Cokeley Campground – A New Recreation Complex At North Bend State Park Beginning May 23

            North Bend, W.Va. –The camping options at North Bend State Park expand this year with the development and addition of 28 sites to be known as Cokeley Campground. North Bend will have a total of 77 campsites with this expansion.

            The Cokeley Recreation Area is a recently established area within North Bend State Park and is part of the North Fork of the Hughes River Watershed Project. The project was sponsored by the Little Kanawha Conservation District through the Natural Resource Conservation Service.

            Cokeley Campground has a soft opening in 2008 and will officially rent sites on first come, first serve basis this camping season beginning May 23. 

            “Campers are commending us for making all 28 sites reservable beginning in 2009.  Each site features water and electric hook ups, picnic table, fire ring and lantern post,” says North Bend State Parks Supt. Steve Jones. “Our greatest accomplishment with the development of the Cokeley Campground is its accessibility factor. There are ADA campsites, bathhouse and coin operated laundry services accessible for all campers. Our staff is extremely proud that accessibility is inclusive in planning and facility development.”

             “There are three factors remaining to complete this campground:  landscaping, paving and a small playground,” says Jones. “We tried to have it all ready by this Memorial Day Weekend, but it just did not happen as quickly as we would have liked. Campers are already interested in this campground setting and all it offers for a great camping experience. We’ll continue the work necessary to finish this area and any additional improvements based on campers’ comments as the season progresses.”

            Campers may call or check the park’s Web site to determine if there may be one or two day closures in order to accomplish necessary work. The campground will close at the end of October and reopen in spring 2009 as a reserved site campground.

            Jones recommends that campers coming to North Bend be mindful of camper length. Thirty-five feet or less is practical due to the nature of West Virginia’s roadways meandering through the region.  “The Mountain State produces some of the best scenery in the world with deciduous forests, valleys and peaks and we do not apologize for our long, and sometimes narrow, winding roads that lead to our great campgrounds and outdoor experiences.”

           In addition to campsites, Cokeley Recreation Area includes:

• Five miles of multi-use, non-motorized trails developed from the Cokeley Recreation Area to the main part of North Bend State Park and the North Bend Rail Trail.
• Access to North Bend’s 305-acre lake comprising 8.1 river miles with an average width of 310 feet and depth of 29 feet in the channel A boat launch and a canoe launch and two accessible fishing piers support great fishing. In addition to the existing fish population bass, crappie, catfish, bluegill, and musky were stocked. The fish population and size will continue to grow over dramatically the next two to three years as is normal with the creation of a new lake. The lake has been open since 2003 to anglers and boaters.
• Fishing regulations are published annually in West Virginia’s Fishing Regulation Summary; please note a horsepower limit of less than 10 h.p. is in effect on the lake along with catch and release for black bass species and a 40 inch minimum on Muskellunge.  Canoe, kayak and john boat rentals are available on weekends from North Bend Outfitters at Cokeley Recreation Area.

            North Bend State Park has long been a popular vacation spot for families since the late 1950s. It features a vacation lodge, cabins, hiking trails, restaurant, events, meeting facilities, gift shop, lake, and now, expanded camping opportunities to broaden this year-round park’s appeal.

            North Bend is located off U.S. Rt. 50 in Ritchie County between the towns of Cairo and Harrisville. The park is approximately 30 minutes from Parkersburg and 40 minutes from Clarksburg. You can access to Cokeley Recreation Area, including the campground, lake, and trails via County Rt. 5 between the park’s main entrance and Harrisville.

            For more information about North Bend State Park, the lake and campgrounds or North Bend Rail Trail, go online to www.northbendsp.com or call the park, (304) 643-2931.