The
Berkeley Springs area provides its visitors with many different choices
of entertainment. Some of the most popular recreational visits include
the 18-hole, 72-par championship golf course at Cacapon State Park.
Designed by Robert Trent Jones in the mid 1960's and meticulously
maintained, it is one of the region's most popular public courses, open
for year 'round play, weather permitting. Golf carts, a driving range,
a picturesque putting green, a pro-shop, the clubhouse, and challenging
play which includes deer as obstacles are all part of Cacapon's appeal.
Cold Run Driving Range is open Thursday through Monday in season.
Cross
country skiing is also a popular sport on the mountain trails of
Cacapon State Park and along the many back roads of the county. Don't
forget to bring your own equipment.
From Easter through
Thanksgiving, mountain trail horseback rides originate from Cacapon
State Park. One of the most popular rides starts in the state park and
crosses along the top of Cacapon Mountain for 10 miles to the
historically and geologically prominent Cacapon Rocks. With its
spectacular views of the Cacapon River Valley, the Rocks were a common
destination for 18th and 19th century riders, George Washington wrote
often of his daily rides there. Rodeo fans can enjoy sanctioned events
at the outdoor Triple B Arena along historic Sir Johns Run. Held on
Sunday afternoons, activities feature team sorting, barrel racing and
team roping. Occasional special events include country music concerts
and full-scale rodeos.
There are public game courts offering
tennis, basketball and volleyball, all found at Cacapon State Park and
Biser Street Park in town. Paw Paw Town Park has a softball field and
playground. The Morgan County Recreation Area provides five ball fields
for league play. Spectators are welcome.
More than 20,000 acres in two wildlife management areas provide
opportunities for hunting everything from white-tailed deer to roaming
flocks of wild turkey. There are both spring and fall seasons for
various game. Sleepy Creek Wildlife Management Area also offers
primitive camping and a lake. Varying settings for canoeing, fishing
and boating are found on the Potomac and Cacapon rivers, on area
streams, and on lakes at Cacapon State Park and Sleepy Creek Wildlife
Area. The Ridge Fish Hatchery breeds famous West Virginia trout used to
stock local lakes. Sleepy Creek Lake has bass, sunfish, pike and
crappie. There are several public access points to the rivers noted on
the map. Camping and sportsman access are found along the Potomac River
in Paw Paw. Hunting and fishing licenses are required of both residents
and nonresidents 15 to 65 years of age. Do not hunt on private land
without permission!
Water
sports are not limited to soaking in the warm mineral springs. The
lakes at Cacapon State Park have paddle boats to rent. You can bring
power boats to the Potomac River and Sleepy Creek Lake in the wildlife
management area. Canoeing, kayaking and tubing are preferred sports on
the Cacapon River. There are sandy beaches and supervised swimming in
season at Cacapon State Park . The public swimming pool in Berkeley
Springs State Park, right next door to the Country Inn, is open daily
from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Shotgun Sports are available at two locations in the county. Sporting clays and trap are available at Sleepy Creek Sports,
a National Sporting Clays Association member. The wooded range is
located 15 minutes from Berkeley Springs and is fully equipped and
staffed. Also the Sleepy Creek Wildlife Area has an unattended shooting
range.
The ridges and
valleys of Morgan County are ideal terrain for both scenic road biking
and mountain biking. Easy riding is best enjoyed on the C&O Canal
towpath just six miles north of Berkeley Springs along the Potomac
River. The towpath ride also takes bikers through the nearly mile-long
Paw Paw Tunnel, largest man-made structure on the Canal. Bikes rentals
are available at C&O Bicycle.
Hiking
trails abound along Cacapon Mountain accessible from Cacapon State
Park. Other trails include the Big Blue Trail which connects to the
famed Appalachian Trail. The C&O Canal provides easy hiking as well
as biking. Hikers share a particular interest in the Paw Paw Tunnel.
Timber Ridge Go-Karts and Mini-Golf are open for daily family fun during the summer months and for weekends
in the spring and fall. Cold Run Driving Range also has mini-golf. The
bowling alley is open daily, year 'round.
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