f you browse through my Parks album you will note there are a number of pictures tagged in Coopers Rock. It is one of my favorite places to visit. It is a gorgeous West Virginia state forest just over the Pennsylvania state line called Coopers Rock State Forest. It is about 1 hour and 30 minutes from downtown Pittsburgh. It takes me about 45 - 50 minutes to get there from my house.
I found this destination through my husband (assistant) and his father. My father-in-law loved to ride his motorcycle, and this was a spot he frequented. He and my husband started going there long before we met twenty some odd years ago. When my husband started riding a motorcycle this was one of their places they would visit. In fact, the first time I visited Coopers Rock I went on the back of my husband's motorcycle. We rode out with his father.
20160801_145823_HDRMy Wonderful Assistant
The roadway through the park was amazing. I call it a magical fairyland, because when entering the park the tree tops one either side of the road just barely touch. On a motorcycle it is almost a tunneling effect.
There are a number of pull offs along the road where you can park to hike/hunt. In fact, on our most recent trip there was a sign posted that said, "Rabbit Season" (to which I yelled, "Duck Season!"), and we saw a number of hunters along the road. (If you have concerns about being mistaken for delicious game the forest has a "safe zone" where hunting is not permitted.)
At the end of the road there is a overlook built from a cliff hanging out over the Cheat River. It is absolutely breath taking. If you are up for an adventure there is also an underlook to take a peak at the bottom of the cliff. My personal goal is to get in enough shape to be able to hike from the overlook to the Cheat River and back (in the same day, hell the same weekend).
Coopers Rock Overlook Summer 3
If you love the serenity of the woods, or a good motorcycle ride I strongly recommend a visit.
