Droop Mountain Battlefield State Park

Visiting Droop Mountain

If you are looking for the perfect place to get your nature and history at the same time, then Droop Mountain Battlefield State Park is the perfect fit. This park is the first official state park in West Virginia and is home to 8 different hiking trails, a lookout tower, playgrounds, a confederate cemetery, a Civil War Museum, and even some ghosts! It is the site of the last significant Civil War Battle in the state and is one of the 300 historical sites on the Civil War Discovery Trail. As a West Virginia state park, this stop is dog-friendly so you can bring along your furry sidekick! Droop Mountain was also one of the best parks for spotting some cool-looking newts and other small critters.

What to Expect

This particular state park is in Hillsboro, West Virginia. The park does have several roads that will take you to different areas like the picnic shelters, playgrounds, Civil War Museum, and the Lookout Tower. Be aware that there are black bears in the area so take the proper precautions while you are hiking the trails and disposing of your trash. There are signs in the park to remind you to be careful and what to do in case you encounter one.

The Civil War Museum is in a small log cabin near the confederate cemetery and behind the main buildings for the park rangers. There is a parking lot here as well as an outhouse available for use.  

There is signage inside the park, but we didn’t find it as useful as we would have liked. I would suggest downloading a park map from the website before you arrive. More importantly, be aware that cell phone service in the area is spotty. You will also want to have your directions to your next stop already downloaded.

Lodging Near Droop Mountain

There is no camping allowed inside the park, however, there are two areas nearby where you can set up camp that is dog-friendly.

Seneca State Forest has nonelectric campsites that start at $19 per night and cabins that start at $65 per night.

Watoga State Park is home to two different campgrounds that start at $28 per night for non-electric campsites and $33 per night for electric campsites. They also have cabin rentals that start at $115 per night.

For the non-campers, there are several hotels available nearby.

Activities

Droop Mountain Battlefield State Park is a great place for all kinds of activities. You can host events at one of the picnic shelters, bring your kids to play on one of the playgrounds, learn more about the Civil War, go hiking, or even have a paranormal encounter!

Picnic Shelters and Play Areas

There are two areas with picnic shelters available for rental reservations. The two children’s play areas are near these shelters. The play areas are open to the public and do not need to be rented.

Civil War History

Droop Mountain is a part of the Civil War Discovery Trail which consists of 300 historical sites in 16 states. These sites include cemeteries, historic homes, battlefields, railroad stations, and parks. During even-numbered years in the month of October, the park hosts a reenactment of the Battle of Droop Mountain. This was the last significant battle in West Virginia during the Civil War and was fought on November 6, 1863.

If you are interested in the history of the Civil War, there is also a small seasonal museum that houses local artifacts from that time period. The museum is housed in a small log cabin that was built during the New Deal era by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s.  

As you drive through the park to the museum and cemetery, you will be able to see a replica Civil War Cannon.

While walking the trails, you will see memorial markers of fallen soldiers from the battle. You can also visit the Confederate Cemetery located near the museum.

Ghost hunting

The Battle of Droop Mountain resulted in the death of 78 men; 45 Union soldiers and 33 Confederate. People have reported hearing screams and other sounds of battle while walking the grounds of this historic battlefield. Other visitors have reported seeing ghosts of soldiers walking the grounds, a sleeping soldier against a tree, and even a headless confederate soldier roaming around. To hear more about the hauntings of Droop Mountain and other spots around the state, you can read “West Virginia Ghost Stories”.

Hiking

This park has 8 hiking trails of varying distances and difficulty levels. In the winter, some of these trails can also be used for cross-country skiing. Whereas the trails themselves are marked, it can be hard to navigate trail to trail and eventually back to your vehicle. Cell phone service is also limited in the park. For these reasons, I do recommend that you have a map of the park before you start.

Some of the trails can be a bit overgrown so you might want to wear tall hiking boots and pants to keep your legs safe from thorns and other sharp plant parts. Be aware that the more difficult trails can be pretty steep and difficult to navigate when wet.

Keep a close eye on the ground when you are walking the trails as we found this park to be an excellent place to see reptiles and other small critters! 

The Overlook Tower is a great place to appreciate the view of Little Levels Valley. There is a parking lot that you can drive to nearby the tower if you don’t want to hike from where you originally parked your vehicle.

Nearby Attractions

West Virginia has no shortage of beautiful outdoor spaces to explore. Beartown State Park is the perfect place for a picnic lunch or snack combined with a beautiful hike on a ½ mile boardwalk.

Watoga State Park offers hiking and water activities in West Virginia’s largest state park.

Seneca State Forest is a great place for hiking, biking, and fishing.

Cranberry Glades Botanical Area has a boardwalk where you can find carnivorous plants as you walk the trail.

If you are looking for a stop to give you a break from hiking, consider visiting the Greenbank Observatory. The Greenbank Observatory has a science center and is home to the world’s largest fully steerable radio telescope.  

Why You Should Visit

Droop Mountain Battlefield State Park is a great place for history buffs and nature enthusiasts alike. Keep an eye out for wildlife while hiking the trails and take a moment to learn about the Civil War from a local standpoint while visiting the museum and cemetery on the grounds. 

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