GOLF
Golf in Raleigh County and Southern WV is rich in history and has great courses to choose from. The area’s natural beauty has allowed for course designers to take advantage of scenic views, which allow many visitors and locals alike to take on some of the best golf this region has to offer. Raleigh County is home to 5 premiere golf courses, with each course offering their own challenge and exciting day on the links.
The City owned Historic Black Knight golf course is the oldest course in Raleigh County, opening in 1929 as the Black Knight Country Club. This 9-hole course has seen legends such as Sam Snead, 82-time PGA TOUR Champion, grace the fairways many times in route to his record 17 WV Open Championships. Billy Capps & Phil Wiechman, both legendary PGA Club Pros, spent many years as well, teaching and playing, at Historic Black Knight. PGA TOUR Rules Official, Slugger White, grew up winning junior tournaments and High School matches alongside WV Gov. Jim Justice at the Historic Black Knight. And throughout the years, many members of the Chamber of Commerce have spent time entertaining clients and discussing business on the Historic course.
The Resort at Glade Springs boasts 3 Championship golf courses; the Cobb Course, Stonehaven Golf Course and Woodhaven Golf Course. The Cobb Course, designed in 1972, by legendary golf architect, George Cobb, is the only course in his impressive resume to bear his name. George Cobb, known for his design of the famous Par 3 Course at Augusta National Golf Club put his signature touch on the Cobb Course and it has since hosted many national and state championships. Most recently, the NCAA Division II National Championship. Much like the Historic Black Knight, some very famous golfers, both past and present, have taken on the challenging traditional championship course. Stonehaven Golf Course, regarded as one of the most scenic golf courses in West Virginia has too become known as a Championship course throughout West Virginia and the Mid- Atlantic region. Woodhaven Golf Course, also known for its scenic beauty and challenging layout completes what has become a top destination golf resort throughout the Mid- Atlantic region. With 54 holes of golf, an impressive practice facility and putting greens, The Resort at Glade Springs offers golfers of every skill level something to enjoy.
Grandview Country Club is widely regarded as one of the finest public golf courses in all of Southern West Virginia. With its open fairways and tough approach shots to tricky greens, this course can be challenging, yet very player friendly for anyone looking to enjoy a good round of golf.
TRAILS
The Piney Creek Gorge, just minutes outside of downtown Beckley, is full of scenic views and robust wild life that can easily be accessed by an extensive trail system. Beckley’s recreational hub, the Paul Cline Memorial Sports Complex is the watersheds most popular trailhead. Piney Creek Watershed Association is working to connect these trails into the New River Gorge National River trail system- we aim to get Beckley’s residents and visitors into the great outdoors to hike, bike, fish, climb, boat and more.
Don’t miss these additional trail opportunities in Raleigh County:
Lewis McManus Rail Trail – 4.1 mi
YMCA Soccer Complex – 11.5 mi
Little Beaver State Park – 20.5 mi
Airport – 5.5 mi
Lake Stephens – 19 mi
Grandview – 7.7 mi
OFF ROAD
Burning Rock Off-Road Park is a 10,000-acre destination located in Southern West Virginia with over 120 miles of trails for ATVs, Side by Sides, Dirt bikes, Trucks, Jeeps and custom vehicles. Burning Rock is more than a trail system. During the 10 years it has been open, it has developed into a true destination for ALL off-road enthusiasts, a family friendly environment and a full-service trailhead. Burning Rock, located just 15 minutes from Beckley, boasts a professionally maintained trail system designed to be home to every type of off -road recreation and all levels of riders from beginner to expert. The 70 acre trailhead provides an ideal setting to unwind from the day’s adventures
with a General Store, Game Room, Pavilion, Picnic Areas, Campground, Rustic Cabins, RV and Tent Campgrounds, Glamp and Platform Tents, Showers, Restrooms and ATV Wash Rack nestled in the valley yet still convenient to other area shopping, dining and recreation.
SKI, SNOWBOARD, TUBING
Tucked away in wild, wonderful West Virginia is one of the premier winter recreation areas in the Southeast: Winterplace Ski Resort, where winter is fun for everyone! Winterplace the most accessible, affordable ski resort in the Southeast – it is easy to get to – just 5 minutes off Interstate 77, at Exit 28, between Beckley & Bluefield, West Virginia. With a state-of-the-art automated snowmaking system – covering 100%of the area, you can be sure of plenty of snow even when there’s none in your backyard! Winterplace offers 27 trails, two terrain parks, ten lifts that take you to the top fast and one of the East’s largest dedicated teaching areas with two Super Carpet lifts! Night ski for free with the purchase of an all day lift ticket. When the sun goes down, the slopes light up until 10pm every night! Offering the longest skiing day in the Southeast, 13 1/2 hours on weekends and holidays and 13 hours on weekdays. If you’re looking for outdoor winter fun and excitement, Winterplace is the place to be!If you have never skied or snowboarded, Winterplace’s Learn-To-Ski or Learn-To-Board packages are fun and guarantee to have you skiing or boarding in no time with award winning Terrain Based Learning. They offer group and private lessons for skiers and snowboarders of all levels. Bring your own equipment or choose from our huge fleet of top of the line skis and snowboards at the Winterplace Rental Shop. Ride the largest snowtubing park in West Virginia with 18 lanes of family fun serviced by 2 Super Carpet lifts, everyone will enjoy snowtubing at Winterplace. It’s fun for the whole family…. You provide the laughs and smiles and Winterplace provides the tubes and the ride to the top!
PARKS
LITTLE BEAVER STATE PARK
Little Beaver State Park was established in 1972 as a day-use park, but the site had been a recreational attraction for 4-H campers and anglers since the 1940s when the damming of Little Beaver Creek created an 18-acre lake. In 2011, the park was upgraded with 46 camping sites, expanding opportunities for this popular family reunion and vacation destination. With 562-acres, Little Beaver State Park offers family fun, beautiful scenery and incredible outdoor recreation. The park features nearly 20 miles of trails to explore and an 18-acre lake where anglers may fish year-round. Stand up paddle board, kayak, canoe and paddleboat rentals are available seasonally. Park visitors can also enjoy biking, picnicking and camping at Little Beaver.
LAKE STEPHENS
Lake Stephens is a 2300-acre county park with a 272-acre pristine mountain lake and 1900 acres of hardwood forest. The park is open May 1st to October 31st offering recreational opportunities such as hiking, camping, fishing, boating, and access to local attractions and events. With all of the updated conveniences, it’s a great place for relaxing and enjoying the great outdoors. Lounge on the beach and soak up the sun with a full view of the Aqua Park where you can jump on water trampolines and climb up inflatables. Let the kids run free in the Sprinkler Splash Pad Park, where they can enjoy going down water slides and playing in the water sprinklers. Come camp on one of the primitive tent sites or enjoy the luxury of camping on one of the full hookup and pull through RV sites. Glamp it up in a cozy cabin, available year around. Lake Stephens also has indoor and outdoor event space rentals to suit your event needs! The marina offers two wide boat launches as well as fishing and boating supplies, including live bait. Lake Stephens has several playgrounds and picnic areas located throughout the park along with 20 miles of marked and mapped walking/hiking trails. For more information visit raleighcountyparks.org
GRANDVIEW
Raleigh County’s “Big Sky Country,” Grandview is characterized by tableland farms separated by spectacular gorges. The county’s most popular scenic attraction, the overlooks at Grandview look out across the New River Gorge National River. Roughly 15 minutes to Beckley by Interstate 64.
