Bluestone National Scenic River
Pipestem, WV Hours and Location

Learn and Explore

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Our Mission

The National Park Service preserves unimpaired the natural and cultural resources and values of the National Park System for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations. The Park Service cooperates with partners to extend the benefits of natural and cultural resource conservation and outdoor recreation throughout this country and the world.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I obtain a park entrance pass?

Only 118 of your 417 park sites charge entrance fees. You can obtain park entrance passes by visiting a park site that charges an entrance fee. Entrance fee sites have passes available; we recommend calling a park prior to your visit. (See the park search to locate a specific park.) There are a number of entrance passes available, including park-specific passes as well as passes that offer entrance to more than 2,000 federal recreation sites in addition to the national parks (Annual, Military, Senior, 4th Grade, Access, and Volunteer passes). Learn more about the America the Beautiful – The National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass.

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About this location:

National Scenic River

Operating Hours & Seasons

Bluestone National Scenic River

The park is accessible year-round at two entrance points, Bluestone State Park and the former Lilly townsite, and seasonally at Pipestem Resort State Park. The park is open 24 hours a day.

Standard Hours

• Sunday:Open 24 hours
• Monday:Open 24 hours
• Tuesday:Open 24 hours
• Wednesday:Open 24 hours
• Thursday:Open 24 hours
• Friday:Open 24 hours
• Saturday:Open 24 hours

Fees & Passes

Entrance Fees:

• $0.00 – Entrance
  There is no entrance fee for the park. Pipestem Resort State Park charges a small fee to ride the tram to and from the bottom at the entrance in Pipestem.

About

Beautiful Bluestone

The Bluestone River and the rugged and ancient gorge it has carved is a richly diverse and scenic area of the southern Appalachians. Bluestone National Scenic River is preserved as a living landscape that provides an unspoiled experience for visitors and a haven for a variety of plants and animals. The park protects a 10.5-mile section of the Bluestone River in southern West Virginia.

Directions

Bluestone National Scenic River is most easily accessed via Bluestone State Park and Pipestem Resort State Park. A narrow, graveled park road provides access to the Bluestone Turnpike Trail at the former Lilly town site at the confluence of the Little Bluestone River. To reach these parks from I-64, take exit 139, then south on Rt. 20. From I-77 take exit 14 to Rt.20 north. Either direction, Bluestone State Park is 15 miles and Pipestem is 22 miles.

Visitor Centers

Sandstone Visitor Center

Sandstone Visitor Center is located in New River Gorge National River near Sandstone, WV, and is the primary National Park Service information site for Bluestone National Scenic River. Information can also be obtained at Bluestone State Park and Pipestem State Park, both which border Bluestone National Scenic River.

Weather

Summer: Temperatures range from low to mid 60’s at night to middle to upper 80’s during the daytime hours. Winter: Temperatures average from the mid 20’s to the mid 40’s. Snowfall amount varies, but averages 5″ per month Dec. – March. Spring and Fall: temperatures and rainfall variable. Peak fall foliage is usually mid-October.