Make a Pit Stop at Pinnacle Rock

For summer fun for the whole family, consider Pinnacle Rock State Park in Mercer County.

written by KAYLYN CHRISTOPHER
photographed by NIKKI BOWMAN MILLS

ALMOST A CENTURY AGO, during the New Deal era, the West Virginia Conservation Commission recognized the beauty of Pinnacle Rock—a striking 3,100-foot-high sandstone formation in Mercer County. The agency purchased 26 acres of land surrounding the outcrop. Pinnacle Rock State Park was established in 1938 as a roadside stop on the new U.S. Route 52. Together, the State of West Virginia and the federal Works Progress Administration constructed the park’s first resources, including parking areas, retaining walls, and more.

Located near Bramwell, the park boasts over 6 miles of hiking and biking trails. The Overlook Trail, a short but steep 400-foot walk up a set of stone steps, leads to the main attraction: an observation deck high atop Pinnacle Rock. Those who make the trek are rewarded with panoramic views of the mountainous southern West Virginia landscape.

Visitors to today’s 374-acre day-use park can also fill their itineraries with activities like fishing in Jimmy Lewis Lake—it’s stocked with trout February through May. Or explore the trails in search of the two geocaches hidden within the park’s perimeters.

Picnic areas and pavilions, complete with tables, grills, and even a fireplace, provide parkgoers opportunities to take a rest, have a snack, or gather with family and friends, and the park offers a playground for children to enjoy.

Combine your trip to Pinnacle Rock with a visit to historic Bramwell for a great day trip. Or book lodging at nearby Bluestone, Camp Creek, or Pipestem Resort state park and plan a full weekend of adventure.