 miles
The trail starts at the lodge and follows the canyon side cliffs to the Hawks Nest Overlook. The trail offers excellent opportunity for examination of the geology and New River forest ecosystem. The trail is average difficulty with some steep slopes and sturdy shoes are recommended.

Fisherman's Trail: Distance 1 mile
This is a short trail following the rivers' edge starting at the public boaters access areas. The trail provides access for fishing and vantage point to see the Hawks Nest Dam. Public access to the dam and industrial site is prohibited.

Lovers Leap Overlook
Lovers Leap Trail This trail starts at the tram way upper station and travels down a steep grade of wood steps and series of steep grade changes with over 100 steps down to a rock outcropping. The trail is rigorous exercise traveling along uneven wood and rock surfaces. Recommend sturdy closed-toe shoes. Those desiring to enjoy the view with less strenuous activity should consider the main Hawks Nest Overlook that also offers similar views.

GSYP trail: Distance 1.5 Miles
The trail is named for the summer maintenance crew that dug this trail into the hillside down to the river area. The trail provides an excellent hike to the river and features a series of switch backs and steps through a beautiful mature forest. The trail comes out at the river boater parking lot, hikers can purchase a one-way ticket on our tramway (in season) to hitch-hike back up mountainside. A great place to view wildlife. Sturdy close-toe shoes are recommended. Distance 1.5 Mile

Hawks Nest Rail Trail: 3.6 miles  (Ok for Biking)
This is the newest trail that is shouldering our boundary and completes it travels near the park Nature Center. The 1.8 mile (one way) trail is an easy walking, gravel trail featuring two trestles and many waterfall vantage points. The trail is a great place for a short stroll or connection to the river via a bike. The trail can be a circle trail using the River Road (vehicle traffic) or by connecting a lift on the tramway. See the park lodge for more information. The trail is maintained by the town of Ansted and trail volunteers. No trail free, tramway requires ticket purchase.  Bike rentals are available at Class VI Mountain Rivers.

Hawks Nest State Park is a beautiful place to visit less than 15 minutes from Country Road Cabins. Nestled in the heart of whitewater rafting country, the Park encompasses 276 acres bordering a rugged section of the New River Gorge National River.

Long known for its panoramic views, the park offers great day hikes, picnic areas, lake access for fishing and boating, and a very cool sightseeing aerial tram, along with jetboat tours that leave from the park's dock. Not to be missed is the park's Nature Center. There is a 31 room lodge at the park as well, if you prefer a lodge room over your own deluxe New River log cabin rental.

Below the lodge, the New River forms peaceful Hawks Nest Lake. Above the lake, the narrow canyon and rushing water create one of the most challenging whitewater paddling waterways in the nation.

Hawk’s Nest Nature Center
This is one of the best parts of our nearby State Park. The Nature Center is definitely worth a visit when you are visiting our southwestern WV area.

The River Nature Center features opportunities for kids of any age to enjoy and experience the life within the New River community. The nature exhibits demonstrate interactive nature displays, as well as an on-site naturalist for assistance and information.

The Nature Center is also the base contact station to the new Hawks Nest Rail Trail operated by the Town of Ansted. Hawks Nest Nature Center is open daily from Memorial Day to Labor Day and on weekends after Labor Day through closing in late October. The Nature Center and the aerial tram operate on the same schedule.

The Nature Center may open for school or other groups on a reservation basis, as available, during the week. (A minimum of a two week advance notice is required for groups.)

Gift shops at the park
There are three gift shops at Hawks Nest State Park. The Lodge Gift Shop is open daily. The Lower Park Gift Shop is located 1/4 mile west on Route 60 and is open May through October. Both gift shops offer many varieties of souvenirs, T-shirts, toys, jewelry, glassware, and other items. The third gift shop is located at the River Marina where you will find our Nature Center. Items you will find include educational gifts related to nature.

Free and low cost fall vacation fun is waiting for you in the beautiful New River Gorge Region of southwestern West Virginia! Next blog is on things to do at Hawk's Nest State Park. We'll cover hiking, jebtboat tours, and the aerial tram.

Hawks Nest State Park:
49 Hawks Nest Park Road
Ansted, WV 25812
(304) 658-5212 or 1-800-CALL WVA

The New River Treetops Canopy Tour zip line is the perfect new adventure for a new year.  Open year round, the canopy tour is a world-class series of high-flying ziplines and sky bridges that take guests soaring through an old-growth helmock forest.  More than just physical adventure, the canpoy tour is teaching ground for the history of the forest and the battle to save the hemlock trees from the hemlock woolly adelgid.  Designed to thrill first timers and hold hands at ziplines, the canopy tour is the perfect adventure for West Virginia family vacations year round.

Whether the ground is carpeted with snow or spring wildflowers, autumn leaves or summer ferns, the Treetops canopy tour is an ideal adventure.  It lends itself to several visits, so guests can see the forest in all seasons.  Centrally located near Hawk's Nest lodging, New River lodging, and the New River Gorge, Treetops is one adventure we really, really like. A lot. See you in the trees!