Cathedral State Park

Cathedral State Park in Aurora, Preston County, West Virginia, protects one of the last remaining stands of old-growth mixed hardwood and hemlock forest east of the Mississippi River. The park's 133 acres contain hemlocks more than 90 feet tall and 21 feet in circumference, some estimated to be over 350 years old, creating a forest canopy so dense that the interior remains dim even at midday — an effect that gives the park its name. The park has no camping, no lodging, and no commercial facilities: it exists solely to protect and interpret its ancient forest. Two main trails — Cathedral Trail and the Old Growth Loop — cover approximately 2 miles combined, winding between massive trunks over a carpet of ferns and through stands of beech, black cherry, and yellow birch in addition to the dominant hemlocks. Interpretive signs throughout the trail system explain the ecology, geology, and logging history of the region, providing context for why this particular grove survived while most surrounding forest was logged off in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Wildlife observation in Cathedral State Park focuses on forest interior species: hermit thrush, black-throated green warbler, ovenbird, and other songbirds use the old-growth canopy as breeding habitat in spring and early summer. Spring ephemeral wildflowers appear in April and May before the full canopy leafs out and blocks the light. The park is located on WV-24 just off US-50, approximately 2.5 hours from Clarksburg, and is accessible year-round for day use. The hemlock woolly adelgid, an invasive insect pest, has been documented in the area; management efforts are ongoing to protect the ancient trees.