Beech Fork State Park is a state park

State park

State parks are parks or other protected areas managed at the federated state level within those nations which use "state" as a political subdivision. State parks are typically established by a state to preserve a location on account of its natural beauty, historic interest, or recreational...

 located in Cabell County

Cabell County, West Virginia

As of the census of 2000, there were 96,784 people, 41,180 households, and 25,490 families residing in the county. The population density was 344 people per square mile . There were 45,615 housing units at an average density of 162 per square mile...

 and Wayne County, West Virginia

Wayne County, West Virginia

As of the census of 2000, there were 42,903 people, 17,239 households, and 12,653 families residing in the county. The population density was 85 people per square mile . There were 19,107 housing units at an average density of 38 per square mile...

. The park is located on the tailwater shores of Beech Fork Lake

Beech Fork Lake

Beech Fork Lake is a 720 acre  reservoir located near Lavalette in Wayne County, West Virginia. Beech Fork Lake is also partly located in neighboring Cabell County. Millers Fork and Stowers Branch join Beech Fork with their own river valleys contributing to the majority of the lakesurface...

, a flood control impoundment of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on the Beech Fork of Twelvepole Creek

Twelvepole Creek

Twelvepole Creek is a river located in Wayne County, West Virginia. It is part of the Mississippi River watershed, by way of the Ohio River.-Course:...

. Since its development in the mid-1970s, Beech Fork State Park has proven to be a popular recreation spot for the residents of nearby Barboursville

Barboursville, West Virginia

Barboursville is a village in Cabell County, West Virginia, United States. It is located near the second largest city in the state, Huntington. The population was 3,183 at the 2000 census....

 and Huntington, West Virginia

Huntington, West Virginia

Huntington is a city in Cabell and Wayne counties in the U.S. state of West Virginia, along the Ohio River. Most of the city is in Cabell County, for which it is the county seat. A small portion of the city, mainly the neighborhood of Westmoreland, is in Wayne County. Its population was 49,138 at...

, as well as those living in the surrounding region. The park is located about 10 miles (16.1 km) south of the Hal Greer

Hal Greer

Harold Everett Greer is a retired American professional basketball player.He attended Douglass Junior and Senior High School in Huntington. He played college basketball at Marshall University and was drafted by the Syracuse Nationals of the NBA in 1958...

 Exit (Exit 11) of Interstate 64

Interstate 64

Interstate 64 is an Interstate Highway in the Midwestern and Southeastern United States. Its western terminus is at I-70, U.S. 40, and U.S. 61 in Wentzville, Missouri. Its eastern terminus is at an interchange with I-264 and I-664 at Bowers Hill in Chesapeake, Virginia. As I-64 is concurrent with...

.

Access to the park is also available from Exits 8, 15, and 20 of I-64. The Beech Fork Lake

Beech Fork Lake

Beech Fork Lake is a 720 acre  reservoir located near Lavalette in Wayne County, West Virginia. Beech Fork Lake is also partly located in neighboring Cabell County. Millers Fork and Stowers Branch join Beech Fork with their own river valleys contributing to the majority of the lakesurface...

 Dam and Marina are about a 20 mile (40 minute) drive from the park.

Corps of Engineers lake rules restrict boat motors to 10-hp or smaller.

Features

• Boat launch access to Beech Fork Lake
• 4 Campgrounds with 275 campsites total (including 49 with hookups and 225 with electrical power)
• 6 cabins
• 50-meter swimming pool
• Hiking
  Hiking
  Hiking is an outdoor activity which consists of walking in natural environments, often in mountainous or other scenic terrain. People often hike on hiking trails. It is such a popular activity that there are numerous hiking organizations worldwide. The health benefits of different types of hiking...
  
  
• mountain biking
• Fishing
  Fishing
  Fishing is the activity of trying to catch wild fish. Fish are normally caught in the wild. Techniques for catching fish include hand gathering, spearing, netting, angling and trapping....
  
   access
• Tennis court
• Volleyball court
• Basketball court
• Softball field
• Picnic area

• Boat and canoe rentals are available from the privately operated Beech Fork Lake
  Beech Fork Lake
  Beech Fork Lake is a 720 acre  reservoir located near Lavalette in Wayne County, West Virginia. Beech Fork Lake is also partly located in neighboring Cabell County. Millers Fork and Stowers Branch join Beech Fork with their own river valleys contributing to the majority of the lakesurface...
  
   Marina.

Accessibility

Accessibility

Accessibility

Accessibility is a general term used to describe the degree to which a product, device, service, or environment is available to as many people as possible. Accessibility can be viewed as the "ability to access" and benefit from some system or entity...

 for the disabled was assessed by West Virginia University

West Virginia University

West Virginia University is a public research university in Morgantown, West Virginia, USA. Other campuses include: West Virginia University at Parkersburg in Parkersburg; West Virginia University Institute of Technology in Montgomery; Potomac State College of West Virginia University in Keyser;...

. The assessment found the campground, picnic areas, swimming pool, and the doors and ramps of public buildings to be accessible. The 2005 assessment found issues with signage on buildings and parking lots, and with aspects of access to restrooms.

External links

• Beech Fork State Park web site
• U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Beech Fork Website