North Bend features 29 guest rooms at its lodge, which is where Elaine and I enjoyed a pleasant stay. A very nice restaurant is also a part of the lodge. Eight cottages and two camping areas with 78 sites are available, too. For more information on North Bend, or on any of the state parks mentioned in this story, call (800) CALL-WVA, or online at www.wvparks.com. For boat and bike rentals, contact Ritchie County Adventure Outfitters at (304) 299-1768.

DISTRICT I
Tygart Lake State Park
Several years ago, I had the pleasure of visiting 2,134-acre Tygart Lake State Park, just outside of Grafton. Superintendent Mick Elsey said that this District I getaway is very family friendly.

"We have everything in the world here that a family would want to do in the outdoors," exuded Elsey. "I would have to say that boating and fishing on the lake are the most popular family activities."

The 11-mile-long riverine impoundment certainly contains a variety of game fish. The superintendent lists largemouth and smallmouth bass, bluegills, walleyes, muskies, white bass, hybrid stripers and "humongous" catfish as among the species that fin there. Three ramps at the marina offer access to the lake. And don't forget about the Tygart River tailrace and the river below.

"The walleye and trout fishing below the dam can be outstanding," Elsey said. "The cold water coming from the dam is the reason for this fishery. I also like to float the Tygart for smallmouths. I believe a lot of families might enjoy paddling from the tailrace here to Valley Falls State Park, a float of seven or eight miles. There have been times when I've caught smallmouths on this float until my arms were tired. And there's no white water, just riffles."

Tygart Lake State Park also sports seven hiking trails. Elsey lists the Dogwood Trail, which is near the lodge, as his favorite and a good one for families, as well. The trail winds through old farmland, second-growth and old-growth forests and is just over a mile in length.

Kids should further enjoy participating in the nature/recreation program, which has the usual wildlife-related activities, along with campfire songfests and interpretative trail hikes. The park also provides 11 cabins, 20 lodge rooms and 40 campsites.

DISTRICT II
Cacapon Resort State Park
At 6,115 acres, Cacapon Resort State Park near Berkeley Springs certainly contains a sizable chunk of District II forest. And with a 46-room lodge and 31 cabins, some of which date to the Civilian Conservation Corps era, lodging options are certainly no problem.

Dave Lombardo, a district administrator for the state park system, relates that families should enjoy plying the waters of six-acre Cacapon Park Lake.

"The lake has good populations of largemouth bass, bluegills and channel catfish," Lombardo said. "Trout are stocked in the spring, and sometimes these fish are caught on into the summer.

"One of my favorite things about Cacapon State Park is the nature program that Kelly Smith runs. She has a really interesting night hike, where the kids listen for creatures such as owls and whippoorwills. Kelly is simply great working with kids."

The Eastern Panhandle establishment also offers over 20 miles of trails from easy to difficult hikes, plus horseback riding, and tennis and volleyball courts. Also of note for the fishing inclined is that the Potomac and Cacapon rivers are nearby. Last June, for instance, I finished a three-day float trip on the Potomac near Berkeley Springs, which is a short drive from the park. Like the Potomac, the Cacapon also is a very gently flowing river in the vicinity of the park.