Coopers Rock State Forest is a popular park in West Virginia, and for good reason! It offers gorgeous views of the Cheat River Canyon from the Coopers Rock Overlook and has some fantastic trails through beautiful rock formations.
Coopers Rock State Forest makes a great day trip from Pittsburgh or a fun weekend getaway from Washington, DC, Baltimore, MD, and Columbus, OH. It’s a short drive from one of our favorite Pennsylvania State Parks, Ohiopyle. Both parks can easily be combined into one trip.
We loved our visit to Coopers Rock. The Rattlesnake Trail was fun to explore, and the overlook was impressive.
The guide below gives you everything you need to know about Coopers Rock Overlook and nearby hiking trails. So, let’s plan your next adventure!
Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, we may receive a commission if you click through and make a purchase.
History of Coopers Rock
Coopers Rock gets its name from an 18th-century story.
According to local legend, a cooper (barrel maker) named Henry Cooper was chased by Native American tribes during the early days of European settlement in the region. He supposedly took shelter in the crevices of the rock, successfully evading his pursuers.
This story is similar to one about Sam’s Point Preserve in New York, so take it with a grain of salt!
Coopers Rock Overlook and Rattlesnake/Rock City Hike: What To Know Before You Go
Parking For Coopers Rock Overlook
The best place to park for the Coopers Rock Overlook hike is the large parking area at the end of Coopers Rock State Park Road. The lot holds about two dozen or more vehicles.
At one end of the Coopers Rock Overlook parking lot are nice restrooms. At the other end is a gift shop and information center.
Coopers Rock State Forest Winter Closure
Cooper Rocks State Forest’s main gate closes every winter from December through March. Visitors can still access the park on foot but will have to park at the first lot on the right.
It is approximately 3 miles from the main gate to the Coopers Rock Overlook, so plan accordingly if you choose to visit in the winter.
Be a Responsible Visitor
Places like Coopers Rock are popular with visitors, which can bring trash and other issues. We all need to do our part to keep our parks clean and enjoyable for all.
Remember to pack out all trash (including those fruit peels) and leave behind what you found. Leave no trace so we all can enjoy these parks for years to come.
Hike to Coopers Rock Overlook
| Trail Location: | The trailhead to Coopers Rock Overlook is next to the main parking area at the end of Coopers Rock State Park Road. |
| Trail Length: | About 500 feet |
| Trail Difficulty: | Easy – the path to Coopers Rock is flat. However, there are some stairs to navigate, and the overlook is uneven. |
| Trail Type: | Out and back |
| Elevation Gain: | Minimal |
| Dog Friendly: | Yes |
What to Expect at the Coopers Rock Overlook
There are two separate areas along the Coopers Rock Overlook.
The main one is Coopers Rock, which features a short bridge to the overlook. The overlook is fenced in with a few tower viewers, so you can get a closer look at the Cheat River Canyon.
The second area at the Coopers Rock Overlook is smaller, giving a beautiful perspective of how far the rock juts out. There are some benches for seating nearby as well.
Almost Heaven Swing Photo Op
West Virginia has an excellent campaign showcasing the beauty of the state. They have placed several swings at popular places throughout the state, including the Cranny Crow Overlook in Lost River State Park, encouraging guests to take photos.
You’ll find one of the Almost Heaven swings along the trail to Coopers Rock Overlook. They even have a spot to place your phone so you can take a fun selfie!
Hiking the Rattlesnake and Rock City Loop
| Trail Location: | The trailhead to Rattlesnake Trail/Rock City Loop is to the left of the concession stand and gift shop at the Coopers Rock Overlook parking lot. |
| Trail Length: | 1.5 miles; however, it can be lengthened by adding on the Ridge Trail and/or Rhododendron Trail |
| Trail Difficulty: | Easy side of Moderate. There are rocks to navigate and some steeper sections. |
| Trail Type: | Loop |
| Elevation Gain: | 300 feet |
| Dog Friendly: | Yes |
Rattlesnake and Rocky City Loop Trailhead
We started on the Rattlesnake Trail, which begins to the left of the concession stand next to the Coopers Rock Overlook parking area. In this area, you can also access both the Underlook and Overlook Trails.
