Bluestone National Scenic River

Usual hours

• Mon–Sun 0:00–0:00

From 56 published days, 2026-10-24 to 2026-12-18; community-mapped.

About

Entrance / day-use fee applies.

This park's official page lists: Store / concessions.

This park's official page lists: Visitor center.

Official facts

Public access: Open access.

Protected area: 3,035 acres (1,228 ha).

Designation: National Wild & Scenic River. Listed as "Bluestone National Scenic River" in the Protected Areas Database of the United States. Protection: managed for biodiversity (GAP 2). IUCN category V.

Managed by: NPS.

U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Gap Analysis Project (GAP), 2025, Protected Areas Database of the United States (PAD-US) 4.1

At the park

• Hunting activity
• Hiking trails trail
• Fishing water

Shows and experiences

• Junior Ranger program
• Ranger & guided programs

Before you go

Limits

Yes, service dogs are legally permitted anywhere in a park that visitors can go

Getting there

Bluestone National Scenic River is most easily accessed via Bluestone State Park and Pipestem Resort State Park. A narrow, graveled park road provides access to the Bluestone Turnpike Trail at the former Lilly town site at the confluence of the Little Bluestone River. To reach these parks from I-64, take exit 139, then south on Rt. 20. From I-77 take exit 14 to Rt.20 north. Either direction, Bluestone State Park is 15 miles and Pipestem is 22 miles.

Weather & when to go

Summer: Temperatures range from low to mid 60's at night to middle to upper 80's during the daytime hours. Winter: Temperatures average from the mid 20's to the mid 40's. Snowfall amount varies, but averages 5" per month Dec. - March. Spring and Fall: temperatures and rainfall variable. Peak fall foliage is usually mid-October.

Visitor center

Sandstone Visitor Center — Sandstone Visitor Center is located just north of the I-64 and State Route 20 interchange (Exit 139). GPS coordinates are: 37.78320 N, 80.89778 W

Facilities on the park map

1 visitor information.