First and largest of West Virginia State Parks, Watoga encompasses 10,100 acres of mountainous Pocahontas County, just 17 miles south of Marlinton. Watoga is a sprawling, verdant woodland filled with a multitude of recreational possibilities for park guests. From an invigorating hike up the mountain to Anne Bailey Lookout Tower, to a refreshing afternoon of boating on the lake, there is something for nearly everyone to enjoy.

Watoga's unusual name is derivative of the Cherokee word, "watauga", which means "the river of islands". Native Americans gave this name to the Greenbrier River area, which forms several miles of the park's boundary, due to the river's wide, shallow nature which causes many sandbars and islands to be formed. Wildlife abounds in the park. Raccoon, wild turkey, grouse, squirrels and wood-chuck are among the more common inhabitants. Sightings of black bear have been made in the park, and you may consider it a rare occasion should you visit Watoga and not see a whitetail deer.

• Take the invigorating hike up the mountain to Anne Bailey Lookout Tower.
• Enjoy a refreshing afternoon of boating on the lake.
• Have a picnic at the striking picnic area found atop one of the park's highest ridges, dedicated as a memorial to Tom Cheek, first chief of the West Virginia state park system. This area offers a spectacular view of the surrounding wooded ridges and valleys.