Valley Falls State Park

Geobox|Protected Area
name = Valley Falls State Park
native_name =
other_name =
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category = West Virginia State Park
iucn_category = V

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image_caption = Tygart Valley River
etymology_type =
etymology =
country = United States
country_

state = West Virginia
state_

region_type = Counties
region = Marion
region1 = Taylor
district_type =
district =
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city =
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location =
lat_d = 39
lat_m = 23
lat_s = 38
lat_NS = N
long_d = 80
long_m = 04
long_s = 56
long_EW = W
elevation_imperial = 1558
elevation_round = 1
area_unit = acre
area_imperial = 1145
area_round = 1
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biome =
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geology =
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established_type = Established
established = 1964
established_note = cite book|title=Where People and Nature Meet: A History of the West Virginia State Parks|publisher=Pictorial Histories Publishing Company|location=Charleston, West Virginia|date=April 1988|isbn=0-933126-91-3]
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owner = West Virginia Division of Natural Resources
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free_type = Nearest city
free_label = Nearest city
free = Grafton, West Virginia
free1_type =
free1 =


map_caption = Location of Valley Falls State Park in West Virginia
map_locator = West Virginia
map_first =
website = [http://www.valleyfallsstatepark.com Valley Falls State Park]

Valley Falls State Park is a 1,145 acre (4.63 km²) day use facility sited along both banks of the Tygart Valley River. The park is located about 7 miles (11 km) south of exit 137 of I-79, near Fairmont, West Virginia.

The park's main feature is a half-mile long set of waterfalls that separate Marion and Taylor County, West Virginia. The park and river provide a popular and risky kayaking run. [ [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/07/30/AR2005073000915.html "In Life and Death, a Reminder of Whitewater's Power", Washington Post, July 31, 2005, Page E03, accessed September 6, 2005.] ]

The park was once a popular swimming area but because of numerous drownings swimming has been banned since the early 1980s however it is not uncommon on a hot summer day to see numerous sunbathers relaxing on the large flat rocks that cover the area near the river.

In the 19th century a small community thrived along the river at the current state park's location. The ruins of a sawmill and a gristmill are still visible along the river.

Features

* Hiking trails
* Playground
* Picnic area
* Volleyball court
* Fishing
* Kayaking

ee also

*List of West Virginia state parks
*state park

References

External links

* [http://www.valleyfallsstatepark.com/ Official site]