Welcome to Cabwaylingo State Forest
Cabwaylingo State Forest covers 8,123 acres in southern West Virginia. Its name comes from four counties: Cabell, Wayne, Lincoln, and Mingo. This forest is a fun place to visit. You can hike trails, stay in old cabins, or ride ATVs. My name is Douglas Baltes. I studied Marine Biology at the University of Tasmania for five years. I know a lot about nature, like the Great Southern Reef in Australia. Now, I’m sharing what I learned about Cabwaylingo’s trails, cabins, and adventures.
This article tells you all about Cabwaylingo State Forest. It talks about its history, trails, cabins, and ATV paths. It’s written in very easy English, like for a second grader. Let’s learn why Cabwaylingo is a great place to visit.
The History of Cabwaylingo
Cabwaylingo started in the 1930s. A group called the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) made it. The CCC helped fix land that was hurt. They planted trees, built trails, and made cabins. Their work started West Virginia’s state parks.
The forest was first called Camp Anthony Wayne. From 1935 to 1939, two CCC groups worked here. They checked trees, stopped fires, and built cabins with stone fireplaces. You can still see these cabins and trails today. The CCC also built a fire tower on Tick Ridge in 1935. It’s not used now, but you can see it when hiking. This history makes Cabwaylingo special. It shows how people helped nature long ago.
CCC-Crafted Trails
Cabwaylingo has nine miles of hiking trails. These paths let you see pretty flowers and cliffs. The CCC made many trails in the 1930s with simple tools. You can walk these paths and enjoy their work.
Trails You Can Walk
Here are some trails you can try:
- Sleepy Hollow Trail: This trail is 1.5 miles long. It’s easy and has a 4.2-star rating from 11 people on AllTrails. You see wildflowers and small hills. It’s good for kids or new hikers.
- Copley Trail: This trail is 1.8 miles. It’s a bit hard and climbs 577 feet. You see rock cliffs that hid people long ago. It’s fun for hikers who like a challenge.
- Indian Trail: This 1.9-mile trail is tough. It goes to the Tick Ridge Fire Tower, built in 1935. You can’t climb the tower, but it’s neat to see.
- Spruce Creek Trail: This 1.9-mile path is quiet. It follows a creek and is good for seeing animals like deer or birds. It can be muddy, so wear strong shoes.
- Ash Branch Trail: This trail is 3.2 miles and climbs 938 feet. It’s the longest and ends at a picnic spot. It’s hard but has great views.
- Long Branch Historic Trail: This 0.7-mile trail is easy. It has CCC stonework, like fireplaces and stairs. You can see a CCC logo on a shelter floor.
These trails are for all kinds of hikers. Some are easy, like Sleepy Hollow. Others, like Ash Branch, are harder. This article gives you clear details to pick a trail.
Why Trails Are Special
The CCC trails are more than paths. They show how people cared for nature. You can see oak trees, hickory trees, and wildflowers in spring. You might see deer, turkeys, or birds like cardinals. The cliffs on trails were homes for people long ago. This mix of nature and history makes hiking fun.
Historic Cabins
Cabwaylingo has 14 cabins built by the CCC. These cabins are made of wood or stone. They have stone fireplaces. Most are open from mid-April to late October. Two cabins stay open all year. The cabins are old but have modern things like lights, water, and kitchens.
Kinds of Cabins
- Legacy Cabins: These are the CCC cabins. They have wood or stone walls, showers, and kitchens with dishes. Five cabins let pets stay, and two are easy for wheelchairs. Cabin 1 is open all year. Others close in October.
- Vacation Cabin: This is a new cabin. It has air conditioning, a TV, and a gas fireplace. It’s open all year and good for families who want comfort.
All cabins have sheets, towels, and firewood. You just bring food and clothes. The cabins are near Twelvepole Creek, which makes a nice sound. Some cabins, like Cabin 13, are far from others. Others, like Cabin 4 (Price Cabin), are close to the creek.
Why Cabins Are Special
The cabins take you back to the 1930s. The CCC built them to last, and you can see their stone fireplaces. Staying in one feels old but has modern things like Wi-Fi and TV. People on Tripadvisor like the cabins for their history and quiet. One person stayed in Cabin 8 with their dog and said it had everything they needed.
ATV Adventures
Cabwaylingo is part of the Hatfield-McCoy Trail System. It has almost 100 miles of trails for ATVs, UTVs, dirt bikes, and 4x4s. These trails are a big reason people come. They are easy or hard, so everyone can ride.
About the Trails
- Trail Types: The trails have different levels:
- Easiest (Green): 54% of trails, good for new riders.
- More Difficult (Blue): 29%, a bit harder but fun.
- Most Difficult (Black): 9%, for expert riders.
- Single Track: 5%, narrow for dirt bikes.
- Trailhead: The Cabwaylingo trailhead has parking, bathrooms, and a shop for permits and maps. They give discounts to military people.
- Connections: The trails connect to other systems like Buffalo Mountain, Devil Anse, Rockhouse, and new 2025 trails called Braveheart and Big Coal River.
The trails are clear and safe. A 64-year-old person on Tripadvisor said the green and blue trails are fun and easy to follow. Black trails are for experts, so new riders should pick green.
