West Virginia’s largest state park made for an incredible childhood home for one local writer. His brief account is published in the February, 2021 edition of Wonderful West Virginia, The Magazine, as The Grandeur of Watoga – Then and Now. Our writer, John Dean grew up at Watoga State Park and is a Pocahontas County native. He …
Talk about a park with views and news! Happy News Year from Watoga State Park. It’s going to be a memorable one here in this 10,000-acre magical forest. You may be wondering why I wrote Happy “News” Year to start this blog. To begin with, it’s going to be a busy news year for Watoga …
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Christmas at Watoga State Park meant always receiving a special present from my Mom. I still cherish that gift all these years later. Of course, the park unwrapped presents for me to enjoy year-round, especially at Christmas. Watoga appeared to hibernate, but it was alive with life. White-tailed deer still foraged for food in the …
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Do photos of Watoga State Park mesmerize you no matter the time of year? So with that in mind, we decided to feature fall’s parade of colors from this year and prior years. Nonetheless, Watoga is West Virginia’s largest recreation area at 10,100 acres. Since 2010, Watoga has been listed on the National Register of …
As 18-year-olds, Judy and Ken Caplinger, II began a 45-year journey of making memories together at Watoga State Park. That first stop: Staying in the aptly named Honeymoon Cabin at West Virginia’s largest state park. This is Part 2. The Caplingers spent time after their wedding at Cabin 34 in the Pine Run Cabin Area. …
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Long before Ken Caplinger, II reached a career pinnacle as West Virginia’s parks chief, he had his coming of age at Watoga State Park. This is Part One. During the early 1960s, Ken, Sr. and his wife, Doris, lived next door to my family from 1962-1964. Accompanying them were their four children – Ken II, …
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. . . The more things change the more they stay the sameThe same sunrise, it’s just another dayIf you hang in long enough they say you’re comin’ backJust take a look, we’re living proof and baby that’s a fact . . . — Bon Jovi Greatest Hits, 2010 I have hung “in long enough” …
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Benches honoring two former superintendents were installed in June as part of the Watoga State Park Bench Project. Both are situated near the statue honoring the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) with a nearby small stream flowing gently to Watoga Lake. In the background is the park’s administration building. Bench for Kermit McKeever Kermit McKeever (1910-1995), …
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Reminiscing has a way of putting things into perspective, especially during a pandemic. With the pool closed and Labor Day in the rearview mirror, it’s time for our readers’ perspective of their times at Watoga State Park. Childhood Reminiscing Where do I start? Watoga was my adolescence. It’s the place a significant number of my …
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Watoga dark sky good for bats. Cindy Sandeno, District Ranger of the Marlinton/White Sulphur Springs Ranger District, visited Watoga State Park this past Saturday evening to teach an assembled group of campers, park employees and other interested parties why we need bats, and why they now need us. Sandeno discussed light pollution and how bats …