Progress continues on West Virginia’s first stargazing cabins

BRUCETON MILLS, WV (WVNS) — Progress continues to be made on the first stargazing cabins in the Mountain State.

The stargazing cabins will be located at Coopers Rock State Forest and are estimated to open in fall 2024. Reservations for the cabins will begin to be accepted on August 1, 2024. Governor Justice visited Coopers Rock State Forest on Monday, June 24, 2024 to check on the progress on the cabins.

This is another exciting day for West Virginia with the addition of these incredible cabins. Coopers Rock State Forest is a gem within our state park system, and as we continue to draw visitors from around the world, it’s important that we maintain and enhance its amazing condition and reputation. This stunning park is among our most frequently visited, and the projects we’re working on here will further put this forest on the map.

Governor Jim Justice

The stargazing cabins are part of more than $200 million in improvements made to the West Virginia parks system under the leadership of Governor Justice.

There will be five A-frame stargazing cabins that will be found by the main ridge between Raven Rock and the main overlook, and there are plans to add seven more cabins in spring 2025.

The cabins will be set up to give guests a chance for unique stargazing opportunities using the telescopes in the cabins to look at some of the darkest skies on the East Coast.

It’s amazing to see these improvements coming to fruition at Coopers Rock State Forest. Gov. Justice has brought the West Virginia State Parks system to much higher levels with his vision and guidance. I’m looking forward to all of the new and returning visitors who will come to stay in the newly constructed cabins and at the campground once they’re ready.

Brett McMillion | Division of Natural Resources Director

Investments were made at 36 parks, nine forests and three rail trails throughout the Mountain State. Cacapon Resort State Park’s new lodge, creating two new state parks, new recreational facilities, hundreds of new campsites built or upgraded, systemwide infrastructure upgrades, and renovations at every lodge and cabin in the system will be included in the projects.

Since the investments were made, revenue grew significantly and visitation increased, which will allow for reinvestment in public lands in West Virginia.

We continue to see folks interested in unique lodging, and I’m thrilled to see our state’s first stargazing cabins nearing completion. The more than $200 million in improvements at our state parks system are paying dividends. A visit to any of our parks will show the incredible quality of our facilities and the popularity of our public lands. Our state parks system is a true gem, and we are forever grateful to the Governor for his continued commitment to ensuring our facilities the very best.

Chelsea Ruby | West Virginia Tourism Secretary of Tourism

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More than $15 million in investments were made at Coopers Rock State Forest. Some of the improvements include the stargazing cabins, major water and wastewater treatment improvements, a new laundry and firewood facility, and a modern 25-site RV campground.

The contracts in the investments were awarded to companies and firms in West Virginia. The first five stargazing cabins and new campground to Wolfes Excavating in Clarksburg, the next seven cabins will be built by Zetti Contracting LLC in Morgantown, ZMM did the architectural work, and CEC completed the engineering.