Why ATV Riding Is Fun
ATV trails make Cabwaylingo exciting. You can ride through woods and over hills. You can also ride to towns like Matewan, which has a museum about mining history. This article helps you plan your ride with all the details.
Animals and Plants
Cabwaylingo has lots of animals and plants. You see oak trees, hickory trees, and maple trees. In spring, wildflowers bloom in bright colors. You might see deer, turkeys, or bears. Birds like cardinals, warblers, and vireos sing in the trees.
Fishing in Twelvepole Creek
Twelvepole Creek runs through the forest. It has trout from February to May. You can also catch bass, catfish, and crappie. You need a fishing license from www.wvfish.com. Some say George Washington saw this creek long ago.
Watching Nature
The forest is great for seeing animals. You might see raccoons or bats at night. In spring, scarlet tanagers make the trees bright red. My work with nature, like Australia’s kelp forests, helps me explain why this forest is special. The trees and animals make a healthy home for wildlife.
More Things to Do
Cabwaylingo has more than trails and cabins. You can swim, picnic, or hunt. These activities make the forest fun for everyone.
Swimming
A pool near McClintic Group Camp is open from Memorial Day to Labor Day. It has a small pool for kids and lifeguards to keep you safe. It’s a nice way to cool off after hiking or riding.
Picnicking
The forest has picnic shelters and tables. Some shelters have CCC stonework, like fireplaces. You can reserve shelters for big groups or use tables for free. The Long Branch Picnic Area has a CCC logo on a shelter floor.
Hunting
You can hunt with a license from www.wvhunt.com. You can hunt deer, turkeys, or rabbits when it’s allowed. Wear bright clothes to stay safe on trails.
Events
The forest has fun events:
- Cabwaylingo Annual Forest Festival: On the third Saturday in September. It has a parade, car show, games, and music.
- Haunted House: In October, the McClintic Group Camp becomes a spooky haunted house.
- Stream Clean: In spring, you can help clean the creek and get special cabin rates.
These activities make Cabwaylingo fun all year. This guide tells you everything to plan your visit.
How to Plan Your Visit
Cabwaylingo is near Dunlow, West Virginia. It’s a short drive from Huntington. The forest is free to enter, but cabins and campsites cost money. Cabins are about $80-$150 per night. Camping is $30-$33 per night. You can book cabins at www.wvstateparks.com. Campsites are first-come, first-served.
Getting There
From Dunlow, take WV-152 S, then turn onto Co Hwy 40 and Co Hwy 35. After 3.7 miles, follow Co Hwy 41 for 0.5 miles. The forest is on your left. The address is 4279 Cabwaylingo Park Rd, Dunlow, WV 25511.
Camping
The forest has two campgrounds:
- Tick Ridge Campground: 20 rustic sites with no hookups. It has toilets and showers.
- Spruce Creek Campground: 11 sites, six with water and electric. It has showers and bathrooms.
Nearby, East Lynn Lake and The Falls campgrounds have more RV sites with hookups.
Tips for Visitors
- Bring food and supplies. The nearest store costs a lot.
- Wear bright clothes on trails during hunting season.
- Check trail maps at the trailhead for ATV or hiking paths.
- Book cabins early for festivals or holidays.
Places Nearby
Cabwaylingo is quiet, but you can visit fun places nearby:
- Beech Fork State Park: A 720-acre lake for boating and fishing.
- Chief Logan State Park: See animals and a history museum.
- Camden Park: An old amusement park with rides and games.
- Heritage Farm Museum: Learn about old life and see a petting zoo.
These places are close by. This guide shows how they make your trip better.
Why Cabwaylingo Is Special
Cabwaylingo is more than a forest. Its CCC trails, cabins, and ATV paths make it different. The forest feels like the 1930s with stone fireplaces and old trails. But it has modern fun like ATV riding and Wi-Fi in cabins. You can hike, fish, or relax by a creek. The forest’s quiet and animals make it a great place to visit.
My work with nature, like Australia’s kelp forests, helps me see why Cabwaylingo is important. Its trees and animals make a healthy forest. The CCC’s work from the 1930s still helps nature today. This guide gives you all the details to enjoy this special place.
Conclusion
Cabwaylingo State Forest is a treasure in West Virginia. Its CCC trails, historic cabins, and ATV adventures are fun for everyone. You can hike Sleepy Hollow Trail, stay in a cozy cabin, or ride the Hatfield-McCoy trails. The forest’s history and nature make every visit great. Plan your trip to Cabwaylingo and see its beauty.
Disclaimer: This article on Cabwaylingo State Forest is for informational purposes only. Verify details with official sources like www.wvstateparks.com. Outdoor activities have risks; follow safety guidelines. The author and publisher are not liable for injuries, losses, or damages.
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Douglas Baltes is a writer who loves the ocean! He has worked for five years to learn about it. He writes fun stories about the Great Southern Reef in Australia, a big place with giant kelp forests under the water. Douglas has a degree in Marine Biology from the University of Tasmania, so he knows a lot about sea life! He works with nice groups to save the kelp forests. Douglas writes easy and exciting stories about them. He also leads happy projects to help the forests grow again. The Australian Marine Conservation Society loves his work!