The Rattlesnake Trail is more interesting than the Rock City Trail, so we recommend starting with that.
However, if you’d rather start with an easier trail and end with a more challenging trail, take the Rock City Trail to the right of the concession stand. You’ll start with a steep decline, but the rest of the trail is relatively easy until you connect with the Rattlesnake Trail.
The Rattlesnake Trail at Coopers Rock State Forest
The Rattlesnake Trail is only .7 miles, but it is magnificent!
The trail winds up, down, and around massive rock formations and beautiful rhododendrons. Some of the rocks have to be over two stories tall!
Several rocks are along the trail path, and there are some steeper sections. But it’s still on the easy side of moderate.
Once you reach the Rock City Shelter, you can continue along the trail to make a longer loop connecting to the Ridge Trail or turn right onto the Rock City (Road) Trail, back to the parking lot.
As mentioned above, the Rock City Trail at this portion is pretty uneventful, but it’s still a nice trail.
Other Trails at Coopers Rock State Forest
In addition to the trails mentioned above, there are a few other trails near the Coopers Rock Overlook that are popular with visitors.
Rhododendron Trail
The Rhododendron Trail begins at the lower picnic loop and ends at the Henry Clay furnace. This 1-mile trail can connect with the Ridge and Rocky City Trails to make a longer loop.
The trail is considered moderate due to some steep sections and the rocky terrain.
Ravens Rock Trail
The Ravens Rock trailhead is about .8 miles from the Coopers Rock Overlook parking lot. There is a small parking area on the side of the road.
The Ravens Rock Trail is a moderate, 2.5-mile, out-and-back trail that leads to beautiful views of the Cheat River Canyon. The trail descends for the first .9 mile and then has a slight elevation gain towards the lookout.
The Underlook Trail
This short, .4-mile loop goes below the Coopers Rock Overlook. It’s considered a moderately challenging trail due to some rock scrambling along the trail.
Clay Furnace Trail
Although you can hike to the Henry Clay iron furnace via the Rhododendron Trail, there is a dedicated trail to the furnace that begins on the other side of the park.
The trail is about 1 mile, out-and-back, on the easy side of moderate with a slight elevation change.
Where to Stay Near Coopers Rock State Forest
Camping at Coopers Rocks
The closest place to stay near Coopers Rock is in Coopers Rock itself! Coopers Rock State Forest has two campgrounds with a total of 50 campsites.
The McCollum Campground is an RV campground with electrical hookups at each site. The campground typically opens by the first weekend in April and closes by the end of November.
The Rhododendron Campground does not allow RVs. The primitive campground does not have showers, but guests are permitted to use the showers at McCollum Campground. Like the McCollum Campground, it is usually open by the first weekend in April. However, it closes after the first weekend in November.
Hotels Near Coopers Rock State Forest
The closest hotel to Coopers Rock State Forest is the Lakeview Golf Resort on Cheat Lake. However, if you don’t mind driving for 15 minutes, you have a vast selection of hotels in Morgantown.
We stayed at the Hampton Inn & Suites Morgantown / University Town Centre and had a great stay. It’s located close to many restaurants and has a FREE breakfast.
Common Questions About Visiting Coopers Rock
Where Do You Park for Coopers Rock Overlook?
There is a large parking area at the end of Coopers Rock State Park Road that is right next to the trail to Coopers Rock Overlook. It holds about two dozen vehicles and has a clean restroom adjacent.
How hard is the hike to Coopers Rock?
The trail to the Coopers Rock Overlook is easy and 500 feet long. It is mostly flat; however, there are some steps to the bridge, and the overlook is uneven.
How much does it cost to go to Coopers Rock State Park?
There is no charge to enter Coopers Rock State Forest.
Wrapping Up Coopers Rock State Forest
We loved our visit to Coopers Rock State Forest. It was a perfect stop on our road trip to Kentucky and gave us a chance to enjoy the beauty of West Virginia. As noted above, Coopers Rock could be easily combined with a trip to Ohiopyle State Park in Pennsylvania and would make an easy day trip from Pittsburgh.
Other West Virginia Hikes
Pin It For Later
