No shortage of options at Pipestem
By The Register-Herald
Pipestem Resort and Bluestone state parks are joined at the hip along a 20-minute drive on Route 20 south of Hinton .
Bluestone State Park is more of a lakeside retreat that offers boating and fishing opportunities . All Bluestone State Park campgrounds – some offering the full range of hookups to more rustic accommodations – are open spring through fall , weather permitting . There are four distinct campgrounds , with a combined total of 120 campsites . For the more hard-core camping fans , East Shore Campground has 39 primitive sites that are accessible by boat only .
For a full range of amenities , Pipestem has zipline tours , guided trout fishing trips , mountain bike excursions and an adventure lake and splash park . There is also kayaking and a stand-up paddle board tour , tubing and whitewater adventure on the Bluestone River .
The sprawling 4,050-acre park features 26 cabins and two lodges , one of which can only be accessed by riding the park ’ s aerial tramway to the bottom of the Bluestone River Gorge . The tram is under repair and is scheduled to reopen this fall .
The park offers a full range of accommodations , from fully equipped campsites to cabins to the resorts .
If you are a thrill-seeker , then Pipestem Peaks Zipline Tour may be your shot of adrenaline . Its longest zip measures up to 1,600 feet and reaches speeds of up to 50 mph In total , the park has nine zips . If being on the water is more your thing , the park is home to Adventure Lake and Splash Park , complete with a giant inflatable mountain , slides and trampolines to jump into the lake . A beach offers lounge chairs for parents .
For the younger children , the Splash Park and kids ’ zone have 18 splash features including spraying flowers , circles and animals . Moms and dads can keep an eye on the young ones from deckside lounge chairs .
The lake and splash park is open from May 20 to September 4 .
Grab a line . Pipestem Peaks Zipline tour guide Megan Grose , above , rides a zipline on a tour through the treetops at Pipestem .
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